A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

This is the forum to discuss your classic US military rifles from the beginning of the age of smokeless powder through WWII.
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oldironsights
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A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by oldironsights » Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:22 pm

I went shooting at a range where I am a new member today.
This range is much more accessible being just three miles from home. :D
I have the gate key & I can shoot every day from 0800 to dusk.
I am not a very good shooter of centerfire rifles, as you will notice the lack of target pictures.
Some targets had no holes while others had some scattered holes, so I am proud to show the rifles only.
One day I will learn how to shoot! :oops:

From my reading of history, I learned the U.S. was ill prepared as usual to raise & equip an army when it entered the "Great War".
Pictured alongside the standard issue Model of 1903 are non-standard U.S. arms; The Model of 1916 & the Model of 1917.
I have read where the Mosins were just called Russian rifles & not the Model of 1916. I do not have access to official records, so I will mention both terms.
I was lucky enough to get my greedy paws on some great old rifles, so I thought I would post photos of the rifles.
Attachments
Post WW1 build with spare parts.
Post WW1 build with spare parts.
Straight Grip with Fingergroove Model of 1903
Straight Grip with Fingergroove Model of 1903
Receiver serial number indicates 1931 as year of manufacture.
Receiver serial number indicates 1931 as year of manufacture.
Avis replacement barrel with a 1918 date of manufacture.
Avis replacement barrel with a 1918 date of manufacture.
John F. Coyle was Top Inspector at Springfield Armory from 1907 on through the 1920's
John F. Coyle was Top Inspector at Springfield Armory from 1907 on through the 1920's
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Help save this retired fighting ship from the scrapyard;
http://www.ussorleck.org
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oldironsights
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by oldironsights » Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:30 pm

Here is an older Rock Island Model of 1903 rebuilt with spares after the second world war.
It resides in a repaired "C" stock with a newer Remington two groove barrel.
Attachments
16Oct09 RangeDay 041.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 046.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 042.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 045.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 047.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 048.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 049.JPG
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Help save this retired fighting ship from the scrapyard;
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oldironsights
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by oldironsights » Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:45 pm

Here is a rifle that is/was both loved & hated by those who had to use it.
This one is my most accurate 30.06 military rifle.
Just an old Eddystone mixmaster.
It wears parts from Remington & Winchester along with the Eddystone parts.
Attachments
16Oct09 RangeDay 006.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 007.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 037.JPG
1918 Remington Barrel
1918 Remington Barrel
U.S. property stamp
U.S. property stamp
The armory that refurbished her
The armory that refurbished her
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Help save this retired fighting ship from the scrapyard;
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oldironsights
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by oldironsights » Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:05 pm

Here is a Russian contract Mosin made by Remington that looks to have stayed stateside.
I rescued it. It was missing many parts, had the stock cut for a scope mount, but the barreled action was spared. Another barreled action was modified instead.
It was missing the handguard, barrel bands, rear sight, & cleaning rod.
Lemmy in Finland sent the barrel bands, & I had to beg & barter for the rest.
The walnut handguard came from a Bulgarian marked Tula, & the rear sight from a Tula dragoon.
Hey! It works!
The rest of the parts are original & matching.
Attachments
16Oct09 RangeDay 009.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 010.JPG
16Oct09 RangeDay 013.JPG
Rack Number?
Rack Number?
Russian Regal Eagle
Russian Regal Eagle
U.S. Flaming Bomb & Angry Eagle Head.
U.S. Flaming Bomb & Angry Eagle Head.
Walnut handguard stolen from Bulgarian M91  Very close match.
Walnut handguard stolen from Bulgarian M91 Very close match.
dragoon rear sight
dragoon rear sight
If You Can Read This, Thank A Teacher!
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Help save this retired fighting ship from the scrapyard;
http://www.ussorleck.org
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M14man
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by M14man » Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:08 pm

Oldironsights....Very nice, Thank you for the tour. You did well with the photos.
It is a shame you don't see more of the good old Great War horses at the ranges now-a-days.
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Niner
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by Niner » Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:18 pm

Great photo exposition. Thanks for taking the time. It is good to see some bolt action guns of US issue, even though they come by way of European design.
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C&R Guy
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by C&R Guy » Tue May 13, 2014 8:08 am

Very nice collection. Must be nice living that close to a range and having the key.
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Dave 101
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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by Dave 101 » Tue May 13, 2014 12:19 pm

Your making me very envious , lovely old rifles .

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Re: A Few U.S. "Great War" Era Rifles

Post by Snipe » Wed May 14, 2014 5:00 pm

Sweet rifles, I just love those 1903 springfield, thanks for sharing . :IRE:
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