Did the Marines Have M1917's in WWI?

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Three things happened June 1 of 1918:

1. The Marine Commandant announced that thereafter all Marines would train with M1917's and be issued M1903's after boot camp to preserve the M1903's for use in France.

2. The Ordnance Department announced that all US Army soldiers would subsequently train and be armed with a new M1917 upon deployment.

3. The National Board announced that the National Matches would be held in September and the M1917 with service ammunition would be used.

Does this mean that there were NM M1917's?

jt

[Cosine26]

It is my understamnding that there were NO NM M1917, they were standard isssue M1917's and the matches were fired with standard M1903 Ball ammo.
IMHO

[John Beard]

Three things happened June 1 of 1918:

1. The Marine Commandant announced that thereafter all Marines would train with M1917's and be issued M1903's after boot camp to preserve the M1903's for use in France.

2. The Ordnance Department announced that all US Army soldiers would subsequently train and be armed with a new M1917 upon deployment.

3. The National Board announced that the National Matches would be held in September and the M1917 with service ammunition would be used.

Does this mean that there were NM M1917's?

jt

Yes. And the rifles were supplied by Remington. But it is unknown if the rifles included any special features such as polished bolts. etc.

J.B.

[Parashooter]

. . .they were standard isssue M1917's and the matches were fired with standard M1903 Ball ammo.
IMHO

I don't think you can stuff a 1903 Ball round (.30/03) into a M1917 - which has a .30/06 chamber (for M1906 Ball).

[Rick the Librarian]

I was always told that you could load a 30-06 into a 30-03 rifle, but not vice-versa.

[dave]

I think he meant ball ammo for the 1903 RIFLE. By 1917 the 30-03 was long out of use. Give him a break. hehehe

[Cosine26]

You are correct. I meant 30-06 round.

[ClaudeH]

It's fun to be in at the start of something new. I'm sure that, as a result of this thread, NM M1917s will begin showing up at gunshows in a week or so!

[Crashyoung]

With a polished bolt sized for 1903 ball ammo... ;D

[Emri]

Yes. And the rifles were supplied by Remington. But it is unknown if the rifles included any special features such as polished bolts. etc.

J.B.

I wonder if that near new looking Remington of mine, that you have seen, could have been one. It came out of a collection that contained several target rifles including MII Springfields and 03's with target sights. It certainly is in extremely nice condition for it's age.