M1 Garand Still Clocking in Overseas as Needed (13 Photos)

The Norwegian King’s Guard recently got a chance to qualify with their ceremonial rifle, the veteran U.S. M1 Garand.

Officially the Hans Majestet Kongens Garde (HMKG), the King’s Guard is a special light infantry battalion of the Royal Norwegian Army tasked with securing the Royal Palace in Oslo as well as protecting the capital in time of war.

Although dressed in a 19th century black uniform and plumed bowler hat and with a penguin as their official mascot (first three pictures below), the Guard in the past has shown its dedication to fight when needed, earning the nickname of “the black devils” when fighting the Germans in World War II.

The guards recently got a chance to shoot their 1940s vintage Garands, which they use for ceremonial duties.

While nobody is sneezing at the firepower of eight 30.06 rounds fired as fast as you can pull the trigger, the Guard also has HK416s, M3 machine guns and LAWS anti-tank rockets at the ready as seen in the last two images from a HMKG post set up in 2011 during the attacks on Oslo by domestic terrorist Anders Breivik.

[ Pintrest /Hans Majestet Kongens Garde Facebook page ]

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