First World War P1917 Bolt Action U.S. Service Rifle….SOLD

The Pattern 17  Bolt Action Service Rifle by Remington.

Chambered in .30-06 with a six shot internal magazine and Mauser bolt system.  The rifle is heavy in comparison to other service rifles of the day, and for this reason initially disliked by those that were issued with it.  It was bulky and at 10lb 5oz made a good base for a snipers weapon.  More than a few ended up with the optics of the day mounted over the barrel to to make up a effective combination.  The rifle is 46.1/4″ in overall length.  The round barrel is 26″ long and the trigger pull 13.1/2″ to the serrated trigger face.

The P17 is fully stocked in an american straight grained walnut timber.  The lower fore-end having a finger groove of 6.5/8″ on either side. The handguard is a two piece construction. The stock is in good usable condition with a good patina and no problems.  This P17 has the following roll-stamped over the breech, “U.S. / MODEL OF 1917 / REMINGTON / 384700″ .  The barrel is marked behind the front sight guard ” R. / flaming bomb motif / 6 – 18″  The last referring to the date – June 1918.

The action is/was blued and shows the most loss of finish on the breech.  The bolt however is finished “in the white”  i.e. it is without finish.  The bolt shroud at the rear of the piece was once blued, very little remains.  On the underside of the crooked bolt handle is a clear “R” denoting manufacture at Remington. When the bolt is closed down it easy to see a clear flaming bomb motif  near the stem of the handle.  On the top of the action side wall is half of the Ordnance Acceptance Officers stamp – the Eagles head and a number underneath.  On the outer wall is another flaming bomb mark.

On the RHS of the action, toward the rear is a simple safety catch, in the forward position the rifle will fire, when pulled flat to the rear it will not.  There is a gas escape hole on the RHS of the breech ring.  Fitted as standard with a simple ladder sight to the rear of the action.  When folded down a large battle sight aperture is available.  The ladder sights with aperture are graduated from 200 to 1800 yards,  the side of the ladder is marked with an “R”.  There is a further acceptance mark behind the trigger guard in the timber and a simple “D8” behind the mid barrel band.  This looks to be a fully standard P17 with all the markings expected on a military issue rifle.

The rifle has all its standard furniture required for full functioning, including contoured steel butplate with trap for cleaning equipment, two sling swivels and a stacking hook.  The action is mechanically perfect and the bore is stunningly good as is the chamber.  A highly functional collectible rifle that may have served in both wars, at least.  British proofs applied.

Stock No’  f  389

£  765…..SOLD

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