History
Before World War I, the British had the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) as their main rifle. Compared to the German Mausers or U.S. 1903 Springfield, the SMLE's .303 rimmed cartridge, originally a black powder cartridge, was ill-suited for feeding in magazine or belt-fed weapons and the SMLE was thought to be less accurate than its competition at longer ranges. The long-range accuracy of the German 7x57mm Mauser Model 1895 in the hands of Boer marksmen during the Boer War (1899 -1902) made an impression on the British Army, and a more powerful, modern rifle was desired. Thus, even though improved Lee–Enfield variants (the SMLE) and .303 British Mark VII. ammunition with pointed (spitzer) projectiles entered service after the Boer War in 1910, a committee was formed to develop an entirely new design of rifle and cartridge. The starting point was to copy many of the features of the Mauser system. The rifle was developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Arsenal in the United Kingdom.
This development named the Pattern 1913 Enfield or P13, included a front locking, dual lug bolt action with Mauser type claw extractor as well as a new, powerful rimless .276 Enfield. cartridge. The design carried over a Lee–Enfield type safety at the rear of the action and a bolt that cocked on closing to ease unlocking of the bolt during rapid fire. An advanced design, for the era, of aperture rear sight and a long sight radius were incorporated to maximize accuracy potential. Ease of manufacture was also an important criterion. However, the onset of World War I came too quickly for the UK to put it into production before the new cartridge could be perfected, as it suffered from overheating in rapid fire and bore fouling.
As it entered World War I, the UK had an urgent need for rifles, and contracts for the new rifle were placed with arms companies in the United States. They decided to ask these companies to produce the new rifle design in the old .303 British chambering for convenience of ammunition logistics. The new rifle was termed the "Pattern 14". In the case of the P14 rifle, Winchester and Remington were selected. A third manufacturer, Eddystone Arsenal – a subsidiary of Remington – was tooled up at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Thus, three variations of the P14 and M1917 exist, labeled "Winchester," "Remington" or "Eddystone".
Item Description
This rifle is fully rendered innocuous and complies with WA Police requirements for rendering firearms, there is no license requirement for this rifle in WA however buyers from all other States and or Territories must ensure that purchasing of this rifle is in accordance with Police regulations within their State or Territory.
The US 1917 rifle was the standard issue rifle for the US troops during WW1. This rifle was made by the Eddystone arsenal factory in Pennsylvania in 1917 which is clearly marked on the top of the bolt carriage.
The rifle is in good overall condition. All issue marks and stamps remain clear and intact. There is some light bruising and chips on the woodwork here and there commensurate with the rifles age.
The rifle cocks and dry fires, the sight deploys correctly.
US 1917 rifles are much rarer than the 303 rifles and deactivated examples are rarely seen as live firer's are expensive.
Please note I have a matching bayonet for this rifle priced at $300