US Model of 1917

This is a forum for topics relating to all classic bolt action British design long arms.

Moderator: joseyclosey

Post Reply
PeterN2
Moderator
Posts: 994
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:02 pm
Location: Yorkshire, England

US Model of 1917

Post by PeterN2 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 5:54 am

A friend said he wanted to downsize his firearms collection so I said I would help him out. I bought his US Model of 1917 from him. He has had this for 20 years or more. It is a Winchester made example and has been through the refurbishment process at some point. The receiver has been parkerised and it has acquired an Eddystone bolt, numbered to the rifle, but retaining a Winchester cocking piece. It has a 2/19 dated Winchester barrel. The stock is Winchester marked and numbered to the rifle. The upper wood has been replaced at some point as there are the remains of red paint stripes that do not match the red paint marks on the stock. The red paint was to identify the rifles as M1917 .30-06 and not P14 .303. Perhaps the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard got them mixed up whilst cleaning their rifles in the Church Hall. It came with a Parker Hale 5B target sight. Normally, if this sight is fitted, the issue sight has to be removed as the target sight fouls the battle sight. He wanted to use both, so instead of faffing about changing sights, he bought a spare issue sight and ground off the battle sight. This enables the target sight to be used but also allows for the issue sight to be flipped up to be used also when the top part of the target sight is removed. An interesting point about this rifle is the number. Charles Stratton in the 'for collectors only' book on the P14/M1917 on page 129 gives the highest number observed as 545511 for Winchester made M1917 rifles. This rifle is 1,322 numbers higher. It shoots very well and came with a few hundred cases, mostly once fired. I have had it to the range and its shoots very well. I like it.
US M1917 full right.jpg
US M1917 full right.jpg (74.91 KiB) Viewed 1940 times
US M1917 full left.jpg
US M1917 full left.jpg (71.46 KiB) Viewed 1940 times
US M1917 action left.jpg
US M1917 action left.jpg (245.74 KiB) Viewed 1940 times
US M1917 action right.jpg
US M1917 action right.jpg (189.46 KiB) Viewed 1940 times
US M1917 action top.jpg
US M1917 action top.jpg (200.73 KiB) Viewed 1940 times
Regards
Peter.
User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

Re: US Model of 1917

Post by Niner » Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:44 am

That's an interesting rifle to have in your collection. Great photos and exposition. I've never owned one or remember seeing photos of one that could be examined closely. Thanks for posting about it.
User avatar
Aughnanure
Moderator
Posts: 3131
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:59 am
Location: Glen Innes, NSW, Australia

Re: US Model of 1917

Post by Aughnanure » Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:14 am

Peter,
Great post and one of, if not the best, full power military rifles of all.
I had one years ago and regularly took ‘roos at 400 yards using the issue sights, of course I had better eyes then. :D
Self Defence is not only a Right, it is an Obligation.

Eoin.
Post Reply