New M1917 with Questions

[b32dominator]

This is my first posting here, I finally got one of my holy grail guns and I am looking for some help. I walked into the shop and was there just to browse and shoot the breeze when I walked by the milsurp rack and say the array of over priced 03's and then there it was, the crown jewel (by my humble estimation only), an Eddystone M1917. This one was one of my "Holy Grail" guns I have wanted ever since I found out about them, not sure why but it is. A little wheeling and dealing and it was mine!!!

It is a nearly complete 1918 Eddystone. Only the bolt which is a WWII manufactured United States Shoe Machinery Corp (which I may replace with an Eddystone), barrel and front sight which are Remington dated 12-17. But the stock is my biggest enigma, I am certain it is not original and its only markings are a star on the left hand side above the trigger guard and a circle "P" proof under the hand guard. Because I am an accessory freak I have an oiler, take down tool and original stacking swivel I ordered for it (this was missing).

I have a question I am hoping someone can answer. What does the star stand for and is this a reproduction stock??

Information

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[jmoore]

Its probably not reproduction unless its "new" looking. Military stockswere manufactured up through at least early WWII in the US, possibly much later elsewhere. The markings don't sound standard, esp. their locations. Photos would help hugely!

Consolidated fan are you? Very cool!

[b32dominator]

Jmoore,

Thanks for the reply I am trying to get pictures up but having a hard time with it.

Yep I am the author of a book about the Consolidated B-32. I will try to get those pics figured out. (here's a link to another inquiry into it.)

Surplusrifleforum.com Eddystone M1917 (Pic Heavy)

[Chuckindenver]

is this the same stock pictured on Jouster??i

[Calif-Steve]

No question this was post-WWI rebuild. Could even be a Pre-WWII rebuild. They made bolts and stocks in early WWII. After WWI Sprindfield rebuilt/inspected over one million M1917's and ended up as the primary storage depot. Probably came out of that lot. I would be inclined to keep it as is, it is a nice representative piece.

[b32dominator]

Chuck, I did not know what jousters was until I looked it up, I guess someone from the other forum must have posted it. Looks like some good info I never would have seen, thanks!

Steve, The only reason I feared a recent replacement stock was due to the relative "like new" condition of the stock. Other than a dent or two it looks new. However when I got it I did an oil scrub on it and got plenty of dirt and oil oil off of the surface, so that made me wonder about its age. So sitting in storage for 70 years could answer that question.

I don't plan on altering the rifle in anyway, thats not my game. Even though I am a perfectionist when it comes to my rifles. I actually like the mismatched bolt, it looks cool. Thanks for the replies appreciate the help because I was getting nothing elsewhere.

[jmoore]

The post WWI rebuild probably also explains the bolt. The Remington barrel is a liitle odd, but I wouldn't worry about it. Many WWII rebuilds got Johnson Automatics mfg. barrels rather than old WWI surplus, so the inter-war period overhaul is quite likely.

[Dan Wilson]

The Remington barrel is a liitle odd

Not odd in the least, its quite common to find mixes between receiver and barrels.
During the war, (and after storage) damaged barrels would be replaced with barrels pulled off of damaged rifles, parts is parts.

The couple years post WWI found millions of the M1917 rifles improperly stored, turning into piles of rust (after rebuild no less) so they had to dismantle a good percentage of the rifles to re rebuild them and more mixing happened then (and more parts went to the trash can).

Dan

[bearhunter]

jmoore, why do you find the Remington barrel odd? Eddystone was a Remington plant. Would it not make sense that parts were shipped between the two plants for assembly where needed?

[wbs2111]

bearhunter, it has always been accepted that all 1917 manufacturers used their own parts, it has been written about in many reference books and to date no research has proved otherwise. The same with Garands and 1903s. The sticky wicket is M1 carbine and the round robin supply of parts form one to another manufacturer.