Found a nice U.S. 1917 Eddystone Enfield - with a Johnson barrel!

[Gewehr98]

It's in great shape, but appears to have been re-arsenaled during, or just before, WWII. It has a 2-groove barrel, with the "JA" (Johnson Automatics) above the flaming bomb. I guess I'd find it odd, save for the fact I have an M1 Garand with a Marlin barrel.

So the question for the really old-timer THR members here - were these leftover WWI 1917 Enfields issued as home guard rifles, for stuff like railway bridge guards, or were they actually intended to supplement what our boys carried overseas?

Regardless, it'll fill the gap nicely between my 1918 Springfield M1903, and my 1944 Remington M1903A4. Intriguing that the Baldwin Locomotive Works owned the Eddystone plant, too.

 

[Berg]

I believe these barrels were added during WW2 to get the M1917's in shape for non-frontline duties. Mine has an original barrel but I've heard the JA marked barrels will detract from the value for some collectors, thought it will still be a fantastic shooter.

 

[Pilgrim]

So the question for the really old-timer THR members here - were these leftover WWI 1917 Enfields issued as home guard rifles, for stuff like railway bridge guards, or were they actually intended to supplement what our boys carried overseas?

My father was drafted in 1943. He went through basic training carrying a M1917 and shot expert with it. Afterwards, he went into the Air Corps as a radio operator and control tower operator. He didn't have much to do with small arms after that.

Pilgrim

 

[TheDutchman]

Gewehr98 we need PICS

 

[Mike Hull]

I've seen many photo's, and newsreel clips of GI's boarding ship for operation torch(the North African landings of 1942)carrying 1917 Enfields.

I've also read stories of soldiers issued them in the ETO after Normandy, with tracers only, and they were supposed to fire the tracers at German MG positions to mark their location(can anybody see the flawed logic in that?).
Most realized in time the foolishness of that mission, and ditched them in favor of an M1 Garand, carbine, etc.

 

[Willard]

I had an old acquaintence, long since passed, who was in the Signal Corps in Europe during WWII. He was issued a P-17 for the duration, said he turned it in after VE Day.

they really are great rifles.

 

[Gewehr98]

No pics, yet.

Digicam's on loan, and across country with stepsons - go figure. Must....resist....urge...to...post...rifle...pics....on....THR. Aargh!


I disagree on the Johnson barrel significantly knocking down the price of the arsenal-rebuilt 1917 Eddystones. I just got done looking at a few that are for sale on Scott Duff's site, and they have the WWII barrels. I'd wager they're no less collectible than an arsenal-rebuilt M1 Garand, and we know how many of those are out there with 100% original parts.