The subject of TFB’s Photo Of The Day: Mark 19 grenade launcher which has been around since 1966.

A long time ago, when I was young, I used to play role-playing games. My character carried a Mk 19 grenade launcher, which I thought was suitable. The outfit was certainly very deadly for any of my opponents as the 40 mm M430 high-explosive grenades rained in their direction. It was “perhaps” a little heavy, but who cares when we are LARPing?

Above we can see a picture from the grim reality, where Sgt. 1st Class Adam Fetz of the S3 shop fires the Mk19 at the Grafenfwoehr Training Area (Germany).

The picture comes via the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, and as I’m sure you notice the Mark 19 is best suited on a vehicle mount or, as in this case, on a tripod.

The Mk 19 weighs in at around 78 pounds (35 kg), that’s without ammunition. The M3 tripod alone has a total weight of 44 pounds (20 kg). The tripod is used for the M2HB Browning machine gun as well.

The picture was taken by the U.S. Army, by Sgt. Daniel Villanueva.

So time to confess, who used to play Dungeons & Dragons and similar role-playing games? What kind of magic swords did you use and which were your favourite spells?