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Winchester 1917 Opinion

3K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  SilasW 
#1 ·
Second verse, same as the first. here's another I'm considering. Looks very clean to me with the exception that someone varnished the stock. I had thought it was parkerized however after my second look it is blued. He's looking to get $525 for this rifle.
 

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#3 ·
Yup, it's a U.S. Model 1917. I agree that the stock has been sanded and varnished. The electric pencil etching for the importer's mark on the barrel is a negative strike, but over-all it looks like a pretty nice example. The bluing looks good, and does not look to be a refinish. The stampings are nice and sharp. I don't think you're doing bad for the price for an 'example/shooter' as long as the interior of the barrel looks good. The tip of the stock should have a 'W' stamped into it.

Many folks are not aware that many more 1917s were issued to the AEF U.S. Army for the Great War than were the 1903s. On the other hand, the U.S. Marine Corps issued mostly the 1903s for front line service. The 1903s had a finer windage adjustable rear sight (Buffington), but the '1917 was a very sturdy and accurate battle rifle.
 
#5 ·
I mistook it for a 1903 in your other thread, sorry, could not see the action or rear sight. Yeah, I would rather have that 1917, even with the varnished stock. It doesn't look like it has been reblued, if it has, it was a very good job. The manufacture date of that one was actually in October 1917. I want it myself!!!!!!!!
 
#6 · (Edited)
gd,

Having never seen one before, at first glance that's what I thought it was as well. Too bad it has a mismatched bolt but I'd bet most if not all are. I have a Springfield Arsenal '03 that was made in 1918 and am wondering why they didn't use the same sight. They did, well at least something close with the 03A3. While a great target sight I'm guessing it wasn't the best in battle. I'm going to have to think on this Winchester. I've really been wanting an 03A3 but this one might just do the trick. I'm a little shy of the Nagant as I think there are just too many fakes out there and I don't have a clue of what to look for. I'm betting the owner would take an even $500 so I'll have to see how this month's commission check looks.:rolleyes:
 
#8 ·
Well Gents,

Visited the LGS with the M1917 and just couldn't pass it up. I gave it a close look over and this rifle is VERY clean. Bore is without a single blemish with nice crisp lands and it IS the original bluing. Started the DROS and in 10 days it can come home. The owner kept trying to bet me to buy the 91/30 PU but I told him with no way to verify it being an original I'd have to pass. I'll post some better pics when I get the old girl home.
 
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#10 ·
Right:cool:. I tell ya though. I have a line on a few rifles which have yet to be identified and I'll let you know if there is anything good in the mix.
 
#11 ·
Nice rifle. Hardest kicking .30-06 I ever shot was an M1917.
 
#12 ·
Hi All,

Thought I'd share an update on the Winchester. I brought it home yesterday and if it isn't prettier than I remembered. The picture of the bore doesn't due it justice. It is absolutely a mirror down the pipe which I've only seen in one other gun. The stock appears to have a grain like none of the other military rifles I own as well. Got it all cleaned up and not a sign of rust anywhere. I'm really happy with my purchase. And the trigger? Wow! Again, the best I own. Clean and light. Not sure if they came that way, I'm thinking probably not, but this thing is incredible. I can't wait to take it to the range to see how she shoots. I'm betting pretty darn good. My plan is to keep it to cast bullets as they are my favorite and I see no reason to push the old girl. She'll be 100 year after next and I'd hate to push things unnecessarily.

I do have a question maybe someone can answer. The sight is adjustable from 100-1600 (I'm assuming yards) and I was wondering if someone might have a slick way to determine where it will hit at each setting if I know the muzzle velocity? My manuals only go out to 300 yards if I remember correctly so I could probably figure those out.

Thanks
 

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#13 ·
If you were talking jacketed bullet velocity I might have been a help. I really don't think you need to worry much about being very gentle with that rifle. There are some very hefty rifles made with the 1917 action - the biggest I know of and have owned is .458 Win Mag.

For what it's worth, your sights are calibrated for a 150 grain bullet moving at just under 2800 FPS. Either handloads or factory ammo in the 2750 FPS ball park should have you on paper at 100 yards pretty easy. My Eddystone isn't much more impressed with my M72 Match (173 grain bullets) more than it is with standard 150 grain FMJs in my M2 loads. I've got a 1941 M1903 Remington that 0ffers up a different opinion.
 
#14 ·
I appreciate the information Jim. I know I'm being an old woman about it. I pretty much only shoot 158g SWC with 3.5g in my S&W 586 too. I just figure it's a mechanical device and why put unnecessary mechanical forces on it thinking it will last longer. I bet I'd have to shoot a whole lot, thousands of rounds to really get there. I'll load up some 150g spitzer and let you know how it goes.
 
#16 ·
Intesting M1917. Unless I missed it, no one commented about the Canadian C broad arrow ownership marking on the wood. In WWII, we sent alot of 30.06 M1917's to England which were used as Home Guard rifles, but this one seems to have made it to Canada at some point. Another interesting marking is on the side of the action, it's a star in the circle. I'm not sure what that represents.
 
#17 ·
Another interesting marking is on the side of the action, it's a star in the circle. I'm not sure what that represents.
The star in a circle indicates the rifle did not meet the parts interchangeability standard required for overseas shipment. Winchester M1917s manufactured after January 2, 1918 did meet this standard, weren't marked with the star in a circle, and were approved for overseas shipment.
 
#19 ·
I know Buffalochip. But it's still a pretty rifle, at least to me, even though it's not "correct". I'm going to load a box for it today. I picked up some Sierra 150g Spitzers and think I'll use IMR4350 for its first outing pushing it around 2700fps as was suggested earlier to keep the elevation adjustment accurate.
 
#20 ·
Nice catch. Enjoy!!
 
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