Probably my favorite rifle in my collection is a Winchester M1917. It is about 90% Winchester with matching receiver and barrel with zero rust. This one was sent out of the factory, according to Winchester records, January 10 of 1919, a few months after the war ended. Thanks for the great video as I always love to learn more about the 1917!
I recently bought an M17 by Eddystone here in the UK and it has matching serial numbers on the bolt handle and the underside of the butt, I think this was a British practise. It also has British proof marks on the bolt and receiver. The only other marks on the rifle is a left facing eagle's head under the forend and on the side of the receiver The serial number on the receiver makes the date July 1918 and the barrel is dated 6/18. The bore is mint condition but the stock is a Winchester. I cannot explain this, as the number is the same as elsewhere on the rifle. Did Eddystone use stocks from Winchester? I have read that the Eddystone factory ran short of walnut in mid 1918. There is no sign of the red stripe the Home Guard put on the rifles to differentiate between the P14's and the M17's.
Buy the book by C. S. Ferris, United States Rifle Model of 1917. It is a fantastic book and has just about all the info you can find on this fine rifle.
There may have been some parts swapping by the manufacturers. My rifle is in similar condition and also does not have any evidence of the red stripe, which was also a practice in Canada. The book as mentioned by @the1jonnyz, by C. S. Ferris is excellent and may have more insight. I used that for much of my information.
Probably my favorite rifle in my collection is a Winchester M1917. It is about 90% Winchester with matching receiver and barrel with zero rust. This one was sent out of the factory, according to Winchester records, January 10 of 1919, a few months after the war ended. Thanks for the great video as I always love to learn more about the 1917!
They are very cool rifles and sounds like you have a nice one. 👍
The rifle has seen some history.
That it has.
Those stamped CAI marks of the day sure look better than the dot matrix ones that came later.
Agreed 👍
Great update
Thanks!
I badgered my father into letting me buy a U.S. Model of 1917 made by Winchester,
March 1918 build, Paid $
Very nice! They are great rifles, you will enjoy it.
I recently bought an M17 by Eddystone here in the UK and it has matching serial numbers on the bolt handle and the underside of the butt, I think this was a British practise. It also has British proof marks on the bolt and receiver. The only other marks on the rifle is a left facing eagle's head under the forend and on the side of the receiver The serial number on the receiver makes the date July 1918 and the barrel is dated 6/18. The bore is mint condition but the stock is a Winchester. I cannot explain this, as the number is the same as elsewhere on the rifle. Did Eddystone use stocks from Winchester? I have read that the Eddystone factory ran short of walnut in mid 1918. There is no sign of the red stripe the Home Guard put on the rifles to differentiate between the P14's and the M17's.
Buy the book by C. S. Ferris, United States Rifle Model of 1917. It is a fantastic book and has just about all the info you can find on this fine rifle.
Many thanks, I will keep an eye out for it.@@The1jonnyz
I concur. It's an excellent resource.
There may have been some parts swapping by the manufacturers. My rifle is in similar condition and also does not have any evidence of the red stripe, which was also a practice in Canada. The book as mentioned by @the1jonnyz, by C. S. Ferris is excellent and may have more insight. I used that for much of my information.