U.S. Winchester Model 1917 Enfield M1917 .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle C&R CMP
SOLD FOR: $811
WOA#: WY240210RN010
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917
Serial Number: 82520
Year of Manufacture: 1917, December (Barrel date)
Caliber: .30-06
Action Type: Bolt action, 6 round internal magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a circled star stamp and a flaming bomb stamp. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. MODEL OF 1917 WINCHESTER 82520”. There are a couple worn stamps along the top left edge of the receiver. There are small proof marks on the safety and the bolt stop. The top of the bolt handle is marked “6”, with a flaming bomb proof mark, and “A”. The underside is marked “E”. The top of the barrel is marked “W”, with a flaming bomb stamp, and “12-17”. The left side of the stock is marked with a boxed “RIA FK” stamp and with three worn boxed stamps.
Barrel Length: 26”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is set between two large protective wings. When flipped up it becomes a sight ladder that uses a sliding aperture. There is supposed to be an aperture when the rear sight is flipped down but it has been removed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a straight grip with finger groove, finger grooves, nose cap with bayonet lug & stacking loop, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, sling loop, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. The buttplate is pitted with wear at the edges. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a small crack in the right rear corner of the upper handguard in front of the receiver. There is a small chip in the stock on the left side below the upper handguard collar. There is a chip in the wood on the right side of the heel of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as arsenal refurbished.
Type of Finish: Blue & parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal rebuild
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate to heavy erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 4.5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal refinish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout. There are spots of thinning finish throughout the receiver and rear sight assembly. There is wear along the edge of the nose cap and along the front of the barrel band. Impact marks are present along the edges of the trigger guard. The bolt and action show usage wear. The rear sigh aperture has either been removed or broken off. The screw heads show moderate to heavy use. The markings are mostly clear, though some of the smaller proof and acceptance marks are worn around their edges. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a padded cardboard box, a CMP Certificate of Authenticity, and CMP paperwork.
Our Assessment: Immediately prior to the start of the First World War, the British began the process of developing and implementing a replacement rifle for the SMLE. Though the SMLE was only a few years old, the British were looking at a Mauser-style action to replace it, along with a flatter shooting and faster rimless cartridge, the .276 Enfield. This process resulted in the Pattern 1913 rifle. There would later be issues with the ammunition and the new cartridge was abandoned in favor of sticking with .303, leading to the Pattern 14 rifle. During this time, the British had been working with the American companies Winchester and Remington to develop and manufacture these new rifles. After hostilities commenced late in the summer of 1914, the business arrangement was sidelined. Upon entry of the United States into the First World War in April of 1917, it was quickly determined that the governmental arsenal system was not going to be able to meet production demands for new M1903 rifles. The Ordnance Department was forced to look to private companies to make up for this, settling on Winchester, Remington, and the Remington subsidiary Eddystone. These companies already had production lines set up to produce the Pattern 14 rifle. The P14 was promptly adapted to fire the U.S. standard .30-06 cartridge, becoming the Model of 1917 Enfield. Though it was never officially adopted as the primary service rifle of the United States, the M1917 would be the most issued rifle to U.S. troops during the First World War. In all, nearly two-thirds of all troops were issued M1917s. The rifle would fade into the background after the conclusion of the war, being overshadowed by the M1903. Many M1917s would later be rebuilt during the Second World War and used on the homefront and in an auxiliary capacity.
This example was built by Winchester in December of 1917. It was then rebuilt during the Second World War at the Rock Island Arsenal. The rifle then came into the possession of the CMP at some point. The stock has some areas of wear, mainly on the buttstock and upper handguard, though there is a small crack at the rear right corner of the upper handguard. The metal retains most of its rebuild finish, with thinning and wear throughout. The bore is dark with moderate to heavy erosion, but the rifling is still strong and it should make for an adequate shooter. The rear sight aperture has either been broken off or removed intentionally and would need to be replaced to make the rifle complete. The rifle comes with a padded cardboard box and a CMP Certificate of Authenticity. These are lovely rifles and would fit into any U.S. or First World War collection.
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