M1917 general question

[j_talbain]

Greetings all I am new to the forums and had some questions about the M1917.

Short back story, I was at someones house and the topic of guns going to waste was broached. I was informed by the home owner that he had a rifle sitting on his back porch just rusting away... So I thought to myself "Free rifle sure why not..."

After a bit of web searching, I discovered I was the new owner of a Winchester Model of 1917 that was manufactured 1918. Also with a little research I've learned its been sporterized. Now for the damage... So far I've been able to scour the worst of the rust off and knock the dirt dauber's nest out of the barrel... There is not much of the bluing left and the stock has some damage to the finish. Also some prior owner couldn't decide where they wanted to place the rear sight at so I have three options now... When I find my camera I'll upload photos.

Does anyone have some solid advice about this 'project' rifle before I take it to the gunsmith or should I just give up now?

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

Really need a photo. Has the metal been cut up? Many were parkerized after WWI and that may be your salvation. But need a photo.

[j_talbain]

Found my camera see if these are helpful. If you need to see something else let me know.

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[RBruce]

What you have is a hunting rifle (nice camo job on the buttstock...grin). Take it to a gunsmith to have it checked for safety before firing.

[j_talbain]

Recommend any good gunsmiths in g'boro area? I used David Caviness last time to re-blue my S&W Model 19-3. I need to call him and see if can work on the rifle. He's the only gunsmith I've used so far. Does good work, just a little slow on return time.

[Aye KAY]

I really like that it has iron sights still. Not a bad looking rifle and the price sure can't be beat.

[Calif-Steve]

Try to have in black parkerized. Bead blast it first and then black parkerize. Should look OK. Strip the wood and re-stain w/walnut stain. Nice project rifle.

[j_talbain]

Thanks for the advice. The guy told me he used to shoot the rifle but he said he had problems with 30-06. He claims the 30-06 "swelled up" in the chamber. I have yet to fire the rifle and am wondering what the hell he was talking about. Ah well have to wait and see what the gunsmith has to say. I'll let you all know if can make any progress with this.

[jamie5070]

There is a 30-06 ackley improved that has a different shoulder. Maybe it is that.
john

[Jerome Cooper]

I own 4 1917's...one by each of the manufacturers; Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone. The fourth is another Winchester that I found at some backwoods gunshow some years ago. It had been sporterized quite roughly, The stock was mangled, but amazingly the rear sight had not been altered nor the ears ground off. The barrel had been chopped etc. I decided to rebarrel it and rebore the replacement barrel to 35 Whelan while restoring the rest of the rifle to original appearance/condition. I obtained the parts needed from GunParts Corporation in W.Hurley, N.Y. and did the easy work myself. The pulling of the barrel had to be done by a gunsmith; I had him send the replacement barrel out for the caliber conversion and he remounted and headspaced it when it came back. The restoration/conversion went smoothly and I have a good looking big game rifle that shoots accurately in addition to my 3 original 1917's. There is certainly nothing wrong with a 30-06. All of my rifles feed and function smoothly. So does the 35 Whelan. 1917's can be converted to many different calibers and some have been made to handle very powerful cartridges like the 505 gibbs. It is a fine rifle and certainly worth restoring or converting. Parts are still reasonable. If I would have to cite one difficulty it would be the lack of rear sight adjustment for the wind factor, although the front sight can be moved to help with that. I made a sight adjustment tool out of one that was designed for the SKS...all of $8. and a little filing to allow it to slip by the "ears". Probably the bulk of the expense would be that of the gunsmith and that would depend on how much you want done and what he would want to charge. When finished you would have a strong and good shooting rifle that would serve you well for many years to come. Jerome Cooper