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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
