Model of 1917 Eddystone - Did I Miss Anything?

[martin08]

Picked up my second 1917 this week. Nice looking Eddystone, overall. I took pics of every marking that I could find without disassembling. No stamp on the nose of the stock, but everything else looks correct. But you guys tell me.

Lots of pics, and my bore-pic-fu was not working the greatest today. But it suffices to say that it is worn and pitted.

Thanks for looking.

 

[martin08]

Correction from above:

Another forum member with a keen eye noticed the 2 on the stock nose.

 

[majspud]

To me, I see the "2" as placed between the second and third horizontal lines of a faint "E" for Eddystone. Looks like all E parts (EN is also Eddystone, not Enfield). Looks like original WWI configuration with a rough bore; electrolysis might work - they were shot with black powder blanks for VFWs, etc. I'm not seeing a two tone receiver and rework proof showing a rebuild, just faded blue. Are the handguards E marked? Looks like you got a real WWI vet.

MS

 

[martin08]

Yes, when I saw the original bluing, I knew it was coming home with me. I'll take a look under the wood for the E handguards, and report back.

It wasn't a good time to be dickering in a gunshop, just an hour after the executive order baloney. Twenty people ahead of me, and nearly every modern firearm being sold in the shop...

... but I must still have had the touch. He held to $575 plus tax, until I turned to walk. Settled for $570 OTD ($542 before tax). Still, enough. But they're getting scarce, and I didn't have one yet.

 

[samandglove1]

I see a decent number of them around, but almost never in original configuration (which I believe yours is in). The bore needs some work, and hopefully the pictures make it look worse than it really is.

The going rate for Eddystone mixmaster shooters has crept up to between $600-650. I'd add $150-200 more for an original like yours. Wonderful score Martin. I love those rifles even though they are heavy as hell to haul around.

 

[Picton]

Nice rifle, but with a 9-18 date it almost missed the show. I'd love to get one of these.

 

[majspud]

On my upper hand guard the "E" is on the outside down by the lower band.

MS

 

[martin08]

If you hadn't shown me, majspud, I never would have found it. And without the macro lens, it is barely visible to the naked eye.

Quite reduced and worn, but the E is detectable on the upper handguard.

 

[MAGG]

thats a beauty

 

[martin08]

A little further confirmation of my initial impressions (and others here at NES) from the boys over on Gunboards - it is an all original Eddystone. I can live with that!

Now to find a proper M1917 bayonet. I think that I have a 1905 sling kicking around already.

 

[majspud]

For the lower hand guard, I can't vouch where the E would be. Mine is RVS marked, a Remington P14 part, located on the upper part of the guard, also near to the lower band.

I can post a pic when I get home.

MS

 

[JuergenG]

Another nice find and al all original to boot.
Mine is a very nice one, but has been refurbed and parked.

Nice rifle, but with a 9-18 date it almost missed the show. I'd love to get one of these.

Pretty much missed the show in Europe. The serial of mine is 110,000 higher with a barrel date of 11/18.
When I tracked it (can't remember the site, maybe proofhouse.com) the serial range of mine was shown
to having been issued to the U.S. Volunteer Corps in Shanghai.

 

[martin08]

With a little encouragement (and an exceptional eye) from majspud, I took another photo of the nose of the stock from a different angle.

There is definitely an E cartouche.

 

[majspud]

Icing on the cake if the muzzle cleans up. Original WW1 non-refurb M17.

Cool beans.

MS

 

[NRitland2]

They are beautiful rifles...