For sale is an original 1918 SOLDIER’S MARKSMENSHIP HANDBOOK FOR MODEL 1917 RIFLE (also known as the Enfield Rifle) which is titled “Soldier’s Handbook of the Rifle and Score Book for Special Course C: Arranged for the United States Rifle, Model of 1917”. This handbook was edited by the US Army War College. This WWI era illustrated handbook provides expert instructions on the care and firing of the Army’s Enfield Rifle. The handbook is complete but a few of the scoring sheets for the rifle range have been completed by the soldier who was issued this handbook. A first rate military collectible.
In 902, the British Army adopted the Lee-Enfield rifle as its basic infantry weapon. The short rifle had a length of 44.5 inches and combined the bolt action devised by the Scots-American James P. Lee and the rifling standard at the British arsenal at Enfield—i.e., five grooves with a leftward twist. The rifle fired .303-calibre ammunition with a rimmed cartridge carried in a 10-round box magazine. The magazine could also be loaded with five-round clips or single rounds. Though less accurate than the Springfield rifle at longer ranges, the Lee-Enfield could hold twice the number of cartridges and was capable of a faster rate of fire. The various models of Lee-Enfield rifles were the standard weapons of British infantry troops in both World Wars I and II.
The US Army developed the Model 1917 Enfield from the British .303 caliber rifle. The M1917 Enfield was also known as the “P17 Enfield” or “American Enfield. The M1917 Enfield was the primary rifle used by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. The majority of US troops in Europe were armed with the M1917 Enfield, including Medal of Honor Winner Corporal Alvin York.
