I think the decision has as much to do with the huge stocks of one weapon type on hand inter-war (in severely straightened economic times) as it does anything else. In my opinion, they made the wrong choice for an overwhelming number of right reasons.īy the mid 30s the UK was developing the No4 rifle which, although based on the Enfield action (which of course had proven remarkably efficient, safe and strong) and the intermediate length (again clearly an advantage) but also incorporated several features that were in common with the P14 - the receiver mounted ladder rear sight and battle peep sight, heavier barrel and other modifications which assisted in mass production. The interesting thing is how both countries treated the 14/17 in the post war era, deciding to remain with the familiar (and as Chris pointed out, arguably more obsolescent) old standards, and relegating both variants to colonial, territorial and reserve uses. I love my Enfields for what they are, but at 6' 3", with even longer arms, the 1917 just fits better. I must admit - not being large of stature I prefer the SMLE in terms of balance and handiness, but the P14/M1917 design was certainly a reliable, accurate rifle.Īmusingly, I am on the exact opposite side of the coin. The P13/P14/M1917 was modern in a number of ways (the proposed calibre of the P13, the design that made mass production easier (certainly than the 1903 Springfield), the incorporation of a peep ("ring") battle sight zeroed at 300yds.all very modern in many respects. the 1903 Springfield and the 1907 SMLE MkIII but the development of these started earlier. Most of the other rifles date to the late 19th. On the WWII use, you should note that Britain also purchased a large number of M1917s prior to the the existence of the lend-lease program (so they were not all lend-lease by any means).Īs noted above the M1917 is interesting in lots of ways - and arguably it was one of the very few (I might argue ONLY) twentieth century designed rifle used in the war. They were indeed used for the whole period in which the AEF was in action. The M1917 was produced in far larger numbers than the M1903 Springfield (during the Great War) and armed a larger number of the AEF by most accounts.
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