Still in the wrap and crate Winchester M1917 .30-06 Enfield

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mkrnel

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Thought some here would like to see that these fine rifles are still around in the wrap and military storage crate, this one is also a very sought after Winchester made version -

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Thanks for posting that. Other than purpose built rifles of that type, I have never seen one in a wooden crate, I have seen them ten to a crate and 5 to a crate, still wrapped in that same paper and slathered in grease. The bolt doesn't look like it has any blue on it and the barrel seems to have the blue worn as well.

Has that rifle been used and put back into the crate for storage or is it just a trick of the light???
 
bearhunter said:
Thanks for posting that. Other than purpose built rifles of that type, I have never seen one in a wooden crate, I have seen them ten to a crate and 5 to a crate, still wrapped in that same paper and slathered in grease. The bolt doesn't look like it has any blue on it and the barrel seems to have the blue worn as well.

Has that rifle been used and put back into the crate for storage or is it just a trick of the light???
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May have something to do with it being a Winchester one and those ones being universally recognized as the best ones for accuracy so they might have been separated for that fact into individual crates! I know the British did the same thing for ones to be used as sniper rifles, only Winchester ones were selected!

I don't own this one yet and it is still up for sale, and is not in Canada yet, but I'm working on it!

The flash and light + cosmoline is making it look like the bluing is worn in places but if you take note of the flat slab sides of the rear sight ears you will notice the bluing is 100%.

The rifle may be a rebuilt one as many were, you would have to remove all the cosmoline to know for sure, The stock looks too nice for a worn issued one for sure and only a full take down would tell for sure, but it is probably best left in the cosmo and wrap + crate for value and history.

I also know of a un-issued Eddystone one with the original factory tag attached to the barrel that I may get a picture of the tag for everyone when I visit the owner to look it over. Tag says how to prepare for use after issue from company commander and where to clean grease from after issue before shooting and is signed the Secretary of War!
 
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Maybe I should show off pictures of my similar (but without cosmoline) Winchester P14 that is still complete with long range volley sights and matching Winchester bayonet so people here can see what one of those looks like as well!
 
I bought an unissued condition Eddystone Model 1917 from Ribtor Sales in Calgary 40 yrs ago. It showed a few handling marks on the wood and had a bit of finish wear on the buttplate and bolt handle. The bore gauged as new and it even came with a complete US cleaning kit in the butt. It had no US overhaul markings nor did it show any of the red paint on the Brit/Cdn lend lease rifles. When I started to handload for it I found that the throat had not been cut as deeply as on other M1917s that I have owned.
 
Clean the cosmoline off before you torch the ears off, keeps the smoke to a minimum. cou: I'd give sksavengers left nut to own one of those in that condition.
 
Thanks for the info mkernl. Given what you tell me it doesn't look to have been through an FTR. There are no tags or stamps in the stock to indicate that. I have a P17 that went through and FTR and it is in similar condition to yours but has stamps on the side of the butt and an aluminum tag hanging from the front barrel band with the same number.

As I said, it is a great find and thanks for posting the pic.

Purple, did your new P14 come in a wooden crate????
 
bearhunter said:
Thanks for the info mkernl. Given what you tell me it doesn't look to have been through an FTR. There are no tags or stamps in the stock to indicate that. I have a P17 that went through and FTR and it is in similar condition to yours but has stamps on the side of the butt and an aluminum tag hanging from the front barrel band with the same number.

As I said, it is a great find and thanks for posting the pic.

Purple, did your new P14 come in a wooden crate????
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No. They brought it out of the storeroom as I recall. I was pretty amazed at the condition and dug out my $35 pretty darn quick.
 
To me the crate does not have the age and patina that would suggest that this rifle has spent almost 100 years in it.Also inform me why the the crate would be stenciled E.A with a Winchester in it?
 
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stoggie said:
1 EA reads to me as 1 Each.
I wonder if that ISN number would shed any light to where I came from.
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I agree. There's no way the case is WWI vintage, in my opinion.

I don't believe ANY U.S. standard battle rifles were ever individually crated from the factory.

I am very skeptical of the rifle itself as well. All we know is that it's covered in grease, but it looks very dark and the bolt bluing looks well worn.

There must be a story to this rifle, but not truly unissued factory WWI surplus. I would be happy to be proven wrong though ;)

Regards,
-Steve
 
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