Restoring a P1917 Eddystone

mapsjanhere · March 4, 2014, 06:35 PM

I recently picked up a P1917 sporter for $200. Metal looks all original, but no finish left. I can get a stock, hand guards and the missing front band for $150 - 200. Worth it? Anything I should check for before starting the project?

Pahoo · March 4, 2014, 07:34 PM

As best you can, try to get the matching parts, to the original arsenal. Is you rreceiver still original? I ask because many were sporterized beyond being able to bring them back. Is yours still a 30-06? .....

Good luck and;
Be Safe !!!

10-96 · March 5, 2014, 04:50 AM

I just about have an Eddystone completed. When I got it, everything from the stock wrist & south was broken off and gone. The receiver dated 4/18 and the bbl dated 3/18. Sadly, mine is a mixture of Rem & Eddystone parts and a Boyds stock (which required a whole lot more time and work than the last 03 stock I got from them.

You've got a fun project ahead of you- hope it all works out well.

One thing to note- most of the screwheads will require a thinner-than-normal hollow ground screwdriver bit. The stacking swivel and sling swivels all have an oblong side that I think should point towards the left as you look at the rifle's belly. The goofy pin that holds in the middle band is noted for being a major booger to get out and may be best left in (I used brass on my Boyds). And speaking of Boyds, mine did not come with a stock crossbolt nor it's hole. If you got a Boyds stock- get back with us and I'll give you a little more insight on what it takes to get enough wood removed to get a good fit and appearance.

As Pahoo asked- are the ears and rear sight still there and original? I've heard once or twice that the spring below the sight ladder (slide portion that flips up) is prone to have an ear broken off.

mapsjanhere · March 5, 2014, 10:19 AM

I haven't checked the dates on it yet, it has flaming bombs one both receiver and barrel, so it should be still original. I have to shoot some pictures to find out that there aren't some hidden modifications that didn't jump out to me.

tahunua001 · March 5, 2014, 02:02 PM

does it still have the rear sight ears or have they been ground off?
has it been drilled and tapped for a scope rail?
has the front sight been removed and replaced with a ramped sporter sight?
can you not see the ordnance stamp on the barrel behind the front sight?
if the answer to any of those is yes then I would not bother... it would be more expensive than just buying an original model.

chiefr · March 6, 2014, 08:45 PM

Quote:

tahunua001
does it still have the rear sight ears or have they been ground off?
has it been drilled and tapped for a scope rail?
has the front sight been removed and replaced with a ramped sporter sight?
can you not see the ordnance stamp on the barrel behind the front sight?
if the answer to any of those is yes then I would not bother... it would be more expensive than just buying an original model.

Agree 100%

mapsjanhere · March 7, 2014, 05:28 PM

Well, it's No x 4
Got to compare it today to an unmolested P17, and everything matches. Barrel is marked 8-18. Shooting was so-so, but then, I'm not that good with open sights off-hand. Need to drag out the rest and try again.

Gaucho Gringo · March 17, 2014, 10:57 PM

If anyone looks into the history of Eddystone it in itself is interesting. It was a corporate offshoot of the Baldwin Locomotive Works because it's corporate charter forbid anything warfare related because of it's Quaker roots. Baldwin was the worlds oldest and largest manufacturer of steam locomotives in the world having being in business for over 120 years continuously. Eddystone was formed to cash in on the lucrative armament business in the years before the US entered the war and was even better after the US entered the war. The profits basically paid for one of the largest industrial complexes in it's day.

March 4, 2014, 06:35 PM	#1
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Restoring a P1917 Eddystone I recently picked up a P1917 sporter for $200. Metal looks all original, but no finish left. I can get a stock, hand guards and the missing front band for $150 - 200. Worth it? Anything I should check for before starting the project? __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 4, 2014, 07:34 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Great project !!! As best you can, try to get the matching parts, to the original arsenal. Is you rreceiver still original? I ask because many were sporterized beyond being able to bring them back. Is yours still a 30-06? ..... Good luck and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

March 5, 2014, 04:50 AM	#3
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	I just about have an Eddystone completed. When I got it, everything from the stock wrist & south was broken off and gone. The receiver dated 4/18 and the bbl dated 3/18. Sadly, mine is a mixture of Rem & Eddystone parts and a Boyds stock (which required a whole lot more time and work than the last 03 stock I got from them. You've got a fun project ahead of you- hope it all works out well. One thing to note- most of the screwheads will require a thinner-than-normal hollow ground screwdriver bit. The stacking swivel and sling swivels all have an oblong side that I think should point towards the left as you look at the rifle's belly. The goofy pin that holds in the middle band is noted for being a major booger to get out and may be best left in (I used brass on my Boyds). And speaking of Boyds, mine did not come with a stock crossbolt nor it's hole. If you got a Boyds stock- get back with us and I'll give you a little more insight on what it takes to get enough wood removed to get a good fit and appearance. As Pahoo asked- are the ears and rear sight still there and original? I've heard once or twice that the spring below the sight ladder (slide portion that flips up) is prone to have an ear broken off. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 5, 2014, 10:19 AM	#4
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	I haven't checked the dates on it yet, it has flaming bombs one both receiver and barrel, so it should be still original. I have to shoot some pictures to find out that there aren't some hidden modifications that didn't jump out to me. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 5, 2014, 02:02 PM	#5
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	does it still have the rear sight ears or have they been ground off? has it been drilled and tapped for a scope rail? has the front sight been removed and replaced with a ramped sporter sight? can you not see the ordnance stamp on the barrel behind the front sight? if the answer to any of those is yes then I would not bother... it would be more expensive than just buying an original model. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

March 7, 2014, 05:28 PM	#7
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Well, it's No x 4 Got to compare it today to an unmolested P17, and everything matches. Barrel is marked 8-18. Shooting was so-so, but then, I'm not that good with open sights off-hand. Need to drag out the rest and try again. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 17, 2014, 10:57 PM	#8
Gaucho Gringo Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 366	If anyone looks into the history of Eddystone it in itself is interesting. It was a corporate offshoot of the Baldwin Locomotive Works because it's corporate charter forbid anything warfare related because of it's Quaker roots. Baldwin was the worlds oldest and largest manufacturer of steam locomotives in the world having being in business for over 120 years continuously. Eddystone was formed to cash in on the lucrative armament business in the years before the US entered the war and was even better after the US entered the war. The profits basically paid for one of the largest industrial complexes in it's day. __________________ 357 Taurus Gaucho, 22 Heritage RR, 2-Pietta 1858 44 NMA Remingtons, Pietta, Euroarms & ASM 36 1851 Navies, 31 Uberti 1849, 12 ga H&R Topper, 16 Ga Western Field, 43 Spanish Remington Rolling Block, 44 ASM Colt Walker, High Point C9 9mm, Winchester 1906 22, Rossi 62 22 rifle, Uberti 1860, H&A & IJ 32 S&W BreakTop, 36 Euroarms 1858, 32 H&R 04, 22mag NAA SS BP revolver, .44 Rodgers & Spencer, IJ 38 S&W BreakTop, IJ 22 Sealed 8