Just about to pay the shipping costs and have it sent out

Fantastic forum you all have created here, it's been a world of help to me, a potentially new Winchester Model of 1917 owner.

Last week I was out in Western Colorado on business and happened into Cabela's in Grand Junction. I was there purchasing a Beretta pistol for my wife when out of one of the display cases in the Gun Library this beautiful bolt action military rifle called to me. Loudly.

I don't have a history with older military rifles but I do own a SAI M1A Loaded and have recently come into the possession of over 2,000 rounds of older GI 7.62 It's a long story but I was already thinking "it would be nice to have a nice 30-06 so that I could enjoy the ammo" so I guess I was predisposed to falling for one.

The rifle in question is a Winchester and it's beautiful (to me, an untrained eye). I quickly discerned that it did not have the armory reworking marks that I read about, most of the parts I could see were W save for the bolt which was an Eddystone and there's not a touch of rust or corrosion anywhere on it.

The bore was obstructed by some old cloth that had been oil/grease soaked at one time and we ran a few patches through. The rifling seemed to be distinct and the bore shiny (from what I gather is the original barrel).

Well, I had to depart the following day so I put it on layaway (thankfully they have that service!) Deposit plus a bit paid, all I have to do is call them up and they'll be sending it my way. To say that I'm a little excited would be an understatement but I do have the fear that something may be amiss.

The folks at the Gun Library told me that it had just come in and was from a larger collection. It's collector value I believe has been lowered/removed by the previous owner having his name stamped in the receiver just to the left of the bolt opening. It was very professionally done and filled in with gold, J.R. Burrows I don't mind that at all and it gives it a little more story/mystery to me.

I only had the chance to take a few photos and I'll attach them here to my first ever post. Feel free to relate any info/stories/critique that you might have, I'm wanting a little encouragement before I "pull the trigger".

Oh, the price was $559.95

Thank you in advance, I appreciate all of the info that I've been able to digest here at the forum this past week.

Best regards,

Allen

if the bore is good. you did well.

I just made a call out to the Gun Library folks at the Cabela's and they pulled the 1917 out to check the bore visually.

It's the second time I've done that...worried that I might have missed something and the gentleman that I spoke to tonight gave me a very good report of very crisp rifling, bright bore, no signs of pitting or abnormal wear/corrosion and the chamber end looked very clean as well.

His appraisal of the rifle was that if I just wanted to purchase it to collect, it would go really nice in a display case and would be admired for years but if I wanted it to shoot, it should do that just as well. I'm happy to say that I bought it to be a shooter that is cared for very well.

At this point I'm going to call it mine and finish up the deal and have it sent out.

I know that I'll need to have it checked by a gunsmith out in my neck of the woods and this forum has given me information on the critical things to consider.

Nice looking rifle. Clarify one thing though. In your post you stated that you had 2000 rounds of 7.62. It sounds like you intend it for the Enfield. Is the ammo 7.62 X 51 or 30-06? Maybe I'm just reading this wrong? Salt Flat

Oh, it's 30-06 GI ammo, mostly all in the Garand enbloc's. I keep referring to it as 7.62 and realize now that that term is mostly used for rounds shot in the M14/M1A family.

2BY, That's good! You'll have a lot fun with the Enfield. I picked up my first one in 1964. It was a sporter. We used it mostly for plinking at tin cans at the gravel pit. It was quite effective at killing tin cans. Salt Flat

2by--- there's a great book by C L Ferris all about model1917s. Serial numbers, dates, everything. I can get you the exact title etc. if you are interested.

Rancho, thank you for the info. I've seen reference to this book and believe I'll be adding it to my library very soon. Sounds like the definitive resource for the 1917. Looking forward to receiving my Winchester soon and taking a really, really good look at it...and shooting it!

After a few restless days of consternation, I pulled the trigger early this morning and should get a tracking number for my Winchester in a few hours. Overnight from 5 hours away, if all goes well I'll be unpacking my new-to-me Winchester Model of 1917 tomorrow. I'll definitely post some more detailed pics and look forward to joining the Enfield pattern fold.

Good deal.

If you are going to play in this area (grin) you need a Steven Mathews TE and MW gauge he makes for the 1903s.

He says its not for the 1917s, but experience shows it to accurate enough for a barrel assessment. MW looks to be spot on actually, the rear maybe half a number off due to slight difference in the bridge of a 1917 vs a 1903, but thats the least of the issues as MW is more important (assuming its not been shot blanks and the TE goes to 9!)

A bit of pitting is not an issue but bad MW can be (needs a recessed crown job them to restore as we don't want to chop off the end of the barrel as they are too valuable!

Also get a Filed gauge. They all pass right through the GO and No go (so far) as I believe they are deliberately deep to ensure combat shooting. A Field gauge will tell you what you need (and even then so far they have almost closed on that)

And yes they grab you. I like the 1903s a lot, and functionally that are better quality and far smoother bolt operation (I don;'t buy you can out shoot a 1903 with that sticky 1917 bolt!) but I am in love with the 1917s while I like and respect the 1903s.

RC20, I've called around here to a few shops/gunsmiths here in Colorado Springs and can't find anyone who has a TE or ME gauge. I was hoping to find someone local before having to order it myself. The few people that I've had take a gander down the bore all remark at how clean and distinct the rifling is and how little wear is visually apparent.

Tomorrow I'm running by Hickman Rifles, a local gunsmith that is going to take a look at it and let me know what he thinks. He didn't seem to think that the ME was much of an issue on these as "bolt guns are cleaned from the breach and most erosion in the muzzle is from cleaning" so I'm holding out hope for a muzzle that's not worn to any great extent.

I had the ejector spring break on me the second day I had the gun in my possession. No telling how many years it had been sitting with the bolt closed. I've ordered another via Numrich's and should have it in a day or so.

I'll try to take a number of better photo's and post them up soon prior to cleaning it up. I'm really interested to see if there is anyone on the forum who has an idea about the "J R Burrows" name that is stamped on the left side of the receiver. It's done really nice and I'm not sure if it was just the name of a previous owner or if it has any other significance.

If the weather holds out, a few friends and I are planning to head to the range on Saturday and I'll have a chance to fire it for the first time.

I know what you mean about the 1917, it's just such a beautiful rifle and has all the right curves in all the right places for my sensibility. The balance is right on and now if it shoots even reasonably accurate, I'll be a really happy guy.