Dublin Core
Title
British Enfield Rifle M1917
Subject
Weapon
Description
The British Enfield M1917 is a heavy, bolt-action rifle which was the main one used by British soldiers in World War I. It features a heavy stock and barrel, and it fires a .303 caliber round. It also has both rudimentary steel sights, as well as another sighting system that can be raised up off of the top of the barrel. The gun weighs roughly 9 pounds (without a bayonet attached), and it is 3.75 feet long. The Enfield was the staple brand of rifle for Britain throughout WWI.
The weapon itself shows an extensive amount of wear and tear: fading on the barrel's dark color, notches up and down the wood stock, and two very distinctive vertical scratches close to the buttstock. It is also important to notice the brass disk on the right side of the buttstock which displays the armory information. During the war, this specific rifle was housed in the Royal Air Force armory at Uxbridge. Another element of the rifle that is important to note is how the wooden stock meets succinctly with the end of the barrel, giving it a characteristic look. Since the gun could fire each round in quick succession, the barrel could overheat. The longer stock prevented the barrel from being bent whenever it got too hot. When looking closely at the barrel, one can see the British Crown insignia imprinted into the metal, and underneath this insignia are two crossing British flags.
The weapon itself shows an extensive amount of wear and tear: fading on the barrel's dark color, notches up and down the wood stock, and two very distinctive vertical scratches close to the buttstock. It is also important to notice the brass disk on the right side of the buttstock which displays the armory information. During the war, this specific rifle was housed in the Royal Air Force armory at Uxbridge. Another element of the rifle that is important to note is how the wooden stock meets succinctly with the end of the barrel, giving it a characteristic look. Since the gun could fire each round in quick succession, the barrel could overheat. The longer stock prevented the barrel from being bent whenever it got too hot. When looking closely at the barrel, one can see the British Crown insignia imprinted into the metal, and underneath this insignia are two crossing British flags.
Creator
Lee-Enfield
Source
McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa. 2933 E 6th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3123
Publisher
Armory Information: R.A.F. 5 25 UXB 525;
Serial Number: E8030
Serial Number: E8030
Date
1917-1918
Format
Rifle
Language
English
Identifier
2011.074
Coverage
Great Britain