Unnumbered Springfields?

[Festus]

I've got a rifle I was told is an Enfield, but I believe it to be a Springfield based on the receiver configuration. My basis for that is the photo of the underside of the forward portion of the receiver. The shape is identical to the numbered (134xxxx) Springfield I have. As you can tell from the photos, there are "bursting bomb" cartouches all over it, but no serial numbers. The stock appears to have been "sporterized" and the front site blade removed. The barrel and receiver appear to be an original pair, but there is no serial number from which to start a proper search.

Which would be the best place to start looking for information aside from posting the photos I have here?

I can provide additional photos if it would be helpful. Any insight on where to look for answers would be greatly appreciated.

-Kevin

[Festus]

Here are a few additional photos for reference...

[musketshooter]

It is a 1917 Enfield. The marks on the receiver are under the scope block.

[Rick the Librarian]

I agree - a M1917 Enfield.

[Festus]

Thanks for pointing out the dis-assembly step I missed musketshooter. Once I took off the forward scope mount, I found the following.

U.S.
model of 1917
Remington
234xxx

Now to get a good valuation of it. I wish the stock on my Springfield was in similar shape.

Thanks again for your replies and assistance.

[jgaynor]

Looks like some one was either trying to replicate the ill fated M1918 Sniper rifle or maybe just build a sporter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/jgaynor/model1918.jpg

[Festus]

I'd go with the latter on that jg although it could be either. It sure does shoot nice and tight though.

[Griff Murphey]

If the end of the barrel has been cut off, which i think has been done in the sporterzation, value approx $250. If restorable without requiring a new barrel, perhaps $350, maybe a tiny bit more if the barrel is real clean.
SWAGs only.

[budmant]

The rear sight "ears" are gone, so probably the lower end of 200-250

[twh]

I have one almost identical to your rifle that is my back up hunting rifle. It was made from a correct original Eddystone and while it is a nice representative example of a 60's era sporterized military rifle it does make me cringe a little to think of what it would have been worth if they hadn't ground off the rear sight ears and drilled and tapped it for the scope mounts. Paid $175.00 for it.

[Tuna]

The value would be the sum of the parts on it. The barrel is a Johnson replacement which would have been done during WW2. Sold as surplus and turned into a hunting rifle and that is most likely the best use for it as it's set up for a scope already.

[kcw]

If it uses the same # scope base on both the receiver ring and bridge then the bridge was reconfigured to the contour of the Remington model 30. Remington bought the leftover rM1917 parts it had in stock at the end of WWI from the U.S. government and used them as the basis for its Model 30. When people started sporting surplused M1917's it was common to follow Remington Model 30 pattern, although other bridge reconfigurations were also used.

[Griff Murphey]

I admit it. I missed the MISSING EARS. Yes this rifle has gone past the point of economic restoration. Back when this was done no one could have foreseen that an original 1917 could be worth six hundred bucks or more. Put a cheap scope on it and throw it in the pickup for coyotes.

[chuckindenver]

U.S.
model of 1917
Remington
234xxx
says to me it has a serial number....
just a low budget hunting rifle, have the headspace checked before you shoot it.

[ElWoodman]

sporterized version of United States Magazine rifle, cal. .30, model of 1917. That's an 'Eddystone' mfg'd safety lever.

[RC20]

Front sight base is there, its not been cut down so an WWII replacment is worth a fair amount.

If you can get the rings its also a fine hunting rifle.