Gonna take a brief break from flying and sub pics for a bit to show off the 1917 project rifle.
This ugly ducking
"blowed up" Model 1917 basket case from a few weeks ago is now rebuilt and it's stock refinished, and as you can see, it looks a lot better.
Given a light sanding, the wood lapped up the linseed oil like it was on sale. Other than some rust removal, I left the metal alone, preserving it's old gray military parkerizing as much as I could.
The parkerizing indicates that the rifle was rebuilt and re-issued during World War Two. Whether it stayed stateside or went to one of our allies overseas can't be divined, unfortunately. It bears no newer markings to suggest it's history.
Barrel marking shows February of 1918 though. Serial number dates to March of 1918, and that would be a correct combination for an original barrel/receiver combo.
She really cleaned up nice and the headspace looks good. I'm pretty happy with the results of the clean-up, and rebuilding the bolt, magazine and ejector box was a cinch. For once, there were no surprises.
Can't wait to get her out to the range for a test-firing, perhaps in the company of one or two of her gun-room siblings below.
Top: Model 1917, Eddystone manufacture.
Middle: This Model 1917, Winchester.
Bottom: Pattern 1914 in .303 caliber, made by Eddystone.
Yeah, now I need a Remington-made 1917 to complete the set. This collecting thing never seems to stop, does it?
Nice set of 1917s.
ReplyDeleteFun fact: The 1917 Enfield was the first issue long arm of the U.S. Border Patrol when it was organized in 1924. (The first issue handgun was the 1917 Smith & Wesson .45 ACP revolver.)
And not a bad pair for those days.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeletegfa
Still regret selling my P17 by Winchester when i bought it from a friend for the princely sum of £100 pounds it had only fired 100 rds ever when my friend Philip had bought it it was still packed in cosmerline and he sold it to a guy in my Gun Club who found it to much gun and sold it back after only puting 100 rds thrue it Phil never fired it and i bought it of him as i say for £100 i evently sold it to an old friend of 30yrs who still has it i then bought a Swedish 6.5x55 M38 fitted with a QD scope mount and sniper scope made in 1943 which i still have and shoots better than i can.
ReplyDeleteThose look good! And good luck finding the 4th to fill out the collection!
ReplyDeleteA sweet looking rifle
ReplyDeleteI have a Remington 1917. We have NRA leg matches and that is my gun to use. Sure I could get some fancy pea shooter but I prefer the old stuff.
ReplyDeleteYeah looks GREAT. Nice save. But you realize you need all 3 P14s too. Complete sets are the way to go right?
ReplyDeleteNICE! Good looking stuff there!
ReplyDeleteQuit while you're ahead. You have three. Hubby only has one.
ReplyDelete