What type of firing pin is this?

Jeff2855 · July 30, 2013, 11:06 AM

Can anyone help identify this firing pin I purchased at an estate auction in Texas? The only mark I can see it the letter "E" stamped on it. See photos. It is 7.5 inches long and weighs almost 5oz.
Thanks!

**Mike Irwin** · July 30, 2013, 11:31 AM

That appears to be the striker assembly for a Mauser K98-type rifle. The lack of a knob on the striker tail (cocking piece) is a pretty good indication that it's some flavor of Mauser.

The overall shape of the bolt sleeve is wrong for a K98k, though, so it must be some other make, or an earlier version.

Pahoo · July 30, 2013, 11:37 AM

Check to see if it came out of an old "Eddystone" or 1917 Enfield. My swag is that it is definitely military and US. ....

Good luck,
Get Back and;
Be Safe !!!

Scorch · July 30, 2013, 11:39 AM

Nope, not a Mauser. Mausers have buttress threads on the bolt shroud and the front of the firing pin is shaped to keep the striker from falling if the bolt is not in battery. That one has square threads on the bolt shroud and the firing pin is flat in front of the spring retaining collar. Looks familiar, though . . . More modern than a Mauser, and US-made. Yes, it does look like an Eddystone.

**Mike Irwin** · July 30, 2013, 11:39 AM

Holy sweet jeebus where was/is/will be my brain???

Pahoo you are absolutely correct! That's the assembly from a Model 1917 by Eddystone.

The lack of the safety catch as part of the assmebly should have been the key.

I was right, though, that it was a flavor of Mauser... The 1917 (and the Pattern 1913) were based heavily on the Mauser....

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 30, 2013, 01:09 PM

It looks close to a 1917 Enfield, but I can't see the sear good enough to tell. The give-away if the thread being square.

Jeff2855 · July 30, 2013, 01:24 PM

I will upload more photos later today. Thanks for all the great info!

James K · July 30, 2013, 03:55 PM

The bolt sleeve and firing pin are for a U.S. Model 1917. The bolt sleeve was made by Eddystone. But the cocking piece and spring are is for a cock-on-opening "speed kit".

Jim

Jeff2855 · July 30, 2013, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all the great info. Is the darn thing worth anything? Is eBay a good place to sell it?
Thanks again!

oldgunsmith · July 31, 2013, 05:04 PM

It would surprise me if it's worth much. I've had 2 originals and 3 or 4 of the "speed lock" (cock on opening) versions in a junk box for 30 years.

James K · July 31, 2013, 10:16 PM

The firing pin and bolt sleeve run around $35; the conversion cocking piece and spring would bring maybe $20 if anyone can be found who wants them. At one time, that conversion was common, but with the rising prices of original military rifles, not many folks want to lower the value of a 1917 by altering it.

FWIW, the conversion changes the gun to fire off the firing pin retraction cam, reducing firing pin fall to less than half its normal distance. That is why the spring has to be heavier than the standard spring. Even then, misfires were common with that conversion, especially with hard military primers.

Jim

July 30, 2013, 11:06 AM	#1
Jeff2855 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Posts: 9	What type of firing pin is this? Can anyone help identify this firing pin I purchased at an estate auction in Texas? The only mark I can see it the letter "E" stamped on it. See photos. It is 7.5 inches long and weighs almost 5oz. Thanks! Last edited by Jeff2855; September 16, 2019 at 01:43 PM.

July 30, 2013, 11:31 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	That appears to be the striker assembly for a Mauser K98-type rifle. The lack of a knob on the striker tail (cocking piece) is a pretty good indication that it's some flavor of Mauser. The overall shape of the bolt sleeve is wrong for a K98k, though, so it must be some other make, or an earlier version. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 30, 2013, 11:37 AM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	My S.W.A.G. Check to see if it came out of an old "Eddystone" or 1917 Enfield. My swag is that it is definitely military and US. .... Good luck, Get Back and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

July 30, 2013, 11:39 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Nope, not a Mauser. Mausers have buttress threads on the bolt shroud and the front of the firing pin is shaped to keep the striker from falling if the bolt is not in battery. That one has square threads on the bolt shroud and the firing pin is flat in front of the spring retaining collar. Looks familiar, though . . . More modern than a Mauser, and US-made. Yes, it does look like an Eddystone. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 30, 2013, 11:39 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	Holy sweet jeebus where was/is/will be my brain??? Pahoo you are absolutely correct! That's the assembly from a Model 1917 by Eddystone. The lack of the safety catch as part of the assmebly should have been the key. I was right, though, that it was a flavor of Mauser... The 1917 (and the Pattern 1913) were based heavily on the Mauser.... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 30, 2013, 01:09 PM	#6
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	It looks close to a 1917 Enfield, but I can't see the sear good enough to tell. The give-away if the thread being square.

July 30, 2013, 01:24 PM	#7
Jeff2855 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Posts: 9	I will upload more photos later today. Thanks for all the great info!

July 30, 2013, 03:55 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The bolt sleeve and firing pin are for a U.S. Model 1917. The bolt sleeve was made by Eddystone. But the cocking piece and spring are is for a cock-on-opening "speed kit". Jim

July 30, 2013, 08:18 PM	#9
Jeff2855 Junior Member Join Date: July 29, 2013 Posts: 9	Thanks for all the great info. Is the darn thing worth anything? Is eBay a good place to sell it? Thanks again!

July 31, 2013, 05:04 PM	#10
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	It would surprise me if it's worth much. I've had 2 originals and 3 or 4 of the "speed lock" (cock on opening) versions in a junk box for 30 years.

July 31, 2013, 10:16 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The firing pin and bolt sleeve run around $35; the conversion cocking piece and spring would bring maybe $20 if anyone can be found who wants them. At one time, that conversion was common, but with the rising prices of original military rifles, not many folks want to lower the value of a 1917 by altering it. FWIW, the conversion changes the gun to fire off the firing pin retraction cam, reducing firing pin fall to less than half its normal distance. That is why the spring has to be heavier than the standard spring. Even then, misfires were common with that conversion, especially with hard military primers. Jim