NM rifle awarded by "7th Regiment"?

[Rick the Librarian]

I had a gentleman contact me the other day regarding a rifle he owned that appears to be a correct National Match M1903 in the 1,371,000 range with all NM "features". It is an SRS "hit".

The one unusual feature was an award medallion on the buttstock (pictures below). Of course, "William Powell" is a relatively common name. I checked with information on the U.S. 7th Infantry but the crest was totally different. My next guess was the New York 7th (National Guard) Regiment. While the motto is the same, the unit crest is different.

Anyone recognize the unit crest? My best guess is another National Guard "7th Infantry". While most National Guard units were given U.S. Army "designators" during and after WWI, some kept their own identification, at least for local and publicity reasons.

Anyone have any ideas?

RtL

[Ed Byrns]

The medallion inscription on the 1903 Springfield is for the 7th Regiment, NYNG. Even thought at the time of this rifles presentation
the 7th was already part of the 107th Infantry assigned to the 27th Division.The reorganization took place before WW1 and the
7th at a National Guard, became part of the National Army.
The 7th Regiment Armory still exists in Manhattan and between the wars took its prior Designation as the 7th as seen on the medallion.
The unit had a very long and Honorable existence as a Famous New York Regiment.
The shield is broken into 3 sections,the left is NG in script,the right is the Lion and the bottom is the Civil War Kepi designation.
Respectfully submitted
Ed Byrns

[Rick the Librarian]

Thanks, Ed,

My problem was not being able to see the forest through the trees and not i.d. the bottom as a "flaming grenade" with a "7" which would have given it away to me.

At the time the rifle was most likely presented, the unit would have been indeed the 107th Infantry Regiment. In October, 1940, it was designated the 207th Coast Artillery Regiment (AA). I assume one example of the changing of it's parent unit, the 27th Infantry Division from a "square" unit (four infantry regiments) to a "triangular" one (three).

[Ed Byrns]

The 7th was made up of very well off New Yorkers,who were very involved with competitive shooting events.
Tom Mulligan could probably tell you more since I am pretty sure he was in the 7th.
Ed Byrns

[Griff Murphey]

Very nice rifle. Are you going to buy it, Rick?

[Rick the Librarian]

Is that Tom Mulligan of "Mulligun" of years ago? I used to buy parts from them.

No plans to buy the rifle - I have NM #1370112.

[Ed Byrns]

Yes,one and the same.
I will probably talk to him this week.
Ed Byrns

[dkmatthews]

That's a beautiful rifle, Rick. Thanks for sharing it.

Ed, thanks to you for the clarifying information!