Info on Enfield P17 30-06

Wulfmann

I got a Eddystone P17 30-06 in a trade from a friend.
No, it is not the shiny blue finish, wish it were, but it is in extremely nice condition and shoots very accurately.
It is a semi-gloss sort of blue and is old century import marked.
I would like to call it 90% but I can't remember seeing one this nice. However, I am a Mauser person (yes, this is for all practical purposes a Mauser magnum action rifle) so don't pay any attention to these or their value.
Will eventually put this on GB to sell but if a friend makes an offer what would be a fair price for both of us.
Not looking for buyers just info at this point

Wulfmann

heavyiron

Hi,

By the way, this is U.S. Model 1917 rifle, made by Remington at the Eddystone factory in PA for the US government. It is not an Enfield P17. I know some people refer to them that way but it is a misnomer. The P14 was an Enfield rifle built in the US but chambered in 303 British.

Can't tell anything about the condition of the rifle from your photos.

What type of cartouche is on the barrel and stock?

Regards,

Heavyiron

Wulfmann

Thanks, certainly proves my point of being ignorant of these! LOL[:D]

There is a little emblem a circle in a circle inside with what looks like a wing attached on the left side of the receiver and that is it.
No marks on the stock or anywhere (other than a very old Century import on the barrel) It does have the "E" as seen in the picture and that is also on the stop bolt.

Wulfmann

El Kabong

Heavyiron -

the P14 and the M1917 WERE the same rifle, with the exception of the caliber.

Eddystone is the most common of the 3 manufacturers, the others being Remington (Ilion, NY) and Winchester.

More M1917's were used by US Forces in WWI than the M1903 Springfield.

Bigger and heavier than the Springfield, the peep sights were considered superior as battle sights.

It cocked on closeing, as oppsoed to the Springfield , which cocked on opening.

Cool guns.

SP45

Two points that will affect the value. First it is stamped as an import which will take away most of the collector value to serious collectors. Second the Eddystone had somewhat hard receivers due to the early heat treating. Remington were more desirable than Eddystone and Winchester more desirable than both. That being said I have a sporter one that will shoot sub M.O.A. Somewhere in the $300 to $400 range depending on where you live.

heavyiron

Hi,

El Kabong, there is a big difference if you intend on buying one. Mechanically, yes, they are similar but the difference in price is dramatic due to the history.

Wulfman, what I suggest is going to the search function on the gunbroker home page and selecting "Smart Search". Type in "Eddystone" and select closed auctions. This should bring up a list of what people have been paying for these.

However, remember that the price on these is highly dependent upon condition. A 90% rifle in the 25th edition of the Blue Book is listed at $875.00.

Here is a photo of mine.



Regards,

Heavyiron

El Kabong

Heavyiron -

I am aware of the price diff, and that one is .303 Brit and the other is 30-06. Reading your post, I took it as you were saying it was a completely different rifle, which is it not, main diff is caliber, and the bolt since the .303 is rimmed, and the 30-06 is not.
By you saying it (the P14) was an "Enfield" rifle, I thought you were saying the P14 was a SMLE built in the US by Reimington, which of course it was not.

Glad we got that cleared up.

njretcop

You may have a very rare rifle there. Hard to tell from the photos, but if that is a high polish blue, it is very rare and collectable!

Wehrmacht_45

Dont forget guys, the Century Arms import stamp is not helping the value any. I do know we gave alot of 1917's to the Brits under the Lend Lease act in ww2 for use in the home guard. I cant think of anyone else we gave them to, that would later be an import source.

Wulfmann

The blue is not high gloss (Although it does seem shiney compared to others) and it does has an old Century import mark on the barrel.
Checking GB it seems considering the very good condition it might be worth $600.00 at the top end.
One thing about a real nice one. One is more app to be willing to wait to part with a beauty than a lesser gun.
This one has a super bore and shoots extremely well so keeping it around won't be a hardship.

Thanks for all the comments. I learned a little about these and that is always nice.

Wulfmann

RobatHrly

These rifles were given to the Canadians, would they need an Import mark to get back in country? Also wulfmann, Make sure there aren't any cracks in the reciever, not saying it is a rebarrel, but some that were rebarreled developed fine cracks in the reciever.