M1917 Enfield (American Enfield)

History of M1917 Enfield (Enfield, USA)

During the lead-up to World War I, the United Kingdom sought to replace its Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) infantry rifles. Initially inspired by the German Mauser 98 series, the British designed the new service rifle, known as the P14, to utilize the Mauser concept but chambered for the British .303 caliber ammunition. However, the outbreak of the war led to a shift in plans, and production was moved to the United States, where factories like Winchester, Remington, and Baldwin Locomotive Works manufactured P14 rifles, each bearing the name of the location where it was produced.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, it lacked a standard infantry rifle. Since American factories were already making British Enfield 14 rifles, the decision was made to adapt these rifles to fire American .30-06 caliber cartridges. This move expedited production and resulted in the creation of the M1917 rifle. Both the M1917 and the British P14 were similar rifles, but their main distinction was the caliber of ammunition they used.

The M1917, characterized by its wooden stock, front sight near the muzzle, right-side bolt lever, and 6-round magazine for .30-06 cartridges, played a significant role in World War I and beyond. Over two million M1917 rifles were produced, and they continued to see use in various capacities in subsequent conflicts, with some remaining operational today, proving their enduring reliability and versatility.

Specification

Dimensions

Total length: 1,175 mm (46.26 in)

Run Length: 660 mm (25.98 in)

Weight (not loaded): 4.17 kg

Attractions: Before and after ironing.

Performance

Action: Manual repeat system

Muzzle velocity: 2,700 ft/s (823 m/s)

Valid range: 1,640 ft (500 m; 547 yd)

Variants

Mauser 98 - German rifle, from which the British P14 was developed.

P14 ("Pattern 14") - Reproduces the British Enfield version of the M1917; fires .303 cartridges.

M1917 - Name of base series; based on P14; modified to dismiss Springfield. 30-06 Cartridge.

M1917 "Winchester" - M1917 rifle made in Winchester; 545,511 copies made.

M1917 "Remington" - M1917 rifle manufactured by Remington; 545,541 copies made.

M1917 "Eddystone" - M1917 rifle manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive Works, a Remington subsidiary of Eddystone, PA; 1,181,09 copies made.

M1917 (7.7mm) - Modified for export to Honduras.

M1917 (8x57 Mauser) - Modified for export to Spain.