M1917 Winchester questions

Post pictures and you will probably get a better response.

If you are talking

about the M-1917 (Enfield) battle rifle in .30-06 and carried by our WWI soldiers over in France, I would make sure that it is all original and matching parts, good rifling and a low price. If the barrel has been changed I'd look for any hairline cracks in the receiver.

From the barrel date vs the manufacture date of the receiver, I would suspect that it has been through a rebuild program. If it has, it will probably have parts from various manufacturers. That is not a problem unless you are the type of collector that has to have an all matching rifle. Major parts will have a (W) Winchester, (R) Remington or (E) Eddystone on them and the barrel manufacturer should match the receiver. However, if they don't, I wouldn't sweat it all that much. I have a 1918 Winchester (barrel date 1-18) that went through the rebuild process at Ogden Arsenal and except for the barrel, receiver and bolt, everything else is a mix of Remington and Eddystone. I shoots beautifully though, and I could give a darn about whether it has all matching parts.

I would be more concerned over whether Bubba has altered it. Of most concern would be if the sight ears are still on the rifle and if it has been drilled for a scope.

And if the stock cartouche has OGEK in a rectangle that is the sign that your rifle (like mine) was blessed by none other than Elmer Keith. OGEK w/o the rectangle is not Elmer Keith. Most of the rebarrels will have 2 groove rifleing which is excellent with flat based bullets, not so w/ BT bullets. My barrel is a disgusting sewerpipe 2 groove bore, but that rifle is so accurate (with handloads) that you wouldn't believe it if I told you.

Regardless of what some may think, I consider the M1917 as one of the most beautiful pieces of craftsmanship there is. My grandfather carried one over in WWI. I have several original one's, many in unaltered WWI configuration with 1918 dated slings. Also have a couple arsenal reworks, probably WWII era, maybe pre, that have been parkerized. Biggest issue to look for, which I believe was stated above, is the bore. One group that I have came from an American Legion, corrosive blanks, and little clean = dark bores. Coogs.

if the stock cartouche has OGEK in a rectangle that is the sign that your rifle (like mine) was blessed by none other than Elmer Keith

Click to expand...

Yep, mine was blessed by St. Elmer.