New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

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Cat Man
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New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by Cat Man »

I just received my copy of Bruce Canfields new collector book about the US 1917
"Enfield" rifles. Well worth the price. Hardcover, high quality paper and printing with lots of
clear photos of guns and components. Many great vintage historical photos of the rifles in use.
Great Winter evening reading if you own a 1917 or want to add one to your collection.
My only warning is to very carefully inspect your rifle. I was horrified to learn my prized pristine Eddystone Enfield
is hiding a WINCHESTER replacement bolt! No Joy, well, a little joy 99% Eddystone anyway. Still shoots good.

Jeff the Caterpillar Man
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butlersrangers
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by butlersrangers »

Thanks for the post and review on Canfield's new Model 1917 book!
I saw it mentioned on Ian McCollum's 'Forgotten Weapons' site, a few days back.
It looks to have great content.

I thought, I had that 'gun library' niche pretty well covered with Ian Skennerton's - "US Enfield".
However, the Skennerton book, though good, has a lot of British/Australian material and bias.
The two books should complement each other well.

Too late for Christmas, I have to put Canfield's new book on my Birthday List.
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waterman
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by waterman »

Heresy, but I have long thought that the design was far superior to the '03. My sons and I have been through almost a dozen, playing with whatever turned up.

I've seen a WW2 return from the UK, an Eddystone, that was missing about 1/3 of the left side of the receiver wall. How did that get through inspection at Eddystone, and then inspection or at least examination by Army Ordnance. The Brits probably put it into Home Guard reserve. We cleaned it up but declined to shoot it. I'm prejudiced in favor of Winchesters, with the real Remingtons also looking good. As rifles, they are far superior to any issue 03A3.

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butlersrangers
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by butlersrangers »

I respect the Pattern 1913 & Pattern 1914 Enfield rifles and the U.S. Rifle Model of 1917.
They are good, strong rifles, with many fine qualities.
However, I have always found them clumsy and ill-balanced in handling and operation,
especially, when compared to Model 1903 Springfield and 1903A3 rifles.

When I was a young collector, I considered the Model 1903A3 rifle, with its many stamped parts, to be the ugliest of rifles.
Years later, having fired an accurate Remington 03A3, in many winter-time matches,
I consider the '03A3 to be one of the best handling and most accurate military bolt-action rifles ever made.

I guess that a lot about preference is related to how a rifle fits and performs for the shooter!
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Cat Man
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by Cat Man »

I think that is why most of us don't have a rack full of M1917's. Reading Canfields words in the new book,
the Preface does an excellent job of addressing what was considered "the ugly stepchild" of American Serice Rifles.
Certainly not the top of my gun list either, but important and interesting history just the same.

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butlersrangers
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by butlersrangers »

I recently finished the restoration of a Remington made "Rifle Model of 1917", which underwent 'rebuild', during WW-2.

The government rebuild process gave this 'Remington' rifle, a Winchester bolt and a whole bunch of Eddystone small parts.

Some civilian owner, (in the post-WW-2 era), cut off most of the stock forearm, threw-away the barrel bands & handguards, and ground the protective ears off of the front-sight base.

Restoration consisted of replacing missing barrel-bands & handguards, installing a new front-sight unit, and fitting an appropriate surplus stock.
I was able to stone the trigger & sear to achieve a good 'let-off'.
Some 'Range Time' (and hopefully good performance) may change ... my fondness for & opinion of ... the Model of 1917!
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waterman
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by waterman »

Were you able to replace the ears?

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butlersrangers
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Re: New Book US Model 1917 Rifle

Post by butlersrangers »

I put on a complete model 1917 front-sight, (which included a base with protective 'ears' and a front-blade, installed in the base dovetail).

'Waterman' - Possibly, you are thinking of 1917 receivers, which have had the rear-sight 'ears' ground off? That situation would be tough to restore.
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