In Their Words

Springfield M1903 Rifle with Bayonet

The Model 1903 Springfield rifle was perhaps the weapon most widely used by American soldiers. 600,000 rifles were on hand at the United States entrance into the war in 1917. M1903 rifles utilized a bolt-action mechanism that fired a five round clip of .30-06 ammunition at a rate of fifteen rounds per minute. Its had an effective range of 500 yards. Weighing in at 8.7 pounds, the Springfield M1903 was a robust, accurate, and effective weapon. A sixteen inch bayonet could be affixed underneath the end of the barrel in order to provide a soldier with close combat capabilities.

From the Collections of the
First Division Museum at Cantigny

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