The US entered WWI without interchangeable rifle parts | No Lowballers #Rumblereels

In this episode of No Lowballers, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History is joined by GunBroker’s own Allen Forkner to welcome guest Jon Krisko, a U.S. Army judge advocate stationed at Fort Leavenworth and researcher of World War I ordnance history. Krisko shares the remarkable story of the Model 1917 rifle and the little-known Rifle Demonstrator Corps—an elite team of marksmen tasked with introducing a new service rifle to America’s rapidly expanding wartime Army. From urgent production challenges to public relations battles and the human ingenuity of the demonstrators themselves, this episode uncovers a fascinating slice of military and firearms history.

Episode Highlights

A Nation Unprepared: The U.S. Army enters World War I with too few rifles and a scramble begins to arm four million troops.
The Model 1917 Solution: How American factories converted the British Pattern 14 Enfield into the .30-06–chambered Model 1917 rifle to fill the gap.
Public Perception & PR Challenges: Newspapers warn of an “inferior foreign rifle,” sparking letters from worried parents and concerned politicians.
Production Hurdles: Factories struggle to make parts fully interchangeable and solve early extractor and striker breakages.
The Rifle Demonstrator Corps: Led by John T. Thompson (yes, the future Thompson submachine gun creator), these national-level marksmen trained officers, NCOs and mechanics on care, maintenance and marksmanship with the new rifle.
Field Conditions & Ingenuity: From sandstorms in New Mexico to harsh northern winters, demonstrators face environmental and logistical challenges—including cleaning rifles with rope and hat cords.
Legacy & Lasting Impact: The demonstrators change soldier attitudes toward the rifle, helping ensure the Model 1917 arms two-thirds to three-quarters of U.S. infantry overseas and cements its place in American firearms history.
💬 Join the Conversation

Were you surprised by the logistical and PR battles the U.S. faced in arming its troops?
Do you think the decision to standardize on .30-06 instead of .303 British was the right long-term move?
For collectors today: What’s your favorite variant of the Model 1917 and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know how the story of the Rifle Demonstrator Corps resonates with you!

👍 Like, Share, and Review
Every rating, review, and share helps us bring more firearms history and industry insight to you each week.

🔔 Don’t Miss an Episode
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and catch No Lowballers every week.

Listen now on your favorite platform and don’t forget: If you’re already a subscriber, make sure to re-subscribe using the updated links below to keep receiving new episodes.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UoPXevKfKwruKcEcV4ir3
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-lowballers/id1812452370
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f74f614-ea1c-4ca6-abd4-cfaf5135bf8e/no-lowballers
iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/274120614/
Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id6595321
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NoLowballersPodcast/videos

To stream directly or learn more, visit www.gunbroker.com/c/podcast

Follow No Lowballers on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes content, historical deep dives and weekly drops every Thursday.

Get your tickets HERE- https://bit.ly/4gpvThu - for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation POP Conservation Raffle! Every ticket gets you closer to amazing prizes and helps support conservation efforts!

#NoLowBallersPodcast