M1917 Mystery Receiver

[alamo308]

Because I have a 1918 Eddystone, a friend of mine showed me his MODEL OF 1917, and asked me to explain the receiver. I didn't know what to say.
First time I ever saw anything like this.

Any guesses?

Information

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[P246]

Defaced and bubba stamped....electro pencil would have been better.

[alamo308]

Defaced and bubba stamped....electro pencil would have been better.

And amazingly creative with that serial number!

[browningautorifle]

amazingly creative

Is that a service number or SS number perhaps?

[alamo308]

Is that a service number or SS number perhaps?

I think that's too many digits for either SSAN or service number.

[fjruple]

I am wondering if the receiver is from a test bolt fixture that someone converted into a rifle.

--fjruple

[comblocklectr]

Same amount of digits for a US phone #, maybe it's a "call this # if you find me"...lol. Coincidentally I did pick up a very nice Winchester M1917 back in around 2013 and bubba engraved his AR driver's license number in to the receiver, stock, and buttplate... and when it rains it pours, a year later roughly, picked up a priced right VZ-24 that had another bubba's ssn stamped on every dang part except the bands...

[Kyle M.]

I've seen a lot of odd stuff stamped on guns by bubba but no ss #'s or phone #'s yet, addresses yes. Strangely enough a local shop recently had a highly embellished Savage 99 with the original owners name and address factory engraved on the bottom of the receiver. My other hobby is using and collecting vintage cameras. You'd be amazed at how many have a previous owners name and/or address carved in them so poorly it looks like they used the tip of a pocket knife. It's one thing when it's properly stamped out of the way, but totally another when it's gouged in right in your face.

[Richardwv]

The original serial number has obviously been scrubbed....and by the patina over the scrubbed area I'd say some time ago at that. For what reason is unknown, but stolen property sort of comes to the top of the list. Now comes the even more interesting issue. Unless the owner can prove the scrubbing occurred outside of the country prior to import or prior to 1968, the rifle is exhibit "A" of a felony charge of altering or obliterating a serial number. Owning such a firearm without said proof is tantamount to being the original perpetrator. If it was mine I'd quietly get a replacement receiver and rebuild the rifle around it......and destroy the altered receiver. Now the odds of the authorities becoming aware of this rifle is somewhat small if it stays where it is and doesn't go through a public sale. However ultimately it will come to light if not addressed and the holder of the rifle at that point will likely be the one left to account for it.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

However ultimately it will come to light if not addressed and the holder of the rifle at that point will likely be the one left to account for it.

With no chair when the music stops.