According to the Forty-First Edition Blue Book of Gun Values, an Eddystone Model 1917 in 95 percent condition is worth $1,525. It is possible the slight damage to the buttplate could have been caused by parade use, or it could have resulted simply from some sort of improper racking or storage. Your rifle was manufactured in 1918, the year the war ended, so it’s unlikely that it was overseas. Virtually brand-new military arms going back a century or more are not unusual. Often, arms intended for issue end up being sidelined for one reason or another and escape the ravages of time. Many were retained stateside for a number of reasons put into stores, or ending up as plant guard guns during the war, for example. While the ’17 was the most widely used rifle by the Americans in World War I, not all of them were issued. While the tint and texture of the blued finish could vary a bit during the course of manufacture, the workmanship was always first-rate. I have one in superb shape in my own collection. The exterior metal parts of the Model 1917 rifles were finished in rust bluing. Model 1917s in excellent condition are not unusual. The main difference between the two, besides the caliber, is the Pattern 1914 had a long-range sight arrangement on the left side of the stock and action. Could this be the result of possible use as a parade gun or other formal usage of this rifle? I hope you can help me properly identify this firearm and if it has any historic or collector value.Īnswer: You actually have a Model 1917, the Pattern 14 being an earlier British version of the same rifle in.
![1917 enfield eddystone markings 1917 enfield eddystone markings](https://media.joesalter.com/ca/large/C1243/C1243-03.jpg)
In addition to some exposure of metal there are several repetitive strike marks on the buttplate that is in contrast with other surfaces of the rifle. The only wear that stands out is on the top and bottom of the buttplate. Except for some expected wear on the surfaces of the bolt, other metal surfaces on the barrel and receiver are excellent and all markings are sharp and clear. What puzzles me is the overall condition of this rifle! For a military firearm that’s more than 100 years old, I would expect to see more wear and handling marks. My initial research revealed that it was built at the Eddystone Arsenal. It’s been described to me as a “1914 Pattern Rifle,” and also an “American Enfield.” It’s chambered for. In any event I would value comments and suggestions from anyone with experience and knowledge related to Model 1917 Enfields.Question: I bought this Model 1917 rifle, s/n 580XXX, from a friend some years back. Maybe I should seek out a Winchester Model 1917 as all were made during his tenure at Winchester. My great Uncle, John Otterson, was president of Winchester from 1917 to 1924.
![1917 enfield eddystone markings 1917 enfield eddystone markings](http://thepaulkfamily.com/gunweb/Pictures/m1917Eddystone/m1917Eddystone_L4.jpg)
Maybe I should consider a Winchester because of family connection.
#1917 ENFIELD EDDYSTONE MARKINGS CRACKED#
Obviously, I want to avoid any risk of getting a rifle with a cracked receiver but I would like to take advantage of the lower prices for Eddystones. If model 17's were re-arsenaled for WWII, as many were, were they inpsected and re-proofed to eliminate those with cracking issues? Is this heat treating coloration described above a sign of heat treating to correct the cracking issue?Ĥ. Were did the cracks occurr on the receiver?ģ. How wide spread was the cracking issue?Ģ. The middle has a flaming wheel symbol and the right side has a symbol that looks like a jellyfish, along with an eagle head with 'K3' under it. The receiver generally appears lighter in color (more gray than black) from the rear bridge up to about one inch from the front receiver ring.ġ. Model of 1917 Eddystone 221108' The left top of the barrel has a 'Z', a 'B' and an eagle head with 'K4' under it. Several of the Eddystones that I have been looking at on the web seem to have heat treat marks visibe on the receiver side raild.
#1917 ENFIELD EDDYSTONE MARKINGS CRACK#
I read that the cracks were hard to detect and weapons with such a crack should not be fired (which makes sense). 30-06 Springfield Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads CAI ST A VT / 30-06. Model 1917 Rifles) Barrel Date: December, 1918 Caliber.
![1917 enfield eddystone markings 1917 enfield eddystone markings](https://media.joesalter.com/ca/medium/C1243/C1243-04.jpg)
I have read elsewhere that Eddystone rifles had an issue with cracked receivers. Year of Manufacture: October, 1917 December, 1918 (page 129 of Charles Stratton’s book, British Enfield Rifles Volume 4 The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Winchesters seem to be the priciest, followed by Remington and Eddystone in that order.
![1917 enfield eddystone markings 1917 enfield eddystone markings](https://giga.joesalter.com/32678/32678-05.jpg)
I am considering adding a 1917 Enfield to my collection.