Unfortunately, there were never enough Springfield rifles to go around during the war.
To equip Americas burgeoning armed forces, an additional rifle would be needed.
After much consideration, U.S.
The stock was slightly altered, and its weight was reduced by a little more than four ounces.
The modifications worked well, and the new Enfield rifle began turning out in massive numbers.
Nearly 2.2 million M1917 rifles and 2.5 million M1917 bayonets were made by the beginning of 1919.
Even so, the M1917 was never as popular as the elegant Springfield rifle.
The M1917 was heavier than the M1903 by more than a pound.
It was also three inches longer.
Ultimately, many Doughboys considered the M1903 rifle to be better balanced and a bit more accurate.
For the average soldier however, there was little to pick between them in terms of combat efficiency.
Up until about 15 years ago, the M1917 rifle was often discounted by military rifle collectors.
In many ways, the M1917 has always suffered from the not-invented-here bias.
I didnt want to kill any more than I had to.
But it was they or I.
And I was giving them the best I had.
York was giving the Germans the best he had with a M1917 rifle.
Over the years many folks assumed that he used a M1903 Springfield rifle that day.
Some M1917 rifles were provided to American shooters through the Department of Civilian Marksmanship and the NRA.
In civilian hands the M1917 was often reconfigured as a sporter and proved to be a popular hunting rifle.
Hundreds of thousands of the rifles remained in storage, waiting for the next chance to serve America.
That opportunity would soon come.
