Original 1917 eddystone questions

[DWR]

I have aquired my great uncle's 1917 eddystone, which I was informed that he used in WWI. Is that information plausible, and if so when would he have been issued one?

I would have loved to been able to ask my grandfather or his brother, but they both passed away about 10 years ago.

Finally, the rifle has had no alterations done to it, none of the markings are tampered with only worn and the stock is also original. The rifle is not pitted on the inside, about a year ago we shot it and kept the group at a quarter sized at 50 yds (At that time, I did not know the story behind it). of course my groups were about 18" low and left and i could not adjust the sights to get any closer to the point of aim ( I assume that it is likely an issue with the stock's age).

Basically, the gun is priceless to me, but I was hoping someone could give me some insight into what to state as the value on my homeowner's insurance.

I greatly appreciate any input,

Drew

 

[Hoppy590]

certainly could have been used in ww1. M1917's out numbered 1903's 3 to 1 in WW1.

they are priced from about 500-800+$ for un altered ones

 

[Northern-Lights]

SOME of them are valuable....most are not. I used to own one. I was lucky....I'd bought it knowing that some of them were quite valuable....I didn't lose any money....but didn't make any either.

It seems there is a big difference in value based on how many Lands / grooves are cut in the barrel. I was told the vast majority of them had only two....and therefore are not as accurate as the ones with 4 lands/grooves in them.

Now...keep in mind....this is just what I was told when I was shopping around to sell it. This was quite awhile back also.

I hope you might decide to hang on to it. It has sentimental value and you are not going to get rich selling it. It will be a great shooter for you for a long time if you keep it.

 

[Jeff F]

The 1917's were 30-06 were they not? I cant speak of the 06 but I have a few Enfields in .303 with 2 grove barrels and they are just as accurate as the multi grove Enfields.

 

[Jim Watson]

I was told the vast majority of them had only two....and therefore are not as accurate as the ones with 4 lands/grooves in them.

Sorry, Northern, you got told a lot of crap.

In the first place, the 1917 Enfields had FIVE groove barrels.

I think they made up some two groove barrels for refurbishment in WW II, along with the ones used in a lot of 1903A3s, but that was way after the fact.

In the second place, there is no difference in accuracy between two and 4, 5, or 6 groove barrels of equal quality fed equal ammo.