The U.S. Model 1917 began as a rifle produced for the British in the early days of WWI as the Pattern 14 Enfield. When the United States entered the war, existing British contracts for the .303 Pattern 14 rifle were superseded by the new U.S. demand for rifles and the production tooling was changed to make the rifles compatible with the standard .30-06 U.S. military rifle cartridge. The first contract for the 1917 was singed on July 12, 1917 with production commencing in September with the 1,000,000th rifle being produced only a year later. This is still regarded as perhaps the greatest achievement in U.S. military rifle production. The completion of this rifle was celebrated by a mass company meeting on September 12, 1918, attended by more than 14,000 plant employees, and a number of army, navy, and industry officials. Eddystone produced almost 2,000,000 rifles for the war effort, but only one serial number 1,000,000. This U.S. Eddystone Model 1917 rifle features a barrel marked "E/flaming bomb/8-18", standard blade front and adjustable ladder and peep rear sights, and standard markings on the receiver ring. The finish is as fine polished blue. The stock is attractively figured American walnut in the standard military pattern with a high gloss rubbed oil finish, and a scroll shaped, silver plated, presentation plaque on the right side marked "1,000,000th Rifle/September 17th 1917 to September 17th 1918/To/C.H. Schlacks/General Manager/From the Employees of the/Eddystone Rifle Plant". The stock does not have any military inspection marks and is fitted with a matching polished blue trapdoor buttplate and leather claw type sling. Includes a hardwood and glass display case with identification card marked "ARMY RIFLE - 1917/The 1,000,000th rifle manufactured for the British/Army at the Eddystone Rifle Plant of the Midvale/Steel and Ordnance Company, September 17, 1917/to September 17, 1918/GIFT OF MRS. C.H. SCHLACKS/THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA". The note about this rifle being made for the British Army is incorrect. We also had the honor to previously auction the 1,000,000 U.S. Springfield Armory M1 rifle!

Excellent with 95% original blue finish, some scattered small handling marks, light cycling marks visible on the bolt body, and some visible oxidation on the rear sight ladder. The stock is also excellent with attractive figure, some scattered small dings, and visible scratches and attractively aged patina on the plaque. Mechanically excellent. Case is fine with some exterior scuffs and dings, and some light discoloration on the cloth interior. A true National Treasure!