hammer24
Master
Interestingly, I came in to owning a fantastic Eddystone with original barrel dated March '18. It was wearing a Winchester stock in great condition. Upon taking it down I realized it had British ownership marks. I have later found that that this was a rifle sold under the counter to the British before the US declared an allegiance in the war. The Gov't sold M1917s to the British through a US steel company before we had declared war to save international "face". The British marked them with a big red band of paint across the fore end marking them as 30-06, as to not confuse with .303 P14.
I'm guessing the Brits found out they could get the Winchesters on the cheap from the US (not meeting critical specs), thus making them the "sniper" rifle of choice.
I'm guessing the Brits found out they could get the Winchesters on the cheap from the US (not meeting critical specs), thus making them the "sniper" rifle of choice.
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