M1917 Enfield Sniper
Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1917
Also known as: American Enfield, Model of 1917, P17 Enfield, US Rifle M1917
Overview
The M1917 Enfield Sniper was the American-caliber derivative of the British Pattern 1914, rechambered for .30-06 Springfield and used in limited numbers as a sniper rifle during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Featuring a long 26-inch heavyweight barrel with a 1:10 left-hand twist, the M1917 was generally considered more accurate at long range than the M1903 Springfield, though heavier. Numerically, the M1917 was the most common American rifle of WWI - approximately 60% of the American Expeditionary Force carried it - and selected examples were fitted with Winchester A5 scopes for sniping duties.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4175 g (147.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4450 g (157.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1175 mm (46.26") |
| Barrel Length | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3529 J (2603 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2500 m (2734 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary · 7.62x63mm — also known as .30 M1906, 7.62x63mm, .30 Government 06
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Wing Safety, Bolt Shroud Safety
- Features: Winchester A5 Telescopic Sight, Long Sighting Plane, Protected Aperture Rear Sight, Heavyweight Barrel, Enfield Pattern Action
Variants
- M1917 Enfield (Standard) — Standard Infantry
- Pattern 1914 Enfield Sniper (.303) — British Caliber Parent
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1917 · as United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1917
- British Home Guard · adopted 1940
- Republic of China Army
Conflicts
- World War I (Western Front) (1917-1918)
- World War II (1941-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,193,429 · Production years: 1917-1918
Total M1917 production was 2,193,429 rifles across Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone factories. The number of sniper-configured rifles was extremely small - approximately 50 Winchester A5-scoped examples during WWI plus limited WWII and Korean War conversions.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield / Remington / Winchester
Discontinued: 1953
Notes
The M1917's internal magazine held 6 rounds (one more than the M1903 Springfield), though stripper clips held only 5. The rifle's long sighting plane and protected aperture rear sight contributed to its excellent long-range accuracy. While the M1903A4 was the standard-issue US sniper rifle of WWII, the M1917 continued to see limited sniper use, particularly in the Korean War where its .30-06 cartridge and accurate barrel made it effective at the longer engagement ranges typical of that conflict. Only approximately 50 Winchester-manufactured M1917s were fitted with A5 scopes during WWI, making original sniper-configured examples extremely rare.
Background
Sergeant Alvin York, America's most celebrated WWI hero, used an M1917 Enfield when he single-handedly killed 25 German soldiers and captured 132 others during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on October 8, 1918, though some accounts attribute his feat to the M1903 Springfield. The M1917's role as the primary American rifle of WWI is often overshadowed by the M1903 Springfield, despite the 'American Enfield' arming the majority of the AEF. Its continued use as a sniper rifle through the Korean War demonstrates the design's enduring accuracy.