Gevær M 53-17 - Greenland's M1917 Enfield

[Naphtali]

I wish I could find the article again, but I've not been successful searching. I read an article about the Gevær M 53-17 used by Denmark's special Navy organization that maintains a presence for Danish sovereignty in Greenland since the end of World War II. The basic weapon used is a modified 1917 Enfield. The government has offered to upgrade the basis rifle, but the organization has refused . . . for decades. The article to which I allude said that while sights are a relatively basic military-style open sight and unprotected front sight, the special Navy group considered installing an M1 Garand rear sight assembly. I do not recall any mention of a front sight change.

I have no M1 Garand or M1A nor do I know anyone who does. I gotta ask: how the heck could a Garand rear sight be put on a 1917 Enfield whose rear sight and entire "wing" system on receiver bridge has been removed?

In the end, though, special force decided against doing this.

[Czech_too]

This might be the article you're referencing. Forgotten Weapon's shows basically the same information, but w/o the youtube video.
https://surplused.com/index.php/2023...m1917-enfield/

[Cap'n Morgan]

I've seen one of those modified M53 rifles. The rear sight had been removed and the various holes been filled/welded and milled flat. A new V-groove rear sight had added directly on the barrel, and all metal parts had been parkerized. The conversion was done at "Hærens Geværfabrik" (The Army's Gun Factory) and was well done. The rifles were meant for Greenland Inuit hunters who preferred more "simple" sights which wouldn't clog with snow.

[405grain]

In Greenland, and other arctic regions, you need a powerful rifle that is absolutely reliable and stone simple. One that works every time, and isn't dependent on things like a scope that could fog up or get coated with frost.
Attachment 320307

[Texas by God]

It’s always impressed me how that EVERY ONE of the millions of US 1917 rifles……
were built in TWO years-1917&1918.


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