Tell me about this Remington M1917

Attachment 135244Attachment 135245Attachment 135246Attachment 135247Attachment 135248Attachment 135249Attachment 135250Attachment 135251Attachment 135252Local store apparently has gotten a collection in. Amongst the sporterized Arisaka’s is this Remington M1917.

Very dirty but mostly all there. Looks more like it was preserved and never cleaned up. They’re asking $600 which I believe is a great price if it’s functional. Only thing that gets me is the DP stamp on the barrel band. Anyone know what that means?
Barrel isn’t plugged, dry firing sounds/feels correct.

Stock had no stamps I could see and the sling mount is obviously not correct.

Hmmm. DP stands for "Drill Purpose" which means the rifle, for various reasons has been put aside by the government and is not to be fired. This rifle is lacking the 'DP' stamp anywhere else so I would bet that the barrel band has been taken from another rifle. I also believe, and will be corrected if I'm wrong that you were more likely to see "EY" stamped on the receiver for "Emergency use onlY" on these rifles. As with all milsurps, if you're not sure, don't shoot it! I'd ask for a few day's inspection with right of return and get an experienced gunsmith's opinion. As is, without a guarantee of serviceability $600.00 is too much.

I'm thinking this one was put together from others. The lower sling loop is example. It's really hard to say about this one without being completely stripped and examined. I wouldn't buy it on spec...

As Jim has said a cobbled item along with Sapper740 notations as well I seem to recall conversations here on rifles that had been stamped DP which meant exactly that that they were beyond economical repair for whatever reason and should not be fired.
Along those conversations also was the EY stamping which Sapper740 mentions which basically means the rifle is not fit for front line duties but can however be utilised if your being overrun and your cooks and backline troops can join in but only if it was an Alamo situation.

I think PL stated Britain had another stamping they used which a rifle was never to be used the ZD stamping (I may be incorrect on that fact).

If it all checks out to be safe to shoot after a competent GSmith has checked it over then $450-500 sounds allot better for a mixmaster than what they are asking but ensure it goes to a gunsmith that you know and not a shop recommended one or them either, if it does pass then haggle away.
Chasing down a rear sling swivel and correct barrel band should not be to hard there are probably some here who may be able to help you with that.
Good luck.

Test.

October 1918 manufactured which means it probably never made it to a WWI battlefield but it's lived a hard life anyway. I agree with what has been pointed out already however I don't believe the DP band directly relates to this rifle, it's just a cheap replacement part. I do see an Eddystone bolt shroud which hints that the bolt isn't matching so a headspace check is definitely in order. Look at the very front of the stock between the barrel and bayonet lug there should be a single letter stamped E, W or R indicating the manufacturer. If there's none it was either sanded away or it's a post war replacement stock. In fact most every part should have one of those 3 letters on it so check around. It should all be R or as close to it as possible. Stacking swivel and screw are missing as well. Not insurmountable but another bargaining point. It has a rode hard and put away wet for half a century look to it that would have had me handing back right away but they are getting harder to find so... I have read that the CMP has a few M1917s available if you really want one.

I've only seen the "DP" stamp on the P-14s. If the bore is in good shape, $5-600 would be reasonable.