Rock Island 1903 and United States 1917 Bundle (2 Books)

The UNITED STATES RIFLE MODEL OF 1917 by Mark G. Goodwin with foreword by Scott A. Duff provides both the beginning and advanced collector of the Model 1917 rifle with a depth of information heretofore unavailable.

The very existence of the Model 1917 rifle was almost accidental. When America entered World War One it had but 600,000 Model 1903 rifles with which to arm a growing military. Government armories were unable to supply the additional millions of rifles required. Because three American firms were already making rifles for Britain it was possible that an American version of the British Pattern 14 rifle could be produced quickly in significant numbers. It saved the day generations ago, but is little understood as a collectable military item or in historic significance.

The purpose of this book is to inform the collector of details to be expected of an original, or “correct”, Model 1917 rifle. Such details include finish, dates of manufacture and serial number correlation, manufacturer and inspection markings, rebuild marks, and differences in parts between the three manufacturers: Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone. The accoutrements chapter includes information on bayonets and scabbards, slings, grenade launchers, cleaning equipment, and much more. Additionally, this book provides a historic background leading up to manufacture of the rifle. Total quantities of rifles made by each manufacturer are given, as are dates of first shipment to the Government and dates of last manufacture. Finally, the rifle’s use after World War One by the U.S. and several foreign countries is addressed.