Need Help on Proof Marks on Rifle

[Patrick Chadwick]

One thing I have learnt in this business of long-range identification is: never say Never and never say Always.
Sweeping statements are hazardous - someone always pops up to demonstrate the exception.
And I take Smellie's remarks as being light-hearted, not deadly serious.

So guys, please take the following also as being light-hearted, not deadly serious

Any firearm sold commercially had to go through one of the
British proof houses (London or Birmingham).

Obviously not true if they were exported without being offered on the open market in GB. Germany has truckloads of British rifles that were imported wthout British civilian proofs. In fact, (avoiding the N word) I have not yet seen an Enfield here with Britísh civilian proofs. They usually (avoiding the A word) have an German proof+date stamp, caliber marking and importer's mark.

The "white line" look on hunting rifles is common in Mauserland too. IMOH it does not provide any indication as to the country where the work was carried out.

My P17... (OK, it doesn't say P17 on the receiver. But it doesn't say M1917 either. What it does say is "U.S. Model Of 1917". So those who get uptight about P17 had better refer to it EVERY TIME as "U.S. Model Of 1917", otherwise they are no more correct that I am)...

... which is what everybody (oops, that should be "most people")
calls it here, and if anyone complains, I shall get cutesy and call it "Eddy"...

... is covered in little eagles and several flaming bombs. To attempt to date it from the styling of the stamps would, I think, require a hands-on investigation. And Eddy is all-matching as-good-as-new-internally-but-kicked-around-the-arsenal from November 1918 and all correct as per Ferris.

You should always (sorry, read "as a rule") check with Ferris before making statements about the P17 / M1917 / U.S. Model of 1917 /American Enfield / thing with the long barrel that uses (in my case) 50 gn of N140 to push a moly-coated Lapua boattail down that lovely long barrel to emerge with a velocity and precision that outperforms most others.

As to wimpy 30-06: My U.S. Model of 1917 is now having a long rest, since my right shoulder is FUBAR (please consult Peter Laidler on the Enfield forum for an explanation of this important British technical term) and I will not be able to shoot the big bangers again until ... I don't know when, if ever
Which is why I am frustrated and taking it out on this keyboard and now want to thank you all for reading this far and leave you with this thought:

DON'T TAKE IT ALL TOO SERIOUSLY

and wish all forum menbers a pleasant Sunday, and may your shoulders stay healthy

Patrick (temporarily limited to shooting .22s) Chadwick