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http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.Vignet...l#Introduction
something i found interesting, on may 21 1918 he writes of turning in his american rifle and being issued a british one that he didn't like as well
diary of alvin york
http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.Vignet...l#Introduction
something i found interesting, on may 21 1918 he writes of turning in his american rifle and being issued a british one that he didn't like as well
Most speculation on that entry is that he exchanged his M1903 for a M1917 Enfield. The P14 from which the M1917 is derived is a British design. It is known that the 82nd Infantry Division did receive M1917's but there is still speculation as to which rifle he actually used in battle. In the movie Gary Cooper used a M1903. Since he was a "technical" advisor on the movie a lot of people think that's the rifle he used. I think that since the US Army was cooperating with the filming by providing extras for the battle portions, they used their service rifles which in the mid 30s were M1903s. If he would have said something about that, I'm sure Hollywood would have told him they didn't have any. All the M1917s were placed in war reserve stocks post war.
Originally Posted by Beachbumbob
i guess we will never know for sure.
Oh, yes, we certainly will. The division's history is specific that they were going to serve with the British and turned in their Model of 1917 rifles for SMLE rifles - along with the rest of the British gear. It was shortly afterwards changed where they weren't going to serve with the Brits and they again exchanged equipment - getting the 1917s back.
Check the official division history - it's quite clear on that matter.
Cheers.
thanks for clearing that up. 40 odd years ago when my grandfather gave me a model 1917 he said "this is the kind of rifle sgt. york carried."
i've always been very fond of that rifle.
No problem.
Leaves no room for doubt about what a "British Rifle" was does it?
Always a hot topic of debate. I must say it is more interesting and easier-read without the bombast. The civility found here on CSP is one reason I keep coming back.
Now, chew on this:
"Wars are, of course, as a rule to be avoided; but they are far better than certain kinds of peace." - T.R.
Precisely.
I never doubted that York was armed with a M1917. After 23 years with my favorite uncle I know there's things you can do and things you can't. Prior to October 18, 1918 York was "Corporal, Infantry, 1 each, nondescript and expendable". After that day I bet if he wanted to be armed with a 3 band Enfield and wear butternut grey he'd probably get away with it and IF NOT, a lot of consideration would have gone into the negative answer!
p.s. Nice photo
Last edited by Beachbumbob; 01-05-2011 at 11:44. Reason: added post script
that would have scared the german's. i read that because of the popularity of american dime westerns in germany they thought all americans were pistol packing gunslingers. or maybe he would have wanted to wear union blue. in his diary he states that his grandfather on his mothers side william brooks, had rode with the detroit calvary
Last edited by free1954; 01-08-2011 at 03:05.
I think he managed to snag himself an 03, he was a tad more than a corporal, being a known marksman. I think he'd have later known well enough the difference between an 03 and a 1917, and that what he says is true, it was a Springfield. And he probably hated it when he had to give up his Krag after training too.
Last edited by madsenshooter; 01-09-2011 at 03:44.
"I have sworn upon the Altar of God, eternity hostility upon all forms of tyranny over the minds of man." - Thomas Jefferson
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