.06 Winchester 1917.

[Tigertamer]

I just took my Dads deer rifle out of the Safe to see what it was.
it says U.S. Model of 1917. Winchester #64xxx with about a 26"
barrel. It's 30.06 ca. and has a modified stock on it. Can any one
give me a quick rundown on the history of this gun. He was in
WW2. Thanks in advance.

[G-Man WC]

Here's some light reading for you.
-g

http://www.odcmp.org/503/rifle.pdf

http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/world-war-i-and-firearms-innovation/case-32-wwi-america-and-the-allies/us-winchester-model-1917-bolt-action-rifle.aspx

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2012/4/19/the-model-1917-us-enfield/

[Divernhunter]

It is an oldie but goodie.
Hang on to it and enjoy shooting it. It will probably be a bit on the heavy side compared to more modern(commercial) rifles and they will probably outshoot it.
That said it was(is) your dads and that is family history. I have my dads 1903A3 rifle he bought in the early 1950's for $14.95 and will never sell it. It is all original other than arsenal rebuild and stamped as such.

Enjoy shooting it.

[ducky_0811]

They can be VERY accurate depending on how worn the barrel may be. A buddy of mine picked one up and it shot terrible at first until I suggest he slug the barrel. He then loaded with .311 bullets he had for an enfield and he was shooting 1" groups consistently with the iron sights.
They make awesome hunting rifles, super fast bolt for follow up shots.

[rmfool]

I just pick one of these up too bad my wifes grandfather cut the barrel down took off the rear site and drilled it for scope mounts and did some work on the stock. Guess that what happened many years ago, they didn't think they were ever gonna be anything special.

[G-Man WC]

I just pick one of these up too bad my wifes grandfather cut the barrel down took off the rear site and drilled it for scope mounts and did some work on the stock. Guess that what happened many years ago, they didn't think they were ever gonna be anything special.

At the time is was most likely a $10 surplus buy turned into hunting rifle.
I think a lot of smiths were converting these old war rifles back in the day.
I've seen a few that have the same stock\pad that look errily alike.
I have one apart now on the bench for cleaning and feeding the dry stock.
I'll post a pic when I get it done and ready to test.
-g

[offrdmania]

I also have one which was my grandfathers. Luckily, only the stock was sporterized and the rear sight leafs havent been taken down and the barrel hasnt been touched. A new military stock and it will be back to its old WWI self. They lose value once those rear sight leafs are taken down, then you might as well put a good rear sight on it and a really nice sporter stock on it and use the ***** out of it!

[G-Man WC]

I'm looking for an original stock to restore mine.
Like yours, it still retains the orig sights.
Dated Dec 1917 Rem 45,000 made
-g

[dvcrsn]

what is nice about the M1917 is that they have very strong actions--they have been rechambered into 300mag & 416 Rigby

[bcrich]

I have one that looks just like yours Gman! The last inch of the barrel is practically a smoothbore but surprisingly enough it still shoots ok.

[G-Man WC]

I have one that looks just like yours Gman! The last inch of the barrel is practically a smoothbore but surprisingly enough it still shoots ok.

Counterbored like so many Mosins I'm guessing.
I've seen a lot of the sportalized stocks and pads that look all alike.
I'm thinking some handy smith or company was buying them by the
truckload doing conversions.
I had taken mine apart on Friday. Inside the stock, the barrel channel it appeared handmade with many chisel marks. Not smooth at all.
I've had it for many years (like many C&R's I have) and it's unfired my myself
as of yet. I would like to restock it back to it's original configuration.
-g

[offrdmania]

Stocks are plentiful but a complete one with upper handguards and metal hardware tends to run close to $400. Worth more than a whole rifle if you ever plan to resell it but definitely worth it if you plan to hand on to the rifle forever since its a family heirloom