M1917 Enfield: America’s Main Rifle of the First World War

1. Lead

The M1917 Enfield was the rifle that armed most American soldiers in the First World War, a bolt-action weapon chambered for the .30-06 cartridge and based on the British Pattern 1914 rifle. When the United States entered the war in April 1917, the Army had only about 600,000 M1903 Springfield rifles, far too few for the millions of men it planned to raise.

The M1917, which could be produced quickly by factories already tooled to make the British Pattern 1914, filled the gap. Approximately 2.2 million M1917s were built by Remington, Winchester and the Eddystone plant, and by the Armistice in November 1918, about three-quarters of the American Expeditionary Forces’ riflemen carried the M1917 rather than the Springfield.

The rifle was accurate, reliable and rugged, and American soldiers valued its aperture sight and its six-round magazine.

The M1917’s service did not end in 1918. The rifle remained in American service as a second-line weapon through the interwar period, and in the Second World War it was issued to troops in secondary roles, to the Marines in the early Pacific campaign, and to the British Home Guard, which received approximately one million M1917s under Lend-Lease.

The rifle’s long service, from 1917 to the 1960s in some roles, and its production in large numbers, make it one of the most important American rifles in history. The M1917’s design, based on the Mauser action, influenced later American rifles, and its aperture sight was a significant improvement over the Springfield’s open sights.

The rifle is remembered today as the weapon that armed America in 1918, and as one of the finest bolt-action service rifles ever made.

The M1917 is preserved in museums in the United States, Britain and Canada, and it is a popular rifle among collectors and shooters, who value its accuracy and its historical significance. The rifle’s story is closely tied to the story of American industrial mobilisation in the First World War, when the country’s factories were converted to war production in a matter of months. For historians of infantry weapons, the M1917 illustrates how a foreign design, adapted to American needs, could become the standard weapon of an army, and how industrial capacity, rather than design preference, often decides which rifle a nation fights with.

2. Key Facts

Field	Value
Type	Bolt-action service rifle
Origin	United States (based on the British Pattern 1914)
Designed	1917
In service	1917–1960s (US second-line; longer with some users)
Produced	Approximately 2,193,429 (Remington, Winchester, Eddystone)
Manufacturers	Remington Arms, Winchester Repeating Arms, Eddystone (Remington)
Crew	1 (individual weapon)
Weight	Approximately 4.2 kg (9.2 lb) unloaded
Length	Approximately 1,175 mm (46.3 in)
Barrel length	Approximately 660 mm (26 in)
Calibre	.30-06 Springfield (7.62×63 mm)
Feed	6-round internal box magazine (5-round stripper clips)
Action	Bolt-action (Mauser-derived)
Muzzle velocity	Approximately 870 m/s (2,850 ft/s)
Effective range	Approximately 600 m (practical); sights to 1,600 yards
Notable variants	M1917 (standard), M1917 sniper variants, sporterised surplus rifles

3. Background and Development

The Pattern 1914 and the British Connection

The M1917’s origins lay in Britain, where the Pattern 1914 rifle had been developed before the First World War as a replacement for the Lee-Enfield. The Pattern 1914, known as the P14, was based on the Mauser action, with a stronger bolt and a more powerful cartridge, the .276 Enfield, which was later abandoned in favour of the standard .303 British.

When war broke out in 1914, Britain needed rifles urgently, and it contracted with American factories, Remington, Winchester and Eddystone, to produce the P14 in .303 calibre. The American factories tooled up for the P14, and by 1917 they were producing the rifle in large numbers.

When the United States entered the war in April 1917, these factories were already equipped to make a Mauser-action rifle, and the Army’s Ordnance Department saw an opportunity. By changing the P14’s calibre to the American .30-06 and making minor modifications, the factories could produce a rifle for the American Army without retooling.

The Pattern 1914’s design was the work of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, and it reflected the British Army’s experience in the Boer War, where the Mauser rifle had proved superior to the Lee-Enfield in accuracy and in long-range performance. The P14’s Mauser-derived action was stronger and more accurate than the Lee-Enfield’s, and its aperture sight was an improvement over the open sights of the earlier rifle.

The P14 was never adopted as Britain’s standard rifle, because the Lee-Enfield was already in production and because the P14’s production was slow, but the rifle’s design was sound, and its American production gave the United States a proven weapon when it needed one most. The M1917’s British connection is a reminder of the close industrial cooperation between Britain and the United States in the First World War.

American Adoption in 1917

When the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, the Army faced a critical shortage of rifles. The standard service rifle, the M1903 Springfield, was produced only at the Springfield and Rock Island arsenals, and their combined output was far too small for the millions of men the Army planned to raise.

The Ordnance Department, under General William Crozier, considered several options, including increasing Springfield production and adopting a foreign rifle, before deciding to adapt the Pattern 1914. The decision was made quickly, in the spring of 1917, and the modified rifle was designated the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917, or M1917 Enfield.

The modifications were minor: the calibre was changed to .30-06, the rear sight was recalibrated, and the stock was adapted to American specifications. The first M1917s were delivered in the summer of 1917, and production expanded rapidly.

The adoption of the M1917 was a pragmatic decision, driven by industrial capacity rather than by design preference. The Springfield was the Army’s preferred rifle, and many officers regarded it as superior to the M1917, but the Springfield’s production could not meet the demand, and the M1917 was available.

The decision was controversial at the time, and some officers argued that the Army should standardise on one rifle, but the urgency of the situation left no alternative. The M1917’s adoption was a success: the rifle was produced in large numbers, it was issued to the American Expeditionary Forces, and it performed well in combat.

The adoption demonstrated the importance of industrial mobilisation in modern war, and it showed that a nation’s factories, rather than its arsenals, would decide which weapons its soldiers carried.

Eddystone, Remington and Winchester

The M1917 was produced by three factories: Remington Arms at Ilion, New York; Winchester Repeating Arms at New Haven, Connecticut; and the Eddystone plant in Pennsylvania, which was operated by Remington. The Eddystone plant was the largest of the three, and it produced more than 1.1 million M1917s, over half the total. Remington produced approximately 545,000, and Winchester approximately 465,000, for a total of approximately 2.2 million rifles.

The three factories had already been producing the Pattern 1914 for Britain, and their conversion to the M1917 was rapid, because the rifles were similar and the tooling was largely the same. The factories worked around the clock, and their production peaked in 1918, when they were turning out tens of thousands of rifles each month.

The M1917’s production was one of the great achievements of American industrial mobilisation in the First World War.

The three factories’ production was coordinated by the Ordnance Department, which set standards for interchangeability and quality. The M1917’s parts were not fully interchangeable between manufacturers at first, because each factory had its own tooling and tolerances, but the Ordnance Department worked to standardise production, and by 1918 the rifles were largely interchangeable.

The Eddystone plant, which had been built specifically for P14 production, was the most modern of the three, and its output was the highest. The Remington and Winchester plants, which had longer histories, also produced the rifle in large numbers. The three factories’ combined output ensured that the American Army had enough rifles for its expanding forces, and their production was a key factor in the American mobilisation of 1917–1918.

Mass Production by Three Factories

The M1917’s mass production was a remarkable achievement, given the scale and the speed required. In less than eighteen months, three factories produced more than two million rifles, a rate of production that had never been achieved before. The production was made possible by the factories’ existing tooling for the Pattern 1914, by the availability of skilled labour, and by the Ordnance Department’s coordination.

The factories used assembly-line methods, with each worker performing a single operation, and the rifles were inspected at every stage to ensure quality. The M1917’s production was also supported by the production of ammunition, bayonets and spare parts, which were manufactured by other firms. The rifle’s mass production was a model of American industrial mobilisation, and it demonstrated the country’s capacity to arm a large army in a short time.

The M1917’s production had a lasting impact on American industry. The factories that produced the rifle, particularly Eddystone, became major arms manufacturers, and their experience in mass production was applied to the production of other weapons in the Second World War. The M1917’s production also established the pattern for American rifle production, in which private firms, rather than government arsenals, produced the bulk of the Army’s small arms.

The rifle’s mass production was not without problems: early rifles had quality issues, including poorly heat-treated receivers and inaccurate sights, but these were corrected as production continued. By 1918, the M1917 was a reliable and accurate rifle, and its production was a success.

The mass production of the M1917 is one of the great stories of American industrial history, and it is closely tied to the story of the American Expeditionary Forces.

4. Design

The Mauser-Derived Bolt Action

The M1917’s action was based on the Mauser bolt action, with a strong, front-locking bolt, a claw extractor, and a cock-on-closing mechanism. The Mauser action was the standard for bolt-action rifles in the early twentieth century, and it was renowned for its strength, reliability and accuracy.

The M1917’s action was larger and stronger than the Springfield’s, because it was designed for the more powerful .276 Enfield cartridge, and it handled the .30-06 cartridge with ease. The bolt had two front locking lugs and a safety lug, and it was operated by a bent bolt handle that allowed the rifle to be cycled quickly.

The action’s cock-on-closing design, in which the striker was cocked as the bolt was closed, was different from the Springfield’s cock-on-opening, and it was initially unfamiliar to American soldiers, who had been trained on the Springfield. The Mauser action’s strength and reliability made the M1917 a durable rifle, capable of withstanding the rigours of trench warfare.

The M1917’s Mauser-derived action was a significant improvement over the Lee-Enfield’s, and it gave the rifle a reputation for accuracy and reliability. The action’s strong lock-up and its rigid receiver contributed to the rifle’s accuracy, and its claw extractor ensured reliable feeding and extraction, even in dirty conditions. The action’s design was simple and robust, and it required little maintenance beyond regular cleaning and oiling.

The M1917’s action was also the basis for later American rifles, including the M1903A3, which adopted some of the M1917’s features. The Mauser action’s influence on American rifle design was profound, and the M1917 was the vehicle through which that influence was felt. The rifle’s action remains one of its most admired features, and it is valued by collectors and shooters today.

The Aperture Sight and the Six-Round Magazine

The M1917’s most distinctive feature was its rear aperture sight, a peep sight mounted on the receiver bridge, which gave the shooter a clearer sight picture than the Springfield’s open sights. The aperture sight was more accurate, particularly at long range, and it was easier to use in poor light, because the shooter’s eye naturally centred the front post in the aperture.

The sight was graduated to 1,600 yards, and it could be adjusted for windage and elevation. The M1917’s sight was one of the best of any service rifle of its time, and American soldiers valued its accuracy. The rifle’s six-round internal box magazine was also an advantage, holding one more round than the Springfield’s five-round magazine, and it was loaded with five-round stripper clips.

The magazine’s capacity gave the M1917 a slight edge in firepower, and its staggered-column design allowed the rifle to be loaded quickly.

The aperture sight and the six-round magazine were the M1917’s most important design features, and they contributed to the rifle’s reputation for accuracy. The sight’s design was based on the Pattern 1914’s, and it was refined for American use, with a larger aperture and a more robust construction. The magazine’s design was also based on the P14’s, and it was reliable and easy to load.

The M1917’s sight and magazine were improvements over the Springfield’s, and they were cited by soldiers and by Ordnance officers as reasons for preferring the M1917. The rifle’s design features were a product of British experience and American adaptation, and they made the M1917 one of the finest bolt-action rifles of its era.

The aperture sight, in particular, influenced later American rifle design, and it became standard on the M1 Garand and the M14.

Why the M1917 Outshot the Springfield

The M1917 was generally regarded as more accurate than the M1903 Springfield, and the reasons were its aperture sight, its longer sight radius, and its heavier barrel. The aperture sight gave the shooter a more precise aim, and the M1917’s sight radius, the distance between the front and rear sights, was longer than the Springfield’s, which improved accuracy.

The M1917’s barrel, at 26 inches, was longer and heavier than the Springfield’s, which reduced vibration and improved consistency. American soldiers who used both rifles often preferred the M1917 for its accuracy, and the rifle’s reputation for precision was established in training and in combat. The Springfield, however, was lighter and handier, and it was preferred by some soldiers for its balance and its handling.

The comparison between the two rifles was a matter of debate, but the M1917’s accuracy was widely acknowledged, and it was one of the reasons the rifle was valued by snipers and by marksmen.

Weight, Length and Handling

The M1917 was a large and heavy rifle, weighing approximately 4.2 kilograms unloaded and measuring approximately 1,175 millimetres in length. The rifle’s weight and length made it cumbersome in close quarters, and it was less handy than the Springfield, which was shorter and lighter. The M1917’s weight, however, contributed to its accuracy, because the heavy barrel reduced recoil and vibration, and the rifle’s length gave it a long sight radius.

The rifle’s handling was good for a weapon of its size, and its bolt action was smooth and reliable. The M1917’s stock, made of walnut, was sturdy and well shaped, and the rifle’s balance was acceptable, although its muzzle-heavy feel was noted by some soldiers.

The rifle’s weight and length were a disadvantage in trench warfare, where space was limited, but they were an advantage on the rifle range, where accuracy mattered most.

The M1917’s weight and length were a consequence of its design as a long-range rifle, based on the Pattern 1914’s emphasis on accuracy at distance. The rifle’s size made it less suitable for the close fighting of the Western Front, where the Springfield’s handiness was valued, but it was well suited to the open warfare of 1918, when American troops advanced across open ground.

The M1917’s handling was improved by its aperture sight, which allowed the shooter to aim quickly, and by its smooth bolt action, which could be operated rapidly. The rifle’s weight was a burden on long marches, but its accuracy and reliability compensated for its size. The M1917’s handling was a compromise between accuracy and portability, and it reflected the rifle’s origins as a long-range target rifle adapted for military use.

5. Variants

Early Production and Wartime Variants

The M1917 was produced in a single standard version, with minor variations between manufacturers in the early production run. The early rifles had a different rear sight, with a smaller aperture, and some had a different stock, but these variations were standardised as production continued. The M1917’s wartime variants were limited, because the rifle was produced for only eighteen months, and the Ordnance Department standardised the design quickly.

The rifle’s production was divided between the three factories, and each factory’s rifles had minor differences in markings and in finish, but they were functionally identical. The M1917’s wartime production was a model of standardisation, and the rifle’s interchangeability improved as production continued. The early production rifles, with their minor variations, are valued by collectors today, who seek out the rare early examples.

The M1917’s wartime variants included a small number of rifles fitted with telescopic sights for sniper use, although these were not standardised and were produced in limited numbers. The rifle’s sniper variants were used by American snipers in France in 1918, and they demonstrated the M1917’s accuracy at long range.

The M1917’s production was also adapted for the British Pattern 1914, which continued to be produced alongside the M1917 for Britain, and the two rifles shared many parts. The wartime variants of the M1917 were few, but they show the rifle’s adaptability to different roles, and its production’s standardisation was a key factor in its success.

The M1917’s wartime history is one of rapid production and standardisation, rather than of variant development.

The M1917 in the Second World War

In the Second World War, the M1917 served as a second-line weapon, issued to troops in secondary roles and to the British Home Guard. The rifle was used by American forces in the early Pacific campaign, where Marines carried the M1917 at Guadalcanal in 1942, before being re-equipped with the M1 Garand.

The M1917 was also used by American troops in training, by the Coast Guard, and by the Army’s service units. The rifle’s Second World War service was extensive, although it was not a front-line weapon after 1942. The British Home Guard received approximately one million M1917s under Lend-Lease, and the rifle became the Home Guard’s standard weapon, used for the defence of Britain against invasion.

The M1917’s Second World War service was a testament to its reliability and to the large numbers in which it had been produced.

The M1917’s Second World War variants included rifles fitted with a different bayonet, the M1917 bayonet, which was longer than the Springfield’s, and rifles that had been refurbished and re-issued. The rifle’s service in the Home Guard was its most important Second World War role, and the Home Guard’s use of the M1917 is well documented in photographs and in accounts of the period. The rifle’s American service in the Pacific, at Guadalcanal, was brief but significant, because it showed that the M1917 could still serve in combat twenty-five years after its introduction. The M1917’s Second World War service was the longest of its career, and it demonstrated the rifle’s durability and its adaptability to different roles and different armies.

The M1917 as a Sniper Rifle

The M1917 was used as a sniper rifle in both world wars, although it was never standardised as such. In the First World War, American snipers used M1917s fitted with telescopic sights, including the Winchester A5 and the Warner & Swasey sights, and the rifle’s accuracy made it suitable for sniping.

In the Second World War, the M1917 was used by British Home Guard snipers and by American troops in secondary roles, although the M1903A4 was the standard American sniper rifle. The M1917’s sniper use was limited, but it demonstrated the rifle’s accuracy and its suitability for precision shooting.

The rifle’s aperture sight, which was excellent for iron-sight shooting, was less suitable for sniping, and the telescopic sights fitted to the M1917 were often of poor quality. The M1917’s sniper service was a minor part of its history, but it is a reminder of the rifle’s accuracy and of the esteem in which it was held by marksmen.

Post-War Conversions and Sporterizing

After the Second World War, large numbers of M1917s were sold as surplus, and many were converted into sporting rifles by civilians and by gunsmiths. The sporterizing of the M1917 was extensive, because the rifle’s strong Mauser action and its accuracy made it an ideal basis for a hunting rifle.

Surplus M1917s were sold for a few dollars, and they were cut down, restocked, and fitted with telescopic sights, becoming popular hunting rifles in the United States, Canada and Britain. The sporterizing of the M1917 destroyed many original rifles, and collectors today lament the loss of so many military examples.

The rifle’s post-war conversions also included its use by the armies of other countries, including Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, which received M1917s as military aid and used them for training. The M1917’s post-war history is one of surplus sales and civilian use, rather than of military service.

The M1917’s post-war conversions were a consequence of the rifle’s large production run and its availability as surplus. The rifle’s strong action made it popular with gunsmiths, who used it as the basis for custom rifles in a variety of calibres. The sporterized M1917s were used for hunting deer, elk and other game, and they were valued for their accuracy and reliability.

The rifle’s military examples, which survived in original condition, are now highly prized by collectors, who seek out rifles with matching numbers and original finishes. The M1917’s post-war history is a reminder of the fate of many military rifles, which were sold as surplus and converted for civilian use, and of the loss of historical artefacts that resulted.

The surviving original M1917s are a testament to the rifle’s quality and to the efforts of collectors to preserve them.

6. Operational History

The AEF in France 1917–1918

The M1917’s combat debut came with the American Expeditionary Forces in France in 1917–1918, where the rifle armed about three-quarters of American riflemen. The M1917 was first used in combat by the 1st Division at Cantigny in May 1918, and it served in every major American operation of the war, including the Aisne-Marne, the St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne offensives.

The rifle performed well in combat, and American soldiers valued its accuracy and its reliability. The M1917’s six-round magazine and its aperture sight were advantages in the open warfare of 1918, and the rifle’s rugged construction withstood the mud and cold of the Western Front. The M1917’s service in France was the rifle’s most important combat role, and it established the weapon’s reputation.

The American Expeditionary Forces’ use of the M1917 was a success, and the rifle’s performance in France was a key factor in its long service.

The M1917’s service in France was not without problems. Early rifles had quality issues, including poorly heat-treated receivers, and some soldiers complained about the rifle’s weight and length. The rifle’s cock-on-closing action was unfamiliar to soldiers trained on the Springfield, and some found it awkward. Despite these issues, the M1917 performed well, and its accuracy was praised by American officers. The rifle’s service in the Meuse-Argonne, the largest American operation of the war, was particularly significant, as the M1917 was the rifle carried by most American infantrymen in that offensive. The M1917’s combat debut was a success, and the rifle’s service in France remains its most famous chapter, a testament to American industrial mobilisation and to the rifle’s design.

The Home Guard and Britain’s Defence

In the Second World War, the M1917’s most important service was with the British Home Guard, which received approximately one million rifles under Lend-Lease. The Home Guard, formed in 1940 as the Local Defence Volunteers, was Britain’s last line of defence against invasion, and its members, who were too old or too young for regular service, needed rifles urgently.

The M1917, with its .30-06 cartridge, was different from the British .303, and the Home Guard’s supply of ammunition was a challenge, but the rifle’s availability made it the standard Home Guard weapon. The Home Guard’s M1917s were used for training, for guard duty, and for the defence of key points, and they were a symbol of Britain’s determination to resist invasion.

The rifle’s service with the Home Guard continued until 1944, when the threat of invasion had passed and the Home Guard was stood down.

The Home Guard’s use of the M1917 is well documented in photographs and in the popular television series Dad’s Army, which depicted the Home Guard’s eccentricities and its dedication. The M1917’s service with the Home Guard was a significant chapter in the rifle’s history, because it showed that a weapon designed for one army could serve another, and that the rifle’s reliability and accuracy were valued by soldiers of all ages.

The Home Guard’s M1917s were returned to the United States after the war, or were sold as surplus, and many were sporterized. The rifle’s Home Guard service is remembered in Britain as a symbol of the country’s wartime spirit, and the M1917 remains associated with the Home Guard in popular memory.

Guadalcanal: Marines with the M1917

The M1917’s service with the United States Marine Corps at Guadalcanal in 1942 was one of its most famous Second World War actions. The Marines who landed on Guadalcanal in August 1942 were armed with the M1917, because the M1 Garand was not yet available in sufficient numbers for the Corps.

The Marines used the M1917 in the fighting around Henderson Field, where its accuracy and reliability were valued in the jungle. The rifle’s long length was a disadvantage in the jungle, where visibility was limited, but its aperture sight and its six-round magazine were advantages.

The Marines’ use of the M1917 at Guadalcanal was brief, as they were re-equipped with the M1 Garand in late 1942, but it demonstrated that the M1917 could still serve in front-line combat twenty-five years after its introduction. The Guadalcanal Marines’ M1917s are remembered in Marine Corps history, and the rifle’s service there is a testament to its durability.

The Pacific and the Second Line

The M1917’s service in the Pacific was limited to the early campaign, at Guadalcanal, and to second-line roles thereafter. The rifle was used by American troops in training, by the Coast Guard, and by service units, and it was issued to the Chinese Army under Lend-Lease. The M1917’s second-line service was extensive, and the rifle was used by the Army’s training establishments, by the National Guard, and by the Reserves.

The rifle’s service in the Pacific, apart from Guadalcanal, was minimal, because the M1 Garand had become the standard American rifle, and the M1917 was relegated to secondary roles. The rifle’s second-line service continued into the 1950s, when it was used for training and for ceremonial purposes, and it was finally withdrawn from American service in the 1960s.

The M1917’s second-line service was the longest of its career, and it demonstrated the rifle’s durability and its adaptability to different roles.

The M1917’s second-line service was a consequence of its large production run and its reliability. The rifle was available in large numbers, and it was suitable for training, where its accuracy and its ruggedness were valued. The rifle’s service with the National Guard and the Reserves ensured that it remained in American hands long after it had been replaced as a front-line weapon.

The M1917’s second-line service also included its use by the armies of other countries, which received the rifle as military aid and used it for training and for second-line duties. The rifle’s long second-line service is a measure of its quality, and it ensured that the M1917 would be remembered as one of the most durable American rifles in history.

7. Performance and Specifications

Strengths: Accuracy and Reliability

The M1917’s greatest strengths were its accuracy and its reliability. The rifle’s aperture sight, its long sight radius, and its heavy barrel made it one of the most accurate service rifles of its time, and American soldiers valued its precision. The rifle’s Mauser-derived action was strong and reliable, and its claw extractor ensured positive feeding and extraction, even in dirty conditions.

The M1917’s six-round magazine gave it a slight advantage in firepower over the Springfield, and its rugged construction withstood the rigours of trench warfare. The rifle’s reliability was demonstrated in France in 1918, where it performed well in mud and cold, and at Guadalcanal in 1942, where it served in the jungle.

The M1917’s accuracy and reliability were the reasons it was valued by soldiers and by marksmen, and they are the rifle’s most enduring legacy.

The M1917’s accuracy was also a product of its design. The rifle’s aperture sight gave the shooter a clear sight picture, and its heavy barrel reduced vibration and improved consistency. The rifle’s action, with its strong lock-up, contributed to its accuracy, and its .30-06 cartridge was a proven round with good ballistic performance.

The M1917’s reliability was a product of its Mauser action, which was renowned for its strength, and of its simple design, which required little maintenance. The rifle’s strengths made it a favourite among American soldiers, and its reputation for accuracy was established in training and in combat.

The M1917’s strengths were the reason it remained in service for so long, and they are the reason the rifle is valued by collectors and shooters today.

Weaknesses: Weight and Length

The M1917’s greatest weaknesses were its weight and its length. The rifle weighed approximately 4.2 kilograms unloaded, and it measured approximately 1,175 millimetres in length, making it one of the heaviest and longest service rifles of its time. The rifle’s weight and length made it cumbersome in close quarters, and it was less handy than the Springfield, which was shorter and lighter.

The M1917’s cock-on-closing action was unfamiliar to American soldiers, and some found it awkward to operate quickly. The rifle’s .30-06 cartridge, while powerful, produced significant recoil, and the rifle’s weight did little to mitigate it. The M1917’s weaknesses were a consequence of its design as a long-range rifle, based on the Pattern 1914’s emphasis on accuracy at distance, and they were accepted because the rifle’s accuracy was valued more highly than its handiness.

The M1917’s weight and length were a disadvantage in trench warfare, where space was limited, and in the jungle, where the rifle’s length made it difficult to manoeuvre. The rifle’s weight was a burden on long marches, and its length made it awkward to carry in vehicles.

The M1917’s weaknesses were well understood by the American Army, which preferred the Springfield for its handiness, but the M1917’s availability and its accuracy made it the standard rifle of the American Expeditionary Forces. The rifle’s weaknesses were the reason it was not adopted as the standard American rifle after the war, and the reason the Springfield remained the Army’s preferred weapon.

The M1917’s weight and length were the price of its accuracy, and they ensured that the rifle would be remembered as a fine target rifle that was less suited to the battlefield.

M1917 versus the M1903 Springfield

The comparison between the M1917 and the M1903 Springfield was a matter of debate among American soldiers and officers. The M1917 was more accurate, with its aperture sight and its longer sight radius, and it had a six-round magazine, one more than the Springfield’s five. The Springfield, however, was lighter, shorter and handier, and its cock-on-opening action was more familiar to American soldiers.

The Springfield was the Army’s preferred rifle, and it remained in service as the standard weapon after the war, while the M1917 was relegated to second-line roles. The debate between the two rifles was never fully resolved, and both had their advocates. The M1917’s accuracy was widely acknowledged, and the Springfield’s handiness was equally valued.

The comparison shows that the two rifles were designed for different priorities, and that the Army’s choice of the Springfield reflected its preference for a handy rifle over a more accurate one.

8. Operators

The United States

The principal operator of the M1917 was the United States Army, which used the rifle from 1917 to the 1960s. The rifle armed about three-quarters of the American Expeditionary Forces in 1918, and it remained in service as a second-line weapon through the interwar period and the Second World War.

The M1917 was also used by the United States Marine Corps, which carried the rifle at Guadalcanal in 1942, and by the Coast Guard and the National Guard. The rifle’s American service was the longest and most important of its career, and the weapon’s history is closely tied to the history of American mobilisation in the First World War.

The M1917’s American operators valued its accuracy and its reliability, and the rifle’s service with the Army and the Marines ensured that it would be remembered as the rifle that armed America in 1918.

The M1917’s American service included its use in training, where the rifle was used to train millions of soldiers, and in the Reserves, where it remained in service into the 1960s. The rifle’s service with the National Guard was extensive, and the M1917 was the Guard’s standard rifle in the interwar period.

The rifle’s American operators included the Army’s service units, which used the M1917 for guard duty and for training, and the Coast Guard, which used the rifle for port security. The M1917’s American service was a testament to the rifle’s durability and to the large numbers in which it had been produced.

The rifle’s history in American service is one of mass production, of combat in France, and of long second-line service, and it is closely tied to the story of American military history in the twentieth century.

Britain, China and Other Users

The M1917 was also used by Britain, China and other countries. Britain received approximately one million M1917s under Lend-Lease for the Home Guard, and the rifle became the Home Guard’s standard weapon. China received M1917s under Lend-Lease, and used them in the war against Japan, where the rifle’s .30-06 cartridge was compatible with American-supplied ammunition.

Other users included Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, which received M1917s as military aid after the war, and used them for training. The M1917’s foreign service was extensive, and the rifle’s reliability and accuracy were valued by soldiers in many countries. The rifle’s use by the Home Guard was its most important foreign service, and it demonstrated that a weapon designed for one army could serve another effectively.

The M1917’s foreign operators were an important part of the rifle’s history, and their service ensured that the weapon would be remembered beyond the United States.

The M1917’s foreign service continued after the war, as the rifle was used by the armies of newly independent countries and by the forces of the Commonwealth. The rifle’s service in Britain, in particular, is remembered in popular culture, through the television series Dad’s Army, which depicted the Home Guard’s use of the M1917.

The rifle’s Chinese service was significant, because it armed Chinese troops in the war against Japan, and its .30-06 cartridge was shared with other American-supplied weapons. The M1917’s foreign users valued the rifle’s accuracy and its ruggedness, and its service with these armies ensured that the M1917 would be preserved in museums around the world.

The rifle’s global service is a measure of its quality, and it is a testament to the soundness of its design.

9. Legacy and Influence

The Rifle That Armed America in 1918

The M1917’s legacy is that of the rifle that armed America in the First World War. When the United States entered the war in 1917, it had too few rifles for its expanding army, and the M1917 filled the gap, arming about three-quarters of the American Expeditionary Forces.

The rifle’s production, approximately 2.2 million in eighteen months, was one of the great achievements of American industrial mobilisation, and it demonstrated the country’s capacity to arm a large army in a short time. The M1917’s service in France established its reputation for accuracy and reliability, and the rifle’s design, based on the Mauser action, influenced later American rifles.

The M1917’s legacy is closely tied to the story of American mobilisation, and it is remembered as the weapon that made the American Expeditionary Forces possible. The rifle’s production and service were a key factor in the American contribution to the Allied victory in 1918.

The M1917’s legacy is also in the rifle’s design, which influenced the M1903A3, the M1 Garand, and later American rifles. The aperture sight, which was the M1917’s most distinctive feature, became standard on American service rifles, and the Mauser-derived action influenced the design of the Springfield and of later bolt-action rifles. The M1917’s legacy in design is as important as its legacy in production, and it shaped American rifle development for decades. The rifle’s service in the Second World War, with the Home Guard and the Marines, extended its legacy, and its long second-line service demonstrated its durability. The M1917’s legacy is that of a rifle that was produced quickly, served effectively, and influenced the rifles that followed it.

The M1917 in Memory and Collecting

The M1917 is one of the most popular rifles among collectors and shooters, who value its accuracy, its historical significance, and its association with the American Expeditionary Forces. Original M1917s, with matching numbers and original finishes, are highly prized, and they command significant prices at auction.

The rifle’s association with the First World War, and with the Marines at Guadalcanal, has made it a sought-after collector’s item, and its strong Mauser action makes it a popular basis for custom rifles. The M1917’s place in popular memory is closely tied to its service in France in 1918, and to its use by the Home Guard in the Second World War, as depicted in Dad’s Army.

The rifle’s reputation among veterans was considerable: soldiers who used the M1917 remembered its accuracy and its reliability, and they valued the confidence that its aperture sight gave them. The M1917’s place in memory is a testament to its effectiveness and to its historical importance.

The M1917’s cultural legacy extends beyond collecting and shooting. The rifle has appeared in films and television programmes about the First World War, where it is depicted as the standard American rifle, and in documentaries about the Home Guard, where it is shown as the weapon of Britain’s last line of defence.

The rifle’s distinctive profile, with its aperture sight and its long barrel, has made it instantly recognisable, and its association with the American Expeditionary Forces has ensured its place in American military history. The M1917’s legacy in memory is a reminder of the rifle’s service and of its importance to the American Army in 1918, and it ensures that the weapon will continue to be studied and appreciated by historians, collectors and shooters.

The Surplus Rifle Market

The M1917’s post-war history was dominated by the surplus rifle market, in which millions of rifles were sold to civilians for a few dollars. The surplus sales began after the First World War, when the Army sold its excess M1917s, and they continued after the Second World War, when Home Guard rifles were returned and sold.

The surplus M1917s were bought by hunters, by target shooters, and by gunsmiths, who converted them into sporting rifles. The surplus market’s impact on the M1917 was profound: many original rifles were destroyed by sporterizing, and the surviving military examples became rare and valuable.

The surplus market also made the M1917 one of the most widely owned rifles in the United States, and it introduced a generation of shooters to the Mauser action and to the .30-06 cartridge. The surplus rifle market is a key part of the M1917’s history, and it explains why original examples are so prized today.

10. Surviving Examples

Museums in the United States

A significant number of M1917s survive in museums in the United States, reflecting the rifle’s large production run. The National Firearms Museum in Virginia holds examples, and the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Massachusetts displays the M1917 alongside the M1903 Springfield. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans holds an M1917, and the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico displays the rifle as used at Guadalcanal.

These museum examples are valuable because they show the rifle’s aperture sight, its six-round magazine, and its Mauser action, which are difficult to appreciate from photographs. The Springfield Armory’s examples are particularly well preserved, and they are displayed with the rifle’s bayonet and accessories. The museum examples in the United States are among the best-preserved in the world, and they are a testament to the rifle’s historical significance.

The museum examples in the United States include rifles that saw service in France in 1918, and some that were used by the Marines at Guadalcanal. The National Firearms Museum’s M1917 was produced by Eddystone, and the Springfield Armory’s example was produced by Remington. These examples are a reminder of the M1917’s long service and of its importance to the American Army. The rifles’ survival in museums ensures that future generations can see the weapon that armed America in 1918, and can appreciate its design and its construction. The M1917’s American museum examples are a fitting legacy for a rifle that served for more than forty years, and they ensure that the weapon’s place in history will not be forgotten.

Survivors Abroad and Firing Examples

Other surviving M1917s include examples at the Imperial War Museum in London, which holds rifles used by the Home Guard, and at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The rifle is also held in private collections, and many M1917s remain in firing condition, owned by collectors and shooters who value the rifle’s accuracy.

The firing examples are particularly valuable, because they demonstrate the M1917’s smooth bolt action and its excellent aperture sight, and they allow shooters to experience a rifle that served in two world wars. The M1917’s survival in firing condition is a testament to its robust construction, and it ensures that the rifle’s distinctive qualities can still be appreciated today.

The rifle’s survival abroad reflects its foreign service, particularly with the Home Guard, and its distribution to many countries as military aid.

The surviving M1917s abroad include examples in Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where the rifle was used by the Home Guard and by Commonwealth forces. The Imperial War Museum’s Home Guard M1917s are among the best-preserved, and they are displayed with Home Guard uniforms and equipment. The rifle’s survival in private hands is extensive, and many M1917s are still shot regularly at ranges in the United States and Britain. The M1917’s survival in museums and in firing condition ensures that the rifle will continue to be studied and appreciated, and that its place in the history of American rifles will not be forgotten. The surviving examples are a fitting legacy for the rifle that armed America in 1918.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many M1917 rifles were built?
Approximately 2,193,429 M1917s were built by Remington, Winchester and Eddystone. Eddystone produced about 1,182,000, Remington about 546,000, and Winchester about 466,000.

Was the M1917 the main American rifle in WWI?
Yes. About three-quarters of American riflemen in the American Expeditionary Forces carried the M1917, because the M1903 Springfield could not be produced in sufficient numbers. The Springfield remained the Army’s preferred rifle, but the M1917 armed most of the troops.

What was the M1917 based on?
The M1917 was based on the British Pattern 1914 rifle, which was itself based on the Mauser action. The calibre was changed from .303 British to .30-06 Springfield, and minor modifications were made for American service.

Did the M1917 serve in WWII?
Yes. The M1917 served as a second-line weapon, with the Marines at Guadalcanal in 1942, and with the British Home Guard, which received about one million rifles under Lend-Lease. It remained in American second-line service into the 1960s.

Is the M1917 more accurate than the Springfield?
The M1917 was generally regarded as more accurate, thanks to its aperture sight, longer sight radius and heavier barrel. The Springfield was lighter and handier, and it remained the Army’s preferred rifle after the war.

Are original M1917s valuable today?
Yes. Original M1917s in military condition, with matching numbers, are highly prized by collectors. Many rifles were sporterized after the wars, which makes original examples rarer and more valuable.

Related articles

• A7V Tank
• Avro Lancaster
• B-26 Marauder

Sources

• C. S. Ferris, The M1917 Enfield Rifle (Collector Grade Publications).
• Ian Hogg, The M1917 Enfield (Greenhill Books).
• Springfield Armory National Historic Site, M1917 collection records.
• National Firearms Museum, M1917 exhibits and records.
• Bruce Canfield, U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War I (Andrew Mowbray Publishers).
• United States War Department, Handbook of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917 (1918).
• Wikipedia, "M1917 Enfield"