C Broad arrow P17?

[sapsk]

Here's pictures of my Eddystone P17, normal in all ways but I noticed a C Broad Arrow stamped in the right side of the stock. Were these used up here at some time during or between the Wars? And if so, why a P17, it don't eat the local grub like a P14.??????

 

[rattus]

Used by home guard units, lend lease from the US. They painted a red stripe to warn that it didn't eat the local food. I have one, too.

 

[buffdog]

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The American Enfield is known as the M-17 or Model 1917 rifle. P is for Pattern, a British nomenclature.

If you use the search function, there have been several threads on these rifles. There were pictures of some of the West Coast Home Guards using them.

Also, there are pictures of RCAF personnel using the Model 1917, mostly for parades, guard duty, marching with the Flags, and Honor Guards.

In 1940 the British Purchasing Commission bought 500,000 Model 1917 Enfields from the U.S. Government, and 80,000 of these went to Canada. After March, 1941, when Lend-Lease was signed, additional Model 1917 rifles were obtained.
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[smellie]

RCAF had a bunch of these rifles, referred to them as the "Eddystone Rifle" because, it seemed, they all were made there.

Some were used for guarding what is now the Brandon Airport in late 1940, before the airport even was built. More were used on Coast Watch and Station guards by 133 Fighter Sqn (Hurricane IIs) at Boundary Bay and Tofino, BC, through at least to 1943. Early on, ammunition for these was in VERY short supply, there being (early on) 5 rounds for each Guard Station and later (at Boundary Bay) 5 rounds for each man on Coast Watch. When you came off duty, your 5 rounds were handed to the NCO In Charge, who COUNTED them and then passed the loaded Charger on to the next shift!

The ammo situation got a bit better later on, thankfully.
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[albayo]

They were used by guards around prisons, airfields, and the Home Guard.
This is one of the stories told about the red band. The American bases through Lend Lease were guarded by Vetran Guards, and the US ammo was 30-06. The guards used the boxes of ammo 30-06, and the rifles, both had the red band.
I have some of the boxes and spare stocks with the red bands in my collection.

 

[Old Ranger]

My late uncle mentioned firing a 3006 Enfield while in RCAF. He was on 135(F) Squadron stationed at Terrace (P40 Kitty Hawks) Also he talked about Boundary Bay and 6RD ? I think that is the correct repair depot number.

 

[purple]

6 Repair Depot was located at RCAF Stn Trenton, ON. I had the opportunity to visit this unit in the late '60s while taking a radiation safety course. At that time they were involved in non-destructive testing of aircraft to locate structural cracks/failures by using what were basically large X-rays.

I have had a No4 Longbranch buttstock in my possibles box for a long time which has a brass stock disc marked 10RD and a 2 digit number. 10RD was located at the old RCAF Stn. Calgary/Lincoln Park where I was a PMQ dweller for 5 yrs.

 

[sapsk]

Thanks all for the info, no red band on this rifle though. I han't noticed the C broad arrow stamp before, now I'm thrilled due to the Canadian connection. Thanks again.

 

[green]

These were referred to as "Rifles, Enfield, 30-06" in Cdn service. Canada had bought more than 80,000 M17s by 1942. They were issued to the RCN, RCAF, RMC, militia, training centres and just about everybody other than the army overseas.

 

[Old Ranger]

If 6 RD was Trenton anybody know what was at Boundary Bay? My next "quess" would be 3 repair depot. Uncle Gorden spoke of working there but he's been gone for quite a few years now. Being with 135 and working on Kitty Hawks was the hi-lite of his RCAF service. Years ago I would take him to the Hamilton Air Show. One year he was absolutely thrilled when he saw ex X-RCAF P 40 on the flight line that had served on the west coast. How many Canadians would now know we had operational squadrons on both coasts during WW11?

 

[rattus]

Thanks all for the info, no red band on this rifle though. I han't noticed the C broad arrow stamp before, now I'm thrilled due to the Canadian connection. Thanks again.

Look closer, especially in the area where the top guards and the stock meet near the front bands. The paint on mine is just a few lines tucked away in there. I suspect most had the paint flake or sanded off by civilian owners.

 

[sapsk]

The red paint is there, almost need a micoscope to see it, there are tiny pin head sized specks only in low spots. There is slight discoloration where the approx 2" band of red was, dosn't look sanded, just scraped or flaked off. Its a great addition to my bits of Canadian history, i didn't even know I had. Now I have a Ross 1910, C/|\ No1 MKIII, LB #4 and the Canadian marked M17. I'm a happy guy.