Short Barreled Eddystone 1917

[Richard S]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post after seeing a great article by Dick Culver on the M1917 rifle.

I was at a local gun show today and saw a M1917 with what looked to be about a 20-22 inch barrel. It appeared all original with the exception of a EXP on the reciver ring just above the Eddystone name. I asked the guy what it was and he said it was an experimental M1917.

I combed the Internet looking for anything about possible variations and came up empty. I wish I had taken a few photos but there's a rule at that gun show regarding photography.

I've seen a lot of M1917's but never what looked like a M1917 Carbine. It reminded me of a Tanker Garand we used to sell in a gunshop ages ago. Full Garand but shortened.

I may buy the gun (if he didn't sell it at the show) and would really appreciate any information anyone might have on this.

Thanks very much,
Richard

[NuJudge]

I've read several books on the British Pattern 14 and the US Model of 1917, and there was no mention of such. On the Internet, I have seen pictures of 1917's that had been recently modified to be shorter, with original barrel bands and front sight re-installed.

Buy the rifle, not the story.

[chuckindenver]

welcome to the forum....no such critter, likely made up to fetch someones money, like the rare 1917 Snipers....didnt happen...unless they broke into the Cody Museum.

[madsenshooter]

There are pics of 1917 sniper rifles in Peter Senich,s books. Used by the Marines with a telescopic sight designed by a Marine, one who was also on the Byrd expedition. Also a pic with an A5 scope mounted. There were also windage adjustable rear sights designed by the same Marine, and there are a few examples of them in the Springfield Armory Musuem. They had a windage knob sticking out the right ear. One of the scoped 1917s also had this rear sight.

[dave]

Buddy of mine once stored a bunch of Legion 1917's (the post lost their building) that had barrel cut down (to match '03?). never put front sight back but band was there.

[chuckindenver]

like i said, unless you stole something from a museum...it didnt happen. no issued rifles were ever used for actuall combat as a scoped sniper, and no shortened 1917,s were ever issued as well.
the Legions rifle was likely cut down by someone other then the military. iv worked on many Legion post rifles...and im not the military.. matter fact i had a group of 10 of them chrome plated for honor guard and parade use a year ago.

[Rotor]

Heres one in a museum. Must have been an experiment. It's the 2nd floor of the Springfield Armory Historic Site. I have been told that it is no longer possible to get permission to go up there as they have no budget to pay qulified curators to do the job. ( this pic is from a big batch of pics floating around the web that show the treasures up there.)




John

[Randy A]

Probably looked pretty close to this, read the sellers description. When this got posted there were a few folks that liked it,,, and I'm sure proceeded to build one.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...=264622427#PIC

[Dan Shapiro]

Man, if I lived back there, I'D VOLUNTEER TO WORK AT SA FOR FREE!

[chuckindenver]

awesome picture...notice the cutaway in the far rack, and the target model with special rear sight in the for ground...thanks for sharing that pic.