RSC 1917 Disassembly and Overview

[TheGoldenCaulk]

This is the Fusil Automatique Modèle 1917, otherwise known as the RSC 1917 Self-loading rifle. You may recognize this rifle from alternate media, such as video games or the ForgottenWeapons channel. Given that the only instructions on how to disassemble this rifle are in French, I thought it best to make a visual instruction in English. I wish I could've made a video, but this will have to do.

RSC 1917 Disassembly and Overview - Album on Imgur < This link will take you to the imgur post containing the FULL disassembly instructions. This is meant as a reference guide for anyone in need of or merely curious of how to disassemble this rifle. Any questions you have, post here and I will do my best to answer. Thank you!

Also if you know anyone with some spare clips, I'd like more than just the one I have

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RCS]

This design was only used in the RSC 1917 semi auto rifle, very rare to find as even the repro clips can sell for up to $100

I believe both the French Model 1915 Chauchat Machine Rifle and RSC 1917 both use the same extractor designAttachment 87137

[TheGoldenCaulk]

Yep, tough to find those buggers. I'm thinking of consulting a local metalworker to perhaps make a run of these clips for me and others interested.

[TheGoldenCaulk]

I have since updated this guide to simplify the procedure pertaining to the gas system. Enjoy.

RSC 1917 Disassembly and Overview (UPDATED 2020) - Album on Imgur

[browningautorifle]

Excellent picture guide for strip and assembling...maybe I can find one of these next gunshow we're allowed to have so I can wring it out. No, seriously, I'd just like to handle one a bit. I can't imagine how rare they are. Then clips, as stated being impossible to find. I have one three and one five shot for the standard rifle with ammo in both. Thought I was doing well.

[RCS]

Some of the WW1 RSC rifles were converted to fire the new 8mm Lebel Model 1932N
cartridge with the 234 gr spitzer bullet of .327 inch diameter. This being performed in the 1930's time period. I have heard that with this conversion, the RSC was also altered to used the standard Mannlicker-Berthier five round clip like the RSC Model 1918 semi auto.

Photos show a RSC 1917 with the N stamp indicating conversion to the M32N cartridgeAttachment 106359Attachment 106360Attachment 106361

[TheGoldenCaulk]

Thanks Jim! I'm very fortunate to have two clips now, one repro and one original!

Btw I'm curious, how is the French firearms scene in the Great White North?

[TheGoldenCaulk]

I've seen a couple of those, the N-marked rifles (mine is not though). Haven't run into any 1917s modified for Berthier clips though, would be nice to get a chance to get inside one and see how they did it. That clip modification was done around the same time they were shortening 1917s too, right?

[RCS]

The RSC Model 1918 was manufactured with a shorter barrel length and only used the bolt action five round Berthier clips. Robert
Seijas who posts on this forum has one. Maybe he will post a photo if he views this post, they are rare.

[browningautorifle]

the French firearms scene in the Great White North?

It's like anything else, not too much of the uncommon stuff... You'll find a guy that loves Swiss and has them all, Russian and has them all...so a guy that has this taste will have all he can handle as it's not the normal taste here. I don't know who that would be though.