Firearm question

[Jeffy-CanCon]

Don't be confused. What you have is definitely a P17(or M1917), not a M1903. The forestock shape is different, for one easy check, and the M1903 has a straight mauser-type bolt versus the folded-over bolt on the P17.

[Jeffy-CanCon]

This site lists several P17s made by Winchester and Eddystone in 1917-18.

http://oldguns.net/cat_fa_old_us_long.htm]old guns[/URL]

Depending on some factors
- origin and condition of the furniture (look for a "w" stamped into each piece, indicating original Winchester woodwork & bands)
- any damage to the barrel - which is apparently the original 1917 piece - (chips at the muzzle is bad)
- does the serial # on the bolt match the receiver?
- condition of the bluing, and whether or not it is original or refurbished

Your rifle could be worth $1000 dollars or more. Your uncle was generous!


Now I'm curious, though... I have something similar at home, but I can't recall if I have the P14(.303) or the P17(.30-06). I know I have one of them, and my friend has the other. I only paid like cdn$100 for it, too. I 'll have to check, and check the condition based on what I've been reading for you.

[fire1811]

where would the W be located on the wood?

barrel and muzzle look great no chips that i can see
inside of barrel looks excellent

dont see a serial on the bolt where would it be at?

[Sinistarr]

You do have a very nice bit of history there. It is worth a great deal to a collector, or enthusiest. $1000 is in the neighborhood.

Contact Winchester directly, and speak with someone who knows the older guns. They can help you track down the details of manufacture, and who it was sold to. It looks like the army or cav. had it.

Nice gun! Congrats!

[fire1811]

thanks

i went to there website and its not very navigation friendly.

pretty much using google.

the other site i posted eariler has gotten a few replys.
one reply was that it looked to be manufactured around July 1917

[shortfri]

re

What you have there is like everyone says an old enfield. I looked my books over and they don't go into military weapons so i can't tell you which one you have but it is a 1903 or 1917. I know that really helped. The stamping you see in the metal are proof marks. These will just tell you the factory it was made in, the final inspector and so forth. all these guns were capable of shooting rifle grenades. sadly yours doesn't have the attachments needed to do so. If there are gun shows near you take it to one of those. Bayonets are real easy to find for those and are usually cheap.Someone at the gun show can tell you what it is.I got one more book to look at but they aren't in order so it make take a couple of days.

[fire1811]

Jeffy-CanCon

asked around and there are no serial numbers on military bolts(back then anyway)

estimates from gun value books for a winchester is as he posted

"The "Blue Book" of gun values (25th Eddition)list rifles with the original "high polish blue" in the 70% range as being worth $525 while 80% is worth $750. The book then goes on to say that rifles with the matt blue or that have a parkerized finish (these two types are the most common) are worth $315 (70%)and $350 (80%). For Winchester specimens, add 10%. "

[shortfri]

re

Finally found what you need. It's a winchester copy of the 1917 springfield enfield. It says that two million were made by springfield, winchester and other companys up until the end of ww1. After that they made them for the british for ww2. You can get parts from this website www.gunpartscorp.com Value for mint condition 275.00

[fire1811]

here is some info i found on it

total history actually

http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl19-e.htm

and i have been given values well over $275???????????????

[shortfri]

re

nothing personal. Just telling you what my books say. I personally have no idea what it's worth.

[fire1811]

oh no bro didnt mean to come off like that i was just saying most are saying around
$500-800

but price dont really matter since its not for sale

[shortfri]

re

you'll love shooting it. I haven't been to a gun show in a couple of years, but ammo is real cheap for it. And if i'm not mistaken it has a little more punch then a normal 30-06. but the site i posted has all kinds of parts for it if you ever need them.

[fire1811]

yeah i really want to get a the proper sling and bayanet(sp) for it i think that would make it look really good in the gun case.

[Jeffy-CanCon]

Turns out I have one, too! Mine's an Eddystone product, from 1918.

For furthe proof of original parts, look for a "W" on the side of the bands on the forestock, and on the sling swivels (2 of 3, for mine). On the bolt, look underneath on the handle, opposite the grenade mark. For the wood furniture, look around the top end of each piece, towards the muzzle. Right below the barrel is one spot, where I found an "E" on mine.

A bayonet and sling would be nice. I have them for most of my other military rifles. It really completes the piece, IMO

[Jeffy-CanCon]

Jeffy-CanCon

asked around and there are no serial numbers on military bolts(back then anyway)

...

OK. There is a serial number on the bolt-handle of my Lee Enfields, though. Depends on the manufacturers, I guess.