Need some help on this Winchester 1917

[hognfrog]

I have a line on a Winchester 1917, serial # 596xx (only 5 digits) E marked bolt. Stock is E marked at the toe. Barrel is E over flaming bomb over 12-17.
Stock has dents and dings but has (maybe) original sling (cracked and worn) problem is the barrel shows lands and grooves but is full of debris that MAY or MAY NOT clean up. I could not see a date on the sling but it looks as old as the weapon. I don't remember any other marks off hand. Crown of the barrel looks good. I did not guage the barrel.
Asking price is $400 but seller has hinted at letting it go for $350.

My question is: Is it worth it with the barrel in this shape???

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[tmark]

hognfrog,

The rifle as you described it sounds like a CMP salvage grade quality rifle at the worst and rack grade rifle at the best. I'd be pessimistic about the quality of the headspace, throat erosion, and muzzle wear readings.

For sure, the rifle is a mixmaster with mostly E parts.

For a few hundred dollars more, you could get something much, much better. It does sound like the barrel is worn, pitted, rusted. Probably, it was used by a veterans group as a ceremonial rifle using corrosive blanks and neglected after firing.

I'd be reluctant to pay precious $350 or more on it.

It would take much time, work, and money to restore it to service grade status, not a cost-effective adventure endeavor.

JMHO!

Thomas

[hognfrog]

Thomas,

You are probably correct. I have a very decent Eddystone and this would not be anywhere near as good.
I think I will pass and keep looking.
Thanks for your opinion, its just about the same as mine, but I needed to hear it from someone else. It slows down the "gotta have it" mode!!