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Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? #7209008 06/26/18 07:17 PM
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Halfadozen Offline OP
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I inherited an old US Model of 1917 Winchester. It appears to be in original condition except for the sling which I was told was replaced in the 40's. It saw service at the very end of WWI by my grandfathers brother.
Serial number 226XXX
It has the proper stampings on the barrel - W (manufacturer), 3/18 (date) as well as the US Ordnance Bomb Proof firing marks.
It also has the WWI Eagle's head acceptance stamped on the receiver.

A few interesting items that have me puzzled and would love your input.
1. There are 3 engravings on the left stock - each engraving is surrounded by a square or rectangle. The first appears to be RTA followed by FK directly underneath. The second is SAA and the third is just an S.
2. There is an R engraved in the stock (also surrounded by a box) just behind the trigger guard.
3. There is an R stamped just below the barrel and right above where the bayonet attachment is.


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Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7209152 06/26/18 10:09 PM
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worthless


Sounds like a really kool piece with a neat history..... popcorn


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Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7209555 06/27/18 11:54 AM
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PM Earl. He will know.


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Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7211378 06/29/18 01:27 AM
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Pictures would help, but it sounds like it has been rebuilt twice, or at least the stock.

1. RTA FK is likely RIA FK, Rock Island Arsenal, inspected by Frank Krack. SAA is the San Antonio Arsenal rebuild mark.

2. The R in a box behind the trigger guard is likely a P in a box. The P is a proof mark and the boxed P was used in some post WWII rebuilds, including SAA.

3. If the R is on the tip of the stock it is a Remington stock.

Cass

Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7211431 06/29/18 02:32 AM
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The rework markings and Remington parts would indicate that it has gone thru post WW1 reworks as noted by Cass, at no less than 2 arsenals so it's seen some service probably WW1, in between the wars and maybe even WW2 where they were used as military assistance weapons (lots of them ended up in the Philippines and England) for instance. Earl


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Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7211691 06/29/18 03:36 PM
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Thanks Cass and Earl, very informative!


Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.
-- Ronald Reagan


Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7212236 06/30/18 10:11 AM
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I had the same rifle in a Eddy stone version originally they were under contract to make them in .303 for the British and when the contract was almost complete the us was going to getting into the war and needed a bunch of rifles and didn't have enough 1903 Springfield's so they changed the too!ing to 30-06 and went to war with them.
More of the 1917 enfield rifles were used in WW1 then 1903's. They were regulated to second line troops,national guard,army reserve and lend lease programs in WW2. That's what I researched and semi remember.

So!d mine and a few others to buy a boat. In original uncut stock I'd guess value at+/-$600-$800. Mine was original except the stock was cut up value was about $350. I researched buying a stock and restoring it And just stocks were $250-$350 on gun broker.
My advice is if its original keep it that way,shoot it with your kids and pass it down to the next generation. Original milsurps are great range guns. Wish I had kept the half dozen I sold but had to sacrifice a little to get my boat. hammer

Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7212239 06/30/18 10:49 AM
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1917 Eddy has been my go to rifle since 1968. It's been "butchered" with a scope and stock. It's been to a lot of States with me. My Grandson wants it when I can no longer hunt. Had to have it rebarreled a couple of years ago and it doesn't shoot like it once did. I have several other milsurps and like them. The price has increased on them over the last couple of years due to scarcity. I also have one of the O3A3's that went to the Brits in WW2. It has the stripes on the stock to keep Brits from using the wrong ammo. Ought to sell it but just don't get around to it.


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Re: Winchester 1917 - any ideas on questions any value? [Re: Halfadozen] #7212597 06/30/18 08:49 PM
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Thanks for the additional insight Dave and Mr. Sir. Based on everyone's input it seems to have been rebuilt. I wish I knew the full history on how family was able to retain the rifle after the war. I do recall that it was used for deer and elk hunting in Oregon and Montana back in the 40's. I'll keep it as an heirloom and display it on a gun rack on my office/man cave wall! I'll have to ask my Mom is she recalls any more details. Can't believe it is 100 years old, I will take it to a gunsmith to make sure it is still safe to fire.


Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.
-- Ronald Reagan


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