Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

[ranger1183]

The gun boards are littered with "Model of 1917" Enfield rifles made by Eddystone, Remington and Winchester. A lot of these old iron horses have seen much better days. But as LTC Arthur Alphin (founder of the A-Square Rifle Company) has demonstrated since the 1970's, these built-like-a-tank heavy weight actions can be made into some of the most powerful hunting & safari rifles available.

I'm trying to figure out a way to take one of these old actions that still have the rear sights intact and turn it into an all purpose field rifle. I want to be able to use the rear ladder sight, yet still be able to put a decent scope on the rifle for long range shooting.

Yes, its a Gordian Knot type of problem. So I'm looking for ideas. The WW2 Germans, Russians and Swedes used scopes mounted to the side of their actions so shooters could pick either iron sights or glass for aiming. How viable is this option for a 1917 Enfield action?

Help? Ideas?

 

[Frank Green]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

My first custom rifle is built on a 1917 Rem. that was sporterized. It's in .264 Win. Mag. with a laminated stock but my rear receiver bridge was ground off when I got it. It's a scoped only rifle.

I'm rebuilding a Rem. Model 30 Express right now. It will be a iron sight gun only and back in .30-06.

The only option I can possibly see you doing is a side type scope mount. Don't know of any current mounts made other than possibly a Weaver.

Maybe look for some older mounts or look up places like New England Custom Guns. They have some nice mounts (not cheap ones). Maybe they would have something you could use.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

ranger1183 - sometimes I think I am a non-paid sponsor for my "go to" classic rifle smith

but Paul did a very interesting and unusual suppressed conversion on his old P14.

Follow the link below and see the Armourer's Notes menu on the left...click on the Suppressed .308 P14 link:

http://www.thamesvalleyguns.co.uk/

As with Frank's rifle above, it is scope only....but it may be an interesting read for you.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

Can anyone tell me what the max length of a cartridge that can fit in the magazine box of the 1917?

 

[Frank Green]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone tell me what the max length of a cartridge that can fit in the magazine box of the 1917? </div></div>

I'll measure my mag. box when I get home tonight. I've got one all taken apart at this time.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Frank Green</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone tell me what the max length of a cartridge that can fit in the magazine box of the 1917? </div></div>

I'll measure my mag. box when I get home tonight. I've got one all taken apart at this time.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels </div></div>

thanks Frank! That will be extremely helpful.

 

[Thaine]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone tell me what the max length of a cartridge that can fit in the magazine box of the 1917? </div></div>

They are easily modified to handle the 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and even the 505 Gibbs. New boxes can be made or old ones cut and extended. Remember origional design was for a large .276 ctg.
Thaine

 

[Frank Green]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

The stock magazine is 3.400" long.

As Thaine stated they can easily be modified to handle the H&H length rounds. Alot of the sporterized guns where converted becasue of the length of the action vs. other older guns.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Frank Green</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The stock magazine is 3.400" long.

As Thaine stated <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">they can easily be modified to handle the H&H length rounds.</span></span></span> Alot of the sporterized guns where converted becasue of the length of the action vs. other older guns.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels </div></div>
How is that modification best done?

 

[Frank Green]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

The only way I seeing using an original mag box to lengthen it is to cut and weld etc....the factory box's are riveted together. So grind the rivet heads off and it should just fall apart.

The easier option is to call a place like Sunny Hill Enterprises and order a complete box or trigger guard assy. I do believe they make them. It's high end stuff and won't be on the cheap cost wise but are excellent.

You could also try D'Arcy Echols and Company. Again not cheap but top work.

What caliber are you wanting to change it to? Keep in mind you might have to open the receiver rails for feeding etc...and or modify the feed ramp for the longer box etc....

We've put a couple of barrels on sporterized 1917 enfields for customers. Biggest caliber done was a .338 Lapua but the actions came in already modified etc....

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

Ranger1183,

You might look for an old Pachmyr 'tip-off' side mount. I have one on my Savage 1899. The scope is mounted into a two piece hinged mount. If you want to use open sights then just rotate the scope from over the top of the rifle. These were made in the '30's and are pretty solid. Good for hunting accuracy but IMO certainly not bench rest accuracy.

And, FWIW, the U.S. Model of 1917 is a great idea. If you can, lean toward the Remington or Winchester actions. While Remington owned the Eddystone plant, there were a number of them that have shown up later, when being modified, to have some cracks. Not all, or even a majority. I have also seen quite a number of Eddystone's built into beautiful rifles. It's kind of a gamble. When the actions were a dime a dozen it didn't matter. Now, we're paying over $100 usually, if not more. But, I really do love the action.

I find it strange that would happen because of all the fallout Remington had earlier with the 1903's and getting the metal too hot when heat treating them.

 

[WhiteCliffsOfDover]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

Jim Wisner used to build mag boxes for the 1917. He also sold a few parts for the 1917..

Duane Wiebe is a MASTER gunmaker. He makes bottom metal, and mag boxes.

Don't expect to get anything 'cheep' from these men.....not that you were.

Griffen and Howe use to make a side mount.

 

[WhiteCliffsOfDover]

Re: Salvaging a 1917 Enfield action.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone tell me what the max length of a cartridge that can fit in the magazine box of the 1917? </div></div>

They are easily modified to handle the 375 H&H, 416 Rigby and even the 505 Gibbs. New boxes can be made or old ones cut and extended. Remember origional design was for a large .276 ctg.
Thaine </div></div>

Modifying a 1917 to 505 Gibbs in not an easy task!!!!!
Its actually complicated. I would only trust a master gunmaker with this task.

Just my opinion.