Did I do good? US Rifle 1917 Eddystone

I actually don't know what a mil configured 1917 goes for, but if you're happy with it then you did fantastic.

$1000-1400 seems about right for a clean example in full military configuration these days.
Ive had several and they were all very good shooters.

Try to avoid single-loading directly into the chamber to preclude extractor damage- they should only be loaded from the magazine.

Ejector spring breakages are common, but they can be modified for a coil spring easily enough.

Also, if the barrel is marked JA ( Johnson Automatics) it might be a good idea to have the receiver magnafluxed for cracks.

Otherwise, shoot and enjoy!

Yeah, it's crazy how much milsurps have appreciated in just the last couple years. My M1 purchase in 2018 has better than doubled in value since then, same goes for both my MAS-36 and Romanian M44. Even my crappy Russian Nagant revolvers have added a zero to their mid-1990s price!

The price in dollars is only a part of the equation. The final test of a good deal is always how you feel afterwards. If you don't feel buyer's remorse after the first time you shoot a new acquisition, it was money well-spent.

Buying a new to you gun is never a bad thing. Several years ago I found an Eddystone in the same config as yours at my local gun store and I didn’t buy it. Stupid decision. Of course someone picked it up quick when I went back to get it. Enjoy your new rifle.

I truly love mine. They are a strong action that was often used as a donor to be sporterized. Original unaltered stocks are very rare, and expensive.

That was a nice find. I didn't know that they have appreciated so much!

Sweet. Good find, I hope you enjoy it.
I found 1 that i could afford, and have used it for years wondering who and where it was used previously, other than the M1 the 17 is my all time fav for US military rifles

I would try to hold out for a low serial Winchester version if I were buying one... An Eddystone will provide exceptional service though. As noted above, check for rebarreling stamps.

Just enjoy your new find. May it bring you many happy hours on the range.

Ron

AND pictures are coming right ??????

Heir Kommt Die Sonne

As NIGHTLORD40K mentioned checking the receiver for hair-line cracks is something Frank de Haas mentions in his book "Bolt Action Rifles". He wrote:

"Not a design fault but a construction fault, is that some of the 1917 receivers develop hair-line cracks. By no means a common occurrence it's common enough to be of some concern to owners of these actions. The cracks usually appear some place around the receiver ring, often starting at the front edge of the receiver and extending rearward in an erratic pattern. Although Winchester and Remington receivers have been found with some cracks, the Eddystone made receivers are by far the worst offenders. It is believed that many of these receivers, perhaps, were given a faulty heat treatment, the metal thereby becoming too hard and brittle.

Another good way to check for cracks is to dunk the receiver in gasoline for a moment. If a crack (or cracks), is present the gasoline will seep from it after the rest of the receiver has dried . Cracked receivers are usually not repairable, so they should not be used.

While cracks may well be the result of improper heat treatment, they're were frequently found on receivers from which the original barrel has been removed. Barrels were fitted extremely tight in these actions, some tighter than others. It is possible that some of the receivers cracked when the barrels were originally installed, but I believe most of the cracks occur when the very tight barrel is removed, for unscrewing a tight barrel puts a lot of strain on the receiver."

Given the prices these days, yeah, you did good. Enjoy it (and Happy Thanksgiving!)

Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:

Yea I still am split. I really wanted that stainless 1851. Part of why I did this thread. I know I'm glad I got it, but I actually was going to get the other. Suppose it was economical intution, I knew the 1917 was gonna accumulate in value and at some date I was gonna regret not getting one.
The weirdest thing is this is my 3rd 30-06 rifle (and I still haven't shot any of them yet)

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Their great weight makes them relatively soft shooters. I can plink off a 2-3 boxes of M2 ball in a '17 and not regret it the next day, unlike an '03 Springfield whch leaves me beat up like a dead horse .

I sold my complete WW1 ensemble with matching sling, bayonet,belt with ammo pouches and first aid kit for $1200 in 2019. I kept a couple cans of ball for that super accurate bomb proof rifle that I'd take over about anything post apocalyptic the reason it sold buy it now first day I advertised it was it had an EK Ogden Arsenal cartouche !

Great choice!

I snagged my excellent condition Eddystone in the '99/'00 timeframe at an LGS near my duty station. At $299, I strained my arm getting my wallet out- even back then.

Don’t let it get away.
I got a 7/1918 Eddystone from the CMP 2yrs ago. Value has doubled! I selected it base on throat/ muzzle erosion. 0.5/1.0. Essentially a new rifle!
It’s a real shooter. Under 2moa with iron sights.
It’s built like a bank vault. 11lbs. Massive! 26” bbl maximizes .30/06 ballistics.

Believe it or not, they’re still in service use by the Danish Sirius Dog patrols in Greenland!
They prefer it’s cold weather (artic) performance and power. Their standard issue is a 168gr OTM match. Supplemented by 200 gr Nosler Partitions for Polar bear suppression.
An aside: their sidearm is the Glock G20, 10mm...

She's a nice looker!

When I found my Winchester P-14, the barreled action had evidently spent some of its life in a sporterized stock; it was later remilitarized with a salvaged DP-marked stock and furniture. I spent my original $400 purchase price a second time by getting a new repro Italian stock from Gun Parts, plus an unmarked sling band and floorplate. No regrets at all about this rifle now:

Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:

Yea I still am split. I really wanted that stainless 1851.

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One other thing to consider is that Val Trompia is still turning out new stainless Colt replicas. That pool is growing while the unmolested M1917 puddle keeps shrinking with each passing year.

BTW, if you want a greater appreciation for American production muscle during WWI, check out this period film of 1917s at the factory:

In that condition, you pretty much stole it.

Looks like a High-Standard barrel. IIRC, that would make it a WW2 arsenal rebuild intended for Lend/Lease to the Free French or Nationalist Chinese. Judging by the condition, it likely never made it overseas, though.

Not sure if the HS rebarrels are known for receiver cracks like the Johnson ones are, but if it were mine, I would still have the receiver ring checked.

Beautiful rifle, even if not 100% factory original.

That is a very nice rifle.