Alvin York's Rifle, In a past 1917 ENFIELD thread I posted we discussed the rifle that Sergeant York may have used. It was always thought to have been a 1917 until recent supposed revelations..
The revelations being his son giving several interviews to gun magazine and tv shows.. also his diary was mentioned as a source, However York's Diary only say he used "a rifle" he talks in good detail about his Colt 45 1911 automatic but Sadly does nothing to reveal which rifles he may have used
He son gives conflicting reports however so I don't know if we can take his word as authoritative, He says his dad was issued a 1917 when deployed but he traded it in for an 03 because he didn't like the 1917s sights. But then he son goes on to say his dad never talked about the war..
Would it be reasonable that a low ranking anonymous elisted man would be allowed to change or choose his rifle of choice??
Also I find it curious among Alvin York's personal possessions was a 1917 Enfield, not An 03.. You'd think if Alvin would have preferred the 03 so much and used said rifle to commit his acts of bravery that he'd have an 03 Springfield not a 1917..
On the other hand Alvin was involved with the making of the film starring Gary cooper based on his actions, You'd think Alvin would make sure that kind of thing was right. Cooper used a Luger instead of a 1911 too though since the director couldn't obtain any .45 ACP blanks. Perhaps the director couldn't find a 1917 handy either?
My last thought is that the Statue of Sergeant York in his home town of Pall Mall shows him with an 03.
As gun enthusiast we like to ponder such things I would love to know. I prefer the 1903 and thinks it's a finer rifle but believe York used the 17..
We may never know what York actually used and in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter. He was a great American hero, Who saw his duty and served his country despite his moral obligations to war becoming one of the greatest heroes of all time..