United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917 - Thoughts on value please - PURCHASE

[Nickjc]

Hi Folks,

I have an opportunity to add this rifle to my collection and the fellow selling it seems like a 'straight up guy" BUT, My knowledge of 1917's is limited but would fill a niche in the collection.


Thoughts????



Here is some info from the seller:

WTS 1917 Enfield - Eddystone 614,1XX


Eddystone 1917 Enfield, good bore, very good shooter. Stock has a few dings but overall very nice, (it is 93 years old). Barrel stamped "E" 8-18. Eddystone receiver, “E” marked barrel, stock, bolt and rear sight. Eagle head stamped on trigger guard/mag floor plate, flaming bombs on receiver, barrel and bolt. Rifle appears to be all original Eddystone except "R" front sight blade, finish looks like it was parked at some time. This rifle was used to shoot matches at Camp Perry by previous owners grandfather (so I was told).

Information

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[Badger]

Nice looking M1917 and if it's all matching, that's great too ...

Unfortunately, my knowledge on these is limited too, particularly U.S. valuations ....

Regards,
Doug

[Nickjc]

, my knowledge on these is limited too

My job is really starting to get in the way of all the reading I need to do on these ole warhorses........!

[Badger]

My job is really starting to get in the way of all the reading I need to do on these ole warhorses........!

Wait until you start needing a second job to keep up with the purchases ..

Regards,
Doug

[Patrick Chadwick]

Well, since no-one else really answered your question yet, I'll contribute what I can.

Eddystone 1917 Enfield, good bore, very good shooter. Stock has a few dings but overall very nice, (it is 93 years old). Barrel stamped "E" 8-18. ).

- Which should mean "low mileage" as far as military use is concerned.

Eddystone receiver, “E” marked barrel, stock, bolt and rear sight. Eagle head stamped on trigger guard/mag floor plate, flaming bombs on receiver, barrel and bolt. Rifle appears to be all original Eddystone except "R" front sight blade, finish looks like it was parked at some time. This rifle was used to shoot matches at Camp Perry by previous owners grandfather (so I was told).

So basically an all-correct Eddystone. The only non-Eddystone part is the front sight blade. It is always hard to tell from photos, but the blade looks a touch taller than average. Thanks to the ears, damage to the sight blade is unlikely as a reason for change, so I guess that it was indeed used for competition shooting, and the previous user swapped the blade to get on target at 100 yards. If it bothers you, you can probably get the same height with an "E" if you look around Numrich etc.

I don't know about the US market, but in Mauserland M1917s are very popular with those who (like me) literally feel comfortable with that big, solid rifle, like the long sight radius, and can't afford a competition grade '03-A3 anyway. And in fact, for competitions such as the Trafalgar meeting "classic" section, which has a date limit of 1918, i.e. end of WW1 or earlier - thus excluding the '03-A3 - the M1917 is the best there is (sorry Ross fans!).

As to value. Please note that I am in Germany. I do not know your market. But based on the general observation that prices are very similar for good rifles, just the currency is different, I would estimate anything from 400-600, whether pounds, dollars or euros. Upper limit if you can try it out, and it really is a competition-grade rifle. Lower limit if you have to take it "as seen". Below that, don't ask questions, just grab it!

Patrick


BTW, the finish looks like the original parkerized finish as applied at the end of WW1. WW2 parkerizing looks much greyer and matter. I suspect that if you get the Ferris book and look for arsenal rework marks, you will not find any.

[gunner]

Nice one! I like them too and as Patrick said, they are good competition rifles. My one is a 9-18 Winchester made and it shoots much better than the most 03-A3. Follow Patrick´s advice and if you have a good feeling, grab it!