Sight Groove in wood

[wsfbernie]

I have several M1917's now, both blued WWI and parked WWII. Has anyone
else noted the dramatic difference in how the sight grooves are milled into the wood guard?
It seems (to me, anyway) the WWI groove is longer and narrower (visually seen) than WWII
sight grooves. The WWII groove is shorter and wider than the earlier manufacture.
Any thoughts or expertise is appreciated.

[Randy A]

I believe they actually started parking them in during WW1, so unless the finish is different between WW1 and 2, I don't know if a person could actually say when. Other than inspector stamps and we all know how stocks and parts get changed around. I haven't noticed the sight groove difference, I'll have to go look. Did you check the under sides of the guards, many of them are marked by the manufacturer, that might shed light on the difference?

[Dan Wilson]

First time I have heard this question.
I would look at mine but all I have is original walnut, not the hardwood WWII replacements

[chuckindenver]

P14 has a different sight groove then the 1917,
Winchester 1917 rear hand guards look a little different then the others,
Remington and Eddsystone started to parkerize 1917,s in Sept of 1918.. Winchester didnt parkerize 1917,s.