Deadly Antiques – 13 Weapons from World War II Still in Use in the 21st Century

“The Lee-Enfield isn’t the only piece of World War II hardware still in use around the world in 2015. Here are some more examples.”

After 120 years of service, the days of the venerable Lee-Enfield .303 rifle may finally be numbered.

The popular repeating rifle was the mainstay of the British and Commonwealth armies from 1895 until World War II, eventually being replaced by newer semi-automatic assault rifles. Despite its obsolescence, many military personnel retained the outdated long gun well into the postwar period—and some even into the 21st century!

The Canadian Rangers, a civilian militia force patrolling the remote Arctic, has been equipping its volunteers with surplus Enfield No. 4 rifles since 1947, primarily because the weapons were cheap, plentiful, and (most importantly) reliable—especially in the brutal climate of the Far North.

But according to a 2014 Globe and Mail article, the Rangers will finally retire the old rifle next year—a lack of spare parts has sealed the Enfield’s fate.

“While the Rangers are receiving rifles in pristine condition (new out of the box), Canada’s inventory is declining and a replacement must be found,” said a government memo quoted by the newspaper.

A British soldier with a Lee-Enfield rifle, 1944. (Image source: WikiCommons)

When the Rangers finally mothball their old .303s, only a handful of police officers in Bangladesh and India will be left as users, besides sports shooters and collectors.

Amazingly, the Lee-Enfield isn’t the only piece of World War II-era hardware still in use around the world in 2015. Here are some more examples:

In 1942, the United States Marine Corps adopted the now legendary 7-inch Ka-Bar utility knife. It remained in use well into the 21st century. The Ka-Bar is also popular with civilian hunters, hikers, and sportsmen. Here, a U.S. Marine in Iraq searches the sand with a Ka-Bar. (Image source: Department of Defense) — In 1942, the United States Marine Corps adopted the now legendary 7-inch Ka-Bar utility knife. It remained in use well into the 21st century. The weapon is also popular with civilian hunters, hikers, and sportsmen. Here, a US Marine in Iraq searches the sand with a Ka-Bar. (Image source: Department of Defense)

The German MG-42, once a scourge for GIs in Normandy, was further developed in the 1950s and reissued under the designation M3. The well-known multi-purpose machine gun (GPMG) is still in service with the German and Austrian armies today and is manufactured under license in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey. Pakistan and Iran are also among the current users of the M3. Here, NATO troops in Western Europe train with an M3. (Image source: US Army) — The German MG-42, once a scourge for GIs in Normandy, was further developed in the 1950s and reissued under the designation M3. This well-known multi-purpose machine gun (GPMG) is still in service with the German and Austrian armies today and is manufactured under license in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey. Pakistan and Iran are also among the current users of the M3. Here, Austrian troops train with an M3 during a NATO exercise. (Image source: US Army)

Swedish manufacturer AB Bofors flooded the world before World War II with its famous 40 mm rapid-fire anti-aircraft gun; it was used by both the Allies and the Axis powers throughout the conflict. Production continued after the war, and modernized versions of the Bofors gun have been manufactured by BAE Systems since 2005. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

The M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun was introduced by the United States in 1933; 82 years later, it is still in service. A total of over 3 million units were produced. At least 20 different companies produced the 80-pound "Ma Deuce" over the years on behalf of the United States and its allies, including Colt Arms, General Motors, and the Springfield Armory. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons) — The M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun was introduced by the United States in 1933; 82 years later, it is still in service. A total of over three million units were produced. At least 20 different companies produced the 80-pound “Ma Deuce” over the years on behalf of the United States and its allies, including Colt Arms, General Motors, and the Springfield Armory. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

The 13-round 9 mm Hi-Power pistol was developed by American gunsmith John Browning in the early 1920s and manufactured by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN) in 1935, and later under license by other companies. Popular with the Allied armies during World War II, FN also began producing this weapon for the Axis powers after the Nazi occupation. After the war, it was adopted by the armed forces of over 93 nations and remains widely used today. Here, Canadian troops train with a Browning Hi-Power. (Image source: Canadian Forces) — The 9mm Hi-Power, a 13-round semi-automatic pistol, was developed by American gunsmith John Browning in the early 1920s and manufactured by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale d’Herstal (FN) in 1935, and later under license by other companies. It was popular with the Allied armies during World War II and, after the Nazi occupation, began production for the Axis powers. After the war, it was adopted by the armed forces of over 93 nations and remains widely used today. Here, Canadian troops train with the Browning Hi-Power. (Image source: Canadian Forces)

Originally designed to transport 12-man rifle squads into battle, modified versions of the M3 half-track also served as self-propelled howitzers, mobile anti-aircraft vehicles, and mobile command and control units. Dozens of countries used the M3 in the postwar period, including West Germany, Portugal, South Korea, Pakistan, and Israel. Surplus M3s are still in service with the armies of Peru and Senegal today. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons) — Originally designed to transport 12-man rifle squads into battle, modified versions of the M3 half-track also served as self-propelled howitzers, anti-aircraft vehicles, and mobile command units. Dozens of countries used the M3 in the postwar period, including West Germany, Portugal, South Korea, Pakistan, and Israel. Surplus M3s are still in service with the armies of Peru and Senegal today. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

The ubiquitous Colt M1911 in .45 caliber was used everywhere the US military fought over the past century—from the trenches of the Western Front to the mountains of Afghanistan. Although it has been replaced by more modern sidearms in recent years, improved versions are still widely used in the American military. In 2012, the US Marines ordered 12,000 brand-new pistols based on the classic Model 1911. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)