Perhaps due to M1 Garand (or M1903A3) shortages at the start of the war, the M1917 was also issued to artillerymen, and both mortarmen and artillerymen carried the M1917 in North Africa.
The M1917 Enfield, “P17 Enfield”, “American Enfield”, formally named “United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917” was an American modification and production of the British .303 caliber P14 rifle developed and manufactured during the period 1917-1918.
Officially, the .30-’06 version of the British design is known as: The United States Rifle, caliber .30, M1917 and is described as a breech loading rifle of the bolt type.
While the M1917 was a robust and reliable rifle, its length and weight made it rather ungainly for the average, small-statured Chinese soldier. It was decided that some changes could be made to...
The rifle also fixed the distinctive Enfield M1917 bayonet, with two parallel grooves cut in the wooden handle between pommel and guard and sheathed in a long olive-drab painted leather scabbard.
Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the M1917 Enfield (American Enfield) Bolt-Action Service Rifle including pictures.
World War II U.S. Army soldier shouldering a M1917 rifle. Although not used as a frontline service rifle, the “U.S. Enfield” provided valuable yeoman-like service to our armed forces as training rifles and supplemental arms. Receiver area showing the distinctive “crooked” bolt handle.
In 1987, an Austin American-Statesman newspaper advertise-ment for a “.30-06 rifle” led to the purchase of a well used, dark bored M1917 Rifle for $85. Over many years, it saw periodic range use, but was otherwise perceived as unexceptional by the author.