Winchester Model 1917 with very early unique serial number

[Melanie_Daniels]

The only book I found to this serial numbers said: After 3000 rifles.

Information

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[breakeyp]

I never tracked when the W change happened, my friend of many years wrote done the number of every rifle we encountered. He has since passed on and the information lost with him.

[fjruple]

I never tracked when the W change happened, my friend of many years wrote done the number of every rifle we encountered. He has since passed on and the information lost with him.

From what I can find out there appears to a definite record of the serial numbers being stamped with the U.S.and W. probably up serial# 4663. In the serial number there are notes that between July 12 1917 and August 23, 1917 no new serial were recorded. However there are note to the effect "12 bodies numbered 4025 to 4036 July 20, 1917" and 15 Bodies numbered 4050 to 4065 Aug 9 1917." The notes indicates that these bodies were for experimental purposes. A rifle with 4064 appears to be an experiment with the change from the US and W to the full Winchester name as an experiment. It was another two weeks before serial numbering started back up again probably to make the new roll marking die. The serial numbering start again at 4664 on August 24, 1917 with a note. "No.17. old fashion - Last No. - from 4623 to 4663, inclusive." So, 4663 is probably the last serial number of the U.S. over the W with a number of at least one below probably more as experimentally marked WINCHESTER. But there are always one or two that goes against the grain. The information was taken from C.S. Ferris book.

[Promo]

The only book I found to this serial numbers said: After 3000 rifles.

Obviously wrong if his rifle has a serial above 4000.

[Melanie_Daniels]

Obviously wrong if his rifle has a serial above 4000.

That`s the reason the rifle is so interesting for me.