Winchester 1917 American Enfield .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1918 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1525.01

LSB#: 220202CC004

Make: Winchester

Model: 1917

Serial Number: 371645

Year of Manufacture: 1918. Barrel Date: July, 1918
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 “CAI ST ALB VT / CAL. 30/06”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / MODEL OF 1917 / WINCHESTER / 371645”. The front of the Winchester barrel is marked “W / flaming bomb / 7 – 18”. The left side of the receiver and top of the bolt handle are both marked with Ordnance Department “flaming bomb” proofs. The top left of the receiver (twice), safety (twice), bottom metal, top of the buttplate and belly of the stock are all marked with “eagle head” inspection stamps. The nose of the stock is marked “R” for Remington. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “W” for Winchester and “NS” for nickel steel. The top of the bolt handle is marked with a number that does not match the serial number. The safety is marked “E” for Eddystone. The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P”. The bottom of the butt is marked with the serial number. 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 refinished buttplate has scratches and surface erosion showing through the new finish. It shows scrapes & thinning. The handguard shows repairs. The bottom of the forearm shows a thin deep compression mark. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Some have damaged portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been finished over. The LOP measures 13 5/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Matt Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The grooves are dark and the rifling is deep. There is erosion in grooves and at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 3.2.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish as refinished. Surface erosion shows through the new finish on the bottom metal. The metal shows scrapes, scratches and thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The screw heads show heavy use but have been refinished. 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: This Winchester Model 1917 was made back in 1918. 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 good shape for being over 100 years old. It has been rebuilt and refinished. This is an attractive 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.