M1917 Rifles With Aldis Scopes (With Crosshairs-Style Reticles)?

Hey everyone, it’s been a long time I haven’t made an inquiry here.

Basically what the Title says, I wanted to ask if there were M1917 Rifles that sported Aldis Pattern 1918 (or any earlier model for that matter) with crosshairs-style reticles which saw service with U.S./British/Canadian troops during, either the First or Second World War.

I assume if there were any, which I kind of doubt it, being honest, would said rifles most likely have seen service with U.S. troops? I know that some (or few) M1917 rifles with Aldis Pattern 1918 scopes did see service (I believe with the Canadians, during the Second World War), but most likely sported tapered-post-with-crosswire-style reticles.

I know it’s kind of a random question, but it just popped into my head recently, and I was interested to find a reply to it.

Thanks all, and have a great day :).

This should get you started...

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=8862

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Originally Posted by jakester

This should get you started...

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=8862

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Hey jakester, thanks for replying.

Had a brief look at that page earlier today, and gave it a read just now, and so far, it seems the M1917 was not actually used as a sniper rifle (as far as what was discussed there, of course). Also, I must apologize for the cognitive lapse I had in relation to M1917 rifles being used as sniper rifles with Aldis Patt. 1918 scopes (in reality, I recall that few of them may have been used as such, but with the Warner & Swasey prismatic scope in a newly-designed mount and bracket). In any case, if there were any exceptions to what I inquired, I’d like to hear it from any of the Members around here. My best bet is that the Canadians might have used few of them with the scope mentioned, but with the tapered-post-and-crosswire-style scopes, but if not, no problem.

Have a great day, all.

The Austrian Army did a handful conversions on the M1917 rifle to M1917A4 configuration, with the M1903A4 mount and scope. Therefore they grounded the rear sight base and even bothered to do a new receiver inscription, in the same fashion as the M1903A4 rifle. Attached are a few pictures.



https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....07&cid=1&stc=1
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....08&cid=1&stc=1
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....09&cid=1&stc=1
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....10&cid=1&stc=1

I'd love to shoot one of those. Bet they group fantastic...

Very interesting. I've been wanting to find a 1917 sporter to restore, but haven't found a good candidate - to many have seen the ears ground down. I'll have to look closer now and, if the flat of the rear sight base is still intact, I may have to build one of these.

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Originally Posted by ssgross

I may have to build one of these.

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Give us a look when you do? Also keep us up when you go shooting, I'll bet it shoots right on top of itself.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Give us a look when you do?

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A quick search found a several 1917 sporters on gunbroker with the ears cut down, a few of them for ~$200-300. Most have the rear area rounded, but some appear to have a little "flat" left.
I saw one interesting candidate sporter with the ears still on, but no rear sight. Seller said it had been fit for a scope mount - which to me meant one of the S&K type mounts. I believe I some of these mounts required drilling out the holes in the ears to fit the larger screw that was needed. If that is the case, then I wouldn't have to feel bad about grinding the ears down and making one...here it is
Attachment 124517
looks like bubba cut the screw out.
Other Jim's reference picture in this post has me thinking about just making one with a long target scope.

I will keep looking for now. Price needs to be preferably <$200 to warrant $400 for a new set of wood, and possible $200 for a new barrel. Sorry to hijack the thread with my wishful thinking.

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Originally Posted by Promo

The Austrian Army did a handful conversions on the M1917 rifle to M1917A4 configuration, with the M1903A4 mount and scope. Therefore they grounded the rear sight base and even bothered to do a new receiver inscription, in the same fashion as the M1903A4 rifle. Attached are a few pictures.

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Ye gods! If they'd put a Zeilvier in turret mounts on there they would have really had something. Some effort went into those lens covers; though that miserable scope hardly deserved them!

There were Pattern 14 rifles fitted with Aldis scopes that were part of the 1922 to 1925 rearming of the Latvian Army.
I have one of the scopes and will photograph it and see if I can get the photo here.
The scope mount is damaged in that one arm was removed but I do have the scope and mount.