Newly acquired Enfield 1917 made by Winchester

[Jaxson50]

I just acquired this beauty for helping out a elderly friend prepare his collection of firearms to sell.
I plan to just keep it clean, oiled and used!
I will be posting pictures of the arms that will be offered soon, stay tuned as there are some really nice items that will be for sale.

Here is my 17

Information

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[jonh172]

Wowy! lucky you!

[oldfoneguy]

Very nice! Your serial number puts it's production somewhere around September - October 1918. What's the barrel date on it? There's a good chance it never saw action during WWI, by the time it was inspected, shipped to a port, put on a ship, unloaded and then issued the war was over. Things moved much slower back then. - Bill

[Jaxson50]

Very nice! Your serial number puts it's production somewhere around September - October 1918. What's the barrel date on it? There's a good chance it never saw action during WWI, by the time it was inspected, shipped to a port, put on a ship, unloaded and then issued the war was over. Things moved much slower back then. - Bill

The barrel date is 9 / 18, she turns 100 next month! I’m taking it to the range for a centennial celebration on the 15th.

[oldfoneguy]

Well the barrel turns 100 next month anyway. There is generally a 2 week to 1 month gap between barrel dates and receiver numbering. For example my Winchester has a barrel date of 11/18 but by serial number it was made in late December 1918, post war. It shows as a never issued rifle but the condition of yours is 95% of mine with only slightly more bluing loss. Having seen battle or not yours is still considered a war veteran as 465,000+ Winchesters were accepted for WWI and mine most definitely is not with a serial number over 500,000. As a side note your bayonet scabbard is of the later type used for shotguns post WWII. WWI scabbards are black leather with a stud for the frog. No big deal and doesn't detract from that beautiful rifle in my opinion. Excellent find, enjoy her 100th birthday together! - Bill

[Jaxson50]

I just feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be a care taker for a few of these wonderful old rifles.

[Jaxson50]

What is the proper bayonet for the 1917?
Does anyone have a picture of one?

[pickax]

Here you go. From Mr Cunningham's site.
1917 Bayonet
Bayo Points 10

1917 scabbards
Bayo Points 11

[oldfoneguy]

The bayonet is correct a M1917 and was the same used on US M1917 rifles and most variants of US military shotguns up to and including Vietnam. The scabbard changed during WWII to one that was made of some type of plastic instead of leather. Your fine with what you have, no worries! - Bill

[Jaxson50]

Here you go. From Mr Cunningham's site.
1917 Bayonet
Bayo Points 10

1917 scabbards
Bayo Points 11

Thanks for the link, very interesting.