one50 Posted April 22, 2018 Share #1 Posted April 22, 2018 Last night I was cataloging my firearms. I knew I had a Model 1917 rifle in the collection...but after the cataloging process...I found I have 2 Model 1917's. That was a fun surprise...whats funner is the fact they are both Winchesters and they are only 25 digits apart. My question is this, I want to check them both out to see if they are matching and everything is correct. Any good resources out there how to accomplish checking this? I'm having a hard time finding info. From what I can tell, being a Winchester, just make sure everything has a "W" on it....Is that it? No numbers to cross check or reference? Looking for help on how to check if they are matching. Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted April 22, 2018 Share #2 Posted April 22, 2018 I think, but not 100% sure that all parts would be stamped with a W. it has been a long time since I had one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunmore1774 Posted April 22, 2018 Share #3 Posted April 22, 2018 This is a nice site to show what parts are marked for each maker. http://m1903.com/m1917markings.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one50 Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted April 22, 2018 That's a nice site, thanks for sharing that dunmore1774. So that's it? Check to see if the all the parts on that website have a "W". That's pretty simple...I was thinking drawing numbers to cross reference etc. 1917...a simpler time. I'll post pics of the disassembly on this thread when I get into it. Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunmore1774 Posted April 22, 2018 Share #5 Posted April 22, 2018 As far as I know, just check for the W parts. I don't think the bolts were numbered/matching on M1917 but I believed the bolts were numbered on P14 rifles (matching to the serial number). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommatt3 Posted April 22, 2018 Share #6 Posted April 22, 2018 Bolts on U.S. M1917 were not numbered to the rifle, but many saw usage by other countries and what they did is any ones guess. I have a M1917 that had the bolt numbered by the Canadians, the receiver notched by the Norwegians, and the stock numbered by the Danes. All the numbers match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 25, 2018 Share #7 Posted April 25, 2018 American rifles did not have serialized parts like Mausers, Arisakas, Mosin-Nagants, and others. In the case of the M1917, drawing numbers were not stamped on the parts. That practice began with the M1 Garand. To verify that it is all original, it is as simple as making sure that every part that should has a W on it, which is a substantial portion of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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