JT and others, Is this true?

[Chaz]

From the M1917 forum:

"...and know the sniper1917 saw action up to early vietnam."

Where have I been? Bruce

[dave]

sounds like bs, few were even used in WW1.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Nonsense. I don't know of any even in WWI. Why would it be needed when hundreds of 1903 snipers were available? Even the Marines had around a thousand 03 snipers in storage after WWI.

jt

[Art]

P-14 sniper rifles were used by the Brits in World War I in the sniper role and to a limited extent in WW II. I have never heard anything about any of the U.S version (M1917s) being used by U.S. troops

[Chaz]

Gentlemen, Thanks for that clarification! Bruce

[jgaynor]

About 50,000 US M1918 Snipers were ordered. In many respects they were way ahead of their time. Essentially it was a sporterized M1917 with a 2,5X top center mounted scope that was to be manufactured by Winchester.
The war ended before the rifles and scopes got into production. I believe only a couple of prototypes were made. Post war testing of the scope design revealed it to be a failure.The windage and elevation knobs were so massive inertia tended to snap them off after a few rounds were fired.
Had the rifle been made and combined with a more modern scope like the Noske or Lyman Alaskan it probably would have been a decent sniper.

Regards,
Jim

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Jim Gaynor is spot on as usual. The rifle to which he refers is a nice looking rig, but it never made it into combat or the hands of troops. I believe there may be a photo of one in Brophy (maybe not), definitely in Senich.

jt