Custom sporter Enfield P17 .257 Bob

Simpson302

Simpson302

Regular
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Barrie Ont. Canada
Wondering if anyone can tell me more about this sporter P17 Heavy barrel in 257 Roberts. Price check?
It was origionaly purchased from Epps 20 years ago by my brother without much history. Assuming it has a trigger in it because of how nice it is. Shoots great just dont use it. Might put it up on EE :cool:

IMG_5793.jpg
IMG_5797.jpg
IMG_5794.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5797.jpg
    IMG_5797.jpg
    108.1 KB · Views: 257
  • IMG_5794.jpg
    IMG_5794.jpg
    107.5 KB · Views: 260
  • IMG_5793.jpg
    IMG_5793.jpg
    99 KB · Views: 260
Cool, had the belly trimmed on it, some nice work on the stock but it was later sanded and the checkering could use some reworking.

Neat caliber for an M17. I think there isn't a premium value to it though, I would expect to see it in the EE for around $500 with the scope, but it may sit there for quite sometime
 
Those type of sporters were common in the 50's and 60's. That particular rifle may have been put together by Elwood Epps himself. Although quite well done, there isn't much of a market for a fixed floorplate, heavy barrel 257. If the scope is a Bushnell Scopechief, its a decent scope. The package may sell for 375-450$.
 
cody c said:
Cool, had the belly trimmed on it, some nice work on the stock but it was later sanded and the checkering could use some reworking.

Neat caliber for an M17. I think there isn't a premium value to it though, I would expect to see it in the EE for around $500 with the scope, but it may sit there for quite sometime
Click to expand...

Belly trimmed? Explain.
Was hoping it would go for a bit more, have more than that into it. I noticed the same thing about the checkering.
 
Simpson302 said:
Belly trimmed? Explain.
Was hoping it would go for a bit more, have more than that into it. I noticed the same thing about the checkering.
Click to expand...

Google up a picture of the U.S. Model of 1917, the rifle your's was made from. Note the original deep "belly" magazine shape. A common "improvement" was to straighten the trigger guard plate to create a straight bottom line to the stock. Sometimes this involved shortening the magazine box; some were left full size.

In my limited experience, not at all uncommon to spend money on what you think is an "improvement" or a "customization", only to find that no one else is willing to pay what it cost you. Even if I was "in to" the 1950's stock styling, the sanded off checkering, curved line at the top of the fore end tip, mis-matched white line spacers at the butt and pistol grip would each be taking money off the table. The original had a "#### on close" action, with a long and heavy firing pin fall - many "modern" shooters would find that problematic.
 
Simpson302 said:
Belly trimmed? Explain.
Was hoping it would go for a bit more, have more than that into it. I noticed the same thing about the checkering.
Click to expand...

as per potashminer's comment, I think they referred to as pot-belly or something.

Sorry about the value, although they are a well built and stout action, they are not under big demand, many, including myself that have looked into building something with a P14 or M17 (aka P17) action eventually get a realistic price for work to be done and sell them or leave them as is.

The M17's in 30-06 are a common rifle that older generations used for moose hunting or big game hunting across this nation, and I think there was some comments that the remington 700 is/was designed loosely on it at some point. My dad hunted with one for at least 3 decades, he put lots of moose and mule deer in the freezer with it.

My comment on the $500 price, was also posted price, not sale price for offers. To find another 257 weatherby to replace it you'd be at a taller investment, so keep it or trade it, sell it or give it to family that would appreciate it.

I've got a M17 that was a relatives rechambered in .311-308 Norma, and a timney sitting in the closet for it, as it was a relatives Ill probably do something and rebarrel it one day, maybe build a stock for it, not sure at this point as I'm a broke parent with childcare costs and solo parent on the weekends, but one day...
 
It was a nice gun at one point in it's life...$500 would be pretty fair, there is no shortage of used commercial rifles in far better shape in more desirable chamberings...Parker Hale, Husqvarna, etc. and the scope doesn't really add anything to the value.
 
Simpson302 said:
Belly trimmed? Explain.
Was hoping it would go for a bit more, have more than that into it. I noticed the same thing about the checkering.
Click to expand...

The M-17/P-13 Enfield rifles were designed with a drop box magazine for greater cartridge capacity than it would have with a standard box. Often sporting rifles made with M-17 actions had the "belly" removed for a trimmer look.


Personally I'm not a big fan of roll over cheek pieces or hooked pistol grips, but that was the style commonly copied in those days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom