Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Reading about the Honor Guard's use of firearms at military funerals, the topic of the Model 1917 Enfield rifle came up. That got me to thunking on my own virtual rifle of that make and caliber. While I have never been one to get a lot of kicks sending massive amounts of ammunition down range, and rejoice at a well placed single shot, the Enfield fits that category right well. It is the first high powered rifle I have ever owned, and not being the brightest light on the tree, I cut it down to make it into a sporter. I must say it is a very nice looking rifle and it sports a new stock with fine figure and color. It also shoots where I point it, guess you can't ask for much more than that. The only down side comment I can make about it, is that as a military rifle, it was not designed to be a "sporter" and consequently is rather heavy to lug around in the woods looking for game. But when I purchased it, these old muscles were much younger, and the spring in my step was much more brisk. The action is one of the strongest in my inventory. As the serial number indicates, it was produced in late 1917 1918 so I doubt that it made it to Europe for the Great War. As I recall, the original stock did show some stress but who knows? Anyway, it has a special place in my safe and my heart. Just thought I would share this. Thanks for indulging me. ED: Rifle was made in October 1918. Doubt it made it to France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugs Bonney SASS # 10171 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 There is nothing wrong with having a "special" gun I have a Stevens 311 shotgun that was the first gun I ever bought with my own money in way back in 1961. I've lugged it through innumerable corn fields, prairies and sat with it in duck blinds for many many years. It has been modified and appeared in more articles than any other gun I have ever owned. It has been converted to a straight English style grip, had a recoil pad installed, refinished, checkered, the forend has been made into a splinter style, the hammer springs have been replaced with the Wolff lighter springs, it is modified to hang open so shells can be dumped without having to hold the barrels down, the triggerguard has been replaced and the receiver has been sculpted and lightened, the triggers have been gold plated for an article on plating. That is ten articles it has appeared in and I guess that it has made me more money than anything else I own. A special gun? yeah, I guess you could say that! I haven't shot it in several years but it does have a special place in my gun rack right above my little league Ed Matthews model bat and Trap Eze glove I played first base with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Almost like children of the tribe, you might say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I've said before that there are two guns very special to me. A Winchester 9422M that was a gift for my 18th birthday, all those years ago. My first gun that I owned. I can still remember my brother and dad watching as I put it in a vise, carefully drilled a pilot hole then a slightly larger hole for a stud for a sling, and soaped up the stud before slowly inserting it. I've slung it over my back on many a trip into the woods down in S.E. KY afterward. The other is a Browning BT99 trap gun. It was my first trap gun, and it was also my father-in-law's first trap gun. I have no idea how many rounds have been put through it, but when I pull it out to wipe it down or clean it, or when I take it to shoot it, I feel the connection to him. It doesn't seem like it has been eight years he's been gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 I suppose all of my virtual firearms represent a certain time in my sojourn down the trail. Each has a special niche in my mind. Funny thing is, that when I take them out for a little tender fondling and a dose of CLP, they recall all those good times in the great outdoors. Every time I pick up that Enfield, I seem to recall the Friday night that my neighbor Bill, and myself drove all night in a snow storm to get to the hunting area for the opening of deer season in 1962. Only to get stuck when we reached our camp sight. But since we were there to hunt in the snow, we rolled out the sleeping bags in the station wagon and caught a few hours sleep before we trudged out into the wilds. That hunt I saw the biggest buck I have ever seen since or before, and he was only a few yards from me. Problem was he had his head behind a tree and I could not see a rack. We were about a hour from having to leave and I didn't want to be following a blood trail for a while so I passed on the shot. Besides, I will bet that BIG BOY made some nice fawns come that spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Rio Pete Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 My Winchester 67 single shot, 22 short only, stubby looking rifle that my father bought me at the local mom & pop hardware store when I was seven years old. I could barely cock it and started shooting left hand because my right arm was stronger to hold it up and I could only close my right eye. I was a crack shot and could reload it really fast to shoot rabbits on the run. He let a friend use it to take his grandson hunting. I never saw it again. I don't think he knew how important it was to me, even though I was grown and married and hadn't fired it in years. I never have seen a similar gun. Keep looking for it. Brings back all wonderful feelings and emotions hunting back on the farm all by myself as a young kid. A dear friend bought me a similar one when he heard my story and knew how important it was to me. The second most precious gift I ever received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Pretty cool, Badger. Can you post a pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Only one I have currently, Abilene. I suppose that you wanted to see my VIRTUAL 1917 Enfield. Here it is. Sorry about the picture quality. Will try to improve on the next one. Since the ears were ground down and the receiver radiused, I added Williams adjustable rear target sights. Been thinking of adding Either Williams or Lyman globe front sight. I am certain I will not be hunting with it in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 thx! I love the look and feel of operating those old bolt actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 I started buying shooter grade Winchesters when the economy turned sour in 2008. These guns were selling well below book value. I have bought, shot and sold a number of 73s, 92s, 97s and 94s. One that I added that will stay mine is a 1873 made in 1891, .32 WCF in very good condition. I have shot it in a couple of CAS matches and one CMP match (100 yards regulated only). It is certainly a keeper and would likely be the rifle that I would own if I could own only one classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Charlie, if you click on the box that says IMG, you can put the picture here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks Alpo. IMG where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I've got an Enfield in .308 that is a Gibbs conversion....short stock and a flash hider....its plated....almost looks like stainless steel. They don't make them anymore but you can see what they look like here...http://www.gibbsrifle.com/sport_speciality_.html. Kajun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 I thought the Brits uses .303? What the heck do I know. Dang it, now I got my self cogitation on that globe front sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 You deleted the picture. Huh. Okay, if you click on that cat that says CLICK FOR PHOTOS up there in post #11, it'll take you to where your picture used to be. On the right top of that page there is a section that says SHARE THIS PHOTO. There are four blocks in that section. EMAIL, DIRECT, HTML, and IMG. Click on the block that says IMG, and it will turn yellow and say COPY for just a fraction of a second, and that will copy the url to your RAM. Come here, put your cursor on the page and PASTE, and wallah (that's French for "lookie there") the picture will show up when you post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks ALPO. I missed the link. Thanks for the update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The Brit SMLE used the .303 Enfield cartridge 1891 to the mid 1950s. The 7.62x51 (aka .308 Winchester) became the NATO round before the UK had a rifle for it. The Ishapore arsenal began assemvling SMLEs for the .308 round. This rifle also became popular with former UK nations into the 1970s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 I did not know that, Tom. But it makes sense. That 7.62 X 51 round has a good reputation for accuracy. More so than my beloved 36-06. And it only gives up a little steam to the big brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I have a TOZ 66 Tula Arms coach gun in 12ga. It was a gift from my best friend at the time and racing partner, who has since passed away. We were racing every weekend and traveling all over the country. One afternoon at work, he traded some work for a couple of coach guns. They were not matching guns but they looked just alike. "C'mon," he said. "Let's go try these out!" We loaded up in the car hauler and drove over to the range and ran about twenty rounds through each. His grin was bigger than he was!! Billy was six feet tall and weighed all of 140 pounds soaking wet with horseshoes in both back pockets!! "These are goin' in the truck! One for you and one for me!" he said as he pitched the Russian gun to me. "That's yours, Brother!!" I kept that gun for almost ten years. When I broke my back in 1988, I left the company and concentrated on the racing operation only. I had a couple of years where I was rehabbing and was only occasionally gainfully employed. At one point after Billy's death, I was in a hurt for money and another friend offered me some money and the parts to fix my Harley, (at the time my only means of transportation) in exchange for the shotgun. I let him have it with the agreement that I would have first right of refusal if he ever decided to part with it. He was my main riding partner and became my best friend when Billy passed. He moved to Florida and opened a body shop, and after a couple of years he decided he was homesick for Tennessee. His business wasn't doing well and he was offered a buy-out. I got a call from him asking if I would come down and bring his tools and his bike back to Nashville, which of course I was happy to do. When I got to his place, he told me he'd pay for my gas and feed me, but that he didn't have anything extra to give me. "I ain't got money, but I want you to have that shotgun back," he said. "You traded it to me when you were struggling and now I am." He handed it to me and grinned. "It always belonged to you as far as I'm concerned." I shot my first Frontiersman match with that shotgun. It was un-modified and had a pattern like an extra full choked long barreled gun. At ten yards it had a pattern the size of a silver dollar, but I hit every target with it and shot that match clean, only my second clean match!! It was the first shotgun my son, Hatfield, ever shot. Matter of fact it was the first gun of any kind he or Schoolmarm either one ever shot!! It turns out that that model gun was made originally for armed escorts in the Soviet military who were responsible for foreign dignitaries and condemned prisoners!! I have another one like it that I still shoot in matches from time to time, but that one will not be leaving the family again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Speaking of shotguns, I originally bought a Russian SXS for my venture into SASS. It was an ok gun but had fixed chokes. Not that mattered. Anyway, I hit a hard spot in the trail and decided to sell off some of my guns. About a year later, I got a call from Willie Wheelgun and I got back into the game. I found a couple of .44-40 replacement pistols, and still had the Marlin. I lacked a shotgun. Well, ole Willie was always trading irons, and he bought a new shotgun. Forget what he bought, but he said to me that I could have his old russian. Well I bought it from him. Still have the gun but thought about calling David, his son, and seeing if he might want it back. My shooting days are limited to bench at best and on a really good day, maybe some trap. But this ole body will not stand a full day of CAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Speaking of shotguns, I originally bought a Russian SXS for my venture into SASS. It was an ok gun but had fixed chokes. Not that mattered. Anyway, I hit a hard spot in the trail and decided to sell off some of my guns. About a year later, I got a call from Willie Wheelgun and I got back into the game. I found a couple of .44-40 replacement pistols, and still had the Marlin. I lacked a shotgun. Well, ole Willie was always trading irons, and he bought a new shotgun. Forget what he bought, but he said to me that I could have his old russian. Well I bought it from him. Still have the gun but thought about calling David, his son, and seeing if he might want it back. My shooting days are limited to bench at best and on a really good day, maybe some trap. But this ole body will not stand a full day of CAS. Badger!! You're gonna' hafta' shoot at least a couple of stages this summer when me 'n' Schoolmarm come to visit!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 I'll shoot off my mouf and you can shoot the stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I have a Remingtion Ryder #3 20 gauge single shot. They discontinued that model in the 1870s. My grandfather had owned it when he was a young man, and in the mid '50s he saw it and traded for it. He identified it as his old gun because he had carved his initials into the stock, under the butt plate, while he was guarding his still. After getting it back, he went to Allen Lumber Company and got walnut for a new stock and forend. The last time it was shot was in 1973 when I killed a squirrel with it. It always kicked very hard, probably because it has a 2&1/2" chamber. It will never be fired again, but is a treasured memento of my grandfather and my youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Well, I shot myself in the foot again yesterday, or so to speak. I took my virtual U.S. Cal .30 Model 1917 rifle out of the virtual safe and ran some oil down the bore and on the metal parts, as part of it's ritual cleaning. And I fell in love with it all over again. Today the virtual Garand gets it's turn. I'm in deep trouble here, boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugs Bonney SASS # 10171 Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I did not know that, Tom. But it makes sense. That 7.62 X 51 round has a good reputation for accuracy. More so than my beloved 36-06. And it only gives up a little steam to the big brother. Think of the .308 as a 30-06 Short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Think of the .308 as a 30-06 Short Kinda Like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamus McGillicuddy Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Think of the .308 as a 30-06 Short Or .300 Savage long! Don't assume a 1917 manufactured rifle never made it to France. That was the first year of manufacture. They built over 2 million in only two years. Of my 30 or so rifles my M1917 is the most accurate. Seamus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Or .300 Savage long! Don't assume a 1917 manufactured rifle never made it to France. That was the first year of manufacture. They built over 2 million in only two years. Of my 30 or so rifles my M1917 is the most accurate. Seamus Could be the old girl is a veteran. I guess I will never know. I think I can agree with your statement that it is the most accurate. She seems to like the 180 grain bullets best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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