Need some help

[Iggy]

A friend just picked up a sporterized Enfield? Model 1917 rifle.

The rear sight assembly has been ground off, and a scope mounting bar installed on the receiver.. The make and serial number are covered by the bar if they have not been ground off..

Question.. Stamped on the barrel directly in front of the receiver is something pretty illegible.. Birmingham, I think. There is also a Crown sitting on top of a circle containing the letters BM. Below that is 30-06 Nitro proofed.

Can anyone give me a reading on what he has.. I am aware that we produced and sent many "Enfields" to England during WWI, but I thought most of those were "model or pattern" 1914's or something. Weren't most of those .303's?

I know most of our troops carried "Enfields" of one make or another during WWI etc.

I am curious what anyone can tell me about this rifle and how it might have gotten back to the good ol US of A

Thanks in advance for any light you may be able to shed on this ol timer!

If we can determine it is safe, the owner is gonna put it to doin' what it was built to do.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I am curious what anyone can tell me about this rifle and how it might have gotten back to the good ol US of A

Probably never left. Remington, Winchester and I think Savage produced M1917 Enfield rifles. Not the same rifle as the British SMLE's. Different action, different caliber. Just plain different gun.

The US did produce SMLE's, though. I believe Savage was responsible for most of the, but I am not an Enfield expert and could be mistaken.

 

[Axman]

Here's a link to a decent site on Enfield info. http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/

You can also do a search.

 

[Iggy]

Thanks guys.

This one is an American Model 1917 in 30-06 that has been pretty severely "bubba-ized."
I was puzzled by the British proof marks and "Nitro Proofed" stampings on the barrel.

Another source said it might be a lend lease that made it's way back home after the war..

Thanks for the help and the links.

Iggy