Tennessee State rifle

by Catoosa, Thursday, February 25, 2016, 09:41 (3197 days ago) @ Big Six

Historical note:

The statue of Alvin York which stands on the Capitol lawn depicts him aiming a 1903 Springfield rather than a 1917 Enfield. According to one of York's family members, whom I asked about this several years ago, York preferred the Springfield because he didn't like the aperture sight on the 1917, and felt that he could hit fleeting targets more easily with the open notch sight of the 1903. When his unit converted to the 1917, York requested and was granted permission to keep his 1903 even though it was a low-number rifle with a supposedly brittle receiver. York's reputation as a deadly marksman apparently convinced his commander to grant his request.

I met Ronnie Barrett at a gun show years ago, and talked with him at length about his then-new rifle. He is a fine fellow, and Tennesseeans can be justly proud of his invention and the company he heads.