Us M1917 (P17) manufacturer differences and desirability

A

albertacowboy

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
I have decided to make a mint P17 my next search and acquisition, to go with my mint Bisley P14, so this is a quest for information.

1. Are any of the P17 rifles marked with a stamped serial number on the bolt handle, so that a mismatched bolt can be identified?

2. Which of the 3 manufacturers (Eddystone, Remington, or Winchester) are considered, if at all, to be the most desirable and best-made variant?

All info welcome!

Many thanks,
Albertacowboy
 
None of the US Army issue M1917s originally had the bolt serialized to the receiver, although some foreign militaries, like the Danes, did this after the fact. The Danes also stamped s/ns on the bottom of the stock like they did with most of their Garands.

I've owned M1917s from all 3 makers and there isn't much to choose from among them. Some people do prefer the WRA or Rem made ones and may pay a premium for them. Bottom line, they all passed military acceptance checks.

I'd look for one with original finish and manufacturer's parts with a good bore. Quite a few were refinished/rebarreled during WW2.
 
Hi Altacowboy. The most desireable M17 (not P 17) would be Winchester make with either RCAF over broad arrow or simply C broad arrow
stamped usually into the left side of the stock . Many Canadian soldiers carried over M17s to England in the 2nd Division in WW2. The M17
was a common training rifle sometimes with a red band painted around the fore. Ammo was made in Canada and it had a red band on the
manila box of 20. That is the most desireable in my conclusion because of 1. the Winchester name and 2. the Canadian connection. Nice examples can be found and a collector's piece as stated will only increase in value. John
 
I had a Winchester M-1917 that was RCAF marked, and foolishly sold it several years ago. Same goes with the Rem, and Eddystone, although the Eddy was mint.

I am curious about your mint Bisley P14 though. Who is the maker, PH 5B rear target sight or service rear sight, ball burnished bbl or no? Inquiring minds want to know. They are more uncommon than a nice '17.
 
I have read, perhaps on the internet so its truth may be suspect, that Winchester was slow to incorporate improvements as required. As well, this could lead to parts that were out of spec, compared to the other manufacturers.
Supposedly, General Pershing refused to let troops under his command be issued Winchester M1917's.

Also, at one of Hungry's clinics, he mentioned that Winchester was slow on incorporating upgrades to their M1 (or perhaps M14) rifles, and that they required more fitting when rebarrelling, than the other makes. So, that would make them less desireable than other makes.

Please, take the above with a grain (1/7000 th of a pound) of salt, as the little grey cells are tired this morning.
 
Aren’t pieces on those stamped with either a R W or E to identify the manufacturer?? Could help tell for a mismatched bolt if lets say a winchester rifle carry a bolt marked with either R or E
 
Hello Slug. If the Winchester made M17 rifles had issues then why did the British government approve only Winchester made P14s as their
weapon of choice for their fine adjustment sight conversion and also their first official sniper rifle? As far as I know only the P-14 had a
manufacturing change ( Mk I to the improved Mk I* version). The M17 never had any changes in manufacture. All the M17 parts are
interchangeable between manufacturers. Your reasoning seems to be based on invalid information. Canada acquired less than 50 P-14's
during the first war and these were all Eddystone makes and apparently never issued. The M17s acquired by Canada seem to be obtained
after WW1. My Dad's unit carried M17s on the ship to England during WW2 and turned them over to the Brits upon disembarkation.
 
The "P" in P14 and P17 is for "Pattern", which is a synonym for "Model".

I read somewhere that the P or M difference is between what nomenclature the Brits vs. the US assigned to these rifles in their respective countries. The Brits called the 14 a "Pattern", whereas the Americans called the 17 a "Model". Since the 14 was the first rifle and they're both essentially identical, many people called the .30-06 1917 variant a "Pattern" as well. It just simplified things for most.

They're both awesome rifles if you can get your hands on nice original examples, regardless of what you or the next guy calls them.


Here's what Gun Jesus has to say about them:




:)
 
Don't get hung up on P14 vs M1917.
Although not "technically" correct, even the people in the factories who made the dang things called them P17s cuz it was easier and everyone knew what they were talking about.

Unless you're ordering a barrel, bolt or mag box you can call it a P17 and people will know exactly what you are referring to which is really what matters.
 
On the plus side, if you find one with a shot-out barrel, Criterion makes new ones to fit.

Won't be a collector, but it will last you the rest of your days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom