Due to these cold temps and my general lack of interest in getting out in this present mess I have restricted my self to some intense reloading activities and research.
Due to the cold the research has drifted to the northern realms of the planet and a quest for the firearms used by troops operating in those regions where no other human with good sense would venture in the depths of winter, like Greenland!
During the early 1900s it was decided by the world court that if Denmark was to maintain its claim to Greenland, based on the nationality of first settler Leaf Erickson, they would have to maintain a military presence to prove sovereignty.
A unit was formed called the Sirus Sled Patrol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_Dog_Sled_Patrol
It is an elite unit of 14 men, highly trained in arctic survival and operating for a 2 year hitch after they have completed their standard tour of duty in the Dutch Army.
They provide reconnaissance, police, and emergency services for the sparsely occupied Island of Greenland.
I was especially interested in the firearms they carry.
Standard issue rifle is an Enfield 1917 model in 30-06.
They have been offered the best hardware available from all over the world and the patrols have determined that this bolt action rifle designed before WW1 is the best firearm for their use. It is strong, reliable under all the conditions imposed by the environment, and it is chambered in 30-06 which gives superior performance, over the 7.62x51, on Polar Bears and Musk Ox!
They recently ditched their SIG 9mm pistols and replaced them with Glock 20 pistols in 10mm, for the same reason. During the course of 75 years the 9mm proved useless on polar bears.
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