1917 Enfield

[Lotahp1]

Went to the show on sat here in OKC and only decent deal I found was a 1917 enfield. It was "sportsterized" but had factory stock. Still 30-06. Didnt know much about them but came home and looked on here but not much on them. Looked on rest of net and only found good stuff. Went back on sunday and he had sold it. Now Im on fence wondering if I messed up not getting it or should I be looking for another. His had a great Factory stock cheesey scope. $200 for gun, scope and about 20 rounds. Did I mess up or are these around for that? Anyone have one?

Thanks
Kris

 

[dennishoddy]

Went to the show on sat here in OKC and only decent deal I found was a 1917 enfield. It was "sportsterized" but had factory stock. Still 30-06. Didnt know much about them but came home and looked on here but not much on them. Looked on rest of net and only found good stuff. Went back on sunday and he had sold it. Now Im on fence wondering if I messed up not getting it or should I be looking for another. His had a great Factory stock cheesey scope. $200 for gun, scope and about 20 rounds. Did I mess up or are these around for that? Anyone have one?

Thanks
Kris

For $200 you should have picked it up. Rounds will run from $20-40.
The enfields have a good reputation.

 

[acpjosh]

I wouldnt have bought it. They are a .303. Mine is a NO4mkII and it shoots most exellent. Not much over MOA @ 100. I just like my vintage rifles to be, well, vintage.

 

[Shifty]

Josh, hes not talking about the british lee endield no4 mk1. hes talking about the enfields the us used in ww1 along with the 03's. Werent enough 03's so we started picking these up in .30-06

no4 mk 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield
1917: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield

 

[Shifty]

I wouldnt have a problem buying it. In my experience you can expect to pay 800 plus for an all natural one.

 

[acpjosh]

Josh, hes not talking about the british lee endield no4 mk1. hes talking about the enfields the us used in ww1 along with the 03's. Werent enough 03's so we started picking these up in .30-06

no4 mk 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield
1917: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield

Well in that case, yes. Thanks for the links.

 

[AKguy1985]

$200 was a good deal even if it was drilled and tapped

 

[Shriner]

Check Emprie arms. com it carries military rifles and handguns two or three days ago it have 1917's under $900in full miltary dress and good looking stocks.

 

[T.R.]

It really all depends on what was done to "customize" it, and whether or not the guy who did the work knew what the heck he was doing. Customized 1917s turn up on Gunbroker and Auction Arms with some degree of regularity, so check those two sources for approximate value. Be warned though; a great many of these fine old rifles were absolutely mangled by inept attempts at customizing. Also, those 1917s manufactured at the Eddystone plant have a bit of a reputation for cracked receiver rings....possibly caused when trying to remove the extremely tight barrels for customizing.

 

[Larry Morgan]

Be careful what you buy. My dad bought one just like that, nicely sporterized, also for $200. However, it wasn't until I put a round in it later did I realize the headspace is dangerously close to being out on it. In fact, it may be too far out, I'd probably have to use a field gauge to know for sure.

If it's been re-barreled, it's probably just fine. If it's the factory barrel, you may want to look at it closer. This issue concerns me enough that I almost want to carry around headspace gauges at a gunshow if I'm looking at old military stuff.