Took down the 1917 today

BattleRifleG3 · 08-31-2005, 11:06 PM

Finally took apart my newly acquired US 1917 Enfield this evening. Having taken apart Mausers, a Mosin, and sporting bolt guns, this certainly lived up to being a new experience. It's neat how different countries at the early part of the century all came up with different ways of making a full power military bolt action rifle.

This seems to be the most "veteran" mil-surp I have ever had. Interestingly, there was hardly any rust on the barrel, but rather on the inside of the mag well and along the inside of the receiver. I'm looking into creative ways to clear the rust and smooth it up for good feeding. Suggestions are welcome. Blueing is worn at a number of places and I have half a mind to strip it all off and have it professionally reblued.

Much as I would like to treat it as a venerable war rifle, it did come in what I would call a mildly sporterized condition. By that I mean they had the decency to keep the rear site intact. The barrel is original as well, as are all the metal parts save one. The front site is some strange sporter site apparently made earlier in the century. The finish is worn in just such a manner to make it bright at the tip of the blade, so I'll see how it ends up shooting as it is. The stock is a one-piece sporter as well. Actually very well done, respecting the original pot-belly contour while providing good ergonomics and a cheekpiece, far better than the ones that chuck the military stock just for the heck of it and have nothing better to show for it. I frankly have half a mind to keep it, but I probably will not, at least not on this rifle.

This rifle will serve either of two purposes. Its sites are excellently placed for the iron option of a scout rifle, and unlike many, I think the 30-06 is the right caliber for a real emergency-worthy SHTF scout rifle in the US, due to ammo supply, legality of AP ammo, and hunting prospects. It will get a long eye relief scope mount if I find it accurate enough for that purpose. Otherwise, I will pursue it as an aggressive restoration project, replacing the front site, installing a military stock, and giving a uniform finish. As much as some would say I should do that anyway, this seriously seems like the best choice for the previous option if accurate enough.

1812Navy · 09-19-2005, 09:17 AM

G3: Nice looking weapon. Now by any chance do you have a source for parts for this piece? The sporterized version I bought has a pretty worn mag spring I'd like to replace. (Don't want to take it out of my mil version.) Also, I have an extra bolt that needs an extractor. Are some '03 parts interchangeable? Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks. (An FM would be nice, too.)

BattleRifleG3 · 09-19-2005, 01:05 PM

I am probably in the same boat as you, but I think the best source for such parts is Numrich, www.e-gunparts.com

1812Navy · 09-20-2005, 10:26 PM

Thanks. I'll also check out the gun shows around here to find a junker.

Mick · 09-21-2005, 04:07 AM

Hey BRG3, has the barrel been shortened on that at all, maybe it's just that it doesn't have all it's wood on, kinda looks a bit naked.

BattleRifleG3 · 09-21-2005, 09:48 AM

Indeed it is a bit naked. I'm working on that...

08-31-2005, 11:06 PM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Took down the 1917 today Finally took apart my newly acquired US 1917 Enfield this evening. Having taken apart Mausers, a Mosin, and sporting bolt guns, this certainly lived up to being a new experience. It's neat how different countries at the early part of the century all came up with different ways of making a full power military bolt action rifle. This seems to be the most "veteran" mil-surp I have ever had. Interestingly, there was hardly any rust on the barrel, but rather on the inside of the mag well and along the inside of the receiver. I'm looking into creative ways to clear the rust and smooth it up for good feeding. Suggestions are welcome. Blueing is worn at a number of places and I have half a mind to strip it all off and have it professionally reblued. Much as I would like to treat it as a venerable war rifle, it did come in what I would call a mildly sporterized condition. By that I mean they had the decency to keep the rear site intact. The barrel is original as well, as are all the metal parts save one. The front site is some strange sporter site apparently made earlier in the century. The finish is worn in just such a manner to make it bright at the tip of the blade, so I'll see how it ends up shooting as it is. The stock is a one-piece sporter as well. Actually very well done, respecting the original pot-belly contour while providing good ergonomics and a cheekpiece, far better than the ones that chuck the military stock just for the heck of it and have nothing better to show for it. I frankly have half a mind to keep it, but I probably will not, at least not on this rifle. This rifle will serve either of two purposes. Its sites are excellently placed for the iron option of a scout rifle, and unlike many, I think the 30-06 is the right caliber for a real emergency-worthy SHTF scout rifle in the US, due to ammo supply, legality of AP ammo, and hunting prospects. It will get a long eye relief scope mount if I find it accurate enough for that purpose. Otherwise, I will pursue it as an aggressive restoration project, replacing the front site, installing a military stock, and giving a uniform finish. As much as some would say I should do that anyway, this seriously seems like the best choice for the previous option if accurate enough. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf Last edited by BattleRifleG3; 08-31-2005 at 11:11 PM.

09-19-2005, 09:17 AM	#2
1812Navy Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 25	G3: Nice looking weapon. Now by any chance do you have a source for parts for this piece? The sporterized version I bought has a pretty worn mag spring I'd like to replace. (Don't want to take it out of my mil version.) Also, I have an extra bolt that needs an extractor. Are some '03 parts interchangeable? Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks. (An FM would be nice, too.) __________________ Semper Mortalis

09-19-2005, 01:05 PM	#3
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I am probably in the same boat as you, but I think the best source for such parts is Numrich, www.e-gunparts.com __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

09-20-2005, 10:26 PM	#4
1812Navy Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 25	Thanks. I'll also check out the gun shows around here to find a junker. __________________ Semper Mortalis

09-21-2005, 04:07 AM	#5
Mick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Emerald CQLD AUST Posts: 975 Images: 1	Hey BRG3, has the barrel been shortened on that at all, maybe it's just that it doesn't have all it's wood on, kinda looks a bit naked. __________________ OzHunter Give me a six-pack and a red dirt open road (Adam Brand)

09-21-2005, 09:48 AM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Indeed it is a bit naked. I'm working on that... __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf