My "NEW" Remington 1917

[firefuzz]

About 20 years ago I started a collection of the cartridge rifles issued in mass to the US Army. To this date I have collected a replica '73 Trapdoor (H&R), a Krag carbine (Bannerman's or DCM), a Springfield 1903, a Remington 1903-A3, a couple of AR15's, and most recently Sgt. York's (model, not THE gun) Remington Model of 1917. Still lack a Garand and a M!A, although I've owned both in the past.

The serial number of my 1917 shows to have been manufactured in Oct of 1918 with a Remington barrel stamped 9-18, with pristine rifling and excellent barrel crown. I've got gauges on the way to measure throat and bore erosion. I'm pretty sure the receiver, barrel, sights, and possibly the stock are parts of the original assembly. The rest were switched out later. I don't think it's seen much service in the field, I'll know more about that when the gauges get here.

The front and rear sights are both stamped "R". I can't find any stampings on the barrel band, swivels or end cap. The rear sling swivel base has what I'm calling an "E" on it. The mag box and mag spring, as well as the ejector spring and rear handguard ring are Remington. The bolt stop is marked "W" and "NS". The follower, floor plate and guard assembly, ejector, safety lever and bolt stop spring rest are all Eddystone, as is the entire bolt assembly. The only markings I can find on the buttplate are the numbers "54".

The top wood-front piece is stamped "R", on the rear one I can find no markings of any type. The stock is stamped "R" in a box, and "P" in a circle just to the rear of the rear guard screw in that order. On the left hand side of the stock there are three stampings, (reading front to back) "OGEK" in a box, S.A.A. in a box, and "H" in a box. There is a faint stamping on the nose of the forearm, but I can't make it out.

Aside from the standard markings on the front receiver rings, no notches or extra holes, there is the flaming bomb on the left side of the receiver and some numbers on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the receiver. Indicator marks line up perfectly. On the barrel, just to the rear of the front sight, is stamped "R", flaming bomb, 9-18.

IMO, after HOURS of pleasurable reading here (thank you), is that I have an honest representation, hopefully shootable, representation of the U.S. Rifle, Model of 1917. I have no intention of trying to make it "all original", IMO the rifle I hold in my hands can stand on it's own merits. I know I'm proud to own it.

As you can tell by the length of my post, I enjoy conversing with other gun lovers. I hope someone reads and responds to this and please feel free to add any info about stampings, especially the one's on the stock.

Rob

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[Andrew1995]

I just posted on here yesterday lol. But ya i just got an Eddystone M1917 dated October 1918 about 3 weeks ago For $500. Its not all parts correct which now i don't think most are due to arsenal refinish and whatnot. But to me its a beautiful rifle. I don't know much about them but im still trying to gather more info on markings different variants ect. I do know the stock is Remington it has the eagle head right in front of the floor plate. I does have some gouges one side but other than that is in great condition. The bolt seems to be all Eddystone, bolt stop it Eddystone along with the rear sight. The the barrel bands don't seem to have any markings that i can find the front sight blade is marked with a "W" which i think is Winchester and the sight guard is Eddystone. The receiver is like i said dated October 1918 on the side it has a bomb shell the barrel is a HS 4 grove barrel with a bomb shell with a "P" i don't know what the "P" means. The bore looks to be in good condition however its been counter bored. Im in the process of trying different loads to see if i can improve upon accuracy.

Andrew

[browningautorifle]

Andrew, by posting on a whole second thread it makes things confusing. Now we'll be chasing back and forth to try and help. You should stay in one place.

[728shooter]

I just posted on here yesterday lol. But ya i just got an Eddystone M1917 dated October 1918 about 3 weeks ago For $500. Its not all parts correct which now i don't think most are due to arsenal refinish and whatnot. But to me its a beautiful rifle. I don't know much about them but im still trying to gather more info on markings different variants ect. I do know the stock is Remington it has the eagle head right in front of the floor plate. I does have some gouges one side but other than that is in great condition. The bolt seems to be all Eddystone, bolt stop it Eddystone along with the rear sight. The the barrel bands don't seem to have any markings that i can find the front sight blade is marked with a "W" which i think is Winchester and the sight guard is Eddystone. The receiver is like i said dated October 1918 on the side it has a bomb shell the barrel is a HS 4 grove barrel with a bomb shell with a "P" i don't know what the "P" means. The bore looks to be in good condition however its been counter bored. Im in the process of trying different loads to see if i can improve upon accuracy.

Andrew

Andrew -- From reading your post, you say that your 1917 Eddystone is dated October 1918. I assume that you determined this by looking up the s/n to see the month & year it was originally manufactured by Eddystone. The reason I point this out is that you mention further on in you post that it has a HS 4-groove barrel. HS (High Standard) barrels (along with Johnson Automatic JA) were used during arsenal refurbishing during WWII when many 1917's were rebuilt for WWII service. At that time, we were in desperate need for rifles and all stockpiles of surplus rifles were re-sourced for service, including the model 1917. Unfortunately, yours is not an original 1917, however, it still may be a better shooter than one from that era in that it has a relatively new(er) barrel which should be in much better condition. Enjoy it for what it is; a veteran of 2 World Wars perhaps?

--728shooter