M1917 Parts Markings

[AlReiter]

Got out the magnifying glass and looked again. The barrel is stamped (top of the barrel behind the sight) with an E with the flaming ordnance bomb under the E and 2-18 under that. Would that mean that this is probably the original barrel for this rifle?

[AlReiter]

More magnifying glass work and the front sight base is E, the upper barrel band is E and the buttplate trap is E. Would love to have the time to disassemble, clean, and check for markings, but my remodel job is kind of taking all of my spare time. Maybe next week!!

[TRICKSTER]

Check out this site. It will help you with part/maker identification.
U.S. Rifle M1917 Markings

[Dan Wilson]

The original bolts are all marked on the UNDERSIDE of the bolt handle (disregard any marks on the top of the handle as they will either be extranious marks or WWII replacement manufactureres marks.

Here is a shot of all three original makers marks on the bolt handles.

Dan

[Dan Wilson]

There were no interchange between the three makers during original manufacture.
If you want to put all Eddystone parts on your rifle I am sure you will have no problem at all finding a buyer for you Winchester parts (I would leave it as is myself, an original rebuild facility mixmaster )

Dan

[armabill]

Mine has a W on top of the bolt handle and an E underneath.

[RBruce]

Actually, many parts are interchangeable, but some are not.

Other books to consider:
1. A reprint of the "Description and Rules for the Management of the United states Rifle Caliber .30, Model of 1917" (the actual title)
2. The U.S.Enfield by Skennerton (out of print)
3. The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model 1917 Rifles by Stratton
4. The American Enfield by Harrison

[Dan Wilson]

The W on top is an extraneous mark, perhaps an inspectors mark. The E underneath is the maker mark (Eddystone).

Dan

[JGaynor]

The goal was interchangeability between the three manufacturers but thta was not achieve initially due to some delay in getting standard specifications.

Eddystone was actually Remington Arms of Delaware. Production taking place at the Baldwin Locomotive works under Baldwin management. In early 1918 the Eddystone plant was taken over by the Midvale Steel Company.

regards,

Jim