Ok Milsurp forum smarty pants... This Norwegian soldier-in-exile...

[greendoh]

...is guarding the RNAF base "Little Norway" in Toronto with what rifle? Doesn't look like a Krag to me

I wonder if it was regular issue for soldiers serving in Toronto during their exile?

 

[Eaglelord17]

Looks like a 1903 Springfield to me but I could be mistaken. As to if it was standard issue to them I have no idea.

 

[purple]

It is indeed a M1903 Springfield with a US Krag bayonet installed . Go figure what supply channels they used to get these as they were not in the Canadian Army inventory.

 

[MiG25]

wonder if its got a low number receiver.

 

[greendoh]

From what I understand at the time they were simply renting the land. Most of the equipment came from the states. Interesting bit of history though, because a cursory search of Norwegian small arms in the second world war does not show they used the 1903 at all.

Eventually this group (airmen, support staff) moved on to England to form squadrons within the RAF, using British equipment (like the Spitfire). I wonder if they ditched the 1903 for some Enfields when they got there?

 

[purple]

wonder if its got a low number receiver.

Could be as it has an early pattern straight bolt handle. The swept back bolt handles didn't appear until 1918, about the same time that they started the double heat treatment for the receivers.

 

[NL-Hunter]

There was also a "Camp Norway" in Nova Scotia.

http://ns1763.ca/lunenco/norwaycmp.html

 

[dauph197]

Is it possible to make any difference between M1903 Springfield and the Eddystone? Is it only the manufacturer?

Martin

 

[purple]

Is it possible to make any difference between M1903 Springfield and the Eddystone? Is it only the manufacturer?

Martin

Yes, they are totally different rifles. An Eddystone is a M1917 Enfield which was also produced by Winchester and Remington. A M1903 magazine follower is interchangeable with one from a M1903.

 

[dauph197]

Well... okay, it was a dumb question... now I know it! :-s

Martin

 

[sunray]

That guy is a pigeon, not a soldier. They were issued whatever was laying around. Likely an unloaded rifle too.

 

[Ganderite]

Look at the fence. It looks too modern.

I wonder if this picture was taken on a movie set.

 

[purple]

Look at the fence. It looks too modern.

I wonder if this picture was taken on a movie set.

Page wire fencing and galvanized steel posts have been around for a long time.

 

[CanadianAR]

Look at the fence. It looks too modern.

I wonder if this picture was taken on a movie set.

I would say the opposite. The fence looks old. The square pattern hasn't been common in ages.

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

There are tombstones with Norwegian names, ranks, and RNAF numbers in the military section of the Lethbridge City Graveyard. It always strikes me as terribly sad that those boys left Norway and came all the way to Alberta to die in training accidents, or of appendicitis, or any number of other things. Never even got to fight.

Seems more of a waste than what war normally is, somehow.

 

[B.M.F]

The norwegians at Little Norway did have 03's. So did parts of the navy. Just a few months ago I saw one for sale here in Norway.
See this link:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?231562-NORWEGIAN-1903-Springfield

 

[NL-Hunter]

The norwegians at Little Norway did have 03's. So did parts of the navy. Just a few months ago I saw one for sale here in Norway.
See this link:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?231562-NORWEGIAN-1903-Springfield

Thanks for the link, I am originally from Norway and knew about the Camps here in Canada, but I did not know they were issued US rifles. I am waiting patiently for a K98 NOR set...