The first general issue semi-auto rifle adopted by a major power, the pics are of an RSC1917 (which used a 5 shot clip specifically for this rifle), there was a later version, 1917 Mosquetton which was the same rifle but shortened after experience in trench warfare, then the RSC1918 which followed the lead of the Mosquetoon but used a modified gas system & the standard 5 shot Berthier clip. Very few 1918's were made & fewer Mosquetoons. After WW1 most of the RSC1917's were modified by converting them to bolt actions, the gas "ports" or elbows were eliminated, they were updated to use the 20's ammo & marked "N" on the receiver, very few of the 1917's are found with a complete gas system.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 24 of 70 Total. 17871 Visits.
RSC1917 right view Rifle is a 1917 production, matching, converted to single shot & "N" marked. Shown w/a cloth muzzle cover which tied over barrel w/leather ties, there is also a metal muzzle cover w/a small chain that attaches to the stacking rod.
right side of butt
Stock cartouche on right butt
Right rear view of action view w/mag open, small lever over trigger is a bolt hold open device
action right
action right w/mag open The RSC1917 used a special 5rd clip, the mag was opened & the clip w/cartridges was inserted into the mag
magazine follower detail
right side action detail note the aluminum knob, there was also a steel knob w/serrations around the edge, also note the bolt activating rod which continues under the cover & attaches to the front part of the rod inside the forend, also note the lever for the bolt hold open between the trigger assmly & mag
view of the action open & locked the hold open lever is spring loaded, pull the bolt back, push up the lever until it locks on the rod, push down on the lever to release
action/mag right front view shows the hinge for the mag
mid forend note the odd style of mounting handguard, rear goes under a "shelf" on front of rear sight, over the rear band & there is a spring clip in forward end of handguard which secures over the barrel. Most 1917's are found w/o handguards as they broke easily, design & method of removal didn't help much!
muzzle right side standard 86 Lebel style front band, spring, bayonet attachment & sight, note the hole on bottom of stock for access to gas port under barrel
cloth muzzle cover these were made of the standard infantry cloth in horizon blue. This cover is a repro as they didn't last very long in the field
WW1 French rifle clips TL RSC1917 clip, TR 5rd Berthier, Bttm 3rd berthier. Oddly the rifle was designed to use a specific 5rd clip!, the Lebels & Berthiers used the same round, the Berthiers used 2 different clips & the RSC1917 another!, a logistics nightmare
WW1 french clips side top-3rd Berthier clip middle-5rd Berthier clip bttm-5rd RSC1917 clip
French WW1 clips top view top-5rd RSC1917 middle-5rd berthier bttm-3rd Berthier
butt left view
action left rotary safety lever above rigger
action left mag open
Safety lever
magazine
1917-N-Mkg most French military rifles produced prior to 1928 were reworked to use a later version of the 8mm round, early rifles that had these mods were marked on the chamber & barrel w/the "N" marking to indicate this, it meant balle N which was the designation of the modernized cartridge.
