1917 Eddystone

[usmcvet1967]

I have a 1917 Eddystone with a 24 in barrel, (2 inches shorter than standard) The rifle was donated by the NRA Museum to the NRA for a fundraising event in 2002. On the stock it is stamped TEST RIFLE, the barrel is 100% Eddystone, w proof marks. Any comments or information on Test Rifles would be appreciated.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Interesting. I'm sure this probably has it's own collectors niche but not sure what that niche would be since it was done by the NRA, not the US military. I wonder why the NRA would be testing a 1917 with a short barrel.

[usmcvet1967]

Thats a great question, I don't know when this rifle was turned over to the NRA, why it was turned over, could have been any time in the last 100 years, I have tried to contact the NRA Museum and they will NOT give out ANY information on test/evaluation guns they worked on. I"m trying to find reference books on 1917"s, have one by CS Ferris (United States Rifle Model of 1917), not a single word about test/evaluation rifles.
Its one of those mysteries, that sometimes goes un answered, and sometimes there is a firearms person who knows the answer

[rcathey]

I have tried to contact the NRA Museum and they will NOT give out ANY information on test/evaluation guns they worked on.

I find that interesting in and of itself.

I once read about some of these 1917s being cut down for use by the Chinese who tended to be of smaller stature than our GIs. Obviously not an NRA thing but that's all I got.

[browningautorifle]

1917s being cut down for use by the Chinese

That would be a whole cut down, complete shortening of the rifle. Don't know how a two inch shorter barrel would help in evaluations...

[usmcvet1967]

There is one small paragraph in Hatchers Notebook, on page 400. Stating"The 1917 Enfield with a 26 in barrel gave a muzzle velocity of 2783 fps vs the 1903 Springfield with a barrel length of 24 inches gave muzzle velocity of 2700 fps" Maybe the NRA tried testing/evaluating for muzzle velocities with different barrel lenghts, just another un answered mystery.

[browningautorifle]

Velocity would answer it...yes, it would be a bit higher. Kind of hot stove league though...