Make: Eddystone Arsenal, a subsidiary of Remington

Model: M-1917 American Enfield

Serial Number: 1217935

Year of Manufacture: 1918. Production ran from September 1917-January 1919 (p. 129 of Charles Stratton’s book “British Enfield Rifles Volume 4 – The Pattern 1914 and US Model 1917 Rifles”).

Barrel Date: 10-18 (October 1918)

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The front of the Eddystone barrel is marked “E” for Eddystone over the “flaming bomb” acceptance stamp of the Ordnance Department and the date, “10-18” (October 1918). The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / MODEL OF 1917 / EDDYSTONE / 1217935”. The left side of the receiver and the top of the bolt handle are both stamped with a “flaming bomb”. There is a “Z” on the handle arm. There is an eagle head acceptance stamp on the safety with an “E”. The bottom of the wrist is marked “3N”. There is a proof on top of the buttplate. The left side of the bolt release is marked “E”. All three of the sling rings are marked “E”. The front of the nose on the wood is marked “E”. The top of the receiver and the left of the bolt are marked with two proofs, “A3” and “K5”. The bottom of the bolt handle and the bolt itself are marked “E”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between two protective ears. The rear sight is also set between two protective ears. When down, it’s an aperture. When flipped up, it becomes a sight ladder that uses a sliding aperture, and the ladder is marked from “2-16”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with finger grooves, a nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, two sling loops, a through bolt, reinforcing pin, cutout for the bolt handle, straight grip, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage (there’s an original WW1 oil bottle and bore brush in the compartment). There are scattered nicks, scuffs, and compressions throughout. There is a small chip on the top of the wrist at the receiver. There are no cracks. The left side of the buttstock has a concentrated area of compressions that have started to slightly chip away at the wood. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stock rates in about Very Good Condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Most of the finish appears Original, though the receiver appears to have been treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is defined. There is light fouling in the grooves. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the leading edges, and primarily on the barrel, front sight, and trigger guard. The action shows operational wear. The screws show very light tool marks with strong slots. There is intermittent and infrequent corrosion on the receiver, bolt release, bands, and sling rings. Most of the markings are deep and clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine Condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The aforementioned original WW1 oil bottle and bore brush in the buttplate storage compartment.

Our Assessment: The US Army entered WW1 with an insufficient supply of Springfield rifles to equip the “doughboys” shipping out for the trenches “over there”. Remington was already producing a rifle for the British, so rather than retool the factory to make Springfields, the caliber was simply switched over to .30-06, and the rifle was taken into service as the M-1917 “American Enfield”.

This US WW1 Eddystone M-1917 American Enfield Bolt Action Rifle was made in 1918 and is in Fine Condition. It features a 26” barrel dated October 1918, 85% of its blued finish (most of the finish appears original, though the receiver appears to have been treated with cold blue), rugged two-piece walnut stocks with finger grooves, a nosecap with bayonet lug, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage containing an original oil bottle and bore brush, clear Eddystone markings on the receiver and other parts, solid mechanics, and a bright bore with defined rifling and no erosion (just light fouling in the grooves). The stock shows scattered nicks, scuffs, and compressions, with a small chip on the top of the wrist at the receiver, and a concentrated area of wear on the left side of the buttstock. This is an honest example of the classic US WW1 “American Enfield”.