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Hnter,
Actually it was the M1903 Springfield that got Mauser upset about patent infrimgments. If you look at the M1903, notice the "winged" safety that is exactly like the Mauser. The US government paid a royalty of $1.25 per Springfield made and that payment ended on April 6, 1917, when we declared war on Germany.
The P-17 was a redo of an earlier P-13/P-14 British design. Notice the "Rocket-type" thumb safety on the right of the P-17 receiver. It is far different from the Mauser safety.
Many M1903 rifles were used early in WWII by US combat forces. The P-17, over a million went out as Lend-Lease, was relegated mostly to basic training in the states. Many P-17s saw combat early in the war, particularily in the Phillipines.
Adam
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Adam Helmer
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