[82Rigger]

Pack,

Sounds like you're getting the U.S. M1917 Enfield mixed up with the British Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle in .303 British caliber.

The M1917 Enfield was a U.S. rifle in 30/06 caliber. Its design was a US/UK effort.

When the British Empire entered World War I, it had an urgent need for rifles and contracts were placed with companies in the United States for the Pattern 14 rifle in .303 caliber. In the case of the P14 rifle, Winchester and Remington were selected. When the U.S. entered the war, it had a similar extreme need for rifles. Rather than re-tool completely, the factories, under the close supervision of the US Army Ordnance Department, altered the design for caliber .30-06. Winchester produced the rifle at their New Haven, Connecticut plant and Remington at their main facility at Ilion, New York and at another plant in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. The M1917 Bayonet was also produced and used on several other small arms.

The new rifle was used alongside the M1903 Springfield rifle and quickly surpassed the Springfield design in numbers produced and units issued. By November 11, 1918 about 75% of the AEF were armed with M1917s. After the armistice, M1917 rifles were surplussed or placed in storage.



M1917 Enfield: