1937 bannermann's springfield ?

[bill439]

I believe I have a 1937 bannermann's springfield.  The rifle has a 1903 reciever and barrel with krag sights. Rifle has 1917 wood and 1917 trigger guard with a adapter to make the mag well work.  I have looked around and can not find any info on this rifle.  I would be thankful for  Any info or source of info for this model rifle.  thanks, bill439
 

[Mikey]

bill439:  Bannerman's Island Arsenal or Bannerman's Arsenal was located on Bannermans' Island in the lower Hudson River in New York, around the Poughkeepsie area I think.  They rebarrelled existing actions for the military.  I believe they used both the 03 Springfield and,the Enfield (M1917) as well.  The barrels, so I have heard, were unissued machine gun barrels machined to fit - who knows.  I do not recall the configuration of the Bannerman Rifles but it is not unreasonable to assume a mix of parts.  I do not recall when the Arsenal closed but I remember seeing the burned out buildings on the island when I had to take the train to nyc.  You can still read the carved name 'Bannerman' o part of the ruins.  Thee may be some historical information available on the net.  HTH.

[Mikey]

. 
Top- "Bannerman" rifle, below-  Hoffer Thompson rifles.
Salvaged scrap sold to suckers...
"Bannerman Special Model 1937" Springfield Rifle Francis Bannerman Sons was a famous surplus dealer located in New York, operating from shortly after the Civil War until the 1960s. After decades of accumulating huge quantities of surplus parts and trying many clever improvisations, they managed to make complete rifles to be sold at very low prices to cash strapped buyers at the end of the depression. "Low number" Model 1903 receivers being scrapped as potentially unsafe were fitted with barrels of unknown origin. Model 1917 bolts, stocks, and trigger guards were modified slightly to fit. Krag rear sights were welded to early M1903 rear sight bases and shimmed on the barrels. Assorted bands and swivels were used. Very ingenious and profitable, these are probably the oddest of all the 1903 rifles here.

bill:  Hope this helps.  I would have the rifle checked out by a gunsmith if you ever intend to use it. 

[mannyrock]

 
 
  Well, if you are going to include the big picture, some of that surplus junk sold to suckers included hundreds of original 1853 and 1863 Colt Navies, in VG to Fine condition, for as little as $20 each, back in the 1930s and 1940s.    Most of these are worth $1,500 to $3,500 today.
 
   I think they also included many of the 1873 Colt Artillery models, sold at the turn of the century for $12.00 or so, which are worth upward of $5,000 today.

[bill439]

mikey, thank you for the info.  The info verified what i have as being a Bannerman.  I don't have a collection of Springfields, more of a accumlation of sorts.  I had up to getting this example, never seen a bannermann rifle in the flesh.  Any idea how many were made?  I know it is a oddity but it is springfield bbl and reciever.  mine is low number springfield, barrel dated 2-18 barrel is very good to excellent.  Now comes the bad part, someone chopped the stock forward of the front band ( this person @#%$# used a hatchet or a dull machattee to remove the wood ) rest of rifle is in very good shape.  Thanks to all for the info you sent.  Bill439