First 1917

[levallois]

Well, I went to the gunshow not looking for anything in particular and having a great time. Toward the last of the tables I see this Eddystone - I make my first and last mistake; I pick it up. It's serial number 656093 with an Eddystone 11/18 barrel, I see a few E marked parts - I end up buying it because I'm weak and I've always wanted one. Here are more of the particulars that I've found:

Bolt - "E"
Bolt sleeve "E"
Bolt stop "W"
Safety "W"
Front sight "E"
Front swivel ring - "E"
Rear sight base "E"
Rear sight elevator "E"
Rear sight slide "W"
Rear swivel base "E"
Swivels - appear unmarked
Floor plate "E"
Follower "E"
Butt plate - unmarked
Butt plate trap "W"
Stock tip - it looks like "7" but could be a badly struck "E"? - see below
Stock markings - possibly "AAF"? - see photo - stock is beat to heck - Also looks like a small "P" in wood behind tigger

Other particulars - it has a CAI import mark on barrel and "93 and "093" on top of bolt handle and on floor plate respectively - the bore is filthy but looks like it will clean up - no rust or pitting that i can see down there. $350 out the door.

That's all I've got so far - So an arsenal rebuild in pretty good shape - If it shoots well then I'll be happy. Thanks for looking - more to follow once I get to take it apart.

John

Information

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[mdoerner]

Barrel is too late for the receiver, but I think you knew that already. At least your CAI hasn't been re-blued. Mine has been, either by CAI or that last owner. You taking yours to the next CMP match in your area?

Mike D

[levallois]

I appreciate the quick reply. Actually, I didn't know the barrel was too late for the serial number - was its replacement with a later barrel part of the rebuilding process? What do you think about the marking on the tip of the stock?

Before a CMP match, I need to go to the range to see how it shoots and how I like it compared to the 1903 and Garand. If I like it then I'd definately like to try it out in a match.

[levallois]

The stock is an Eddystone - what I was looking at wasn't the mark. I used a flashlight from the side and saw a faint large "E" on the tip.

[jmoore]

I prefer the sights over an '03- sort of like a Garand or more like a No.4 in practice, although there's no easy "fine tuning". Chambers/ headspace tend to run longish, but if you segregate the cases and minimize pushing the shoulder back, it reloads well.

Not too hard to find one that shoots 2 MOA or better-that deep Enfield rifling takes lots of abuse and keeps going.

[levallois]

I'm looking forward to taking it out to the range. The bolt closes on a Go gauge and won't close on the NoGo or Field gauges so headspace appears ok. I've wanted one of these since I saw the WWI flick "The Lost Battalion" a few years back. I just never got one because they were always $500 or more and I was concentrating on WWII guns. Thanks for the reply.

[levallois]

Sorry for all these posts but I'm excited about this rifle - I just ordered the Ferris book but until then . . . . .

I found some additional markings:
Magazine box - "E"
Trigger guard "E"
Trigger "E"
Floor plate release "E"

So only the safety, cocking piece, bolt stop, rear sight slide, and butt plate are Winchester parts - would it be worth it to replace them with Eddystone parts?

I've been reading about the finishes of these rifles on the forum. Can anyone determine from the photos whether my rifle is a reparked? If it's a blued finish it is dark. Also, do any of the members have the same type of extra numbering on the bolt and floor plate? Is this indicative of any particular country? Thank you for your patience with all the questions.

John

[RBruce]

Sure, why not re-replace them. BTW, I have a buttplate and spare firing pin both Eddystone.

[Dan Wilson]

Nice buy for 350, very nice.

[levallois]

Thanks Dan. We'll see this next Friday if she shoots as good as she looks.

No answer from anybody yet on the numbers on the bolt and mag plate other than that it may be from Canada? My Ferris book is taking forever to get here!