Due to meager ordnance appropriations and general lack of military preparedness, World War I found our Ordnance Department confronted with a tremendous problem of equipping huge forces, to be raised by the nation, with shoulder arms for training and for combat.  The ordnance Department solved the problem by the adoption of a modified British pattern rifle, which had been made in the United States on orders placed by Great Britain subsequent to that nation’s entry into World War I, in 1914.  The rifle produced, based on the British Enfield, Model 1914, was modified to meet American requirements, by being bored and chambered for the .30 caliber American ammunition, changing the face of the bolt to suit our rimless ammunition, and the size of the magazine to accommodate the longer American cartridge.  The blade front sight was set on a stud and protected by perforated wings.  The rear sight, graduated to 1,600 yards and equipped with a sliding peep, was set on the back of the receiver, close to the eye, to facilitate aiming, and was protected by metal side extensions.  The sight was adjustable for elevation only.  An oiler and thong case was set in a well, covered by a butt plate trap.  The action differed from the Model 1903 primarily in the fact that cocking was accomplished by the forward movement of the bolt.  The bolt was not equipped with a cocking piece.  These arms were made by the Winchester Arms Company at New Haven, Conn., and by the Remington Arms, U.M.C. Company at its plants in Ilion, N.Y., and Eddystone, Pa..  1,181,908 rifles of this model were produced during World War I, up to November 9, 1918 at Eddystone.

     Our specimen is marked on the top of the receiver “U.S.” “MODEL OF 1917” “EDDYSTONE” in three lines, and serial number 777470.  The barrel is marked behind the front sight “E”, flaming bomb and “12-18” indicating the date of manufacture.  The left side of the receiver is marked with a flaming bomb and “E”.  The front face of the stock is marked “R”.  The bottom of the stock in front of the trigger guard is marked eagle head and “339”.  One side of the bayonet is marked with the flaming bomb, eagle head and “US”.  The other side is marked “1917” “REMINGTON”.