Remington Model of 1917 at gun store as consignment

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Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick

"the bore looked dark" is a frequently used phrase that is not very helpful. It may be rust, but is often a grimy deposit of dust and oil.

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Hi Patrick, yup! I know what you are saying... I'm going there tomorrow to take a better look and make an offer but the bore did not look like it was rust. there was no shine in it at all, differently allot of dust I could so it could be dirty, but just from experience it seems more than just dust, fouling is would it looks like more than anything. I will more then likely put it on lay-a-way tomorrow if we can agree on a price after the check it out with my no-go and bore gauges. Going to ask if I can run a brush and patch down it as Jamie suggested, or maybe a bore snake. Like the idea of agreeing on the price prior to cleaning.

thanks for the info and help.

Bill

About those no-go gauges...
The 1917 bolt design is a brute. It’s capable of pushing a lot of junk into the chamber whether it actually fits or not.
You’d be best served by that gauge if the seller let you take the bolt completely apart so you’re not fighting any spring pressure. The bolt is relatively easy to break down with a nickel and a bit of hand strength though.
This process is shown about halfway down this page:
https://www.bevfitchett.us/firearms-assembly/u-s-model-rifle-enfield.html

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Originally Posted by usabaker

The bore was dark but the rifling looked strong. Went down there today with bore and no-go gauges but he was closed so I'll head down tomorrow.

THanks,

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I agree with Jamie, I would ask to run a brush and patch through the barrel. The worst that could happen is the gun store gets a clean rifle for free. A little secret I learned if you use a new brush with the same bore diameter you can feel the imperfections in the bore as you push the rod and brush through to the chamber to the muzzle. You can feel the pitted rust and any looseness in the bore from corrosion. If the "feel" is consist through out the bore, the rust and pitting is uniform that is a good sign. If you start out tight and then real rough and then tight again. That probably means the rifle was used as volley gun at military funerals and used corrosive ammo that ruin the middle of the barrel. Probably three or four inches from the chamber's throat and goes for about 8 to 12 inches before getting "better". I know this is pretty subjective but it works for me and you can used for negotiating a price. If you have the replace the barrel at a minimum its going to be at least $200.00 plus installation fees. Do not discount the darkest of the bore as a bad shooter. I have several rifles with a dark bore that shoots like a raped ape. Please post some pictures if you can. I would interested in seeing the rifle. I for one love shooting the M1917 and P14 rifles.

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Originally Posted by fjruple

Please post some pictures if you can. I would be interested in seeing the rifle. I for one love shooting the M1917 and P14 rifles.

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The only way I can get the rifle right now is to put it on lay-a-way :( I just dumped a boatload of cash on Bergara B-14 Timber, Leupold VX-2, and all the fixens' as a gift for my best friend who was robbed during a hunting trip and lost a rifle he bought when we were 14 year olds. And of course the two Mausers I bought last week. Pictures might take a while LOL, maybe I can take some at the shop.

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Originally Posted by usabaker

The only way I can get the rifle right now is to put it on lay-a-way

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Still, pics are forthcoming. You have it...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Still, pics are forthcoming. You have it...

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Just came back from the Gun Store, I put the 1917 on Lay-A-Way, might have paid more than its worth - not really sure - The shop would not let me head space it LOL didn't want me taking apart the bolt. I did gauge the bore an it good. The good news is the bore is NOT dark, it was just as Jamie and Patrick said it was dust and oil, the bore is shiny. From the pictures, it looks like there might be surface rust in the chamber but then it could be the flash won't know until I get it home. surface rust that seemed to wipe off with finger pressure on some of the outside parts like the "ears" and near the front sight.

I did take some pictures though....

Yup, I certainly wouldn’t have let that one lay!
As has been, ahem, discussed in a recent thread, the JA barrel is a period military replacement from Johnson Automatics. It’s a good barrel, just not original.
Again, you’re lucky that wasn’t sitting at my local gun store 😉

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Originally Posted by rcathey

Again, you’re lucky that wasn’t sitting at my local gun store

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Or mine too! Good score! You did the right thing laying that one away!

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Originally Posted by rcathey

JA barrel is a period military replacement from Johnson Automatics

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Thanks for this bit of information. I've much to learn about this firearm

---------- Post added at 09:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by RazorBurn

Or mine too! Good score! You did the right thing laying that one away!

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I hope so. It's going to be interesting to see how well it cleans up.

usabaker--

Good score but I would not go above $500.00. The rifle was re-build during WWII. When these were rebuilt little or attention was given to keeping parts from the same manufacturer with the rifle which was unnecessary since the Ordnance Dept insisted on commonality of parts in the manufacture of the M1917 unlike the early Pattern 1914 version. If the bore too badly rusted and you want a shooter than you may have to look for a replacement barrel. Originals are hard to find. WWII replacements are still flooding around. Let us know how you make out.

--fjruple