Which service rifle do you prefer?

From the rifles in the photo in the original post it's the 1917 Eddystone for my favorite. I've never even touched the others. My 1917 has got sentimental value for me as it's the first rifle I ever shot. It belonged to my father in law who, upon hearing I had never shot a rifle, grabbed his 1917 and took me out to the one of the farm's back fields to "fix that". We bought that rifle from his estate when he passed away. I also have an 03A3 Springfield which, frankly, has better sights but it has to be the 1917 for the favorite.

Sorry just realized it was WWI. I don't do well with right handed bolt actions. Wished I did though. I could really get into milsurping old Mausers if the bolt was on the correct side for me.

Jessesky said:

That’s in fantastic condition

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I picked it up at a pawn shop a few years ago for $400.

I’ve never been a big fan of French rifles, but I did manage to pick up two 1886 Lebel rifles. Got the pair for $600
The top one is a non-issued WWII refurbished rifle. It was still packed with cosmoline.

Jessesky said:

Dear lord what a steal. If you ever get tired of them, you know where to go haha

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The un-issued refurbished Lebel went to a friend of mine. He is a Collector I have known for almost 12 years. I gave him a sweet deal on it, under $600 because, I owed him a favor. Right now I think estimated value is around $2200 on that rifle.

My favorite WWI rifle is the '03.

CapnMac said:

Ross Mk III (which does have the fix to the bolt).

Famously, in the early days of Forgotten Weapons, Ian had a "junker" Ross that they set up with the bolt assembled wrong on purpose. They then fired this from a rest at a distance. The bolt failed to explode, leap out of the gun or force dogs & cats into un-natural cohabitation.

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I remember that test. It's still there on You Tube. The bolt was stopped from exiting the gun by the bolt stop but It would have taken a nasty chunk out of the shooter's right thumb.

Jessesky said:

That was an issue with the 1910 Ross but not the 1905.

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Quite correct. Sir Charles should have stopped with the 1905. It was his best military design.

LoonWulf said:

I didn't think the garand made ww1?

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Oops, My original reading was WWII. That is what I get for posting while experiencing jet lag.

Sovblocgunfan said:

If we are talking about WWI, then my favorite is the SMLE.

OP, if you are building a WWI collection you need a Pattern 14 to go w your Model of 1917.

If you are building a WWII collection you need a Type 99

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Are y'all aware that, for WW1, the Japanese were among the forces allied with the U.S., France, and Britain, having committed troops and money? When was the Type 99 introduced?

Man... I haven't shot any rifles from ww1.

I need to correct my heresy asap!

While not a ww1 rifle, i have always had a fascination with the Krag.

It may be my first bolt gun purchase

ontarget said:

Love me a M1917. My Winchester model is an excellent shooter. Great sights and built like a tank. What's not to love?

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The weight....

tark said:

I remember that test. It's still there on You Tube. The bolt was stopped from exiting the gun by the bolt stop but It would have taken a nasty chunk out of the shooter's right thumb.

Quite correct. Sir Charles should have stopped with the 1905. It was his best military design.

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The Mk II had its share of problems, otherwise there wouldn't be six different variations and the Mk III/M10.

To be honest, if you have a lick of sense, and you assemble a Ross Mk III bolt wrong, you'll know you did it wrong. Mainly because you won't need three hands to put the bolt back in the rifle.....

1917 for me, have had a few sporters and one original numbers matching rifle. It would shoot 1/2 moa at 800 yards with good ammo.

I also have had tremendous luck with Chilean mausers. Really want to try a swiss though...

So, this is a ‘just because’ question.

It would be an original Swede. But an M41 would be fantastic too.

Either of those are behind a nice bolt .223/5.56 or a Rem 700 in 7mm RM...but that is off topic...sorry.

Greg

Sorry, I missed that it was WW1 also somehow. I have shamed the family.

Change my order to:

Winchester 1907. A few thousand issued to a few allies here and there, I recall the French at least put it to good use in trench fighting, and this may have inspired Gen Thompson and others. I think this cartridge was probably a better idea than the pistol caliber SMG, accidentally prescient of the abbreviated cartridges starting late in WW2, giving 30-30 performance, which is plenty of power and range for most infantry applications.

Who knows how well the Fedorov Avtomat actually performed in service? Always interested in that as well, but it seems very kludgy, and not quite there though a good concept.

mustanger98 said:

Are y'all aware that, for WW1, the Japanese were among the forces allied with the U.S., France, and Britain, having committed troops and money?

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The Japanese also armed both the British and the Russians with Type 30 and Type 38 Arisaka rifles throughout WWI.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Arming+Ivan+Part+II:+the+bear+begs,+borrows+and+buys+guns+to+stay+in...-a0129627337

The Russians were so desperate for anything that went 'Bang' that besides the Mosin they used Arisaka's, Lebels, Berthiers, Winchesters, Vetterli-Vitali and 60-70 year old black powder rifles. Some went into action armed with clubs and spears and just picked up rifles where they could.

The Japanese were having a sale on rifles (they had a surplus of them) and both the British and the Russians needed rifles.

The Allies wanted the Russians to stay in the war, so Britian, France and Italy all gave them rifles. Often obsolete, but better than nothing.

What they were supposed to be armed with.



What they were often armed with (Arisaka's).


Even into WWI they dealt with a shortage of arms. This is Leningrad WWII.

FWIW, Armslist has listing today for a U.S. marked 1905 Ross Mk. 2 for about $500. It appears to have its original uncut stock and hardware with a bayonet. Ad says bore is in good shape. Stumbled across it when looking for something else. If nothing else, some pretty pictures of an interesting old WWI era firearm.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/9410864/wichita-kansas-rifles-for-sale-trade--1905-mk2-ross-rifle

Whichever one I have out of the safe at the time. Honestly, it's really hard to pick a favorite. My M1917 Remington is a fine rifle and becomes my favorite on each range trip. Now that I have 8mm Lebel dies and components in hand I feel Berthier fever coming on. But then I do love Enfields. Now, if you were to ask me which I would want to take into battle, then hands down the 1917 gets the nod, but only because I can no longer see the front sight on my 1903's.

so....who's in Kansas?!

LoonWulf said:

so....who's in Kansas?!

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Why do you ask?

shoobe01 said:

Why do you ask?

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Ment to quote boom boom

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boom boom said:

FWIW, Armslist has listing today for a U.S. marked 1905 Ross Mk. 2 for about $500. It appears to have its original uncut stock and hardware with a bayonet. Ad says bore is in good shape. Stumbled across it when looking for something else. If nothing else, some pretty pictures of an interesting old WWI era firearm.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/9410864/wichita-kansas-rifles-for-sale-trade--1905-mk2-ross-rifle

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Joke was to imply some of us the thread would go try get that Ross.....

mustanger98 said:

When was the Type 99 introduced?

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1939, give or take a few months.

Let me play,
Mauser Argentinean was my first long rifle shooting, when I was 11 or 12, Mauser 8 mm, K-31.
I am due on getting a Garand let see if I can bring it to my birthday.

Springfield. They were match winners and sniper rifles, 2nd the SMLE fast and smooth. Mausers were also good rifles.

LoonWulf said:

Ment to quote boom boom

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Joke was to imply some of us the thread would go try get that Ross.....

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Pictures show a nice looking rifle in full military garb as as far as that goes. The bayonets for these alone go well over $100 and that is included in the sale. Even a repro stock would be over $200 and the barrels go for over $100 each. You cannot really go wrong if the parts of the rifle add up to the purchase price or more.

However, I don't get a commission on it nor am acquainted with the seller at all though. I would like to see detailed pictures as I am restoring one bit by bit. I have finally just about finished a Mauser 71/84 that has been going on for over two years and the Springfield 1903 in .22 LR project is about to go to the gunsmith for headspacing the barrel/bolt. I may have the barrel sleeved depending on what he says.