My Search for a Model 1917 is Over

[WebSmithEddy]

After looking for the last nine months, I finally picked up a Model 1917 in a swap this weekend. We were at the range, so we each got to shoot other rifle before we made the trade. This is the latest addition to the family that includes a December, 1942 Springfield M1 and a September, 1943 Remington Model 1903-A3.

It is an Eddystone in a Remington stock (Ogden Ordinance Depot rebuild inspected by Elmer Keith). It has a 12-18 barrel date, so it didn’t see action in The Great War. Aside from the stock, the only parts that aren’t Eddystone are a Remington follower, a Winchester firing pin, a Winchester cocking piece, and (perhaps) the extractor that is marked “CV” (Chrome Vanadium).

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nice looking rifle from here...

[pickax]

Nice lay out right there!

[mel062369]

I just traded for an Eddystone. Has a 4 digit serial number and a barrel date of 9/17 so was one of first batch made and shipped. It is rather rough but has a Canadian military marking on the stock and a Danish sight placard fixed near the receiver. The front sight was milled and the blade replaced with a roll pin which apparently was rather common for rifles shipped to Denmark after WWII.

It shoots great and after looking into the history, I found out that the sight placard has M53 on it indicating it was a M53/17. The rear sight was not changed for a v-notch as some were and I am glad for that. I am in the process of cleaning it up - some surface rust and the stock needs to be cleaned and linseed oil applied.

My understanding is that the blade front sight was replaced on the ones used for marksmanship training and the sight placard seems to corroborate this. At first I was going to get a new front sight from Numrich until I got into the history of it but now I will not change anything. Also, the magazine follower was modified so that the bolt does not remain open after the last shot. Not sure if that was done on most of the Danish rifles but I am not going to change that either. The red band just below the stacking swivel is clear and distinct as well.

[Salt Flat]

Websmitheddy, Nice collection and I like the way you photographed this with the great coat, ammo belts, helmets etc. I'm going to have to try this with some of mine. Salt Flat

[pickax]

I just traded for an Eddystone. Has a 4 digit serial number and a barrel date of 9/17 so was one of first batch made and shipped. It is rather rough but has a Canadian military marking on the stock and a Danish sight placard fixed near the receiver. The front sight was milled and the blade replaced with a roll pin which apparently was rather common for rifles shipped to Denmark after WWII.

It shoots great and after looking into the history, I found out that the sight placard has M53 on it indicating it was a M53/17. The rear sight was not changed for a v-notch as some were and I am glad for that. I am in the process of cleaning it up - some surface rust and the stock needs to be cleaned and linseed oil applied.

My understanding is that the blade front sight was replaced on the ones used for marksmanship training and the sight placard seems to corroborate this. At first I was going to get a new front sight from Numrich until I got into the history of it but now I will not change anything. Also, the magazine follower was modified so that the bolt does not remain open after the last shot. Not sure if that was done on most of the Danish rifles but I am not going to change that either. The red band just below the stacking swivel is clear and distinct as well.

It would be good to start a new thread with good pictures of your rifle, they are a unique subset, and worth documenting by themselves.

[lgo]

Also, the magazine follower was modified so that the bolt does not remain open after the last shot. Not sure if that was done on most of the Danish rifles but I am not going to change that either.

As far as I know, the reason for modifying the magazine follower on the Danish rifles was to make it possible to perform the same drill exercises as had always been used with the old M1889.

[RC20]

Have you pulled apart the safety yet?

Little tiny part in there that is marked!

Real bugger to do and would not advise it but its on the list.

I did one, got it out and back but more fun than I wanted.

I would only do it if it was pure one R,E, W or was going to make one all right mfg. id.