The M1917 or American Enfield

Hi, I’m Chris; welcome back to our Educational Video Series. Last episode, we looked at the workhorse of the British Army in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Lee-Enfield. With the US entry into World War I, the American Doughboys needed a new service rifle. Enter the American cousin to the Lee-Enfield, the M1917.  

The M1917 was also called the American Enfield, but its given name was “United States Rifle, caliber.30, Model of 1917”. Rifles were needed quickly to arm the American Expeditionary Forces, so the existing British .303 caliber P14 rifle was modified. Under the close supervision of the United States Army Ordnance Department, Eddystone, Winchester and Remington began production of the new rifle with an altered design to accommodate a .30-06 caliber projectile.  

The M1917 was 46.25 inches in total length with a 26-inch barrel. It weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces, heavier than its predecessor, the M1903, and had a magazine capacity of six rounds. The rear sight had a folding leaf adjustable for elevation and was mounted on the rear of the receiver. The front sight blade was protected by two sturdy “ears,” on either side. The stock and two-piece handguard were made of oil-finished black walnut with grasping grooves milled into both sides of the fore-end. 

If given a choice, the average soldier would have probably preferred an M1903 to an M1917; it was lighter, it handled better, and the M1917 had some distinctly British features American soldiers initially found to be somewhat objectionable. With familiarity, the M1917 won over critics and proved itself to be a sturdy, reliable infantry rifle with excellent sights. The rifle and the soldiers wielding it, acquitted themselves very well on the battlefields of France generating many reports on the efficacy of the M1917. Few of these reports detailed any significant problems.  

The M1917 became a firearm soldiers could rely on. During the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Sergeant Alvin York gave the Germans “the best he had” with his M1917. On October 8, 1918, the 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division took heavy losses from gassing and German machine gun nests. Then a corporal, Alvin York proved himself to be one of America’s greatest marksmen, shooting his way out of trouble and capturing over 130 German troops. For this incredible feat, Sergeant York received the Medal of Honor.  

By the end of 1918, more than 1 million M1917s had been shipped to France. After World War I, the M1903 Springfield remained the standardized U.S. military service rifle, even though there were more M1917s in inventory. During WWII, some M1917s were called back into service as training and supplemental service rifles delivered to the Allies through the Lend Lease Act. But the American Enfield’s glory days ended with Armistice Day. 

Join us next time when we take a look at the M1 Garand.