HELP! Eddystone, What do I have?

AKGARCIA · 08-03-2009, 04:49 PM

Hello all. I'm obisiously new, and I joined to get some help.
I live in Alaska and recently bought two rifles.

1.) US MODEL 1917 EDDYSTONE with eagle head stamps, circles with a wing stamps, serial # 1237728, and a "4" and an "F" stamped on it. it's open site, appeared to be never drilled however appears have a later modified site added at the end of the barrel. Perfect condition otherwise. What do I have? A 30-06 shell appears to be the fit.

2.) Stamped "WIN308" "2153 X 1" "VZ24" "E" Then across the top I can't read because of the 1" weaver mounts however this is what is first "CE" then the end is "SKA" Also it appears the barrel was cut short.
Please Help.

big boomer · 08-03-2009, 04:57 PM

Well the first sounds like a 1917 American Enfield in 30-06 used alot in ww-1 and number 2 sounds like a 308 Mauser conversion.

nathangdad · 08-03-2009, 05:05 PM

some people call a ruined 1917 Enfield made at the Eddystone arsenal works.

It would be worth more money in its original form.

AKGARCIA · 08-03-2009, 05:37 PM

I could not get any information from the seller. They did not have any. The price was great, and actually I think the scope is worth more then I paid for both.

How can I be sure of the Eddystone and the proper caliber? Where these only 30-06?
What type of ammo do you suggest ?
What grain?

The other rifle obisiously is no brainer 308, however what do you all suggest for that one being a shorten barrel?

I really appreciate your help Thx....

Purdy · 08-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Eddystones were all 30/06 and any commercially loaded 30/06 load will be safe. The military load was 165 gr if I'm not mistaken. I bought one new in the cosmoline in 1964 for $25.

wcassidy · 08-03-2009, 06:35 PM

if the .30-06 fits it fits but if you know anybody that'd check it out for you to be safe i'd do so, once it's sporterized that opens up all kinds of things people may have done, nothing like finding out your rifle is a .30-06 AI rechamber after firing .30-06 through it. some DIY-er may not have been inclined to mark the change. just throwing it out there.

AKGARCIA · 08-03-2009, 07:09 PM

Awesome thx everyone. Forgive my lack of knowledge but what is a 30-06 ai?

Palladin8 · 08-03-2009, 07:42 PM

I agree with everyone above on it being a sporterized M -17 in 30-06. The 30-06 AI stands for Ackley Improved chamber. The rifle would benefit from such a conversion in my opinion. It would be perfectly safe to fire standard 30-06 rounds through an AI chamber as the chamber has been slightly modified removing most of the taper and changing the shoulder from 15 degrees to 40 degrees. This translates into more performance from a handloaded shell.
With that all said if you can take it to a gunsmith and have them check it out and make sure it's safe to shoot. After all the rifle was used during the first world war. It wouldn't cost you very much and would give you peace of mind that it's safe and you would know exactly what you had. If you don't do that then I would suggest getting a headspace guage and check it out yourself.

nathangdad · 08-03-2009, 08:11 PM

The .30-06 is an excellent cartridge that has taken all North American game successfully for over one hundred years.

The Ackley Improved will involve handloading, case forming, and I feel is too much work for what you will get out of it.

Personally, I would rebarrel for the .30-06 the get a good stock from one of the major stockmakers.

Palladin8 · 08-03-2009, 08:59 PM

He isn't sure if it has the AI chamber or not. Wcassidy brought it up. And the AI chamber will take regular 30-06 as well as the 30-06AI. Fire forming is as simple as shooting factory ammo and reloading is no harder on an Ackley as it is for a standard cartridge. But i'm sure he doesn't have the Ackley chamber just a standard sporterized milsurp rifle.
Sorry to Hijack your thread AKGarcia and by the way welcome to Gun and Game.

AKGARCIA · 08-03-2009, 09:22 PM

Thx to all... When I purchased them I took them into the local gun "gettin place" and had them cleaned and checked. When I picked them up the person who did was not there but the sales man said there was no problem, and they are clean.

rondog · 08-03-2009, 09:30 PM

Where is everybody getting the idea that the Eddystone's been sporterized? He said the front sight has been replaced, nothing else.

AKGARCIA · 08-03-2009, 11:07 PM

I'm in the dark RE: 1917 eddystone sporterized. If you tell me what to look for, what it should have have etc... other wise I'm your newbe. Want to learn, love hunting, and my right to own arms, however I'm not educated YET.

Tell where to look or a link to go to so I can compare.

What I do know is the owner passed on 7 years ago and he was about 90 when he passed. The gun, when I bought it last week was clean, no rust, extremely oiled in a case. It appears the wood is NOT to be from 1917. I'm no gun Guru yet but I know a bit about wood and time, and this stock appears newer. It has a small 2" X 4" black detail at the front, with a 45 degree angle detail towards the front.

Please help... Thx everyone.. enjoying this web site thx

lefty o · 08-03-2009, 11:44 PM

from your descriptioin of the stock, the 1917 has been altered, which is what sporterizing means.its a good way to turn a $700 rifle into a $150 rifle.

AKGARCIA · 08-04-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

from your descriptioin of the stock, the 1917 has been altered, which is what sporterizing means.its a good way to turn a $700 rifle into a $150 rifle.

Thank you for the definition, I did not know.
I paid $100.00 for both rifles. With the leupold scope on the 308 I thought the price for both was a deal.

lefty o · 08-04-2009, 01:00 AM

sounds like you did fine.

bigbuddy21 · 08-04-2009, 01:07 AM

if you post some pic's it would help.

ArkansasHunter · 08-04-2009, 01:07 AM

Can you post pictures of your rifles ?

thrillbilly · 08-04-2009, 02:14 AM

100$ for both and a leupold scope!!?? I'd say it don't much matter what shape they're in...that's a deal of a lifetime regardless!

Cyrano · 08-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKGARCIA

Thank you for the definition, I did not know.
I paid $100.00 for both rifles. With the leupold scope on the 308 I thought the price for both was a deal.

I'd say you did better than fine. Leupold scopes tend to be high ticket items. But some photos would be helpful in settling whether the Model 1917 American Enfield is sporterized or not.

Welcome to the site. As you can see, we aren't hesitant about offering opinons when you ask something!

08-03-2009, 04:49 PM	#1
AKGARCIA Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18	HELP! Eddystone, What do I have? Hello all. I'm obisiously new, and I joined to get some help. I live in Alaska and recently bought two rifles. 1.) US MODEL 1917 EDDYSTONE with eagle head stamps, circles with a wing stamps, serial # 1237728, and a "4" and an "F" stamped on it. it's open site, appeared to be never drilled however appears have a later modified site added at the end of the barrel. Perfect condition otherwise. What do I have? A 30-06 shell appears to be the fit. 2.) Stamped "WIN308" "2153 X 1" "VZ24" "E" Then across the top I can't read because of the 1" weaver mounts however this is what is first "CE" then the end is "SKA" Also it appears the barrel was cut short. Please Help.

08-03-2009, 05:05 PM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	You have what some people call a sportorized and some people call a ruined 1917 Enfield made at the Eddystone arsenal works. It would be worth more money in its original form.

08-03-2009, 08:11 PM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	Ackley Improved, in my humble opinion, is a bad idea The .30-06 is an excellent cartridge that has taken all North American game successfully for over one hundred years. The Ackley Improved will involve handloading, case forming, and I feel is too much work for what you will get out of it. Personally, I would rebarrel for the .30-06 the get a good stock from one of the major stockmakers.

08-03-2009, 09:30 PM	#12
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,296	Where is everybody getting the idea that the Eddystone's been sporterized? He said the front sight has been replaced, nothing else. __________________ I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in!

08-04-2009, 01:07 AM	#17
bigbuddy21 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new albany in. Posts: 1,432 Images: 5	if you post some pic's it would help. __________________ LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! AN UNARMED POPULACE IS EASILY CONTROLLED...... A. HITLER

08-03-2009, 04:57 PM	#2
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,306	Well the first sounds like a 1917 American Enfield in 30-06 used alot in ww-1 and number 2 sounds like a 308 Mauser conversion.

08-03-2009, 05:37 PM	#4
AKGARCIA Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18	I could not get any information from the seller. They did not have any. The price was great, and actually I think the scope is worth more then I paid for both. How can I be sure of the Eddystone and the proper caliber? Where these only 30-06? What type of ammo do you suggest ? What grain? The other rifle obisiously is no brainer 308, however what do you all suggest for that one being a shorten barrel? I really appreciate your help Thx....

08-03-2009, 05:56 PM	#5
Purdy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 428	Eddystones were all 30/06 and any commercially loaded 30/06 load will be safe. The military load was 165 gr if I'm not mistaken. I bought one new in the cosmoline in 1964 for $25.

08-03-2009, 06:35 PM	#6
wcassidy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 283	if the .30-06 fits it fits but if you know anybody that'd check it out for you to be safe i'd do so, once it's sporterized that opens up all kinds of things people may have done, nothing like finding out your rifle is a .30-06 AI rechamber after firing .30-06 through it. some DIY-er may not have been inclined to mark the change. just throwing it out there.

08-03-2009, 07:09 PM	#7
AKGARCIA Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18	Awesome thx everyone. Forgive my lack of knowledge but what is a 30-06 ai?

08-03-2009, 07:42 PM	#8
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,451	I agree with everyone above on it being a sporterized M -17 in 30-06. The 30-06 AI stands for Ackley Improved chamber. The rifle would benefit from such a conversion in my opinion. It would be perfectly safe to fire standard 30-06 rounds through an AI chamber as the chamber has been slightly modified removing most of the taper and changing the shoulder from 15 degrees to 40 degrees. This translates into more performance from a handloaded shell. With that all said if you can take it to a gunsmith and have them check it out and make sure it's safe to shoot. After all the rifle was used during the first world war. It wouldn't cost you very much and would give you peace of mind that it's safe and you would know exactly what you had. If you don't do that then I would suggest getting a headspace guage and check it out yourself.

08-03-2009, 08:59 PM	#10
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,451	He isn't sure if it has the AI chamber or not. Wcassidy brought it up. And the AI chamber will take regular 30-06 as well as the 30-06AI. Fire forming is as simple as shooting factory ammo and reloading is no harder on an Ackley as it is for a standard cartridge. But i'm sure he doesn't have the Ackley chamber just a standard sporterized milsurp rifle. Sorry to Hijack your thread AKGarcia and by the way welcome to Gun and Game.

08-03-2009, 09:22 PM	#11
AKGARCIA Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18	Thx to all... When I purchased them I took them into the local gun "gettin place" and had them cleaned and checked. When I picked them up the person who did was not there but the sales man said there was no problem, and they are clean.

08-03-2009, 11:07 PM	#13
AKGARCIA Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 18	I'm in the dark RE: 1917 eddystone sporterized. If you tell me what to look for, what it should have have etc... other wise I'm your newbe. Want to learn, love hunting, and my right to own arms, however I'm not educated YET. Tell where to look or a link to go to so I can compare. What I do know is the owner passed on 7 years ago and he was about 90 when he passed. The gun, when I bought it last week was clean, no rust, extremely oiled in a case. It appears the wood is NOT to be from 1917. I'm no gun Guru yet but I know a bit about wood and time, and this stock appears newer. It has a small 2" X 4" black detail at the front, with a 45 degree angle detail towards the front. Please help... Thx everyone.. enjoying this web site thx

08-03-2009, 11:44 PM	#14
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 6,239	from your descriptioin of the stock, the 1917 has been altered, which is what sporterizing means.its a good way to turn a $700 rifle into a $150 rifle.

08-04-2009, 01:00 AM	#16
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 6,239	sounds like you did fine.

08-04-2009, 01:07 AM	#18
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,211	Can you post pictures of your rifles ? __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER
	1 members found this post helpful.

08-04-2009, 02:14 AM	#19
thrillbilly Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ozark Hill Country Posts: 2,611	100$ for both and a leupold scope!!?? I'd say it don't much matter what shape they're in...that's a deal of a lifetime regardless! __________________ *" I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on."* John Wayne
	1 members found this post helpful.