So, as a follow up to the last post. This pic shows the Enfield P14 from the last post's pic and the Eddystone M1917 (top). Yes Virginia, the 17 is a direct descendant of the P14. The interesting thing about this system is the cock on close rather than cocking on extraction with the bolt. So, you're fighting the spring tension in the system to close the bolt. I'm trying to think of the reasons why for either system.
Anyway, the 17 does fill a gap in my collection. Yes, I understand that the 17 was really a stop gap rifle as the Krag-Jorgenson was phased out and they couldn't field enough M1903's to equip the AEF as it went off to fight WW1. But it is the rifle Sgt. York was carrying on the day he earned the MoH. Heck, the P14 was created because the Brits were desperate for long arms to fight the war and anything they could get was used.
Which reminds me. I need to find a nice shootable example of the Lee-Enfield SMLE. It's interesting to the nerd in me that the MLE was adopted in 1895 through the SMLE which was the standard long arm of the RA into the 50's and 60's while the US Army went from the .30-40 Krag-Jorgenson, the M1903, M1917, M1903a3, M1Garand and finally to the M14 in the same period. What do you think that says?
4 comments:
Ummm, that 'we' always wanted the latest and greatest toy??? :-)
Or the brits were too cheap. :D
I read that CPL York acquired a
1903 by "midnight requisition" from
a cook, because he did not like "that British rifle."
Can't find the reference at the
moment. It may have been in
York's diary.
I'd heard the same thing Anonymous. It's becoming one of those things that's more legend now. I've also heard from various sources that he was carrying a 1911 and a captured Luger too.
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