1917 Enfield

[M.E.Eldridge]

I don'y care much for U.S. Martial arms, but the 1917 Enfield is an exception. I really like it, but was wondering about a few things.

First of all, what should I expect to pay for a specimen in very good condition? Ya know, good wood, most bluing remaining, and a nice bore.

Should I go for the 1917 or the p-14 models? I've not seen any around here,but was wondering what the difference was(other than the different chamberings).

And finally, I was wondering what the best place to purchase one? Did the CMP ever have them? I thought I remembered them having them, but now they aren't on their website.

On a side not, I saw The Lost Battalion the other day was impressed by the fact that most of the troops carried Enfields, as its my understanding that they were more common the 1903s. Is this true?

 

[rbernie]

1) If the rifle is intact and non-butchered, expect to pay between $350 and $550 dollars. You'll pay more for a Remington or Winchester, and less for an Eddystone. If the rifle's been butchered (rear sight 'ears' ground off, for example) pay no more than $200.

2) P14's are hard to find. 30-06 is easier to find than 303R.

3) CMP used to havbe 'em, but last I checked had no more. They'll turn up on auction sites fairly regularly, and most gun shows in North Texas have one or two specimens on display...

 

[M.E.Eldridge]

$500 doesn't seem that bad, when compared to other U.S. arms in good condition. If I found one with the protective ears ground off or damaged, would I be able to replace fairly easily, or is it permanent damage?

Does the 1917 have butt trap for an oiler like the 1903's?

 

[rbernie]

If the ears are ground off, the rifle's receiver is irrevocably altered. Dunno about the oiler - I've never bought an unaltered 1917 with the original stock intact....

 

[iamkris]

I got one of the last CMP 1917's from a stop at the North Store last summer. Stock is very good, metal finish is good, bore is fair. She good looking but unfortunately doesn't shoot well with M2 ball...still looking for a good handload. She was $350.



$500 may not be enough these days...a quick search of GunsAmerica shows an average price a bit higher than that.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/search.cgi

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

I have an inhereted 1917 enfield. I think that these were rifles assembled after the korean war as sporters. It has a Remington receiver, Johnson arms barrel, and Winchester extractor and cocking piece. It originally came with a walnut sporter stock (forend removed) that began to split, which my grandpa wrapped tape around. At a gunshow later on, I was able to find a new sporter stock, but I'm still thinking about going after a military stock.

I have an S&K insta mount on it with a bushnell 3-9x. The insta mount replaces the rear sight, and the rear sight ears do not have to be ground off for it to fit on. I'm thinking also I will take this off and replace the rear sight. I'm aiming to make this more of an authentic rifle, which fortunately, can be done since there were no permanent changes to the rifle.

I guess it's not really a totally authentic rifle, because it was assembled from a mix of different components, but a damn good rifle anyhow.

 

[Chipperman]

"Does the 1917 have butt trap for an oiler like the 1903's?"

Yes.

 

[Roudy]

I have a 1917 Enfield that is in stock condition. The butt stock does have a compartment for an oiler.

I was looking for the manufacturer but couldn't find a name. Did find an E on the saftey and an E on the bolt release. Does this mean an Eddystone? Should I be looking somewhere else on the rifle for the manufacturer's mark?

 

[Chipperman]

The "E" is those places does mean Eddystone.
That does not necessarily mean the receiver is Eddystone, however.

The manufacturer will be on the top front of the receiver right where is says "1917". It should simply say "Winchester", "Remington" or "Eddystone".

 

[Roudy]

Chipperman....checked my 1917 for the manufacturer's name at the front of the receiver and it appears to have been ground off. Looking very closely I could see evidence of grinding. The end of the barrel is marked with what appears to be Century Arms markings. Wonder where it came from? Could it have been returned from Britain?

 

[Chipperman]

Even if it had been returned from Britain, they would have no reason to grind off the manufacturer.

Maybe a Japanese soldier had used it in WWII and they ground it off like an Arisaka.

 

[Cosmoline]

The coolest are the ones Elmer Keith inspected and stamped back when he was doing that for a living.