WWI Winchester 1917 American Enfield US U.S. .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $1375

LSB#: 220316CA023

Make: Winchester

Model: 1917

Serial Number: 67465

Year of Manufacture: Barrel Date: November, 1917
Production ran from August, 1917 to April, 1919 (page 129 of Charles Stratton’s book, British Enfield Rifles Volume 4 – The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model 1917 Rifles)

Caliber: 30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads “CAL. 30/06 / CAI ST ALB VT”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / MODEL OF 1917 / WINCHESTER / 67465”. The front of the Winchester barrel is marked “W / flaming bomb / 11 – 17”. The left side of the receiver is marked with a “cirled star” production mark and a “flaming bomb” proof. The top of the bolt handle is marked with the last 2 digits of hte serial number and a “flaming bomb”. The top left of the receiver (twice) and belly of the stock are marked with “eagle head” inspection stamps. The nose of the stock, bottom of the bolt handle and rear of the bolt assembly are each marked “E” for Eddystone. The bottom metal is marked “267” The bottom of the grip is marked “3X”. There are a few other small marks on the rifle.

Barrel Length: Approximately 26 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is set between two large protective wings. It is an aperture when down. When flipped up it becomes a sight ladder that uses a sliding aperture. The ladder is marked from “2-16”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, 2 sling loops, through bolt and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows scratches, thinning and a brown patina. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Many have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The barrel is counterbored to about 2 inches back from the muzzle. The grooves are dark and the rifling is deep. There is erosion in the bore; more prominent in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish as refinished. Scratches show through the new finish. The metal shows scrapes, scratches and thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The bottom metal shows discoloration and has light surface erosion showing through the new finish. The screw heads show heavy use. Many of the markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The UK urgently needed rifles during WWI and could not produce enough. Contracts for the new Pattern 1914 (P14) Rifle rifle were placed with arms companies in the United States. The rifle was chambered in .303 for convenience of supply. Winchester, Remington and Eddystone Arsenal (a subsidiary of Remington) produced the P14 chambered in .303 British.
When the U.S. entered WWI, it had a similar need for rifles. Rather than re-tool the Pattern 14 factories to produce the Model 1903 Springfield, the P14 was modified to accept the U.S. .30-06 cartridge. Remington Arms Co. altered the P14 design for the .30-06. The new rifle was formally adopted as the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1917.

This Winchester Model 1917 was made during WWI. At some point in its service life it was shipped off to a U.S. friendly country. It was eventually imported back into the U.S. for sales to the civilian market. It is marked accordingly on the barrel. The rifle is in pretty good shape for being over 100 years old. The metal has been refinished, the wood has been oiled and the barrel has been counterbored. This is an attractive 105 year old rifle that can still put a lot of lead down range. It has nice markings on the metal including “flaming bombs” and “eagle heads” that add to its history. Good luck.