Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooting

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Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooting

Post by hondajames12 » 09 Jan 2022, 1:34 pm

How’s it going,

New to the forum here, forgive me if I’ve posted this in the wrong spot; let me know if so.
I currently have in my gun collection an Eddystone 1917 (M1917 Enfield, was .30-06) that has been re-barrelled to .308 and sporterised specifically for long range target shooting (unsure of discipline to be shot with it). Has a vernier tang sight etc with globe front sight and interchangeable inserts. Will measure up barrel for length; is a very accurate rifle in the right hands. Can upload pictures later as well.

This rifle is surplus to my needs, as competitively shoot handguns and won’t find the time to pick up another discipline. I received the rifle off a family member as it was also surplus to their needs, but there’s no sentimental value towards the rifle for either of us. My question is, without knowing who did the smithing re-barrelling the rifle, what would a rifle like this be worth, or how could I find it’s worth, as I would like to move it on and replace it with another rifle. Not looking for top dollar, just don’t want to rip myself off.

Thanks for reading!
James
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by Larry » 09 Jan 2022, 5:48 pm

Its not going to have any extra value as a competition gun. It just doesnt fit with say the correct specs for a top level competitive gun. I think it would be worth what a sportorised milserp rifle would command which is lower typically than a non modified milserp.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by No1Mk3 » 10 Jan 2022, 11:58 am

G'day hondajames12,
Sadly they are not worth what they should be! They were mostly made in a time when dedicated target rifles were priced beyond most shooters or were simply not available so many former military actions were used to make 308 rifles such as the Enfield No4, Mauser 98 and P'14/M17. These served us well until the Omark became readily available and then came the better custom actions like Barnard etc.so that now rifles like yours have fallen in a hole, no military collector value, too heavy for hunting, not seriously competitive in T/R but remain cheap entry level rifles for T/R and F-Class and pull between $500 to $1000 in very good condition. Give SARA a call and speak to someone there as to where the closest range is to you then drop in for a visit and talk to the members, Cheers.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by Larry » 10 Jan 2022, 12:39 pm

Omarks can be purchased between $150 and 400 as a guide. I think these would have more demand than your eddy when it comes to competitive shooting.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by bladeracer » 10 Jan 2022, 1:21 pm

It has some value to somebody that wants to enjoy an M1917, but doesn't want to spend the money on a nice one. What that value might be is anybody's guess and probably depends more on how many others are on the market when you advertise it than anything else. The sights are some of the best parts of the original rifle so it's a shame they were changed. The competition sights make it an unlikely hunting rifle, and trying to get originals might be difficult and expensive.

I was very close to pulling the trigger on one five years ago. I can't recall if it was a grand or $1200, but it was more than I thought it was worth. As I was buying a few other rifles at the time that offered better value I opted out, but I really wish I'd grabbed it.

I'd spend a day at the range first, you might find you just enjoy shooting it, without getting hung up on competitions.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by in2anity » 14 Jan 2022, 2:08 pm

it's an m17 - the holy grail in bolt-action service rifle. It could be converted back to "as issued" 30-06, with some ogrinal sights from Rebel, then it would pull $2-3k.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by bladeracer » 14 Jan 2022, 4:17 pm

in2anity wrote:it's an m17 - the holy grail in bolt-action service rifle. It could be converted back to "as issued" 30-06, with some ogrinal sights from Rebel, then it would pull $2-3k.


$2000 for an M17 chambered in .308?
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by in2anity » 22 Jan 2022, 3:24 pm

bladeracer wrote:$2000 for an M17 chambered in .308?


I'll say it again for you to be really clear:

It could be converted back to "as issued" 30-06, with some original sights from Rebel, then it would pull $2-3k
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by bladeracer » 22 Jan 2022, 4:54 pm

in2anity wrote:
bladeracer wrote:$2000 for an M17 chambered in .308?


I'll say it again for you to be really clear:

It could be converted back to "as issued" 30-06, with some original sights from Rebel, then it would pull $2-3k


That's clearer :-)
You confused me by only mentioning the sights and disregarding the rebarreling, which is the major part of the job, and as it's "sporterised", will likely need other parts too :-)
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by No1Mk3 » 22 Jan 2022, 5:32 pm

New barrel $600 + fitting, new sights $200 + fitting, new furniture $800, about $1800 to $2000 I would agree bladeracer. If the action has been machined as most T/R conversions were then a new action, ie: complete new rifle. Can affray the costt by selling 308 barrel, chopped up furniture etc, so might bring the price down to $1500 or so.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by in2anity » 22 Jan 2022, 8:02 pm

No1Mk3 wrote:New barrel $600 + fitting, new sights $200 + fitting, new furniture $800, about $1800 to $2000 I would agree bladeracer. If the action has been machined as most T/R conversions were then a new action, ie: complete new rifle. Can affray the costt by selling 308 barrel, chopped up furniture etc, so might bring the price down to $1500 or so.

Might not need new furniture, depending on what's been removed from the forend. But yeah it could be pricey to restore, especially if you are going through public smiths. In any case, a m17 in 308 should fetch $1500 on the public markets.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by bladeracer » 23 Jan 2022, 1:43 pm

in2anity wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:New barrel $600 + fitting, new sights $200 + fitting, new furniture $800, about $1800 to $2000 I would agree bladeracer. If the action has been machined as most T/R conversions were then a new action, ie: complete new rifle. Can affray the cost by selling 308 barrel, chopped up furniture etc, so might bring the price down to $1500 or so.


Might not need new furniture, depending on what's been removed from the forend. But yeah it could be pricey to restore, especially if you are going through public smiths. In any case, a m17 in 308 should fetch $1500 on the public markets.


I don't think I'd be hesitant about paying $1500 for a nice M17 in .308, as long as the rifle itself is an original M17. Meaning a new barrel cut to replace the original, I wouldn't want an original barrel that's been rechambered and set back to suit. This might explain why it was sporterised if the barrel had to be shortened.
The difference between .308 and .30-06 to the shooter is nothing, both do the same thing with the same bullets.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by in2anity » 23 Jan 2022, 5:13 pm

bladeracer wrote:I don't think I'd be hesitant about paying $1500 for a nice M17 in .308, as long as the rifle itself is an original M17. Meaning a new barrel cut to replace the original, I wouldn't want an original barrel that's been rechambered and set back to suit. This might explain why it was sporterised if the barrel had to be shortened.
The difference between .308 and .30-06 to the shooter is nothing, both do the same thing with the same bullets.


In fact I have a m17-308 target rifle inbound myself, with parker hale sights and a blackmountain barrel. Just waiting on my PTA. According to some of the old timer previous owners (of which there are more than one in our club, as this particular rifle has changed hands over the years) it's an amazing shooter. Certainly worth at least $1500.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by No1Mk3 » 26 Jan 2022, 12:04 pm

in2anity wrote:
bladeracer wrote:I don't think I'd be hesitant about paying $1500 for a nice M17 in .308, as long as the rifle itself is an original M17. Meaning a new barrel cut to replace the original, I wouldn't want an original barrel that's been rechambered and set back to suit. This might explain why it was sporterised if the barrel had to be shortened.
The difference between .308 and .30-06 to the shooter is nothing, both do the same thing with the same bullets.


In fact I have a m17-308 target rifle inbound myself, with parker hale sights and a blackmountain barrel. Just waiting on my PTA. According to some of the old timer previous owners (of which there are more than one in our club, as this particular rifle has changed hands over the years) it's an amazing shooter. Certainly worth at least $1500.


One just sold on usedguns for a tenth of that, $150.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by in2anity » 26 Jan 2022, 3:23 pm

No1Mk3 wrote:One just sold on usedguns for a tenth of that, $150.

So what are you implying? A converted (not to be confused with a sporterized) m17-308 service rifle is worth less that $1500? Honest question.
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Re: Eddystone 1917 Re-Barrelled to .308 for Precision Shooti

Post by No1Mk3 » 26 Jan 2022, 4:53 pm

in2anity wrote:
No1Mk3 wrote:One just sold on usedguns for a tenth of that, $150.

So what are you implying? A converted (not to be confused with a sporterized) m17-308 service rifle is worth less that $1500? Honest question.


If it is an M17 in all outward appearances with a replacement 308 barrel, perhaps it is worth $1500 to some (not me), but if it is a dedicated conversion T/R, ie: shortened stock, free floated, machined action, reshaped bolt handle, re-barreled, tunnel foresight, then it is a rifle of no more value than an Omark. The one sold on abusedguns was stupid cheap but I still see such things for $500, Omarks have jumped up with some wags asking a $1000 or more but can still be found for $450 or so, even less if you are in the know. Even the one you have on the way would need to have the correct P-H 5B sight before I would even consider as having any value to me. All rifles are "horses for courses", and their intrinsic value is purely subjective but I cannot see the price of an M17 Target Rifle reaching $1500+ unless it is an externally correct military rifle, not for me at least when I can still find originals at this price or lower.
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