Eddystone M1917 Enfield .30-06 Used

Description

Eddystone M1917 Enfield .30-06 — Used

A pre-owned M1917 Enfield 30-06 is one of the most compelling ways to put a genuine piece of American military history in your hands — specifically one carried by U.S. soldiers in the deadliest conflict the world had ever seen. This example is an Eddystone-manufactured rifle, serial number 501149, bearing the “RIA / FK” cartouche on the right side of the stock — a Rock Island Arsenal inspection stamp that places this rifle in the WWII-era rebuild program, when the U.S. Army reconditioned its WWI-era bolt-action inventory for potential second deployment.

Because the M1917 was the most-produced American service rifle of WWI — more units saw combat than the Springfield 1903 — its Eddystone examples carry particular collector weight. Furthermore, Eddystone was the largest of the three manufacturers contracted to produce the M1917, turning out over one million rifles at its Pennsylvania plant. This specific example retains its original barrel, military aperture rear sight with intact “dog ear” wings, walnut stock with original handguard, steel buttplate, and a period olive-drab canvas sling.

Key Features — M1917 Enfield 30-06

• Manufacturer: Eddystone (Remington Arms subsidiary, Eddystone, Pennsylvania)
• Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
• Action: Bolt-action, 5-round internal box magazine
• Barrel: 26″ original barrel
• Sights: Military aperture rear sight with full “dog ear” protective wings; front blade with protective ears
• Stock: Original walnut military stock with handguard, two barrel bands, RIA / FK cartouche
• Finish: Military blued steel — aged patina consistent with arsenal rebuild and service history
• Sling: Olive-drab canvas military sling included

 

Why This Product Stands Out

The M1917 consistently earns respect in military arms circles because of how much rifle it is for the money. Specifically, John Browning’s locking geometry and the deep-set cock-on-closing bolt give the action a remarkably smooth, positive feel, and the receiver-mounted aperture sight is arguably more precise for aimed fire than the open-notch rear on the contemporary Springfield 1903. Because the M1917 was designed to meet wartime production schedules without sacrificing mechanical integrity, it has delivered extraordinary durability across more than a century of service and storage.

Furthermore, this Eddystone example is notable for its provenance story. The RIA / FK cartouche specifically indicates a Rock Island Arsenal rebuild during the WWII mobilization period — making it a rifle with documented WWI-manufacturer and WWII-rebuild history on a single platform. As a result, it crosses three categories of collector interest at once: WWI Eddystone production, WWII arsenal rebuild documentation, and a fully matching original-configuration example that remains unmodified from military spec. However, complete all-matching M1917s in unaltered configuration are increasingly difficult to find — the majority of survivors have had collectors or previous owners modify the stocks, mount scopes, or swap barrels.

For that reason, an honest, unmodified example like this one holds collector value well above sporterized counterparts. In addition, the intact “dog ear” rear sight wings are frequently damaged or removed when rifles are scoped — their presence here is a meaningful authenticity detail that collectors specifically seek.

Ideal Use Cases

• WWI and WWII military arms collecting
• Living history and re-enactment display
• Wall hanger / display piece with functional, shootable status
• .30-06 bolt-action field use (hunting or range)

 

Condition

This rifle presents in Good condition consistent with its age and documented military service history. The metal retains its aged military blue with patina and light handling marks throughout — there is no active rust or pitting visible in the photos. The steel buttplate shows significant bluing loss and honest wear marks, which is typical and expected on M1917 examples that saw field use. The “dog ear” rear sight wings are intact and undamaged.

The walnut stock shows honest surface scratches and handling marks across the forestock, wrist, and handguard — notably a gouge on the forestock near the rear barrel band. However, the wood is structurally sound with no cracks; what appears as deeper marks at the wrist and trigger guard area are surface scratches only. The RIA / FK cartouche is clearly legible and undamaged. The canvas sling is present and functional.

Technical Specifications

 

 

Compatibility Information

Ammunition: Chambers standard .30-06 Springfield. Do not use .30-06 +P or proof loads in any WWI/WWII-era military rifle without first having the headspace and bore inspected by a qualified gunsmith.

Bayonet: The M1917 accepts the M1917 bayonet. No bayonet is included with this rifle.

Optics: The receiver is not drilled or tapped. Mounting optics requires a gunsmith-installed scope base. Additionally, removing or modifying the “dog ear” rear sight wings would reduce the collector value of this example significantly — consider that before any modification.

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Manufacturer: Eddystone (Remington Arms Co. of Delaware) | Model: U.S. Model of 1917 Enfield | Type: Bolt-Action Rifle | Caliber: .30-06 Springfield | UPC: N/A | SKU: N/A

THIS FIREARM REQUIRES TRANSFER THROUGH A LICENSED FFL DEALER. ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS APPLY.