Winchester 1917

[Porvida]

Hi guys,

I recently acquired a 1917. A good friends grandfather past away this year and he had a 1917 in a box that has not been opened since 1946. He was given the rifle as a gift after finishing the pacific campaign in WWII.

I don't know much about them and have been told it's been sportirized. I've been told it's never been shot and it looks brand new. If I shoot it would I ruin any collectibility?

[Milsurp Collector]

Hi guys,

I recently acquired a 1917. A good friends grandfather past away this year and he had a 1917 in a box that has not been opened since 1946. He was given the rifle as a gift after finishing the pacific campaign in WWII.

I don't know much about them and have been told it's been sportirized. I've been told it's never been shot and it looks brand new. If I shoot it would I ruin any collectibility?

Shooting it will not lower its collector value. A sporterized military rifle - unless it was sporterized by a well-known company like Griffin & Howe - has already lost its collector value, so fell free to shoot it. Unless it has been rechambered it should be chambered in .30-06.

This is a Winchester Model of 1917 in unmodified form.

[Porvida]

Thanks

It's chambered in 30.06. Does it require any special ammo?

[bruceflinch]

Thanks

It's chambered in 30.06. Does it require any special ammo?

No. That is a very strong Action. IMO, They are the most fun to shoot offhand.

[Porvida]

Ok cool
How can I find out more information on the gun
Is there a way to search the serial number

[Jeff L]

Can you post more pics of the rifle?

[Porvida]

I can't figure out how to upload more than one at a time

The 4 I've posted on the thread are all I have. I'll take some more tommorow

[TRAP55]

What's the serial?

[Porvida]

This may sound ridiculous, but if I provide the serial number does that put me at risk for anything?

Newbie, so bare with me

[TRAP55]

I've never thought so. You can PM it to me if you don't feel sure about posting it.

[cmichini]

This may sound ridiculous, but if I provide the serial number does that put me at risk for anything?

Newbie, so bare with me

No big risk, but many people are a particularly careful and post all but the last 2 or 3 digits of the serial number. It provides folks the appropriate range for dating/analysis but doesn't tell all.

HTH

[Porvida]

Thanks guys

The first 4 digits are 1826.

I was just curious if I could trace it's history. I have been told that my friend's grandfather was a Navy Commander in the pacific and in 1946 when he retired, he was given the gun as a retirement gift from his troops. He build a box to have it shipped home and then put it in his attic from 1946-2013, when it was discovered this year by his grandson.

[TRAP55]

Is it a 4 digit serial?

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The serial number paranoia is silly. It is very unlikely that people with be able to do anything with it in this day and age. However, what is typical is you post it like this: 1234xx, leaving the last 2 digits as "x"s.

As for the rifle, It was not uncommon for those to be converted into sporters for almost 50 years. The actions were strong enough to hand even the African hunting belted magnum cartridges. I would look to see if there are any marking on yours that show who did the conversion. They often were done by well-known smith. I believe that the NRA also offered some target rifles based on modified 1917 rifles. The rear sight on that looks like a Williams, which would be correct for that time period, but I am less certain about the front sight. One other thing to look at. Does the rifle actually say "Winchester" on it? Because Remington continued to make a slightly altered version of this rifle under the "Model 30" designation. Those were also pretty common back then, and the front sight looks like it would probably be correct for that. Just food for thought.

-Mb

[Porvida]

It is a 6 digit serial 1826xx

Yes the barrel says US Model of 1917 Winchester

The front site actually has a little barrel piece that is detachable which is not shown in the pictures