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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 01:58:00 AM

Title: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 01:58:00 AM
Was at my sister's house for a family Christmas dinner, and we all started opening up gifts. It was weird though because I wasn't getting anything.
Finally, I got a present, was thinking it was a knife or something, open it up, and it's .303 ammo.

Then, they brought out an Enfield No 1 Mk III made in 1917. It's in great condition, and has GB stamped on it along with a seal. My dad says it's dead on at 100 yards, and I plan to shoot it 2 days from now. Talk about an unexpected surprise and a really cool present. I asked for a Ernie Ball Wah peddle.
 :x :lol
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: oakranger on December 25, 2009, 02:42:35 AM
thats cool.  enjoy it and see if you can get the history of that rifle.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: jay on December 25, 2009, 02:51:57 AM
awesome! post pics if you can  :aok
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: mbailey on December 25, 2009, 07:56:30 AM
Sounds like a beautiful rifle sir, would love to see some pics

 :salute
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Jebus on December 25, 2009, 10:46:21 AM
That sounds great.  I found my Grandfathers M1917 Enfield that was his weapon in WW2 (he was a rear unit engineer).  The things is in almost perfect condition.  I dont want to shoot it, I do want to keep it I just don't know what I want to do with it.  The rifle means a lot to me.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 11:37:21 AM
Well, is yours like the Springfield 1903 1917 model Enfield? Because mine is the S-M-L-E .303 British version. (oddly enough, we can order .303 ammo cheapest compared to even .223, which is odd.)

After Christmas, we're making an investment in a 1903 and hopefully, this time next year, we'll have an M-1 Garand. After that, we'll be set for guns, except probably a Mauser.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Tec on December 25, 2009, 12:01:39 PM
Well played by your family.  When I was 17 or 18 I was opening a present from my dad and it was a freaking Barbie box and I got a lil pissed then I opened said box to find a Ruger single six :D.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Masherbrum on December 25, 2009, 01:14:18 PM
My first deer rifle was an Enfield.   The following year I bought my Sig Sauer 30-06.   

Jebus, fire it.   If it's in as good of shape as you say, it's like owning a car and not driving it.   
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 01:22:57 PM
Here's a quick picture off my phone.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh71/1pLUs44/img0034-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Jebus on December 25, 2009, 02:06:39 PM
Just took it out of the closet to look at it again.  On top of the bolt it says US model 1917 Winchester stamped on it.

I will take a picture of it when I have a minute to show you guys.  I don't know when it was last used probably WW2.

The only question I have would any 30.06 ammo work for it?

After reading this tread, listening to Mashburn and reading up on the internet a little today on the rifle I do have a little itch to fire the thing now.  :D
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Masherbrum on December 25, 2009, 02:11:39 PM
Just took it out of the closet to look at it again.  On top of the bolt it says US model 1917 Winchester stamped on it.

I will take a picture of it when I have a minute to show you guys.  I don't know when it was last used probably WW2.

The only question I have would any 30.06 ammo work for it?

After reading this tread, listening to Mashburn and reading up on the internet a little today on the rifle I do have a little itch to fire the thing now.  :D

If it's an Enfield, try to use .303 British. 
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: mbailey on December 25, 2009, 02:15:29 PM
Just took it out of the closet to look at it again.  On top of the bolt it says US model 1917 Winchester stamped on it.

I will take a picture of it when I have a minute to show you guys.  I don't know when it was last used probably WW2.

The only question I have would any 30.06 ammo work for it?

After reading this tread, listening to Mashburn and reading up on the internet a little today on the rifle I do have a little itch to fire the thing now.  :D

Best bet is take it to a gun shop, or a gun smith and have them put a bore guage in it, They will be able to tell u the proper caliber. Dont just try something to see if it will work. A quick check from a gunsmith will let you know what caliber, and most importantly if its in functioning condition and safe to shoot. Better safe than sorry.

<S>

Mbailey
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Masherbrum on December 25, 2009, 02:16:42 PM
Best bet is take it to a gun shop, or a gun smith and have them put a bore guage in it, They will be able to tell u the proper caliber. Dont just try something to see if it will work. A quick check from a gunsmith will let you know what caliber, and most importantly if its in functioning condition and safe to shoot. Better safe than sorry.

<S>

Mbailey

If it is an Enfield, you use .303 British ammunition.   
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: stodd on December 25, 2009, 02:33:45 PM
Woowoo? (http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww279/stodd602/GLOCK22.jpg)
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: crazyivan on December 25, 2009, 02:36:33 PM
Woowoo? (http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww279/stodd602/GLOCK22.jpg)
You'll shoot your eye out kid! :D
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 02:53:55 PM
If this is the gun he's talking about, it's 30-06.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield

This is our dream gun that we plan to own some day.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: mbailey on December 25, 2009, 09:08:00 PM
If it is an Enfield, you use .303 British ammunition.  
Not nessasarily. More than likely its a 30-06. But, Ive had many come into the gun shop that i work at that have been rebarreled. I had one in here a year ago that was re done into a .308. It looked 100% original, but just 2 different numbers in the SN# from the reciever and the BBL gave it away.

Just because it says Enfield does NOT mean its a .303

Just go on the side of caution. Most gunsmiths that i know would do it for you for nothing, just being able to hold the small piece of history that you own is payment enough. That coupled with the fact that your not having any "work" done to it and only having a bore gauge put in it to identify caliber, and a cursory inspection by a certified gunsmith to make sure its safe to fire  
 
Honestly if its a 1917 Winchester more than likely its a 30-06. Ultimatly I just want you to be safe. The gun is about 92 years old, and while this may mean nothing, as many old guns are better than the new ones produced, you do not know the history ( mechanical or maintenence ) and having it looked at will be your best move. If you like, you can PM me and ill send you my email address, with some photos ( makers marks, SN#s and overall photos) and I may be able to research it for you to tell you all the mfg info on it. Ill tell you where they are located on the rifle and which ones i need to see. WHile its easier ( and more accurate ) to see it in person, I do this all the time for our clients that come in the shop.
Glad to help in any way i can.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Jebus on December 25, 2009, 09:40:56 PM
Thanks Mbailey I was going to take it to a gun smith before firing it any ways.  My knowledge of guns is pretty novice at best. 

All I know about the rifle is that my grandfather told me it was his service rifle in the war that he kept.  He died when I was pretty young.

Like I said I will be posting pics when I do have time.

1plus44 sorry i didnt mean to Hijack your thread.  You do have a beautiful rifle there.  That is a great Christmas present for you!  :aok
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: mbailey on December 25, 2009, 09:59:20 PM
Thanks Mbailey I was going to take it to a gun smith before firing it any ways.  My knowledge of guns is pretty novice at best. 

All I know about the rifle is that my grandfather told me it was his service rifle in the war that he kept.  He died when I was pretty young.

Like I said I will be posting pics when I do have time.

1plus44 sorry i didnt mean to Hijack your thread.  You do have a beautiful rifle there.  That is a great Christmas present for you!  :aok

NP  glad to help in any way that i can.

1plus44, thats a sweet rifle sir, cant wait for you to get your 1917, would love to see pics of that also sir. I love old rifles and shotguns, military or otherwise.

My appoligies also, did not meet to hijack ur thread sir.

<S>

Mbailey
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: mbailey on December 25, 2009, 10:14:04 PM
Some intresting info for you gents

During the earliest part of the XX century, British army had some doubts about the effectiveness of its newest infantry weapon, the famous Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield, or SMLE in short. Because of that, government arms factory at Enfield Lock was set up to produce Mauser-pattern rifle and new rimless ammunition for it. By the 1912, such rifle was produced in the form of the Enfield P13 (pattern 1913) rifle, alongside with powerful magnum-class .276 Enfield ammunition. Being too powerful, this cartridge produced excessive muzzle flash and recoil, and worn barrels too quickly. The Great war (1st World war) effectively stopped the development of a new cartridge, and also put the British troops into desperate need for more and more rifles. As the British industry had no spare capacity to produce Lee Enfields, in 1915 the British Government decided to order rifles from private US contractors. The P13 rifle was especially suited for rapid mass production, so it was ordered for British troops, rechambered to the standard .303 British ammunition. The .303 caliber P14 rifles were manufactured by the three US arms plants, the Remington, the Winchester and the Eddystone (subsidiary of the Remington). As the USA entered the 1st World War in 1917, it immediately felt a shortage of infantry rifles, and, like the Britain before, government plants were unable to turn out enough Springfield M1903 rifles for US troops. As the .303 caliber P14 rifles were already in production in USA, US government decided to adopt this pattern to US issue .30-06 ammunition. Resulting rifle was adopted as "US Rifle, .30 caliber, Model of 1917", and produced by the same three plants between 1917 and 1918. During that short time, more than two millions of M1917 rifles were delivered to US Army, and most of the American troops in Europe were actually armed with M1917 rifles. Nevertheless, after the end of the war the Army officials decided to keep the Springfield M1903 as a general issue rifle, probably as a matter of a national pride. Many of M1917 rifles were sold as surplus or put into storage. During the early part of the 2nd World war some of M1917 rifles were shipped to Britain, where they were issued to the Home Guard. To distinguish .30 caliber US-made M1917 from very similar .303 caliber P14 rifles, British-issue .30 caliber M1917 rifles were marked with painted red strip on the buttstock. In general, M1917 rifles (also known as US Enfields) are known as a strong and accurate rifles; many of these were latter sporterized and often rechambered for various hunting cartridges.

The P14 and M1917 are manually operated, rotating bolt action rifles. Mauser-type rotating bolt has two frontal lugs which lock into the receiver ring. Integral staggered-row box magazine holds five rounds and can be loaded using M1903-type stripper clips or loose rounds. Bolt handle is bent down for more comfortable carry, and located at the rear of the bolt. Solid rear receiver bridge has guide slots for stripper clips, and serves as a base for rear diopter sight. manual safety is located at the right side of the receiver, above the trigger guard. Adjustable diopter rear sight offered high accuracy, once the proper windage was set by the drifting of the front sight. M1917 rifles were issued with detachable M1917 knife bayonet and scabbard. The easiest way to distinguish British P14 and US M1917 rifles is to look at the buttstock: the British rifles have a brass disk set up into the right side of the butt, which carries the regiment number. US rifles have no such disk.

Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 25, 2009, 11:05:46 PM
NP  glad to help in any way that i can.

1plus44, thats a sweet rifle sir, cant wait for you to get your 1917, would love to see pics of that also sir. I love old rifles and shotguns, military or otherwise.

My appoligies also, did not meet to hijack ur thread sir.

<S>

Mbailey

All is good. Yeah, the 1917 is our dream gun, but we'll invest on that probably after a 1903 and a Garand. So, it's going to be a couple of years. I'd like to see if I could put a scope on the Enfield without damaging the gun so I could take it out to a hunt we were drawn for. (apparently, the closest shots are about 200 yards, and I think I could make a 200 yard shot open sighted, but I'd really like to take it and try it out. If that's not possible, I'll just stick with the trusty .270.)

Tomorrow, I get to shoot it. Any way to compare it? I've shot a 1938 Mauser, 8mm, and it didn't kick at all. Should I be expecting a good kick or not too much of one?
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Widewing on December 26, 2009, 09:18:58 AM
I own several Enfields, including British, Australian and US made examples.

In this photo, the upper rifle is a late 1916 No.1 Mk.III* SMLE. The lower rifle is a Lend Lease No.4 Mk.I manufactured by Savage-Stevens. It's stamped "U.S. Property". Both rifles have been retired from use. The No.1 Mk.III* has a detailed combat provenance, greatly increasing its collector value. The US made No.4 is very good condition, and its value is about 3 times what I paid for it more than 20 years ago. I also have a couple of shooters; a 1917 Lithgow No.1 Mk.III and a Canadian made No.4 Mk.2.

(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/Enfields.jpg)


My regards,

Widewing
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: jay on December 29, 2009, 05:24:11 AM
wow lucky and rich  :(
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on December 31, 2009, 02:34:16 PM
wow lucky and rich  :(

Actually, you can buy these guns at a standard price that's cheaper than a lot of hunting rifles. You can buy them (well in Central Texas atleast) anywhere from 250-400 (standard price I usually see is 250 to 350, but I've seen them as low as 200.).

And for the ammo, we've been able to order it online for really cheap. (another surprise)
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Ack-Ack on December 31, 2009, 03:04:47 PM
If this is the gun he's talking about, it's 30-06.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield

This is our dream gun that we plan to own some day.

My old Jr. High/High School has about 600 of these rifles, used to fire them as part of our JROTC crap we had to do. 


ack-ack
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Vulcan on December 31, 2009, 03:11:29 PM
There are thousands of these in use in NZ (in 303). They were often 'sporterized' and used for deer culling.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Latrobe on December 31, 2009, 04:03:24 PM
You're all so lucky! Besides the Springfield, the Lee Enfield has to be my favorite bolt action rifle! Don't own either (yet  ;) ), but my grandpa did give me a Japanese 7.7mm Arisaka rifle that was used back in WWII. My dad says he went hunting with it when he was younger too. have yet to fire it though.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: 1pLUs44 on January 01, 2010, 04:53:58 PM
You're all so lucky! Besides the Springfield, the Lee Enfield has to be my favorite bolt action rifle! Don't own either (yet  ;) ), but my grandpa did give me a Japanese 7.7mm Arisaka rifle that was used back in WWII. My dad says he went hunting with it when he was younger too. have yet to fire it though.

Same about the enfield. I'd go to like Reds Indoor range, but there's always some guy with an elephant gun that makes you wanna just leave and not shoot.
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: Tec on January 01, 2010, 05:55:26 PM
Japanese 7.7mm Arisaka rifle that was used back in WWII.

Oooo, was it defaced or not?
Title: Re: Early Christmas Present.
Post by: jay on January 03, 2010, 06:54:14 PM


the wood it was made of was nearly indestructable (so if you ran out of ammo u could beat the crap out of them)

Japanese 7.7mm Arisaka rifle that was used back in WWII.