1917 Enfield in .30-06

Just received the following picture...

I had to download the image and zoom to 400%. This rifle is one to walk away from. Except for the bolt, back sight and butt plate, there is nothing worth salvaging. The barrel has been cut off in front of the front sight. Forget about restoring this one. If the barrel was intact with the bayonette lugs and exposed muzzle, it might be worth the effort, but not in this condition.
 
I would need better pics to say for sure. But when I blew it up it looked like it might be OK.

The barrel only sticks out about a 1/2" on these. And the bayonet lug is part of the front band, which is an easy find.
 
Any time someone runs into an M-1917 or a P.-'14 with bayonet lugs made as a part of the barrel, I WANT IT!!!!!

I have a few which definitely are oddball, but nothing THAT oddball!

This looks to me like a reasonably healthy specimen which likely was surplused after the Second War. Despite that horridly corrosive ammo, Army regulations regarding maintenance were rigid and the rifles were kept up to a high standard until they were sold off. Sporting ammo at that time had already been noncorrosive and nonmercuric for decades. The chances of this one having a decent bore are better than what one might think. Deep ENFIELD rifling simply adds to the chance of a decent bore.
 
Actually $150 would not be a terribly bad price here in the states. Availability of replacement parts here keeps the price of restorable military surplus high. As repair parts dry up these become parts guns and the value drops. I had one show up at my LGS that was $319 with a Leupold scope.
 
Any time someone runs into an M-1917 or a P.-'14 with bayonet lugs made as a part of the barrel, I WANT IT!!!!!

I have a few which definitely are oddball, but nothing THAT oddball!

...

OK, there goes my one mistake for the month. And I was being so good.
 
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