U.S. P17 Eddystone Rifle……………SOLD

A Rare Eddystone World War One P17 U.S. Rifle in .30-06

An American built Model (pattern) 1917 Bolt Action Service Rifle.

The solid and dependable Mauser action P17 here has the standard internal five-shot magazine.  The magazine can be loaded by stripper-clip with 5 rounds at a time.  This example is serial numbered 953251 on the receiver and marked with numerous “E” for Eddystone inspectors initials on different components of the weapon.  Chambered in the U.S.Governments 30′ caliber choice of .30-06.  These rifles are often referred to as the “American Enfields” as they were built with the British in mind during the First World War.

This example has the date of  11-18 rolled into the barrel behind the front sight assembly.  Eddystone built these rifles between the months of September 1917 and January 1919 in which time they had produced 1.35 million rifles.  This rifle is not marked with the 2″ wide red painted band  on the fore-end, which suggests it was not destined to be used in England as part of the Lend -Lease program.

Stocked in American Black Walnut with a semi-pistol grip wrist and a two-piece hand-guard over the barrel. This Eddystone example is 46.1/8″ long.  The round barrel is 25.3/4″ long and the triggerr pull is 13.1/2″ to center.  The trigger is the old serrated type.  Interestingly this rifle is stocked in the original Eddystone “Fat-boy” type stock, there being a distinct swelling just forward of the trigger floor plate.  On the LHS of the rifle this swelling is grooved away to allow a line of sight for the long range volley sights (absent). Mainly as an alternative to the fat grip there is no room for finger grooves so these were left off in production.  Finding Eddystone rifles with Fat-boy stock is a lesser encounter occurrence these days and nice to see.  The stock and barrel hand guard are in fine condition.  The RHS of the butt-stock has a blank brass unit ID disk in place and there is a little oils staining at the butt plate and above the mid band. There are no major losses to the stock, no splitting just the odd chip.  On the underside of the semi-pistol grip stock there is a clear “star /E” cartouche – an Eddystone inspectors mark and then just behind the trigger guard are more inspectors stamps including a crown over “BA”.  Appart from that the stock is in fine condition and does the rifle credit.

Most of the action bolt and barrel components have lost finish and turned to a dull overall light grey/silver.  The receiver is marked;-” U.S. / MODEL OF 1917 / EDDYSTONE / 953251″  There are clear “E inspection stamps on components such as the bolt arm, (under) bolt shroud, the safety catch, the rear ladder sight and spring.  The magazine floor plate has the number “251” stamped into it.  The bolt arm also has a strong “J” stamped onto the upper surface along with the U.S. Flaming bomb mark which also appears on the outside of the action wall.  There is a standard aperture battle sight which is designed for use up to 300 yards.  For greater distances a sliding aperture sight which is cross hatched to reduce glare and slides on the ladder which is graduated up to 1600 yards flips up for use.  Bolt release is by the standard Mauser way of the rear LHS of the action. Two sling swivels, one forward for stacking.  The front barrel band has the lug for the bayonet.  The contoured steel butt-plate has a sprung trap which enables the storage of the cleaning equipment – absent.

The rifles action is firm and benefits from a positive approach to cycling.  The bore is strong with a 5-groove right hand twist.  The lands are clear and clean on top the grooves slightly dark.  It is not the sharpest rifling I have ever seen, but remember this is the original 1918 barrel !  A strong and original rifle which looks to have served in at least two rather big conflicts but has survived remarkably well.  This rifle has been re-chambered to pass 30-06 proof and the barrel is 1/4 turn out of true but does not effect it in any negative manner.  This P17 has just passed proof and has London marks applied.

Stock No’ F419

£ 745…………SOLD

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