Alvin York M1917 or M1903

[PhillipM]

I always wish this tidbit had been expanded upon: http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=21424&page=5

Fred

Not to come into this discussion late but that gentleman who recounted that story in the American Rifleman about Alvin York and the 1903 is a member of my local rifle Club. He's a retired AF Colonel and has been a competitive shooter for many years, still shooting on the Bald Eagles Palma Team, so very familiar with any firearms that might have been discussed or used by York. His Dad served in Sergeant York’s platoon and as a youngster, John had actually had met Alvin York during family visits. John's Dad recounted how the troops were issued 1917s but that some liberated 1903's were available for the platoon to use. John's Dad was whom York visited in hospital and due to his wounds wasn't involved in the brave action. I think some of the confusion in this thread is the fact that York didn't "borrow" the 1903 at the hospital but used what was available to the platoon. John's Dad always indicated York had used one of those liberated 1903s to capture the German machinegun nests recounted in the citation and in the movie. I think John would be willing to discuss this further, but I would have to respect his privacy until he agrees to some forum to chat about this.

SAJTU

[swampyankee]

York could not have used a 1903 because it would have been a low number and would have immediately blown up in his face when he pulled the trigger or would have shattered if he would have dropped it. Because we all know they are completely unsafe to fire.

[Rick the Librarian]

I think you can see this subject has approached the hallowed "Shooting or not shooting a LN M1903" in rancor!!

[Fred]

I always wish this tidbit had been expanded upon: http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=21424&page=5

I followed up afterward to get more of what the Colonel had to share on the subject. I can understand why he doesn't want to get onto a forum.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

I tend to believe the Movie with Gary Cooper, since Sgt York was tech advisor to the movie, and was on set a few times.

Probably have the same discussion about Chris Kyle in a hundred years.

Really can't consider the movie Sgt York 100% accurate even if he was a tech adviser. It portrayed Alvin York clean shaven when he had a mustache also it portrayed him using a luger to kill several Germans charging his position when it was his issued 1911 at the time.

Those being pretty significant alterations from the original story I wouldn't consider "letter of the law"

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

York could not have used a 1903 because it would have been a low number and would have immediately blown up in his face when he pulled the trigger or would have shattered if he would have dropped it. Because we all know they are completely unsafe to fire.

+1 for swampyankee!!!!!

jt

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

I always wish this tidbit had been expanded upon: http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=21424&page=5

Good grief! How old is this man? Is he still ambulatory? How did this subject come up 96 years ago when it was not a controversy until the sixties or seventies? Oops! I think I hear the BS meter going off again.

Give me the soldier's name and I will personally do the research and publish the result as to whether he was in York's squad, or even if he was in the hospital. They kept very good records of those things back then (and still do). Daily reports kept track of every man in each regiment.

Well?

jt

[cplnorton]

I've even seen them argue over the serial number of the 1911 that York carried.

One serial was in Yorks Diary, and the other one I think was listed in the SRS as Yorks.

I guess if you could find either one, you would hit the lottery. It makes you wonder if they are in some multi bazillionaires private collection somewhere or they were just lost in the mix and sold when someone passed away, still to be discovered.

The two serials are: 254648 and 244408

I keep an eye out for them.