boz
Private
New to airsoft, do more reenacting (Napoleonic & WW1) DC area. Seeking boneyard S&T 1903 Springfiel
Posts: 16
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Post by boz on Jul 10, 2020 18:34:02 GMT -5
2nd Bat, we've spoken in another thread of the c2015 issuance of the S&T Springfield M1903A3, which started out at $160 (about as your predicted in 2013) and have gradually crept up to $250 (Evike, sole North American source), which is still a pretty good bargain. I keep looking on eBay for a bargain on the S&T, and just now thought maybe I scored (M1903A4 pictured and 'buy it now' for $60. But no....two listings, one for rifle at $400 and then scope for the $60....drat. For my main 20th century interest of WW1, the Springfield is of course more central to a US impression than a M1903A1, A3 or A4 is to an overall unit/event WW2 impression....my entire USMC company (squad strength....) is with Springfield Mark 1's, with the occasional inclusion of either a BAR or a Chauchat (conversion from SKS) automatic weapon, and NCOs and motorcycle rider (and the occasional machine gunner) with M1911s. It is interesting how a M1917 Enfield (real or replica) is sooo much harder to find than a M1903 Springfield, even tho' in WW1 the US (Army....Marines favored the Springfield) fielded more M1917s than M1903s. The M1917s largely got destroyed in the interwar years, as I recall.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 10, 2020 21:36:24 GMT -5
That is true. If memory serves SGT York was armed with an Enfield?
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 11, 2020 16:08:53 GMT -5
It seems to be uncertain whether Sgt. York had an Enfield or a Springfield. The probability is that he would have been issued an Enfield, just because there were more of them. But there's also a story, probably made up by a Springfield fan, that he did a midnight requisition of a Springfield. As to what happened to all the M1917's, since there were a bit over 2 million made, a considerable number of them were sold off to the civilian market and sporterized. My dad and my brother-in-law's dad both had sporterized Enfield deer rifles they bought in the '30's. A lot of them went to arm the Philippine Army before WWII. And after Dunkirk shiploads of M1917's were sent to Britain, totaling about 1 million rifles. They were the primary small arm of the Home Guard. I suspect most of those probably ended up as scrap metal after the war. The last Enfields in active US service, from what I've read, were issued to chemical mortar (4.2 inch) companies. personally, I think they should have standardized on the Enfield after WWI, perhaps a modified version. It wouldn't have hurt it to take the barrel back to 24 inches and shave a little weight off it. But it "wasn't invented here."
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Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 4, 2021 20:52:22 GMT -5
So funny to see this post from 2013 and see how far we have come. There are now excellent bolt action springers from assorted manufacturers (S&T being the most prolific). The Kar98 and Springfield 1903 are excellent and priced where they should be. An Arisaka and SMLE are also in production and while I hVent bought either (yet) based on my M1903 and Kar98 Im sure they are great. What exciting new things will be out in the upcoming years? On my wishlist in order of importance a M1 carbine AEG (steel gears WW2 variation regular and paratroop version). An FJ 42 and a German G43!
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Post by volkssturm on Apr 5, 2021 12:37:37 GMT -5
Just had a curious thought. I wonder if you could take a KAR98 and use it to build a M1917 Enfield. The Enfield was based on the Mauser. You'd need to put the Kar98 in the M1917 stock, lengthen the barrel, replace the front sight, add the Enfield rear sight and protective wings, and the dogleg bolt handle.
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Post by 2ndbat2 on Apr 8, 2021 17:45:45 GMT -5
That would probably be a doable project but hopefully ICS or S&T or someone will bear us to it and just come out with it. The Kar98 from S&T is now my favorite bolt action. The power, accuracy and functionality of the magazine are excellent. Transition all of that over to an Enfield and you have a winner.
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