Cutdown 1917 Eddystone with a K bolt

I Found this at a local gun shop and had to have it. Luckily the barrel was not cut. The Serial no. is in the 319000 range with a barrel date of 1-18. So it looks like this is the original barrel and the rifle was early enough to possibly be used in WWI . The Bore looks very good (after I did some scrubbing) and the headspace is good. The finish is kind of a faded gray. Is this just worn Parkerizing? Also Bubba varnished over everything! The bolt must be a WWII replacement and is marked with a K and the flaming bomb on the underside of the handle. I wanted this rifle because it is just like the first big bore that I had as a kid in the 60‘s. I’ll probably replace the stock if the right original one comes along but for now this one will do. The finely hand woven sling with electrical tape keepers has to go though! Any thoughts on the bolt or metal finish are welcome. Salt Flat

My theory on the Parkerizing, Bubba tried to remove it with hopes of blueing but after realizing the metal wasn't finely polished underneath gave up and varnished the metal in an attempt to protect the now bare metal. Thank god he didn't have a hacksaw!!!

That may be motor oil, not varnish. Lots of guys had no experience and thought any oil was good. My father in law was issued a M1917 during WW2 and still when I bought his Ithaca 37 and Remington 760 pump from him had covered them with motor oil so long back, they looked just like that.

hard to say what the coating is for sure...K is Keefer machine and tool.

How many times have we seen varnished 303's and the like 2 of mine were varnished when I purchased them they both took allot of work to get back to original whilst still keeping the cartouches readable on the stocks lotsa time with biodegradable varnish remover and fine steel wool very carefully indeed ?

Does any one have the answer to the $64 question why bubba varnished mil-surps weapons.....:surrender:

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

why bubba varnished mil-surps weapons.....

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He wanted the high gloss finish of sporting rifles that's what me thinks....

I removed the varnish with a little laquer thinner and overall the metal looks much better. The finish underneath looks to be a gray parkerizing although thin in some places. It's not the best looking 1917 but the bore is very good and it should be a good shooter. Salt Flat

varnish was used as a rust proof coating, used to see write ups in hunting magazines from the 1940,s and 50,s