My first 1917 enfield

patrick james · Jun 6, 2009

I owned many military rifles over the years but never owned a 1917 Enfield.Kinda neat holding a gun like my grandfather carried in France. I also had a uncle that lost his life on French soil in WWI.Anybody own a 1917 Enfield? Mines a Eddystone.I'll shoot it next week.

K.38 · Jun 7, 2009

I have an Eddystone also. I've only taken it to the range once so far. I had to replace the rear sight spring and screw. Got that done so now I need to go shoot it some.

I found the Eddystone along with a Winchester M70 7mm Mauser Lightweight at a military surplus store. Both had to come home with me.

I have a friend who has a 1917 too. He uses it to shoot high power rifle matches. His first time out he came in 2nd place.

The history of these old rifles is makes them so fun and interesting. Only if they could talk. I would love to know where the Eddystone and my Pre-War Winchester M1 Garand has been.

Vulcan Bob · Jun 7, 2009

I had a few minty collectors but sold em to help buy a new bike. I recently picked up a 1918 dated Winchester in a sporter stock. Luckily they left all the metal alone and I just have to find the correct wood to restore it. Had it out to the range and with Greek military ammo it shot an 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards dead on POA first time! I think I'll keep it. Have fun with your's!

GatorFarmer · Jun 7, 2009

I have an Eddystone sporter currently. I had a 1917 previously that was unaltered, one of the 1990s reimports from somewhere or another, possibly Korea.

There's stories of cracked receivers on the Eddystones.

Wyatt Burp · Jun 7, 2009

I have an excellent shape Winchester 1917. Unfortunatly the front half of the stock has been butchered, I mean "sporterized". I bought an excellent Eddystne stock but still need the top wood and some hardware. I like it because I want a rifle like Sargeant York used. I'm intrigued by the fact they would be considered really ugly by some people. But not me.

Rikkn · Jun 7, 2009

Enfields are addictive, I took one on trade, now have 6 in different variations, including a really cool jungle carbine.

Beauetienne · Jun 7, 2009

Congrats on a great aquisition!

I have also always wanted a 1917 just for the history of the rifle. I recently saw, at a local gun show, a father showing his son of about 10 years of age, a 1917 in fine shape. He handled it with reverence as he explained the significance of the rifle to his son. It was touching. The father couldn't have been more than 35 years old but, he had all the facts right.

I have an Eddy P14 that I aquired in the early '90's. It's all matching but, is missing the volley sight. It's the most accurate enfield I own. I used to load for it and I shot it a lot. Enjoy.

BLACKHAWKNJ · Jun 7, 2009

I have 2. Collecting milsurps is preserving history to paraphrase the late Professor Charles Stratton.

Jack Flash · Jun 7, 2009

"I like it because I want a rifle like Sargeant York used."

You will start a debate with that one.

Gutpile Charlie · Jun 7, 2009

Got one here. Without look'n, I think it is a Remington. I don't shoot it because it has an "issue" with feeding from the magazine. I just haven't spent the time necessary to get it straightened out.

Blkcat · Jun 7, 2009

Here's mine - Bought it from a surplus store when I was a junior in college (around 1965). It had been "sporterized" - military stock hacked, barrel replaced (I think), Mil sights removed and replaced with some hooky leaf sights. I think I paid about $50.00 for it. Bought a rough Monte Carlo" stock that I fit to the receiver as best I could with tools I had available (a hand wood chisel, sandpaper, steel wool, and linseed oil), added a set of Williams Five Dollar Receiver Sights, and went hunting.

Sort of sorry I hacked up history. it was a Model 1917 Eddystone: S/N:995xxx. Oh well - it made a darn good deer rifle -- .

Snapping Twig · Jun 7, 2009

Mine's been sporterized, but it was done right by a pro. It's an Eddystone too.

It was made in June of 1918, so I doubt it made it overseas. Shoots like a laser.

Jack Flash · Jun 8, 2009

It's possible it made it overseas in the next World War. I know some were sent to England after Dunkirk. I think a few even served with US forces. If nothing else, it may have been on guard duty here.

I do believe at least some were sold off to civilians as surplus right after WWI.

s&wchad · Jun 8, 2009

This one has obviously been thru an arsenal rebuild as it has some Remington and Winchester parts, an undated Johnson Automatics two groove barrel and what I believe is a WWII contract replacement stock that I haven’t been able to identify (“Z” on the nose).

These are very strong actions, but it’s prudent to have the headspace checked (ditto on any milsurp guns). These were well made rifles, but I wish they would have incorporated a windage adjustment.

More pics of the same gun:
http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w289/1swchad/US M1917 Rifle/?albumview=slideshow

Duster42 · Jun 8, 2009

I have an Eddystone made very late in WWI.All original.The original staking on the trigger guard screws is still intact.
The cracked receivers happen when the original barrel is removed improperly.The orirginal barrels on the Eddystones were spun on using a hydraulic jig.
When removing the original barrel a relief cut must be made between the receiver and barrel relieving the the pressure or the receiver will crack.

2152hq · Jun 8, 2009

'17s are nice rifles. My first 1917 was one I bought from a friend while in HS.
The one I wished I kept was only a few years back. The rifles were just starting to increase in value and popularity but you could still find nice examples at shows and shops if you looked around. I bought and sold several. One particularly nice one was a Remington, all correct, with a mint bore, M1907 sling and original finish. A DCM purchase rifle from many years back, I bought it with the original paperwork for a meager $150.
At least I shot it a bit before I let it get away.

I always found the 1917 much more comfortable to shoot than the 1903.
The action makes a nice basis for a large caliber rifle like the 505 Gibbs, etc.

Mustang51 · Jun 8, 2009

Mine is an Eddystone as well. It only gets to the range once a year or so.

bummer · Jun 8, 2009

I have an Eddystone that was sporterized when purchased. I found a front sight base, stock and hand guards and returned her to original condition. I shot her a lot last year in my clubs monthly military rifle shoot. This year it sits in the safe awaiting a new firing pin ( I broke the original while disassembling the bolt )but as soon as she's repaired it's back to the line.

MR .44 Spl · Jun 8, 2009

I really want a M1917, but can't seem to find the combo of price and condition that suits me. Maybe I'm too picky. Oh well, I'll keep looking and eventually I'll give in to one.

My first 1917 enfield

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