100 years old

[Merc]

My early and excellent shooting M1917 Winchester (Serial Number 65030) will be 100 years old in a couple months (November 15, 2017). I find it interesting that the technology that was incorporated in this weapon is still being used unchanged today to manufacture modern rifles. I would like to hear about any other M1917 with a low serial number (Winchester, Eddystone or Remington). The first day of manufacture for the Winchester M1917 was May, 21, 1917 when 45 were assembled.

[p246]

My Eddystone is a later 1918 rifle. One of my favorites to shoot and built like a tank. I do wish the sights had the ability to dial windage.

[Merc]

I don't miss the windage adjustment so much since my 17 is zeroed at 100 yards with the sight leaf at its lowest possible position without any compensation. I just aim directly at the target. My Enfield No. 4 Mk 1* has a similar fixed windage sight. The British obviously didn't see the need for a windage adjustment even though the sight that was developed for the M1903 would have worked on the M1917.

[IditarodJoe]

What a timely message, Merc! Until you brought this up, it hadn't occurred to me that our 1917 will pass the century mark sometime in January. It's a very nice "circled star" Winchester that, in the past, was a favorite for both my wife and me. Over the last few years we've been shooting mostly trap, but January might be a good time to bring the old "Enfield" out for a little 100th birthday party.

Now that I think about it, we have a Garand and a couple of 1903A3s that will turn 75 next year. Something to look forward to. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Merc]

I have C.S. Ferris' "United States Rifle Model of 1917" publication that has Winchester's manufacturing table of date vs. serial number. I'm glad to provide the W manufacturing date to anyone. Just need your serial number.

Ferris' publication also provided Remington and Eddystone tables of receivers vs. observed original barrel dates for a wide range of serial numbers. Although not as precise as the Winchester table, these tables can get you close to the month and year of manufacture. Apparently, R and E manufacturing records were not available to Ferris when he published his book.

Nonetheless, it's a great book for the M1917 collector and should be available on Amazon.com.

[Dan Shapiro]

I have Win 78793. Definitely not "original" as it's been re-barreled. Unfortunately, the original barrel was a VFW sewer pipe. Rounds were key-holing the target at 25 yards, thanks to years of firing salutes with ammo with corrosive primers.

[Merc]

I have Win 78793. Definitely not "original" as it's been re-barreled. Unfortunately, the original barrel was a VFW sewer pipe. Rounds were key-holing the target at 25 yards, thanks to years of firing salutes with ammo with corrosive primers.

Winchester 78793 - November 27, 1917. Star circle stamped receiver? Who made the replacement barrel? It shouldn't matter if it has a replacement barrel as long as it shoots well. The 17 was built to last but not if abused and neglected.

I mentioned on an earlier thread that I saw a near mint VFW Eddystone for sale at a gun show with a bore so clogged with residue from firing blanks that it would just barely pass the light from a bore light. The asking price was $1200.

[Dan Shapiro]

Star circle stamped receiver? Who made the replacement barrel?

Yep, star/circle on left side of receiver. Barrel was a replacement from CMP. Had I given it more thought (and had a few extra bucks), there's an outfit in Texas that will drill out the original barrel and re-sleeve it, leaving it looking like it still has the original barrel. Live and learn.

[Merc]

Enjoy it for what it is. Think of it this way - you saved the rifle from being sold for parts. Besides, a fresh barrel with crisp rifling and unworn muzzle/throat should group nicely at the range. I would have done the same thing. There were quite a few 17s that were given new barrels for WW2.

[p246]

I don't miss the windage adjustment so much since my 17 is zeroed at 100 yards with the sight leaf at its lowest possible position without any compensation. I just aim directly at the target. My Enfield No. 4 Mk 1* has a similar fixed windage sight. The British obviously didn't see the need for a windage adjustment even though the sight that was developed for the M1903 would have worked on the M1917.

My range has steel to 700 yards. On a windy day I miss windage. Of course several of my milsurps have no provision for wind. This rifle really like 168 SMKs over 46 grains of Varget.