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Posted: 3/2/2010 10:32:19 AM EDT
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[size=6]Well, I bought a M1917, (P-17, Enfield, whatever it is called) at a local auction the other day. It is a Winchester, which is why it caught my eye. I thought it to be in original shape, unitl I got home and started my research. I know, should have done that before I bought it, my fault!!) But anyway. It was made in 8/17' and it is truely a Winchester, low 20K serial number. However it is missing the wood that covers the top of the barrel and the "forearm" wood on the bottom. Also it looks like the " )( " were cut off the front site so the blade is now exposed and the sides of the reciever that gaurd the rear flip up sight, look to be machined flat with the reciever, however, the flip up sight remains.
So from what I have seen this gun has been "Sporterized" I guess you call it. Ok to my questions, it is in great shape for being 93 yrs old. Rifling is good, bight bore, action is smooth, all stamped with the bombs and "W"'s on all parts. The wood stock is also has the "P" stamped and alot of numbers stamped in various places. 1. What is this worth in the current seting. 2. would it be worth getting the parts to get back to "Miltitary issue"? 3. What would I have in it to get it back to mil. condition? 4. Where do I look for these parts? Any help would be great. Thank you, |
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Quoted:
[size=6]Well, I bought a M1917, (P-17, Enfield, whatever it is called) at a local auction the other day. It is a Winchester, which is why it caught my eye. I thought it to be in original shape, unitl I got home and started my research. I know, should have done that before I bought it, my fault!!) But anyway. It was made in 8/17' and it is truely a Winchester, low 20K serial number. However it is missing the wood that covers the top of the barrel and the "forearm" wood on the bottom. Also it looks like the " )( " were cut off the front site so the blade is now exposed and the sides of the reciever that gaurd the rear flip up sight, look to be machined flat with the reciever, however, the flip up sight remains. So from what I have seen this gun has been "Sporterized" I guess you call it. Ok to my questions, it is in great shape for being 93 yrs old. Rifling is good, bight bore, action is smooth, all stamped with the bombs and "W"'s on all parts. The wood stock is also has the "P" stamped and alot of numbers stamped in various places. 1. What is this worth in the current seting. 2. would it be worth getting the parts to get back to "Miltitary issue"? 3. What would I have in it to get it back to mil. condition? 4. Where do I look for these parts? Any help would be great. Thank you, The OEM rear sight "ears" being machined off is a non-recoverable issue. The rifle cannot be restored to original condition. It is possible, no doubt at considerable expense, to fashion and re-weld "ears" to the receiver, but then you have the even more formidable problem of re-heat-treating the receiver, as its' original state would have been altered by welding. The cost, assuming you could find someone demonstrably competent to do the job, would be prohibitive. A stock and fore-end wood, plus associated metal bits and pieces can be had from Numrich, Sarco, and perhaps Springfield Sporters, as well as a new front sight base. To restore the firearm, you would also have to obtain a good Win receiver of appropriate serial number, and put the whole thing together. A skilled gunsmith would have to assemble the thing, as it would be a bit tricky to get the headspace correct. Do-able for a good man, though. These things were once much more common that nowadays, and people back then had no hesitation about sporterizing them. They are very strong actions, and a good many were re-barreled into big-game guns with cartridges considerably more powerful than the original .30-'06. I can't tell you what it's worth, though. I hope you didn't drop a bundle on it. |
| As mentioned, it can't be repaired. If its in great condition with a decent stock (not a cut down military) and being a Winchester maybe it would bring $150-$200. It would be a decent hunting rifle but for most its too heavy compared to the modern guns in the same caliber. |
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Sorry, but hopefully not too expensive for you. A little cleaning-up, some nice pix, and you can sell it on another, major gun-seller site and recoup some (or all) of your money.
A lot of us have made worse mistakes. Not like you got divorced or something like.... |
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Quoted:
Sorry, but hopefully not too expensive for you. A little cleaning-up, some nice pix, and you can sell it on another, major gun-seller site and recoup some (or all) of your money. A lot of us have made worse mistakes. Not like you got divorced or something like.... You make getting divorced like getting screwed over a good rifle,look dude they are not the same! You knew what you were getting and it didn't diminish over time! Either it was or it wasn't! Bob 
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