i got my first m1917

[aslsmm]

hi so 30-06 is my favorite cal rifle, i replied to an add in craigslist that said "lots of stuff to sell" i bought this guys grandads 30-06 rifle for 75 bucks. he didnt know it was really worth any thing. i knew that any old ww1 era gun would be worht something. im curious how much its worth. at some point some one put finish or tung oil on it, i wish they hadn't but o well. it has all original parts, the serial numbers first three digest were 437 i think. any way what is this gun worth and its nice to meet yall, and yes it is a m1917

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[Aye KAY]

If it were my Grandpa's rifle it would be priceless. I can't understand people selling off family guns.

[aslsmm]

i agree, do you happen to know what these are selling for, its in fairly good condition.

[daveboy]

It all depends on how original it is. If Grandpa brought it back from WW1 and it was never monkeyed with, then could be pretty valuable. They run anywhere from $300 up to $1000. But, again that is all based on originality and condition. Photos would help others (not me, I'm not the expert) to give a better price.

daveboy

P.S. It's a pretty sure bet that it's worth $75!

[aslsmm]

thanks for all the replies. i had it looked at by a gun smith and he said i could get 475 for it in the condition that its in. he said it was in fairly good condition and a steal at 75 bucks. now im not new to guns, or 30-06's but i dont see me using this rifle in its original condition. i do plan on keeping it but i would like to add a scope to it. i realize that i would have to mod it, and that would take the historical awesomeness away but i would like to use this rifle in a more practical sense. what do you guys suggest as far as moding it goes? what stocks are reca mended, what is a good scope, is there a good place to sell/trade the original stock and accesories for a sporting stock? just curious. if modding it is a all around bad idea please feel free to let me know and let me know why. thanx

[daveboy]

You will get all kinds of opinions on this one, most will tell you not to alter it one bit. Reasons? (1) Gunsmith's estimate of $475 probably is for it in its current condition, modifying it will certainly drop its value (2) None of these have been manufactured since 1918 or so and tinkering with it will destroy its historical value. (3) You can purchase a new or used .30-06 sporting rifle for your purposes and sell your antique to a collector and still come out ahead.

Personally, I would post some photos and ask those experts on this site what it is worth. If it is indeed valuable (unless your gunsmith is a collector he was just guessing) then I would certainly think twice about making any changes to it other than a good cleaning.

In the end, it is your rifle to do as you wish.

daveboy

[Mike D]

Nice find! Wish I was that lucky! It being a Winchester is also a plus. How is the bore? What is the date on the barrel? How are the other parts marked(R, E, or W)?

[aslsmm]

all of the markings on it are w, i took it apart and put it back together, all the markings under the wood were also marked w. i looked up the serial # and its built in 1918.its funny cause i have posted this on a few forums as well as took it to the owner of a gun store and a seperate gunsmith. i have gotten so many different opinions on what its worth, i originally thought it had been restained but the gunsmith i took it to said it looked all original to him. all im going to do is clean the bore, pump a few quick rounds out of it and hang it up on the wall in my studio. and the bore seems good.

[schneidb]

I would leave it original. If the bore is good-excellant it is worth $700.00-$1000.00 or more

[Chuckindenver]

spend 250.00 turning a 500.00 into a 150.00 hunting rifle....thats what happens when you sporterize them..
id give you 350.00 for it...and with that money you can get one thats already been missed with..and have a few bucks to spare.