Happened onto an Enfield M1917. Any Advice?

[eatatjoes]

My mother was doing some house cleaning and found my granpa's old rifle buried in the back if the attic. Needless to say I was extremely excited at the find, it is a Enfield M1917 rifle made by Winchester in 1918. I doubt it's been fired in over 30 years and was wondering if there is anything I should know before cleaning it up and taking it to the range(I can't stand owning a rifle I haven't fired). Externally the finish is in good shape and there isn't any rust anywhere on the rifle, the bore is also nice and shiny. I am also a little fuzzy on whether or not the headspace would need to be checked or is that a non-issue?

It's the one on the right

 

[keederdag]

A no-go gauge couldnt hurt, but WOW whata find. And a winchester to boot. Hang on to her tight pal. These thing's are getting more and more scarce.

 

[Jim K]

If you do have the headspace checked, use only the field gauge. Most of those rifles that have seen use will swallow the NO-GO, which is intended only for factory/depot use. I honestly would not worry, though, and would probably just head for the range as I have done with dozens of old rifles.

It sounds like you have a very nice rifle, quite possibly from DCM. Any papers about the rifle that you can find would be a plus both value wise and to add to the inheritance.

Jim

 

[critter]

Wonderful find of a wonderful old gun. I used to own one and (in a WEAK moment, sold it) and have regretted it ever sense. Built like a tank, really accurate guns with very significant historical significance. Treat her good and shoot the heck out of it. It has a very strong Mauser type action and exellent gas handling qualities in case of ruptured cases or primers. Remember, it is a MILITARY arm built for tough times. Enjoy!

 

[curt]

Please i have a winchester 1917 and a SKS as well and i would never pose the two of them together.

Conngratulations on finding a piece of the family history (the 1917).

 

[VG]

Nice!

The M1917's are appreciating rapidly as people recognize their significant role in WWI.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Why are the bands and everything so shiny silver?

They haven't been plated on this gun for use as a drill & parade piece, have they?

If so, you want to make absolutely certain that the gun is checked over by a gunsmith, and that the serial number on the bolt matches that on the action.

 

[JShirley]

What Mike said.
1917's are good, and often under-rated rifles.

 

[RON in PA]

Haven't handled a 1917 in years, but I don't think the bolts were serialized. US martial weapons don't match bolts to receivers like the foreign milsurps do.

 

[Keith]

You can find old 1917's in every pawn shop in Alaska. Unfortunately, they've all been converted to various magnums and nobody wants them any more.
Some of those receivers are a bit brittle. They are fine in 30.06, but when converted to .308 Norma Magnum or something, you gotta wonder... so they sit and gather dust.

Keith

 

[Sunray]

"I am also a little fuzzy on whether or not the headspace would need to be checked or is that a non-issue?" If you have any doubts, get it checked. Even if it's just for your own peace of mind.
I suspect he meant to say, "and the bore is nice and shiny, too." Not implying the finish is chromed.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I know he didn't imply that the finish was chromed. I'm wondering if what I'm seeing in the attached picture is actually chroming of various parts.