1918 Eddystone Model 1917

[c&rfan]

According to the serial number the rifle was produced in September, 1918:



The Eddystone marked barrel is dated August, 1918. I've been informed that this unusual front sight post is not uncommon to those M17s that have been in Canadian service:




The rifle has what appears to be a rack number and a Canadian Ordnance Stamp on the Buttstock:



The numbers 30.06 were stamped and once painted red on the bottom of the forestock behind the stacking swivel:



1917 over a Remington Mark:



U.S. Ordnance Marks:



Sling is marked: W. (?) & B. CO over 1918 over C.A.C.

I would deeply appreciate any additional information anyone can provide about this rifle and its accouterments based on these photos.

(There are CAI import marks stamped on the bottom of the barrel just behind the front sight band.)

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Calif-Steve]

Canadian front sight? I think Danish front sight. They do run very well, by the way.

[shjoe]

agreed. a danish home guard front sight. some of these danish M1917s (M53/17), (from canadian lend/lease) may have been selected for accuracy and used in matches with the danish home guard. the front sight post arrangement made for more accurate sighting. you have a beautifull rifle there! it would appear that your rifle may have been sent to denmark directly from canada, unlike other M1917s which ended up in denmark via canada and norway (notched receivers). best, john

[c&rfan]

shjoe,

That is very interesting information. I would like to know more about the M17s adaptation and use by the Danes. Is there a link or other reseource to go to for more information?

Thanks

[shjoe]

C&Rfan, there are a couple of "on-going" threads on this site regarding the canadian/norwegian/danish M1917s. i am still on the learning/discovery curve. very interesting though. one of our forum members had a wealth of information regarding the danish home guard because he had served with them. current knowledge and opinion is that the danes received a batch of canadian M1917s from norway which had a notched receiver. a question arrose concerning the notch. the norwegians modified their 98K mausers to fire 30-06 ammo and had to notch those receivers. it is atleast possible that the M1917s were notched as protocol or as a practice, even though they may not have needed it. the danes used the M53/17s (M1917) with their home guard as target rifles, and some may have been selected for accuracy. it is known that the danish arctic defenses used the M53/17 up until the early 90s due to the rifles possitive action and power in the arctic conditions. a nice intersting study and one of the reasons that mil-surps are intriguing. best, john

[c&rfan]

shjoe,

That is fascinating; were the M17 modified in any other way by the Danes besides the sights to transform them into M53/17s (any photos)? I'm just curious to know such info in case I run across a M17 that appears to have been Bubba'd - it might be a Danish M53/17.

[shjoe]

C&Rfan, i am not aware of any spl attention that was done to the danish M53/17s with the exception of the post style front sight and the possiblity that like the norwegians, the danes had a very active home guard and held marksmanship and target shooting in high esteem. my suspicion, based upon forum discussions, is that some of the danish M53/17s were selected for their accuracy and used in competition. i will check out the trigger on my version to see if anyspl care was given to it. more info from any of our norwegian forum members regarding these interesting norwegian/danish variations would be nice. best, john

[1LTUSMCR]

shjoe, Can you tell me where I can get more information on a US 1917 Enfield having a notch machined on the receiver and the Canadian or Norway origins?

[aspen80]

I would like to get back to my post about my serial number being in the Shanghai Volunteer Service. I have found out that many different countries sent troops Shanghai to protect their interests the region. The survey for the SVS Eddystones was in August, 1934. I haven't found any Norskis or Danes yet, but the information hunt goes on. Anyone with info please be forth coming.

Gil

[oldcorps]

Interesting rifle! Mine has the original Remington .075 front sight that is spot-on at 100 yards using the peep with the leaf down. The blade is too thin for a combat sight in my opinion at least, so the roll pin makes a lot of sense.