aterry33
Member
I want to pick one up from 1917 or 1918 and I was curious as to whether there are are certain months/years to target in there.
Is there are particular date to target for a wartime M1917?
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I am hardly a 1917 expert, but I have two (an original and a Brazilian) and have some opinions.
I think the earliest guns with the dished stocks, grooved hammers, and GS inspection stamp are preferred. They are all numbered under about 40,000 if I recall correctly. They date from late 1917 through spring of 1918. After that, in order to increase production, niceties like the scallops on the stocks and the grooves on the hammer were jettisoned. At some point -- not remembering exactly when as I type this -- the inspector's initials were replaced by a flaming bomb stamp.
I have 13546, which shipped in January 1918 -- probably in the first week, based on production stats and other ship dates. I would have to letter it to get the exact day.
I think the earliest guns with the dished stocks, grooved hammers, and GS inspection stamp are preferred. They are all numbered under about 40,000 if I recall correctly. They date from late 1917 through spring of 1918. After that, in order to increase production, niceties like the scallops on the stocks and the grooves on the hammer were jettisoned. At some point -- not remembering exactly when as I type this -- the inspector's initials were replaced by a flaming bomb stamp.
I have 13546, which shipped in January 1918 -- probably in the first week, based on production stats and other ship dates. I would have to letter it to get the exact day.
jsmith
Member
I agree with DCWilson. But the serial range is generally 15,000 and under for the earliest variations.
The very first shipment of guns to the Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA was on November 6, 1917. I have serial #45 and that's what mine lettered to.
jsmith
The very first shipment of guns to the Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA was on November 6, 1917. I have serial #45 and that's what mine lettered to.
jsmith
Jack Flash
Member
I would like to sing along with the chorus and say in general, the earlier the better.
Keep in mind that condition counts for a lot too. Many of these were subjected to the extremely harsh conditions of trench warfare, and show it. Others were rebuilt and Parked after the war. This may have done wonders for their functionality, but I would rather have one that is all original even if it lacks all the early features than an early one that has been Parked.
Keep in mind that condition counts for a lot too. Many of these were subjected to the extremely harsh conditions of trench warfare, and show it. Others were rebuilt and Parked after the war. This may have done wonders for their functionality, but I would rather have one that is all original even if it lacks all the early features than an early one that has been Parked.
