Rifle Identification Help

kimokeo70047 · July 29, 2011, 12:34 AM

I recently acquired a rifle from my father-in-law that he purchased from a gun show several years ago. He says it is an Enfield and is a .30-06. I have been unable to find anything on it or tell the make for sure.

At the time of purchase he was also told that it was used in WWII and that somewhere along the lines the barrel was shortened.

The only markings, other than a serial number, i have found are on the bolt.

I thank you in advance for any help or direction that you might have.

SDC · July 29, 2011, 06:48 AM

This is a 1917 rifle, made by several US manufacturers during WW1, and variously known as the "P-17", "Pattern 1917", "US Rifle, Model of 1917", etc. It is basically a copy of the British P-14, which was in 303 British, but the versions made for US use were in 30-06. The bolt handle and the safety behind the bolt are the give-aways here. The "flaming bomb" on the bolt handle is a US ordnance acceptance mark. There were enough of these in stock during WW2 that they were also issued at that time, and they were surplussed out after the war, with many of them being "sporterized" as hunting rifles.

James K · July 29, 2011, 11:16 AM

The US Model of 1917 was a .30-'06 version of the British Pattern 1913 and 1914, developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, hence the name "Enfield." The term naturally carried over to the U.S. version, and the Model 1917 was universally known to American "doughboys" as the "Enfield". The other major U.S. rifle of WWI was the American "Springfield" (Model 1903), also called for the place where it was developed and made, Springfield Armory, in Massachusetts.

Jim

PetahW · July 29, 2011, 08:50 PM

The top of the front receiver ring was usually stamped with the info & SN - If a scope mount base was installed on your rifle, the scope base may be hiding the stamping(s).

.

kimokeo70047 · July 30, 2011, 01:08 AM

Thank you all, I really appreciate it.

The serial # is 400569.

T. O'Heir · August 7, 2011, 01:27 AM

"...the barrel was..." Hi. Should be 26". However, like SDC says, thousands of 'em were 'sporterized'. Can you post a picture of the whole thing?
Have a look here. http://surplusrifle.com/m1917/index.asp

kimokeo70047 · August 16, 2011, 03:50 PM

Jim Watson · August 16, 2011, 04:11 PM

It has been extensively sporterized by shortening the barrel, installing a scope sight (which is a bigger project on a 1917 than other surplus) and bluing the metal. OK so far.

The miltary stock was cut way down and varnished, I don't think as well done as the metal work. At least he got the recoil pad approximately right.

Resale value is low, but it is a hunting rifle you would not likely wear out.

July 29, 2011, 12:34 AM	#1
kimokeo70047 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2011 Posts: 3	Rifle Identification Help I recently acquired a rifle from my father-in-law that he purchased from a gun show several years ago. He says it is an Enfield and is a .30-06. I have been unable to find anything on it or tell the make for sure. At the time of purchase he was also told that it was used in WWII and that somewhere along the lines the barrel was shortened. The only markings, other than a serial number, i have found are on the bolt. I thank you in advance for any help or direction that you might have.

July 29, 2011, 06:48 AM	#2
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	This is a 1917 rifle, made by several US manufacturers during WW1, and variously known as the "P-17", "Pattern 1917", "US Rifle, Model of 1917", etc. It is basically a copy of the British P-14, which was in 303 British, but the versions made for US use were in 30-06. The bolt handle and the safety behind the bolt are the give-aways here. The "flaming bomb" on the bolt handle is a US ordnance acceptance mark. There were enough of these in stock during WW2 that they were also issued at that time, and they were surplussed out after the war, with many of them being "sporterized" as hunting rifles. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

July 30, 2011, 01:08 AM	#5
kimokeo70047 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2011 Posts: 3	Thank you Thank you all, I really appreciate it. The serial # is 400569.

August 7, 2011, 01:27 AM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...the barrel was..." Hi. Should be 26". However, like SDC says, thousands of 'em were 'sporterized'. Can you post a picture of the whole thing? Have a look here. http://surplusrifle.com/m1917/index.asp __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 16, 2011, 03:50 PM	#7
kimokeo70047 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2011 Posts: 3	Picture

July 29, 2011, 11:16 AM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The US Model of 1917 was a .30-'06 version of the British Pattern 1913 and 1914, developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, hence the name "Enfield." The term naturally carried over to the U.S. version, and the Model 1917 was universally known to American "doughboys" as the "Enfield". The other major U.S. rifle of WWI was the American "Springfield" (Model 1903), also called for the place where it was developed and made, Springfield Armory, in Massachusetts. Jim

July 29, 2011, 08:50 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	The top of the front receiver ring was usually stamped with the info & SN - If a scope mount base was installed on your rifle, the scope base may be hiding the stamping(s). .

August 16, 2011, 04:11 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	It has been extensively sporterized by shortening the barrel, installing a scope sight (which is a bigger project on a 1917 than other surplus) and bluing the metal. OK so far. The miltary stock was cut way down and varnished, I don't think as well done as the metal work. At least he got the recoil pad approximately right. Resale value is low, but it is a hunting rifle you would not likely wear out.