1918 U.S. Eddystone M1917 Enfield, 30-06 Sprg., Bolt-Action, SN - 1119696

According to the U.S. Military Dates Of Manufacture Resource Service, this Eddystone M1917 was produced in October, 1918. MARKINGS: Barrel - "HS"/ Flaming Bomb/ "P" (proofed); Top Receiver - "U.S./ MODEL OF 1917/ EDDYSTONE/ 1119696"; Left Side Of Receiver - Flaming Bomb acceptance stamp; Top Of The Receiver - Eagle Head acceptance stamp (twice); Bolt Handle - "R" (bottom) & Flaming Bomb (top), Rear Sight Ladder & Base - "E" (Eddystone), Front Sight & Dovetail - "W", Bayonet Lug - "W", and Left Side Of Stock - "O.G.E.K". SPECS: 26" barrel, adjustable folding aperture rear sight, wing-protected front post sight , metal buttplate with cleaning kit compartment (does not include kit), walnut stock/ handguard with grooved forearm, sling rings and bayonet lug. CONDITION: This gun is in nice condition with light battle wear, has a sharp bore with light pitting and appears to be in good working order. HISTORY: The M1917 Enfield, or "American Enfield", is an American modification and production of the British Pattern 1914 Enfield (P14) rifle (listed in British Service as Rifle No. 3) which was developed and manufactured during the period 1917-1918. When the British Empire entered World War I, it had an urgent need for rifles, and contracts were placed with companies in the United States. In the case of the P14 rifle, Winchester and Remington were selected. When the U.S. entered the war, it had a similar extreme need for rifles. Rather than re-tool completely, the factories, under the close supervision of the US Army Ordnance Department, altered the P14 design for the 30-06 caliber. Winchester produced the rifle at their New Haven, Connecticut, plant and Remington at their main facility at Ilion, New York, and at another plant in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Numerically, it was the main rifle used by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. This new rifle was formally adopted as the new standard U.S. Service rifle and named the Model of 1917. It was manufactured by: Eddystone (1,181,908 rifles), Remington (545,541 rifles) and Winchester (465,980 rifles). Design changes were few; the stripper clip feed, internal box magazine, bolt face, chamber and rifling dimensions were altered to suit the .30-06 Springfield cartridge and the US pattern 5-round stripper clips. The stock was slightly redesigned, lightening it somewhat, and the volley fire sights on the left side of the weapon were deleted. The markings were changed to reflect the model and caliber change. The M1917 was used alongside the M1903 Springfield, and quickly surpassed the Springfield design in numbers produced and units issued. By November 11, 1918, about 75% of the AEF in France were armed with M1917s. An M1917 Enfield rifle was used by Sergeant Alvin C. York on October 8, 1918, during the event for which he was famously awarded the Medal of Honor.