Hacked up Eddystone pick up

[PeterCartwright]

Sorry, no pics.  A buddy had a table at a local gun show last weekend.  When I stopped by to check on him, he showed me an Eddystone Enfield in the low 90,XXXs he put on the table for a friend.  The friend was asking $200.  The action/barrel/sights hadn't been altered, but most of the hand guard and the forestock had been cut off.  The swivels were also missing from both bands.  A cheap nylon sling was held in place on the forearm by the screw intended for the swivel and on the butt with a wood screw.  (Yes, a screw through the sling into the butt . ) 

I picked up the rifle out of curiosity.  My dad had an Enfield back in the day as his only "deer rifle"  and I guess I have some nostalgia for the beast.  When I pulled the bolt, I discovered a bright, beautiful bore.  The light wasn't all that good in the room, but this was clearly a shooter.  Still, I didn't really need another rifle in the safe, so I left town for a meeting in another community.

When I finished my business and returned to my vehicle, I discovered my friend had been trying to reach me.  Seems his friend really wants to move the rifle.  Price:  $100.  What's a guy to do?  I caved on the spot.  A couple hours later, I picked up the gun and brought it home.  On further inspection, the bore isn't just good, it's brand new.  I can't even see any jacket fouling.  A subsequent range trip revealed that the gun is, in fact, a fine shooter putting five out of six of my handloads into an inch @ 50 yards.  (The sixth shot made the group 2").  

I'm kinda enamored of my new ugly rifle.  The standard receiver sight/front post system presents a pretty sharp sight picture.  The second stage of the two stage trigger is surprisingly light with only a tiny bit of mush.  It's a very huntable package.  I think I've already had a hundred dollars worth of fun with my new toy.

PC

[Swampman]

Here's what you need.

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Replacement-Stocks-for-US-Enfield-P-17-s/49.htm

[PeterCartwright]

Thanks, Swampman.  I didn't know Boyd's made replacement stocks for these old war horses. 

I dunno if I'll restore the gun.  It kinda has a rude charm in its rough and ready state.  Knowing friends explained that the the old timer who used to hunt with the gun didn't expose it to much hardship.  That's because it was generally shot from inside the vehicle.   I'll say this, the rifle is regulated spot on.

PC

[AtlLaw]

There is no doubt in my mind that I would restore that rifle to it's original miltary configuration!  I've got a Winchester M1917 and it's a lot of fun to shoot.  But it's your rifle.  Congrats on a GREAT purchase and enjoy it!   

[matthew_h]

congrats on a great purchase . sounds like a heck of a shooter . if it were my rifle i would replace the stock with a military one . but its yours and you can do what you want with it  .

[Huffmanite]

EGADS!!!   I would have jumped on that buy real quick too!!!! 

[1911crazy]

Ditto;  I'd buy it in a heart beat too.  I'm getting into some military surplus guns for shootin/plinking/hunting and just some fun to play with them.  I like when i'm at the local range and my non scoped surplus toys actually out shoot the modern scoped guns we've done it many times.  The military surplus hunters are showing up more and more lately too.  I like the look of the orginal stocks(awesome wood) when i do my builds.  I have a german 98k in its orginal form but its scoped with a 3 post scope with about ten coats of tung oil to protect the wood when its in bad weather.  I build all my sporters from parts or if i find one half done.  These are fun to work on and then shoot it.  Enjoy; 11czy

[jmayton]

I gotta agree with everyone else.  My 1917 was sporterized years ago and they did a great job of grinding off the ears, but if I found one in original (or near original) condition, I'd restore it.  Something about the nostalgia of it.

[1911crazy]

I found a winchester 1917 in 30-06 that has the stock cut for $250. The rifle looks awesome too.

[PeterCartwright]

My reading tells me the Winchesters and Remingtons are more highly regarded than my Eddystone.

PC

[Mikey]

I once owned a Winchester M1917 that I had sporterized when I purchased it off the rack in '66 - it was well worth the cost and effort at the time and that rifle stayed with me for almost 30 years until stolen.  If I had the chance to get another I would also sporterize that one - it shot far too well not to hunt with it. 

[1911crazy]

I been thinking of getting another rifle in 30-06 and an Eddystone 1917 for just $250 sounds reasonable.  The barreled receiver is still orginal so maybe picking up an orginal stock with hardware would be possible too.  The only difference between my surplups for hunting is they have a few more coats of tung oil on them to protect them from the snow/rain.  I also put a light coat of tung oil inside the stocks too so it water gets in there its protected too.  The wood stocks in the wet weather can swell up if there wet for a long peroid of time, i have heard.