Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
We know that.
The issue under discussion here is the opposite: These are pre-Lend-lease government acquisitions without Enfield acceptance markings.
S&W US Army Model 1917 British Proofed
- Thread starter 1780inn
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We know that.
The issue under discussion here is the opposite: These are pre-Lend-lease government acquisitions without Enfield acceptance markings.
PJGP
Member
I don't know anything about the US Neutrality Act, but the early South African M&Ps were a staight commercial purchase, ie South African property.
Peter
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
It has puzzled me a bit that this significant shipment of 20,100 Models 1917 does not show up in Charles Pate's book except in a passing general remark about the US transfering obsolete munitions to Britain after Dunkirk. Elsewise Pate's list with shipment data, including many much less significant guns and batches, are quite detailed. There must be little documentation to be found.
However, after some forum searching I came upon this from our friend Alan in Australia from 2013 in a thread about one of these. It's the only background info I've discovered. I'm sure he won't mind if I quote him; highlighting is mine.
However, after some forum searching I came upon this from our friend Alan in Australia from 2013 in a thread about one of these. It's the only background info I've discovered. I'm sure he won't mind if I quote him; highlighting is mine.
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Me too...Me too...
Thankfully the free exchange of guns and money kept these guns in circulation. As a man with a few guns bought in good times could always sell them for cash to get through hard times. Guns have always been a hedge against inflation, like Gold. That is one reason old guns reappear when the old folks die and the grand kids sell off the antiques and guns for chump change..............
The transaction through the U.S. Steel Corporation was a vehicle to get around the Neutrality Act, whereby the guns were 'sold' to a U.S. company, payment was by way of new war material to the exact value of the stuff on the list, or $37M odd, to be paid for by the UK. I finally found the schedule of new martial which the UK government was to pay for, it was mainly artillery and ammunition, no small arms.
I have never seen an Enfield inspected M1917 revolver and don't expect too, as I think the revolvers were issued straight away. I do have in my own collection a .30/06 Savage made Lewis aircraft gun which is Enfield inspection marked. Some of the machine guns that were sent were in need of repair and un-serviceable, so inspection was required. The 500,000 rifles were not inspected either, they were fine, being covered in thick Cosmolean which took hours to remove, by the Home Guardsmen to whom they were issued.
Regards
AlanD
I have never seen an Enfield inspected M1917 revolver and don't expect too, as I think the revolvers were issued straight away. I do have in my own collection a .30/06 Savage made Lewis aircraft gun which is Enfield inspection marked. Some of the machine guns that were sent were in need of repair and un-serviceable, so inspection was required. The 500,000 rifles were not inspected either, they were fine, being covered in thick Cosmolean which took hours to remove, by the Home Guardsmen to whom they were issued.
Regards
AlanD
Thankyou for the answer!! Smith Wesson model 1917 English proofed
CMudrock
Member
A bit off subject but: I always wondered if any weapons in heavy cosmoline - survived in useful condition - in any of the Ships sunk in salt water ?
The LCU I was stationed on in Vietnam had been sitting in Luzon Harbor, P.I since the end of WWII. They packed them up and moved them to Vietnam, the hatches were all welded shut, we cut our way in and found all sorts of interesting stuff. The engine room was totally sprayed with cosmoline, the mechanics worked for days cleaning that **** off but in the end all three engines fired off as well as our generator. The other areas were covered with paint and required hours of chipping and painting but it didn't really take us all that long to get the 150' boat up and running, I'd say a week give or take a day or two. I was given the task of getting the ramp engine running, it was gasoline powered and I was the only guy with any lawn mower motor experience. It had been spared the cosmoline, the only real problem I had was finding a proper spark plug for a motor built in 1938.
When I got the Sw 1917 the cylinder would not turn ,due to cosmoline. I had to run a hot hair dryer over the crane area to loosen it up. It was loaded with it. It to came from neighbors grandfather along with old Waltham 845 railroad grade pocket watch. The watch runs great as does the 1917.
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I'm glad for you that you have the 1917 and the watch, but I will never understand not passing along family heirlooms to a younger generation. I know some folks don't want firearms, but I've never heard of a watch phobia.
This ^^^ It's getting that way up here north of the 49th as well, unfortunately.
dickydalton
Member
I have a 1917 that must be comercial, no US Property stamp. But it has a lot of british proof marks and is 45 Auto Rim.
Does it have the US ARMY MODEL OF 1917 stamp on the butt.
