Sirius Dog Sled Patrol m1917

[Mbechmann]

Hi all
First post here.

I just bought a very interesting Winchester m1917 rifle (Serial number 20406) here in Denmark, Europe. This rifle has a very cool history. Its built in September 1917 with a barrel made in July 1917 and this rifle has loads of history. I think it was shipped to Camp Humphreys Oct 4th 1918, and it was used for training there until it was shipped to Canada in 1941. It arrived at the "Long Branch" factory in Toronto.

In 1953-54 Canada donated 38395 m1917s to the Danish Home Guard as a part of the ww2 relief fund.

In 1960 the Greenlandic Sirius Dog Sled Patrol contacted the Home Guard through the Danish Navy. The Danish Home Guard ended up donating 40 rifles to the Sirius Patrol.

My rifle... well thats one of the 40 original Sirius rifles. Not only does it have the Canadian acceptance mark + it has the logo from the Danish Home Guard. But thats not all

Now, when I checked for any markings under the ammo pouch I got a big surprise. It has an outlined carving of Greenland + carved or written initials from the people who have used this rifle. It absolutely blew my mind when I saw it. Thats one of the coolest things I have seen. I found out what it says: Kalaallit Nunaat: The Land of the Kalaallit Inuit People aka Greenland.

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Promo]

I've never before seen an ammo pouch mounted to the stock. Thank you for sharing the pictures! I did notice the Canadian property marking on the stock, but can you point out where and which marking is of the Danish Home Guard?

[BEAR]

The rear sight protective ears seem to be cut down but the rear sight seems to be missing also. Do you have the rear sight?

BEAR

[Mbechmann]

I've never before seen an ammo pouch mounted to the stock. Thank you for sharing the pictures! I did notice the Canadian property marking on the stock, but can you point out where and which marking is of the Danish Home Guard?

Its the carved HJV on the side of the rifle. Today I also found out that this ammo pouch originally came from the Home Guard belt. The guy I talked to also said that it was only the Sirius patrol that used this on their rifles. It was to be able to reload faster if needed.

He also confirmed that only 40 rifles was shipped to the Sirius patrol - in total. It was a 1 time deal, that was it.

The rear sight protective ears seem to be cut down but the rear sight seems to be missing also. Do you have the rear sight?

BEAR

The rear sight was indeed cut down. The reason for this modification is that the original rear sight froze up in the arctic conditions. So they were completely removed in 1960.

[BEAR]

Well, I am impressed. They have to be very excellent marksmen to accurately fire a rifle without arear sight and I have heard they were defiinately excellent marksman.

BEAR

[pickax]

That is a remarkable rifle! So nice to see one close up.
I also have an early Winchester Canadian/ Dane imported back to the US by CAI. I treasure it.
Have read about the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, and there are some youtube videos as well.

[Mbechmann]

That is a remarkable rifle! So nice to see one close up.
I also have an early Winchester Canadian/ Dane imported back to the US by CAI. I treasure it.
Have read about the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, and there are some youtube videos as well.

I would love to see pictures of that. How early sn? I may have a surprise for you if its early enough .

Also when did you buy it? The reason I ask, is because I am trying to confirm another part of this story. What happened to the rifles when they were phased out in Denmark. I read from 1 source, that some rifles were sold to private collectors in US but no mentioning of how many and to whom.

As for Sirius Dog Sled Patrol... I have been watching 1 video after the other for the last 4 days straight . I think I might be hooked

[pickax]

I bought the rifle on auction about 10 years ago. The info I read in C.S. Ferris book is that
5000-6000 '17s were exported by the Danes in the1990s. Mine is import marked by Century arms Intl. in Vermont.
Winchester star marked receiver # 87498 (12/17) all original except bolt, which were shipped separately on import.
Canadian broad arrow- Serialized bolt- Remains of red paint band on stock- Beveled follower- Danish holdover chart on stock.
A very well traveled rifle, although yours made the final leg of the journey!

[Mbechmann]

Well, I am impressed. They have to be very excellent marksmen to accurately fire a rifle without arear sight and I have heard they were defiinately excellent marksman.

BEAR

It actually does have a rear sight. Its just in front of the bolt, and its fixed. Its a V shaped piece that you cant adjust at all.

I bought the rifle on auction about 10 years ago. The info I read in C.S. Ferris book is that
5000-6000 '17s were exported by the Danes in the1990s. Mine is import marked by Century arms Intl. in Vermont.
Winchester star marked receiver # 87498 (12/17) all original except bolt, which were shipped separately on import.
Canadian broad arrow- Serialized bolt- Remains of red paint band on stock- Beveled follower- Danish holdover chart on stock.
A very well traveled rifle, although yours made the final leg of the journey!

That is really weird. The info from here, says that they were destroyed because of the Vienna convention and OSCE treaty. Denmark had to choose. "Either keep the m1917s or keep the m48 machine guns. You couldnt keep both". So where did those 5-6000 rifles come from? I have reached out to the different sources I have here in Denmark, to figure this part out.

[pickax]

Sounds like some body maybe higher up made a decision to sell these off to CAI instead of destruction? Because it did happen. Would be great if you could find the rest of the story.
I don't follow the auctions much any more, but have not seen any Dane use '17s in years. Canadian yes though occasionally.
.
Nice to have your perspective from Denmark, please keep us posted on what you find. My main reference have been the threads here, CMP forums and Nick Ferris book, which has a small chapter on these '17s. United states rifle model of 1917 by CS Ferris
Here is the thread on CMP forums as I was sorting out this rifle. Winchester 1917 for review - CMP Forums


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