I bought an old custom rifle.....now I need info!!!

[Feddog82]

So....to make a short story long I bought a rifle at auction purely b/c I liked the way it looked and felt. When I checked it out I could tell that the barrel was from a Winchester Model 54 but I had never seen a 54 barrel that was so heavy. The next thing I noticed was that the stock was a custom stock. Then I noticed that the action was from a 1917 Eddystone/Enfield. It seemed to be an old school, custom, bench rest rifle and everything was in pretty damn good shape.

As you can tell I was interested and this became an impulse buy for some instant gratification. The rifle came home and I have been studying it for a week or so now. As it sits there is now way that I can see to mount a modern rifle scope. The "dovetail" mounts ( my lack of knowledge on vintage scopes and sights has hindered my brainstorming) are too far forward for our modern, "short", scopes. It seems to me that I may need to purchase a classic/vintage target scope such as a Unertl or Bausch and Lomb.

So what I am looking for is some input on what type of rings/mounts to use on these dovetails and what brand/model rifle scope that should work in this application. If anyone has specific knowledge about this subject please respond or contact me directly or through PM.
I would really like to put a classic scope on this rifle. I believe it was put together quite some time ago and the blueing/wood/bore are in excellent condition. I feel that this rifle is going to make an excellent addition to my collection of older rifles.

Just for everyones info, this Winchester model 54 barrel is chambered in 30 GOV'T 06 (.30-06) and seems to be from the rare Target models. I was hoping that it was fro mthe even more rare Sniper's model however it is 24" not 26" as the Sniper's model were equipped with.

Thanks for the help, I can not wait for the responses. Enjoy the pics.


Link to album: http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m102/Feddog82/Custom%20Rifle%201917%20Eddystone%20Winchester%2054%20Target/

[hillbill]

wow nice rig!have fun with it!

[Savage_99]

Rifles like that were common in the 50's and 60's for target shooting.  In our area of CT aperture irons were used and target blocks like those shown were for testing with a scope.  Scopes that will fit are the Lymans Super Targetspot, Unertl, Fecker etc.

[gunnut69]

that appears to be a very old cartridge nomeclature. On any custom rifle such as this I'd check the chamber to be certain of the caliber before any firing.. The are also modern replica scopes made to fit these mounts. I've seen them available from Cabela's and BassPro..

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
I just looked at your pictures (and boy, was that irritating! "Get Zwinky?") and I concur. It looks like you'll have to find an old Unertl or Lyman tube. I wonder if the Wm. Malcolm replicas would work? They come in 18" and 30" and use the external adjusters. Pretty stock!

Bitterroot

[turk762]

I had two of the 1917 customs in the past (not with the barrel mounted scope) and I loved both of the guns and did realize it until after I got rid of them. I was young when I bought them and got them because they were cheap, and got rid of them because they were old (immature mind at work).

[Feddog82]

What would you guys say a rifle like this one could be valued at?

[Waddie Bill]

   Feddog,

   Check out this site http.//unertalalexweb.net/index,htm  Lots of info on external adjustment scops and many forr sale.

   Nice rifle!

  Waddie Bill

[DeckH]

Feddog,  If a serial number is visible, I would do some "goggling" to determine if your Eddystone falls into the brittle catagory.  There waas a batch of Eddystones produced during the war that were not properly heat treated.  Hench, they were too brittle.   I've heard horror stories that if you tapped some of the brittle actions with a hammer or mallet they would shatter.

[torpedoman]

Rifles like that were common in the 50's and 60's for target shooting.  In our area of CT aperture irons were used and target blocks like those shown were for testing with a scope.  Scopes that will fit are the Lymans Super Targetspot, Unertl, Fecker etc.

believe it or not TASCO made one of those scopes and is was a great scope,  if you don't see the name you'll think it is unertl.

[Merle]

Feddog,  If a serial number is visible, I would do some "goggling" to determine if your Eddystone falls into the brittle catagory.  There waas a batch of Eddystones produced during the war that were not properly heat treated.  Hench, they were too brittle.   I've heard horror stories that if you tapped some of the brittle actions with a hammer or mallet they would shatter.

This problem is well documented for "low number" 1903 Springfields, but I have never heard of it concerning M1917's. Some Eddystones did crack the receivers when rebarreled, as too much torque was applied.

Can you provide any additional info about this?

Thanks.

    

[Muddly]

Common misconception about the 1917's is Eddystones were the only ones to crack.They weren't. The reason for the cracking wasn't heat treatment but rather it was slightly oversized replacement barrel threads overtightened when the rifles were rebuilt between the wars and into WW2. knew a gunsmith who did this work at the time and spoke to it from first had experience. You will rarely, if ever find a 1917 with reciever cracks, that has its original barrel.

[Merle]

Common misconception about the 1917's is Eddystones were the only ones to crack.They weren't. The reason for the cracking wasn't heat treatment but rather it was slightly oversized replacement barrel threads overtightened when the rifles were rebuilt between the wars and into WW2. knew a gunsmith who did this work at the time and spoke to it from first had experience. You will rarely, if ever find a 1917 with reciever cracks, that has its original barrel.

That's more in line with my understanding of the M1917, but new knowledge is always welcome.

Thanks.

       

[Savage_99]

Rifles like that were common in the 50's and 60's for target shooting.  In our area of CT aperture irons were used and target blocks like those shown were for testing with a scope.  Scopes that will fit are the Lymans Super Targetspot, Unertl, Fecker etc.

believe it or not TASCO made one of those scopes and is was a great scope,  if you don't see the name you'll think it is unertl.

You say Tasco made some of what scope(s)?  Please be specific.  Do you mean the scope in the picture?