Help Identify this unusual Enfield rifle!

[mkrnel]

Can any of you Enfield rifle guru's identify who assembled this unmarked except for serial number and proof, unusual rifle that is mainly in the white except for the front nose cap and bolt stop spring, and what unusual calibre it is plus bonus points for war it was used in? Look carefully!

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I did throw in a good clue!

 

[Pblatzz]

Eddystone, M1917 in 30-06 used in WWI, although it has a two tone colour on the receiver so It could have been used post war Europe.

 

[mkrnel]

Wrong! look more carefully and it is not chambered in 30-06 nor was it a bubba job.

 

[mkrnel]

Where's Polkey? and Google must be getting busy now!

 

[6GunJustice]

United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917

 

[sunray]

Remington and Winchester made the Pattern 14's and Pattern 17's. Same rifle except for the chambering.

 

[L1911]

not an expert, looks like Springfield

 

[mkrnel]

Not American assembled, most parts yes, but not put together was done by someone besides Winchester, Remington or Eddystone and as stated above is not 30-06 nor is it .303.

 

[mkrnel]

At least two things should be jumping out to those that know their Enfields! C'mon guys, no better guesses!

 

[JP]

Modified by FN Herstal in Belgium to 8 mm Mauser for an export contract.

 

[mkrnel]

Bang on, now which army used them and in what war?

 

[mkrnel]

Now that we have a smarty pants here are some more pictures -

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Now who else noticed the Belgium proof and thumb cut out that none of the original UK or US ones have? Besides the in the white original finish!

 

[mkrnel]

I will give the full story about these when somebody tells which army used these rifles in what war!

 

[9x19p]

Nvmd, I'm wrong.

 

[skeetgunner]

I will give the full story about these when somebody tells which army used these rifles in what war!

Low number serial, scrubbed gun? The republicans of the Spanish Civil war. Not sure it irregulars qualify as an army.

 

[JP]

Whomever had the money, some went to South America. Possibility that some went to China, chinese also made a similar conversion at the Mukden Arsenal Post WW2.

 

[mkrnel]

A lot of the ones made up in Belgium at the time that FN got a bunch of parts from the closing of Eddystone were used to make these 8x57mm rifles for use by the rebel forces in the Spanish Civil War.

 

[Winchester-1897]

cool thread...............

 

[sail32]

The Republicans were the elected government and Franco & company were the people rebelling.
Franco represented to Church and the old aristocracy who wanted no change in Spain.

Enfields were used by the republicans.

http://www.nrablog.com/post/2013/11...ington-Pattern-14-Enfield-rifle-in-Spain.aspx

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Span...PDdHuoAS984LIDw&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=896

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/spaintable.html About half way down (I used Ctrl-F and type in the search term.)

"... During the 1920's, the surplus German Mausers in 7.92x57mm were the preferred rifles in the international arms trade. Finland sought to buy or trade for Mosin Nagants and attempted to standardize on this type. The warlords in China were always seeking to buy surplus rifles. The Soley Armament Company was established near Regents Park in London by a former RFC officer, John Ball sometime in the mid 1920's. At a later date, Ball established a partnership with Edgard Grimard, a dealer located in Liege, Belgium. They formed the firm of Soley Grimard & Company to convert Pattern 14 rifles to the desirable 7.92x57mm used by many nations in their Mauser rifles. They believed that these rebuilt rifles would find a place on the market. ..."