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information on1917 Winchester

Dave45-70
I hope someone can direct me to the history of a WW1 rifle that I purchased from the CMP, a very clean 1917 Winchester rifle,just above the butt plate and attached with the same butt plate screw is a small brass tag that says " 146" under that is " 1st MED BN" I assume it is 1st Medical Battalion but i may be wrong.I've tried to google it but no luck for that time period. Any ideas? thanks dave
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  • rufe-snow
    The rifle your inquiring about is known to collectors as the 1917 Enfield.

    There is a bunch of information regarding it on-line. If none of our folks can help you, GOOGLE "enfield 1917 collectors forum" or similar search terms, and start reading and following the links. You will find more information, then you will ever want to know about your rifle.
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  • nononsense
    DBuesching,

    From Surplus Rifles:

    The United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917, developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Middlesex.

    When the United States prepared for WWI, there were shortages of the m1903 Springfield. The '03 manufacturing was not able to keep up with U.S. demand for armaments.

    The U.S. companies of Remington, Winchester, and the Remington-Eddystone Arsenal, had just completed contracts for m1914 Enfields, for England and were able to retool the existing manufacturing facilities to produce the m1914 in 30-06. Thus the m1917 was born.

    Phased out at as the primary U.S. battle rifle the end of WWI and replaced by the m1903. Still carried in service during WWII and distributed to allies post WWII.

    This is a full coverage website:

    http://www.highspeedlane.net/m1917/

    Here's a good historic article:

    http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866650/

    One thing to bear in mind:

    "Production of the M1917 was prodigious. In a little over a year, from August 1917 to November 1918, Eddystone had produced 1,181,908 rifles, Ilion, 545,541 and Winchester, 465,980. Production of M1903 Springfields paled by comparison with 250,641 being completed at Springfield and 45,571 at Rock Island. Total 1917 Enfield production over the 15-month period was 2,193,429..."

    Tracking down one rifle in particular will be daunting. Fortunately, you may have a slight advantage due to the " 146" under that is " 1st MED BN" for some narrowing of the search and some general information as to service. That's where I would start with my hunt. You may only find glimmers of detailed information on the internet so you might have to resort to the good old fashion reading books at the library.

    Best.

    ADDED:

    This is the current outline of the Battalion:

    http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/mlg/clr15/medbn/default.asp

    This is a breakdown of the markings:

    http://www.lonesentry.com/panzer/jeep-markings.html

    Best.
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  • Dave45-70
    Nononsense
    thanks for the web sites I really got alot of information on the 1st medical Batt. however there does'nt seem to be any reference to the 1st med. before ww2.Were there any 17's used during the second world war?The history of any military rifle is interesting but research is near to impossible to track a particular rifle. Anyway thanks again
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  • nononsense
    DBuesching,

    "Were there any 17's used during the second world war?"

    After WWI, the Enfield was relegated to reserve status, given away to allies and sold off through the DCM. When World War II arrived, it was pulled out of storage for the last time as a stopgap weapon both here and abroad. How many and what the distribution was, I don't know.

    "...but research is near to impossible to track a particular rifle."

    You're correct. This is a concept lost on most folks. They believe that every rifle has a history that is traceable and they are bewildered when none of us can tell them the exact history of their one rifle.

    Best.
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  • sandwarrior
    Excellent articles there nn. I never realized the P13 was the pre-cursor to the P1917. Incidentally, I much prefer the 1917 to the 1903.

    Oh BTW,

    quote:originally posted by gunnut505 on another thread

    "Nononsense-You got a nice Butt (plate)."[/i

    Thank you! You don't think it makes me look too fat, do you?

    Best.


    I think it slims you up rather nicely[;)]....[:D]
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