Book Review by Len Shurtleff.
Mr Canfield is an internationally recognised specialist in twentieth century U.S. military weapons and a contributing editor to the American Rifleman. In this information-packed and richly illustrated volume, he presents a comprehensive record of rifles, shotguns, automatic rifles, pistols, machine guns, bayonets, knives, grenades, mortars, flame-throwers and accessories used by the American Doughboy.
Of particular interest to WFA members will be descriptions of the operation and modification made to such well known weapons as the Springfield, SMLE, Berthier and American rifles carried by the majority of U.S. soldiers and marines. Canfield also details the operation of the Lewis and Hotchkiss machine guns, the Stokes mortars and the French-designed M-1916 37mm guns used by AEF infantry heavy weapons companies.
Also covered in some detail are lesser-known weapons such as the 12- bore pump-action shotguns (riot guns and trench guns), bolo and trench knives issued to raiders and other attacking units, and the several types of pistols and revolvers used by American officers and NCOs. This is an excellent and reasonably-priced reference work for specialists and the general reader alike.
[This review first appeared in the journal of The Western Front Association Stand To! Issue 60 January 2001. This and other copies of Stand To! are available to read online to members by signing in using their Member Login]
U.S. Infantry Weapons of the First World War
Bruce N Canfield
Mawbray Publishers
Lincoln Rl, USA, 2000
304pp, index, bibliography, photos.
$39.95 hard cover.
ISBN 0 917218 90 6.