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I have questions about 1917 Eddystone.
Are they variants of 1903 Springfield?
How do I tell if it's the original barrel or not?
If all the parts are matching?
What should I look for when looking to buy one?
What are market value for them?
How do I tell if the receiver has problem or not?
Will the price for them appreciate when 2017(100 year anniversary of 1917) comes by?
Is there any s/n range that I have to be aware of?
Thanks. Appreciate your help.
The US Model of 1917 is a totally different animal from the M1903 Springfield. The only things they have in common are they were both made in the USA, used in WW1, are bolt action, and fire the .30-06 cartridge.
The M1917 was based on a British design, the P14.
You can't guarantee that a barrel is original, but you can tell if it is of the correct dates by comparing the date and manufacturer stamped on the barrel - just behind the front sight - and the serial number on the receiver. There are good references on the internet and in books that give manufacture dates based on serial numbers. Almost every individual part on an Eddystone made M1917 should have an 'E' stamped on it. The other manufacturers were Winchester ('W'), and Remington ('R').
Market value currently ranges from $500 to $800 depending on many factors.
There are no known receiver problems with the M1917 that has been documented on early 1903s. The M1917 receiver is made of excellent steel and is a good bit more robust.
I believe that the price will increase in 2017, but it is also doing so right now. The available supply of 1903 is drying up. The M1917 was the most common rifle used by US troops in WW1 - even more so than the beloved '03. Within the past decade, people were passing up M1917s for $300 or less. Now, the cost is increasing, and doing so quickly. After the most recent election, there has definitely been a price explosion on just about all firearms, and I doubt it will decrease any time soon.
I hope this helps.
thanks for the informative reply. Appreciate it.