Finally picked up my first Eddystone M1917

[SemperFi752]

Howdy all! I posted my 1903 purchase here and got some awesome feedback and learned some new things awhile ago, so figured I would do the same with my 1917. Earlier this week I was supposed to pickup a T38 and T99 from a friend, however, I sadly had to walk away from that deal as he was adding too much sentimental value to the rifles, which really bummed me out. After a couple days of being bummed, the battle rifle gods rewarded me handsomely! I think... I always wanted an Eddystone because of my Philadelphia ties.

Summary: The rifle is a 12-17 Eddystone with a SN: 101459 and an 'E' 11-17 barrel. This thing is in INCREDIBLE shape, the stampings are deep with awesome definition, no pitting or rust and the wood is beautifully aged with an 'E' stamp up front and some rearsenal stamps that are also deep and clear.

PICS: dstepec has shared 13 photos with you! | Flickr

Markings from muzzle back:

• Front sight housing, right side, 'E'
• Top of front sight blade, '14', '.060'
• Front top of barrel, flaming bomb, 'E', 11-17
• Front of stock, 'E' in the wood
• Right side of front band, 'E'
• Top of front band, looks like a cat with its tail hanging down with potentially a '45' next to it
• Stacking swivel, 'E'
• Front sling swivel, 'E'
• Bottom of stock front of floor plate, eagle stamp
• Top of receiver, U.S. MODEL OF 1917 EDDYSTONE 101459 (you can see the rectangle punch mark for each number that hit the receiver, I've never seen this before on a rifle this old, can't believe they are still there)
• Left side of receiver, flaming bomb
• Bolt release lever, 'E'
• Rear sight base, 'E'
• Safety selector, 'E'
• Bolt handle, 'E' on bottom and flaming bomb with a hand penciled 'W' or 'M'?
• Firing pin, 'E N'
• Firing pin shroud right side, 'E'
• Left side of stock, 'RA-P'
• Bottom of stock behind trigger guard, '3A'
• Left side of stock 'RA' in a rectangle
• Rear sling swivel mount, 'E'
• Rear sling swivel, 'E'
• Butt plate, 'E'

I always like to list the price so people can comment on it, gauge where prices are at the time of this post, etc. I hate to see when people get ripped off, so hopefully this assists in some way. The seller was asking $800 but I ended up getting it for $700 in July of 2017. I think the barrel is original to the receiver, and I'm sure there's additional markings as I dig deeper, but I am thinking based on research that this was a good grab. Any info or commentary anyone can provide would, as always, be appreciated!

Information

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[Griff557]

Nice looking rifle! Waiting for a range report 😉

[#1oilman]

Very nice!!

[Patrick Chadwick]

"Top of front band, looks like a cat with its tail hanging down with potentially a '45' next to it"

??? How about a close-up photo???

It certainly seems to be a "low-mileage" example. Now let's see how it shoots!

[henry r]

Beautiful, i hope i can find a P14/M17 as nice.

[SemperFi752]

"Top of front band, looks like a cat with its tail hanging down with potentially a '45' next to it"

??? How about a close-up photo???

It certainly seems to be a "low-mileage" example. Now let's see how it shoots!

Now that I cracked out the magnifying glass, I guess that cat with the tail hanging is actually the eagle sideways, ha! I printed a spreadsheet of parts and circled the ones I could find. Considering the rebuild mark on the stock, these R and W parts make sense. Any idea what all of the marks on the receiver and barrel that are pictured below?

Check these photos out:
dstepec has shared 5 photos with you! | Flickr

Beautiful, i hope i can find a P14/M17 as nice.

I'll be honest, meeting up with the seller was the first time I ever laid my eyes on a 17 and after seeing this year is her 100th birthday with the condition she was in, I had to have it.

[oldfoneguy]

Those have to be markings from the refurb. My 1917 was built post war and never issued therefore never refurbed. It has very few if any markings where yours has a ton. My P14 however has about a ton more than that on it but was refurbed. We all know how the Brit's love to mark up their hardware. - Bill

[SemperFi752]

Right on! I figured as much... I can't wait to get her out to the range next week, will definitely report back.

I cleaned up the old dried up grease and re-oiled everything and she turned out just lovely!

[LooneyToon]

That is VERU cool! Congratulations! Nice looking rifle, thanks for the pictures.
I have been looking for a decent 1917/P14, but I have only found 'lead' selling for 'gold'. I would not mind finding an ugly P14 to 'play' with... .45-70 comes to mind
[I hear the screams already, "NOOOOO!"]