I've been researching French firearms from before and during the Great War, as part of a roleplaying game I'm playing. Naturally, this lead me to try and find as much information about the Meunier, and subsequently the RSC rifle.
From what information I have, I can see that the M1917 was adopted in, naturally, 1917, but was dropped from service in 1926. I can't seem to find any information as to why.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
I can't say whether this applies in this case but for many weapons that were not proceeded with in the 1920s, it was because of the massive stockpile of weapons remaining from production during 1914-18. Since factories were working hardest in 1918, often there were huge supplies of unused weapons.
In the 1920s most European economies were staggering from the impact of the war, and there were neither the funds nor public sympathy for weapons spending.
In many cases the designs were 'mothballed' and brought back later, but in the case of the rifle it can be seen that ten years later a complete redesign might be deemed a better move, especially as a result of changes to and standardisation of ammunition.