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1917 Eddystone
Dave45-70
Member Posts: 637 ✭✭✭
I'm looking for some information on value.I have a 1917 Eddystone that was lend leased to Canada but not sure if it was WW1 or WW2.It has the red paint around the forearm the stamp "C" with an arrow through it and also the letters PWOR on the stock which stands for"Princes of Wales own Regiment". They were loaned to Canada to protect against invasion. Since it never saw action it is in remarkably good condition.Some of you are going to tell me to include pictures but I have not mastered that ability yet.Metal is pristine wood is excellent no cracks or large dings.Based on my description can you give me a ballpark value? I don't want to sell it because of it;s unusual history but I would like to know it's value Thanks
Comments
RITCHIE GRIFFIN
dickgal57@hotmail,com
It's a good rifle, the action is like a Remington. The .303 British ammo is powerful enough for N.A. game.
They mostly sell for around $200 'sporterized' and maybe as much as $400 in full military.
From the accompanying text:
quote:In 1917, when the United States entered WWI, there was a s distinct rifle shortage. There were production facilities set up for the British Pattern 1914 rifle. The "Enfield" rifle was redesigned to accept the .30-06 cartridge and was pressed into service as the U.S. Rifle Model 1917. This rifle appears similar to the British Pattern 1914 rifle. In fact, they are so similar that in WWII, when over a million were sold to Britain for use by their Home Guard, it was necessary to paint a 2" stripe around the butt so that the caliber was immediately known. The barrel length is 26", and it has a 6-round integral box magazine. The finish is matte-blue, with a walnut stock. Towards the end of production parkerized parts were added. The breech is marked "U.S. Model 1917." This was a robust and heavy-duty rifle, and many are used in the manufacture of large-bore custom rifles to this day. There were approximately 2,200,000 manufactured by Remington, Winchester, and Eddystone between 1917 and 1918. The majority were produced at Eddystone, Pennsylvania.
During WWII all parts were parkerized, and barrels were supplied by the Johnson Automatics Company as a result of the rebuild.
For more reading, check these links:
http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=131
http://www.odcmp.org/503/rifle.pdf
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_enfield_p14_m1917.html
Edit: I know that my Eddystone is very accurate, although it shoots to the left a couple inches. Because your has obvious Canadian markings, it might be worth significantly more than the prices suggested above.
If it is arsenal original? My WAG is that it would be up in 4 figures, because of the Canadian history and markings. To a military rifle collector.
I was worried that it was a "parts" gun, but found that everything seems to be marked with a "W" stamp throughout. As mentioned, the rifle saw little use and the rifling is very strong, though the barrel seems rather dark.
A good range for an Eddystone in very good condition should be around $600 to $800, more if it is in really great shape. You didn't mention if it was in its original blue or if it was parkerized. If I is blued, you might be able to break $1,000 like Rufe-snow said.
I have a few of them, 3 Remington and one Winchester and take them all out to play at least once a year. I know it is sacrilege, but I actually like the way they shoot and handle better than the 1903s.
Their price seems to have increased a bit over the past few years. I purchase all of mine within the past 10 and with the exception of the Winchester, did not pay much over $ 500.0 for any of them.
Brad Steele
They are great shooters, IMO.
I have a few of them, 3 Remington and one Winchester and take them all out to play at least once a year. I know it is sacrilege, but I actually like the way they shoot and handle better than the 1903s.
Their price seems to have increased a bit over the past few years. I purchase all of mine within the past 10 and with the exception of the Winchester, did not pay much over $ 500.0 for any of them.
Not many factory original ones,to be had anymore. Although they were made in great quantity. It's been almost 100 years now.
Don't mean to ruffle any feathers. But the reason so many were sporterized. Besides being dirt cheap, in the 50's and 60's. Is that they were big heavy clunkers. That had the ergonomics of a 4 X 4. They must have been designed for the British Palace guardsman. Who were 6'2", with arms to match. The only way I could ever shoot one, and hit anything. Was off a rest.