U.S. 1917 Enfield

[Joe Boleo]

Prices for these rifles in original military condition are all over the place and are not always related to the condition of the firearm. A few months ago, a local gun shop had a 1917 Eddystone in rough shape and it sold for $700.00. That was too rich for my blood so I passed on it.

Yesterday, the same shop had a mint 1917 Eddystone for $300.00 and it came home with me. So it depends. Take care...
Joe

[Gil Martin]

Joe,
It pays to be at the right place at the right time. All the best...
Gil

[Badger]

Joe,

Ya done good! I always preferred the P-17 to the M1903.

Badger

[Altjaeger]

Joe,

Ya done good! I always preferred the P-17 to the M1903.

Badger

Why?

[Gil Martin]

I recall speaking with a WWI veteran named Al Green when I was growing up. He was issued a U.S. 1917 while serving in France and did not like the weight and barrel length. He told me ,..."the boys were really tickled when their 1917s were turned in and they were issued 1903 Springfields"... All the best...
Gil

[Badger]

Gil,

Did you see the recent WWI movie, "The Lost Battalion?" It was great and I taped it the second time it was shown. I never saw so many P-17 rifles in one place! In fact, more P-17s were used by Doughboys in France than M1903s.

The P-17 is a fine arm; more nearly akin to the Mauser action than the M1903 with its two-piece firing pin. The P-17 Battle sight is regulated to 300 yards while the M1903 is about 500 yards. I prefer the P-17 safety to the M1903's "wing" contraption. The P-17 holds 6 rounds in the magazine to the 5 for the M1903. The front sight of the P-17 has "Ears" to protect the blade while the M1903 has none.

The P-17 has 2 inches more barrel than the M1903, but that is not even a consideration. I own several of both types of arms and prefer the P-17.

Badger

[Badger]

One more thing, as Columbo would say, the P-17 has a better receiver peep sight while the M1903 had a mid-barrel open Battle Sight set for 530 yards,

Badger

[rimrock]

I had a 1917 eddeystone rifle re-barreled to 35 whelen and restocked with a sporter style laminated stock, to use as a camp back-up rifle, but I kept the stock sights on the receiver and that rifle had been used to kill easily 7-8 elk in out camp over the last 40 years in several people hands over the years when its been use, and Ive had several offers to buy it, but only sold it about 4 years ago when a new guy offered me a ludicrous price in my opinion of $500.

http://www.rifle-stocks.com/actions_available.htm
http://www.rifle-stocks.com/Black_Laminate_Sample.jpg

[Dennis Keith]

Sgt Alvin York used the 1917. My Grandfather used the 1917. Both men spoke highly of their weapons, though I never met Sgt York I did read his biography.