The U.S. Model 1917 was one of two Enfield-pattern rifles built by Remington under contract during World War I. Joseph Rider tweaked an existing design and turned it into one of the most important rifles ever designed: the Remington Rolling Block.

Produced in many styles and calibers, the Rolling Block is important in that it introduced armies in such widely dispersed locales as Denmark, Sweden, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Colombia and Chile to the metallic cartridge. Though a number were actually manufactured by Remington, countries such as Denmark and Sweden opted to manufacture their rifles indigenously.

The Rolling Block lent itself to sporting use, too, and was also highly popular as a target rifle. As such, it was offered in many calibers from .50 on down to .22. The Rolling Block is a collector's delight, allowing one to spend as much or as little as he wishes, depending upon area of interest.

During the latter part of the 19th century, the folks at Ilion also came out with other innovative long arms, to include the sophisticated Remington-Hepburn--a gun that was considered one of the top competition rifles of its time, and the Remington-Keene and Remington-Lee (designed by James Paris Lee of Lee-Enfield fame) bolt-action repeaters.

Both the Keene and Lee were tested by the U.S. government and issued on a trial basis, but neither was adopted. Originally produced by Sharps, Remington eventually took over production of the Lee to fulfill government contracts.

By the turn of the century, the company's main thrust was again directed toward sporting arms. Two guns--the Model 8 semiauto (1906-36) and the Model 14 pump (1913-35)--deserve special attention.

With semiautomatic firearms still in their infancy, Remington took the bold step of introducing the Model 8 recoil-operated repeater to a skeptical public. The John Browning-designed gun was unlike anything seen at the time. Calibers were .25, 30, .32 and .35 Remington. Sales were initially sluggish but improved to the point where in 1936 the company introduced in a slightly improved version, the Model 81, which continued in production until 1950.

To hedge its bets on the Model 8, Remington also came out with the Model 14, a high-end pump-action repeater available in the same calibers as the Model 8, plus a rimfire. Designed by Danish inventor John Pedersen, it was offered in several grades and variations, such as the Model 14R Carbine and 14 ½ in .38-40 and .44-40.

With the onset of World War I, Remington again began accepting military contracts, producing Model 1907/15 Mannlicher-Berthiers for the French and Model 1891 Mosin-Nagants for the Russians. Remington's Eddystone and Ilion factories also contracted for pattern 14 "Enfield" rifles in .303 for the British as well as the U.S. Model 1917 version of the same rifle in .30-06 for Uncle Sam.

After the war, production of the Model 17 was carried on by Remington, which, beginning in 1921, offered it as the Model 30. Though of sporting configuration, the gun retained the Enfield's curious dog-leg bolt handle--a feature that would be resurrected in 1964 with the interesting Remington Model 600.

Model 30s were made in several calibers and versions from 1921 to 1940. Today they don't command high collector's prices, making them an excellent choice (along with the parent P14 and M17 Enfields) for the beginning collector.

During World War II, Remington made military arms including the 1911A1 Government Model auto pistol and (along with Savage Arms) the 1903A3 Springfield. Though 03A3s didn't see a lot of active service, the scoped variant--the 03A4--was the U.S. military's primary sniper rifle during the war.

Remington's lineup of bolt-action hunting rifles also provides an excellent collecting area--one in which the enthusiast will find himself confronted with a dizzying selection. Beginning with the Model 720 and running through the Model 721, 722 and 725 there are a number of interesting models and calibers to choose from.