If you're looking for a book source, try John M. Browning: American Gunmaker, and also look into what Julian Hatcher wrote on the M1917. The JMB book definitely talked about the adoption of the M1917, its just been three years since I've read the book.
In 1990 these Paraguayan Marines were still using one to defend the entrance to their barracks.
We were staying there also and wondered to ourselves how much the gun would jump around if they fired it on that marble floor.
In 1990 these Paraguayan Marines were still using one to defend the entrance to their barracks.
We were staying there also and wondered to ourselves how much the gun would jump around if they fired it on that marble floor. View attachment 368111
I worked with some Paraguayan paratroopers in 2001, and those dudes were nice, funny... just cool guys. But once on the drop zone in the middle of the night and surrounded by guys who couldn't speak Spanish, they were some of the most tactically and technically proficient jumpers I ever worked with, from any country including ours.