Eddy stone 1917

[ping]

My wife surprised me with a 1917 eddy stone for Christmas. Anyway I have a question or two. The bolt and receiver match as to numbers so that is cool. Barrel has 2-18 and is an exceptional shape. Rifling looks fantastic. Has all the markings it should have from what I can see. One question though - the front part of the stock is sprayed with orange paint, might be red and has numbers? Does anyone know what this indicates. The sn is 394xxx. Wonder if it would have seen action. Barrel just does not look like it has been shot that much.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

During WWI Remington contracted with Baldwin Locomotive Works to manufacture almost 2 million Pattern 14 and M1917 rifles, and, of course, this operation became what we all know of as the so-called Eddystone Arsenal.

The red band probably indicates the rifle was sent to England during WWII as part of the lend-lease program to arm them. We sent about 730,000 P-17's either through lend-lease or outright sales to England in WWII.

The english painted the red band on them to indicate they were M1917 30-06, and not Pattern 14 .303 British caliber.

rc

 

[ping]

Thanks for info. So does the red paint take away from the value. Just looks odd. If I ever refinished it would you remove it?

Just a terrific looking rifle. Going to test fire this weekend.

 

[rcmodel]

My guesstimate?
I think it would depend on the condition of the paint.

If it's mostly all there? And thats really what it is?
I would not remove it, as it might add value.

If it's mostly all gone anyway?
Probably wouldn't make much difference.
But refinishing it would certainly decrease it's value to a collector.

Maybe if you could post a photo of it, somebody that knows more about it then I do could positively identify if thats what it is for sure?
And what if any value it might add?

rc

 

[Bwana John]

I recently sold a red-banded M1917 lend lease/rifle to someone who collected that kind of stuff, the red band and Broad Arrow acceptance marks on the stock made it more valuable to him

 

[WinThePennant]

Also, value is added (I'm sure) because you have an original barrel. When these 1917 Eddystones were rebarreled, many of them were torqued too hard and cracked the receiver as they removed the old barrel.

 

[ping]

Cool I will get some pictures. It is surprising how good the barrel is.

 

[tahunua001]

most 1917s are still great shooters to this day...

 

[Jim Watson]

I understand they also painted red bands around the cylinders of .38 Special revolvers we supplied, so they didn't get mixed with .38-200 ammo.

Odd caliber stuff was just odd.
A Home Guardsman reported patrolling the cliffs of Dover with "a pony Colt and three cartridges."
.32-20s.

The grateful British dumped most of that sort of stuff in the ocean lest their subjects get used to having guns around. A few made it home; you read magazine articles about them. As rarities.

 

[velocette]

Ping
Your good wife surprised you with a fine rifle. The P17 rifles are one of the strongest bolt actions ever made. Many of which were re-chambered in magnum cartridges which its long action works well with.
The magazine will hold 6 rounds of 30-06 goodness and if like mine, will shoot them into nice little groups. (My sporterised P17 with its original GI barrel shoots 1 1/4" groups @ 100 yds) If you have the time, find yourself a replacement ejector / spring unit for spare, as the springs are a known weak spot.
Enjoy that fine old rifle and give your wife a good kiss for it.

Roger

 

[Dave P]

Sounds like a great rifle. Just don't forget the shoulder pad - they kick HARD, esp with factory ammo. I always load mine light.

 

[ball3006]

Lucky guy...

to have a wife like that. The 1917 Enfield rifle, P17 is an incorrect term, is a great rifle. Leave the paint on the stock as it is part of the rifle's history. You can get 3006 ammo from the CMP for a reasonable price....chris3

 

[tahunua001]

The 1917 Enfield rifle, P17 is an incorrect term

so is 1917 Enfield
these rifles were never manufactured for Great Britain nor were they manufactured on behalf of the Enfield weapons facility in England. just because everyone is calling a bridge an Enfield doesn't make it right

the correct name is US Model 1917 30 caliber rifle, or more generically M1917

 

[Hacker15E]

The red band definitely makes it more collectable and valuable.

 

[ball3006]

tahunua001,,

is correct.....................chris3

 

[788Ham]

I can't believe this story! I read this thread this morning before I went to the dentist, thought about it the whole time of cleaning my teeth. After I left the dentist , I went to my buddies place, first thing out of his mouth, "You've got to see what Page gave me for Christmas." Page is an older friend of my buddies. My friend walks out with this old time antique rifle, 1917 Enfield, EDDYSTONE. Page had a young man some years back who came to him wanting to know if he'd like to buy some guns his grandfather had brought back from Germany. One of them was this EDDYSTONE. It didn't look like it had ben cleaned since the end of the war, but it looks really nice now. The bore isn't bright shiny, but the 5 groove, left twist looks sharp. Just wanted to throw this out there, thought it was strange to read this this morning, then handle one this afternoon. Amazing.

 

[ping]

Yeh the red paint is in good shape and it appears to have 30 06 also on the red. At first I did not like it but knowing why it is there means something. Got plenty of LC ammo so will try it out in the morning. Will sight 100 then go200. Looks like I will flip up site for 200. Will be interesting to see if it shots as good as my 1903 a3. And yes I got the best wife

 

[rcmodel]

Good luck to ya!

Be aware it may shoot high at 100 yards at the lowest sight setting in keeping with the old battle-sight doctrine of aim at the belt line and hit somewhere in the torso as far as you can see'm coming.

rc

 

[ping]

Well I finally took it to the range and sighted it in. Did not have to use the ladder sights which was good. Shot 200 yards on an sr target. Out of 10 8 were in 10 ring. Very happy. It likes Sierra 168 hpbt with imr4895 46.5 gr. much better than the 150 gr stuff. I am very happy with it for sure. And just unbelievable shape. All numbers match and barrel is marked 1918. All parts have an "e". I think it will out sot my 1903 sheesh.

 

[Adk Mike]

I've got one. I only shoot cast bullets with unique powder. Light recoil out to 400 yards with the ladder sight. A great old rifle

 

[Ignition Override]

A friend just bought a Springfield 1903 in exc. condition with the aperture sight. You are fortunate to also have such a very bright, brilliant bore with excellent sights etc.

Another has a 1917 such as yours, and is just as fun to shoot.

 

[madcratebuilder]

During WWI Remington contracted with Baldwin Locomotive Works to manufacture almost 2 million Pattern 14 and M1917 rifles, and, of course, this operation became what we all know of as the so-called Eddystone Arsenal.


rc

In 1914, Britain, using JP Morgan as their agent, contracted for 3.4 million P14's. Win received a 400K order, Ed a 2 million order and Rem a 1 million order. It should be noted that Ed, Rem and Win was not required to make interchangeable Pattern 14 parts between companies.

Only 1.23 million of these contract rifles were produced, US P14 production ended in June and July of 1917.

The US military demanded full interchangeability between the different M1917 manufacturers. All three companies had labor problems, production issues and there was considerable political fallout. In the end the US produced 2.5 million Model of 1917 rifles.

The EDDYSTONE name. Baldwin Locomotive Works build two large plants on it's property in Eddystoe PA in 1915. One was leased to Remington Arms of Delaware to build P14 rifles for the Brits. This plant was then sold to Midvale Steel and Ordnance. Midvale owned several ordnance plants and the new one was called the Eddystone Rifle plant. The Eddystone Rifle plant was operated by Remington of Delaware.