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Model of 1917 Winchester rifle question
Edward
Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
Gentlemen:
About 20 years ago I purchased a bolt action rifle from an elderly gentleman that was cleaning house. It has been well kept, little wear on the metal, parkerizing almost 100%, wood has some nicks and dents to be expected for something this age, no cracks or rough spots.
Stamped on the top of receiver is US Model of 1917
Winchester SN 1054xx
On the left side of receiver - Grenadier stamp and star in circle stamp
On bolt lever - grenadier stamp.
There is a rod trapdoor in the buttplate but no kit.
URL for photos here.
I was told that this was chambered for 30-06, however, when placing a cartridge in the chamber,
it does not feel right, almost like the chamber is longer than the standard 30-06 cartridge. Unfortunately, I can't
find any place on the weapon (have not dis-assembled it) where it states the caliber.
Short of casting a plastic model of the chamber and measuring it, can anyone figure out what it is that I have?
It seems to be designed to take 5 rounds individuallu inserted or on a clip, like the M1 Garand?
Thanks,
Edward
About 20 years ago I purchased a bolt action rifle from an elderly gentleman that was cleaning house. It has been well kept, little wear on the metal, parkerizing almost 100%, wood has some nicks and dents to be expected for something this age, no cracks or rough spots.
Stamped on the top of receiver is US Model of 1917
Winchester SN 1054xx
On the left side of receiver - Grenadier stamp and star in circle stamp
On bolt lever - grenadier stamp.
There is a rod trapdoor in the buttplate but no kit.
URL for photos here.
I was told that this was chambered for 30-06, however, when placing a cartridge in the chamber,
it does not feel right, almost like the chamber is longer than the standard 30-06 cartridge. Unfortunately, I can't
find any place on the weapon (have not dis-assembled it) where it states the caliber.
Short of casting a plastic model of the chamber and measuring it, can anyone figure out what it is that I have?
It seems to be designed to take 5 rounds individuallu inserted or on a clip, like the M1 Garand?
Thanks,
Edward
Comments
The standard procedure for checking the "fit" of a chamber in rifles with fixed, non-rotating claw extractors is to strip the bolt and use industry standard headspace gauges. You can't get the proper feel of a gauge with the claw, firing pin spring and cocking piece in place. Remove all of this and use the right gauges to try to figure this out. Otherwise your choices are two; find a gunsmith that will know what to do to determine what the chamber is or cast the chamber with Cerro Safe, an alloy available through Brownells specifically designed to help solve these types of problems then measure the casting. Remote determination outside of the guesses above are impossible.
Best.
"I really hope you don't suggest that I implied that the rfile could be determined to be a .303 merely by the existence of a relief cut for a rimmed cartridge."
Are you asking this of me? If you are, please check my screen name. I don't have time to "imply" anything from anyone's post. I might on occasion "infer" from information stated in a post but only when I think some simplification is needed.
Other than this, no I am not. I use my time to attempt to explain things not play games with what others post.
Best.
Edward
These make excellent hunting rifles especially considering the flexibility of the 30-06 cartridge.
While at the gunsmith's, check the chamber, throat, bore and muzzle/crown. This will give you the maximum amount of information as to the condition and quality of the rifle.
Good Luck with your rifle!
Best.