Vintage Pics from days gone by. Vol. 3

[somethingspecial]

Found this photo while reading of the failed Nazi Saboteur plot during WWII. My first thought, “With all the weapons available in WWII, why was this guard armed with a 1906 Winchester .22 caliber weapon”. After thinking about it, I realized he was probably more of a marksman with his trusty .22 than any other weapon. He probably had been shooting that rifle since he was much younger.

The caption on the picture “Devore, California (near San Bernardino). Guard at a bridge along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad, between Barstow and San Bernardino, California”. Photographer Jack Delano, March 1943.

 

[CougarCJ]

Devore is at the base of the Cajon Pass.

My guess is that man was a civilian volunteer, and had to supply his own weapon and ammunition.