Is it worth it to restore a M1917 Eddystone

[CrazyHazyStu]

I recently purchased a sporterized 1917. Unfortunately the sporterer did a number on the stock and barrel. I actually think the stock was nicely done (for being hacked up) and would work well for hunting. The barrel, however; had a the dovetail sight drilled straigh through it :-(. As an American I felt it my duty to replace the barrel on this piece of modified history. So I've already been throwing my poor pennies at this project...
Also the rear battle sight was replaced with a Redfield peep.

Here's my question for the knowledgeble folks at THR:

I could buy an original Eddystone stock today. I'm wondering how much I can restore my rifle. Am I correct in thinking that I will never be able to get an original rear battle sight back on given that the wind guard was milled off? Would an Eddystone still be considered collectible if it was close to as-issue conditioned (mil issue stock, mil issue barrel sight) with a replacement barrel and a non-military peep sight on the back? If so I will continue to throw my money into this or if not keep it as it is for fun shooter.

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Would an Eddystone still be considered collectible if it was close to as-issue conditioned (mil issue stock, mil issue barrel sight) with a replacement barrel and a non-military peep sight on the back?

No.

If you want the fun of re-miling a Bubba, there are plenty of 1917s out there with the ears not cropped. I still doubt it would be cost effective, though.

 

[Slamfire]

I have not checked out the prices of M1917 barrels, but I expect they are high.

As for an original M1917 stock, get it today if you can get it for a reasonable price. You might come across a restorable M1917 in the future, or you could trade the stock for something else.


But getting back to restoration, if the receiver sight ears have been milled off, you are never going to restore that rifle to original military configuration. You would be better off starting with a new receiver. Assuming you could fine one.

So, let my recommend that you make it into a decent sporter. Put a new "drop in" stock on, have scope bases installed, and if the barrel is awful, have a new one put on.

I have a M1917 that was converted in the 50's from a low cost surplus rifle to a low cost heavy barrel 270 Win varmit rifle. All the work was well done, the stock is Fajen, the owner purchased a premium pheiffer barrel and it shoots well. Though no one remembers Pheiffer these days. I think it is neat to have a nice 50's vintage gunsmithed rifle. The WWII generation did this sort of thing with the rifles they brought back from the war, or purchased cheap from the local Hardware Store.

A M1917 action is a good action, you don't have to alter the bolt handle or the safety to put a scope on top.

You cannot go wrong converting the rifle to 270, or leaving it in 30-06.

 

[Chipperman]

As the damage is irreparable as far as returning it to original condition, I second SlamFire1s advice.

Turn it into a high-class tack-driver.

 

[mb419]

With the ears milled off, I don't think I would spend much time trying to refurbish it, unless you want to. It would give you some practice working on the stock, etc. I have done a few of these myself.

Continue looking for one that hasn't had the receiver cut up. You may still be able to find them around. I have and they have still been fairly reasonable.

 

[Bwana John]

1974, a 14 year old boy, a primo M1917, a copy of Williams "Converting Military Rifles", an old bench mounted grinder, and Old Man Murphy watching on in horror as the rear sight wings glowed red under the grinding wheel.

Im so ashamed.

 

[aka108]

Take a look at a Remington 720. Your 1917 could be further refined to closely resemble that sweet thing from 1940.

 

[Hoppy590]

being in the middle of a M1917 resto. no its not cost effective. some one ground my ears alittle but not enough its imediatly noticeable.

stocks are pricey, handgaurds and hardware too.

 

[Hutch]

And the barrels have a wider threaded shank than most other rifles. Let go, Crazy, let it go. You can't un-make an omelet.

 

[mp510]

Given that the rear sight protection ears were ground off, it's going to be virtually impossible to restore that rifle to it's military configuration. Enjoy that rifle as a sporter, maybe use it as the basis for a nicer sporter, or sell it to raise funds to buy a nicer sporter.

 

[rangerruck]

the correct answer, if you can not get a misurp collectable back to it's origional milspecs, is no.

 

[Roswell 1847]

Best way to go in my opinion would be to build a sporter in the style of the Remington Model 30, which was a 1917 Enfield action without the rear sight and ears.
Remington had actions and parts and machinery set up to make the actions when the end of WW1 canceled the contracts.
You could find both 1917 Enfield and P14 Enfield recivers fitted with 1917 bolts a few years back pretty cheaply. These had been salvaged from old 8mm Belgian guns that had been built on suplus WW1 actions and stocks, rebarelled for the mauser cartridge. They were cheap as dirt for awhile, so I doubt you could find them that easily now.

PS
Eddystone actions are probably as strong as any other, Eddystone got a bad rep only because some Eddystone P14 barrels failed early on.
This was found to have been the result of soldiers used to the large No1 upper band and bayonet mounting accidently digging their muzzle into the dirt while trying to reload the less familar P14 while prone. The bulky front end of the No 1 prevented the muzzle from contacting the ground as easily.
The metalurgy of the early barrels were found to have too much sulphur contamination which contributed to the plugged barrels failure.

The p14 and 17 Enfield in its final form is so heavy partly because they wanted it idiot proof.

PPS
The guy did a nice enough job on that stock, I wouldn't be a bit displeased with such an individualistic approach and the workmanship is not bad from what I can see.

The Finns modify Mosin Nagant stocks in a similar manner.

 

[CrazyHazyStu]

Thanks to all! I appreciate all the feedback and knowledge. I think I will do my best to finish the sporter process on this rifle. I'm letting go Hutch . It's hard, but I will do so. And I do think I will keep it the way it is Roswell, at least for a while. Thanks again everyone.

 

[MAURICE]

You can still find plenty of Eddystones if you want one in original condition. The one you have now is a good looking rifle, IMO. I would just keep it sporterized and shoot it till its a smoothbore.

 

[KC&97TA]

You can't un-make an omelet

she doesn't look bad in the picture... like I read in Hot Rod Magazine, "anyone can rebuild a car, it takes a man to hack one up".

 

[mrmeval]

I have one that was probably done in the 40-50s at some point. Beautiful stock and excellent work on the rifle. It looks like a Remington Model 30, seeing as Remington used their left over WWII parts it makes sense.

It is an excellent shooter. I paid $65 for it.

I know of only a few weapons that retain value with welding and you'd have to have a very large piece welded onto that, probably by building up the metal a layer at a time then grinding and milling to shape and then have all of it heat treated and tempered in a custom fitted jig to try and prevent warping. Then have all of the work done to install a barrel. Then have the finish redone. I'd guess you could buy twelve pristine collectibles for the cost of a master gunsmith's services to do all of that.

I've seen it done to 1911 slides and frames, one Mauser broomhandle a few machine guns, some Garands and the like but those were usually torched, cut or cracked and 'easy' to fix.