M1917 Enfield Rifle Information

History of the M1917 Enfield

The M1917 Enfield, “P17 Enfield”, “American Enfield”, formally named “United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917” was an American modification and production of the British .303 caliber P14 rifle 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 design for caliber .30-06. 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.

CMP Sales of the M1917 Enfield

The CMP continues to receive a few dozen of these rifles each year. All of these rifles have been on loan from the U.S. Army to chartered veterans’ organizations for use in honor guards, funerals, and other ceremonial purposes. All are mix-masters and none are in original condition. We receive only a few of this model each year, and in overall poor condition. All sales are AS-IS with NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES.

About the M1917 Enfield Rifle Grades

SERVICE GRADE: Rifle functions. Barrels may be dark and may have rust or pitting and little rifling. Wood is sound but does show normal wear. Metal may show normal wear and may exhibit some rust or pitting. Rifle has been head spaced and test fired.

FIELD GRADE: Rifle is complete. Barrel will be dark and may have some rust or pitting and little rifling. Wood may have minor cracks, dings, dents, gouges. May or may not headspace. Rifle has not been test fired.

RACK GRADE: Rifle is incomplete in that it may be missing minor screws, parts, etc. Barrel will be dark and may have some rust or pitting and little rifling. Wood may have heavy cracks, dings, dents, gouges. May or may not headspace. Rifle has not been test fired.

CEREMONIAL GRADE: Rifle is incomplete in that it may be missing minor screws, parts, etc. Barrel will be dark and may have some rust or pitting and little rifling. Wood may have heavy cracks, dings, dents, gouges. May or may not headspace. Rifle is chrome plated or painted, could have painted stocks. Rifle has not been test fired.

DRILL RIFLE: Rifle has plugged and welded barrel and other welded parts. Small parts may be missing. Wood may have cracks, dings, dents. Rifle could be painted or chromed.

STRIPPED BARRELED RECEIVER: Consists only of barrel and receiver – no other parts. Barrels are bad and will probably be dark with little rifling and will have rust and/or pitting.