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I'm wondering now if this sort of conversion might appear in Bannerman catalogs from the 1930's. I spent some time searching on the web last night re USMC and 1922s. Came up dry but will get back to that as time allows. Maybe, just maybe, something will turn up. But, Bannerman is something I never would have thought of. I don't have a M1917 for a direct comparison of parts.
Here is a picture of my Remington M1917, I would say that what you have is a M1917 part!
Attachment 53297
It sure does! This makes me think of Bannerman's work.
Thanks for the excellent photo.
Hugh
My first thought was that the upper band was from a M1917;however , the dimensions of the bayonet lug, provided by Hugh, do not match the dimensions of the two M1917 upper bands that I have measured. My second thought was that it might be off a P1914 but I do not have one to make a comparison. It is hard to tell from the picture provided, but the upper rear part of the pictured barrel band does not appear to match the contour of the M1917 band.
JMHO
It looks to me like the rear of the band has been altered, ground down. That would be a possibility if it were a Bannerman. The lug being shortened is also obvious but without applying a bayonet, one can't tell what fits or doesn't. It's possible this band was the only one that came to hand and was used to re-create the image of the 1903...without ever considering using a bayonet.
I just tried to fit a SA bayonet. It slides on OK but rocks side to side and also doesn't lock on....you don't have to press the bayonet release button to get the bayonet to come off. I tried the same bayonet on a M1903 and it fits fine.
What measurements would you like of the front band?
I also noted that the rear band does not have the groove normally found on a '03 rear band.
Hugh
Rear band may be 1903A3. I suspect the front band bayonet lug will fit a 1917 mortise slot. Close, but not surprising that a 1905 won't fit right. The top of the band at the rear may have been ground down, polished a bit and refinished somewhere along the line...it would take some close up and maybe hands on the determine.
The stock is also a Bannerman job. Hugh says it is a one-bolt stock. The first bolt added by the armories was the rear one. Stocks with only one bolt up front are very common on Bannerman rifles.
Stock also has high wood. I'll bet the "S" or "s" that was on the stock tip was sanded off when the odd upper band was installed. Measuring the length of the band and comparing it to an '03 band might confirm that. Or some measurements of the stock.
Mike
I want to thank everyone who has helped me with this "problem" rifle. Obviously, I need to be doing some measuring and comparing the parts, including the stock, of this rifle with a "normal" 1903.
Even if it is a Bannerman....it's still attracts a lot of attention at the range - shoots good and is fun to shoot as well. I'm very glad I have it - and, it will be a fun challenge to try to figure it out.
Thanks again.
Hugh
Make NO mistake, I'd still have it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh