M1917 restoration.

armednfree · December 25, 2018, 12:17 PM

A friend of mine bought a spoterized M1917. He asked me if it could be restored. The metal is factory original in finish. The stock was cut down, handguards gone as are both barrel bands. The front sight has the ears cut off rather crudely. Hack saw and file cut. It never had a scope on it as there are no holes and the rear sight is intact. .

It's actually pretty accurate once I got him to abandon light bullets with it.

He's asking me how much to restore it. I told him ball park would be $400. He paid $165 for it at a pawn shop so total cost would be $575 to $600 or so.

Then he asked what it would be worth post restoration. I don't have a clue. I guess whatever someone would be willing to pay for it.

taylorce1 · December 25, 2018, 01:54 PM

What do you mean by restore? I'm guessing your figure of $400 was a bit on the conservative side if you want to bring it back to full military dress.

mapsjanhere · December 26, 2018, 08:47 AM

The big issue for P17s is the stock. For a decent original stock you can spend more nowadays than you paid for the whole gun 10 years ago. Many stocks offered at "P17" are really P14 with the volley sight taken off. You can get reproductions by now for around $200, but they don't do much for collector value.
The front sight carrier is cheap, Numrich has it for $20.

RC20 · December 26, 2018, 12:49 PM

An original M1917 stock runs $350 on up. That is your big expense.

Restored if its a nice one is $750 - $1000 (condition, E, R or W) original parts stamps with E, W, R or mix.

armednfree · December 27, 2018, 06:47 PM

I don't see using an original stock. I mean it's a parts gun then anyway.

RC20 · December 27, 2018, 07:39 PM

If a reproduction stock is available again that is new. Boyds made one some time back, oddly for them badly, took a lot of fitting.

armednfree · December 27, 2018, 09:17 PM

I stand corrected. They are not reproduction stocks but actual Remington Model 34 stocks. Slightly different than the 1917 stock and requires a small amount of fitting.

RC20 · December 28, 2018, 03:04 PM

Link?

Model 34 hunting? I am aware of the Model 30s.

I did come across this listing - I suspect a lot of fitting and of course finishing.

https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/en...k-p17-p14-1917

armednfree · December 28, 2018, 10:36 PM

Remington Model 1934 Honduran Contract

Tidewater_Kid · December 29, 2018, 01:43 PM

The stocks are out there. They pop up on eBay from time to time. The key to doing it as cheaply as possible is to be patient and don't overbid. I might take months or even years, but it can be restored for less than you think.

T. O'Heir · December 29, 2018, 02:13 PM

Generally speaking, restoring any milsurp to as issued configuration has gotten prohibitively expensive. It's mostly in the wee metal bits like that front sight assembly. Runs $15 or $20, depending on condition, without a sight blade($4.55 each. And you need a spline, a key, and a pin. $3.15 and $2.60, that they don't have, respectively.), at Gunparts. A lower band, the stacking swivel and screw that holds it on runs $18.05 plus shipping, etc. Adds up quickly. And you have a rebuilt rifle that will never be worth what an original non-sported rifle is worth.
There's an Eddystone P-17, with no bids, on Gunbroker at $800.
"...on eBay..." And buying or selling there funds the people who want to take your firearms away from you.

RC20 · December 29, 2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Remington Model 1934 Honduran Contract

Got it, forgot about that one. Different caliber of course.

RC20 · December 29, 2018, 02:40 PM

T

Quote:

he stocks are out there. They pop up on eBay from time to time. The key to doing it as cheaply as possible is to be patient and don't overbid. I might take months or even years, but it can be restored for less than you think.

People that put the stocks up know what they are worth, even poor ones are going for $350.

The $275 is likely the best you will do for a non OEM shooter restoral.

armednfree · December 29, 2018, 06:06 PM

I told him, and gave him the sights. I didn't see handguards on that sight

RC20 · December 29, 2018, 07:14 PM

Handguards can be found, matching them up with a new finish of course has some challenges.

Nothing easy about the process for this kind of re work.

Another way is to buy a beater with a stock. Usually you try to get the right stock for the mfg of the receiver/barrel.

Tidewater_Kid · December 29, 2018, 10:06 PM

And I laugh at how many firearms I have built and restored from parts purchased from eBay and paid for with PayPal. I know their politics, but it's the only place to find some things. Numrich and others are either out or don't even list it. Took years to find all the correct parts for a 1907 Lee Enfield I***.

Tidewater_Kid · December 29, 2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC20

T

People that put the stocks up know what they are worth, even poor ones are going for $350.

The $275 is likely the best you will do for a non OEM shooter restoral.

Not all of them, like I said have to be patient.

l.cutler · December 30, 2018, 05:08 AM

I got a really nice Eddystone stock a couple months ago on ebay, really nice in it looked unissued. $187.50, which I didn't think was too bad.

RC20 · December 30, 2018, 11:32 AM

I would like to see pictures. PM me if you would.

armednfree · December 31, 2018, 02:25 PM

I tossed numbers at him and they didn't fly. Guess that's it.

taylorce1 · January 2, 2019, 10:18 PM

I figured that would happen.

armednfree · January 2, 2019, 11:19 PM

I also tossed 20 of my 190 grain Sierra BTMK loads at him. He found out just how accurate that gun really is. He had been shooting Greek ball and I told him those don't much like light bullets. 60.3 grains of H4831sc, he shot two 5 shot 1-1/2 inch groups with open sights and his old eyes.

RC20 · January 4, 2019, 03:41 PM

I will have to try that. I have done some good shoots in the 168-175 gr area and then fell off the wagon. I had not tired the 190s. I like H4831. Buy it in 8 lb jugs.

Original barrel or replacement?

taylorce1 · January 4, 2019, 04:15 PM

My 1917 shoots 150s great, but it was converted to a .300 H&H before I owned it. However, it still has the original military barrel.

armednfree · January 5, 2019, 11:03 PM

Original

December 25, 2018, 12:17 PM	#1
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	M1917 restoration. A friend of mine bought a spoterized M1917. He asked me if it could be restored. The metal is factory original in finish. The stock was cut down, handguards gone as are both barrel bands. The front sight has the ears cut off rather crudely. Hack saw and file cut. It never had a scope on it as there are no holes and the rear sight is intact. . It's actually pretty accurate once I got him to abandon light bullets with it. He's asking me how much to restore it. I told him ball park would be $400. He paid $165 for it at a pawn shop so total cost would be $575 to $600 or so. Then he asked what it would be worth post restoration. I don't have a clue. I guess whatever someone would be willing to pay for it.

December 25, 2018, 01:54 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	What do you mean by restore? I'm guessing your figure of $400 was a bit on the conservative side if you want to bring it back to full military dress. __________________ NRA Life Member

December 26, 2018, 08:47 AM	#3
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	The big issue for P17s is the stock. For a decent original stock you can spend more nowadays than you paid for the whole gun 10 years ago. Many stocks offered at "P17" are really P14 with the volley sight taken off. You can get reproductions by now for around $200, but they don't do much for collector value. The front sight carrier is cheap, Numrich has it for $20. __________________ 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.

December 26, 2018, 12:49 PM	#4
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	An original M1917 stock runs $350 on up. That is your big expense. Restored if its a nice one is $750 - $1000 (condition, E, R or W) original parts stamps with E, W, R or mix. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 27, 2018, 07:39 PM	#6
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	If a reproduction stock is available again that is new. Boyds made one some time back, oddly for them badly, took a lot of fitting. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 27, 2018, 06:47 PM	#5
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	I don't see using an original stock. I mean it's a parts gun then anyway.

December 27, 2018, 09:17 PM	#7
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	I stand corrected. They are not reproduction stocks but actual Remington Model 34 stocks. Slightly different than the 1917 stock and requires a small amount of fitting.

December 28, 2018, 03:04 PM	#8
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Link? Model 34 hunting? I am aware of the Model 30s. I did come across this listing - I suspect a lot of fitting and of course finishing. https://www.cottagecraftworks.com/en...k-p17-p14-1917 __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 28, 2018, 10:36 PM	#9
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	Remington Model 1934 Honduran Contract

December 29, 2018, 01:43 PM	#10
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	The stocks are out there. They pop up on eBay from time to time. The key to doing it as cheaply as possible is to be patient and don't overbid. I might take months or even years, but it can be restored for less than you think.

December 29, 2018, 02:13 PM	#11
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Generally speaking, restoring any milsurp to as issued configuration has gotten prohibitively expensive. It's mostly in the wee metal bits like that front sight assembly. Runs $15 or $20, depending on condition, without a sight blade($4.55 each. And you need a spline, a key, and a pin. $3.15 and $2.60, that they don't have, respectively.), at Gunparts. A lower band, the stacking swivel and screw that holds it on runs $18.05 plus shipping, etc. Adds up quickly. And you have a rebuilt rifle that will never be worth what an original non-sported rifle is worth. There's an Eddystone P-17, with no bids, on Gunbroker at $800. "...on eBay..." And buying or selling there funds the people who want to take your firearms away from you. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 29, 2018, 06:06 PM	#14
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	I told him, and gave him the sights. I didn't see handguards on that sight

December 29, 2018, 07:14 PM	#15
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Handguards can be found, matching them up with a new finish of course has some challenges. Nothing easy about the process for this kind of re work. Another way is to buy a beater with a stock. Usually you try to get the right stock for the mfg of the receiver/barrel. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 29, 2018, 10:06 PM	#16
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	And I laugh at how many firearms I have built and restored from parts purchased from eBay and paid for with PayPal. I know their politics, but it's the only place to find some things. Numrich and others are either out or don't even list it. Took years to find all the correct parts for a 1907 Lee Enfield I***.

December 30, 2018, 05:08 AM	#18
l.cutler Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Posts: 275	I got a really nice Eddystone stock a couple months ago on ebay, really nice in it looked unissued. $187.50, which I didn't think was too bad.

December 30, 2018, 11:32 AM	#19
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I would like to see pictures. PM me if you would. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 31, 2018, 02:25 PM	#20
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	I tossed numbers at him and they didn't fly. Guess that's it.

January 2, 2019, 10:18 PM	#21
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	I figured that would happen. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 2, 2019, 11:19 PM	#22
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	I also tossed 20 of my 190 grain Sierra BTMK loads at him. He found out just how accurate that gun really is. He had been shooting Greek ball and I told him those don't much like light bullets. 60.3 grains of H4831sc, he shot two 5 shot 1-1/2 inch groups with open sights and his old eyes.

January 4, 2019, 03:41 PM	#23
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I will have to try that. I have done some good shoots in the 168-175 gr area and then fell off the wagon. I had not tired the 190s. I like H4831. Buy it in 8 lb jugs. Original barrel or replacement? __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

January 4, 2019, 04:15 PM	#24
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	My 1917 shoots 150s great, but it was converted to a .300 H&H before I owned it. However, it still has the original military barrel. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 5, 2019, 11:03 PM	#25
armednfree Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 211	Original