Dogface72

Also, take a close look at the wood. The finger rail and stock at the grip portion should be very crisp on the edges if it is a original, non arsenal rebuilt. The sanding process dulls those edges. The stock is typically larger than the butt plate, a term used is "the wood is proud", meaning the stock was not heavily sanded. My research shows 1917's were overhauled and put into storage well prior to WW2 and those rifles do not have rebuild marks typically seen on Garands.

Hello I believe your 1917 is a WW2 rebuild. I have a few that came covered in cosmoline and green paper. They were purchased through the DCM in the 1960's. DCM was the precursor to the CMP. Just saying that the park and wood look identical to mine. At 500, you did quite well. They just don't show up very often. Not rare, but it is in very good condition.

What size would you say? Defiantly interesting. There was a story I'm sure.

Hate to say it but looks put together based on the pictures. At a minimum the chin strap was replaced. Way too clean and doesn't match the interior liner wear so that would be a big read flag for me...like it was put together. $75.00 Ok, but not 300+

Thanks, I'll hold onto it.

Been away a long time, and friend gave me several boxes of the pictured. Looks like it was "repacked 9-44" anyone know what that means/ Headstamps are PC 43. Value? Shoot/Hold? Thank you.

AZ - thanks for all the info. Letters reunited with family.....

Thank you AZ!- That is pretty...well it's quite interesting and more information then I thought. Any suggestions on returning the items and not sounding like a fraudster? - Chris

To whom: 2 years ago I was transferred to a midnight shift, so I haven't been around the forum for a while. I have missed it, and I guess it is time to revisit. Last week our family was in Erie, PA and a family member located 7 "Love Letters" at an estate sale. The letters were addressed: To: Miss. Lucille Martin R.D. #2 Springfield, OH From: S/Sgt. Geo. Dumitras Dibble Gen Hosp. Menlo Park, CA The family member picked them up for us b/c we lived in Menlo Park for 4 years. The letters appear to be dictated, they are typed. Discussing the recover of an injury to a hand/arm. Very nice letters. From what I can tell, they did in fact wed after the war. I believe I have located a grandson who resides on Okinawa. I'm looking for additional service information for this soldier or airman. It very well may not be a war related injury but I have no idea as there is no detail. Pictures attached. Miriam Lucille Dumitras, age 86, died at her home peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. She was born Feb. 10, 1926, in Springfield, Ohio, the daughter of Charles Harford and Eula Carol Woods Martin. Lucille was married to George Edward Dumitras on Dec. 30, 1945, and lived in Colebrook on the family farm for 55 years. She was a giving person who took pride in her community. She served on the Colebrook Home Coming Committee, volunteered her time with the American Red Cross and worked with the County Election Board as a poll worker. She was a member of the Albino Rebekah Lodge #773, Grand Valley Interfaith Counsel and Colebrook United Methodist Church. She is survived by her son, John Edward Dumitras of Colebrook; sister, Dorothy Smith of Fairborn, Ohio; grandson, Devin (Eimi) Novak of Okanuma, Japan; and three great-grandchildren. She was prececed in death by her husband, George; son, David Dumitras; and a sister, Elizabeth Frank. John E. Dumitras, age 63, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Naples, Fla., after a sudden illness. He was born on Feb. 23, 1953, in Chardon, Ohio, the son of George E. and Miriam (Martin) Dumitras. John was a U.S. Army Veteran who attended Kent State University. He was a man of great talent who taught school, owned a restaurant, worked for Chrysler Corp., and worked as a farm hand. Survivors include his son, Devin (Eimi) Novak of Okinawa; aunt, Dorothy Smith of Clark County Ohio; grandchildren, Josiah, Isaiah and Shinri Novak; He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, David Dumitris. Found a Devin Novak living in Okinawa on FB. and will attempt to reach out to him. Don't know if these letters were "Lost in the shuffle" and there is no interest, but I would like to return them to the family if they want them. I just wanted to do a full research to share with my boys before attempting to return. Thanks in advance. - Chris

Repro's (good) go for $25, so $35-65 would be a good price for an original.

Sometimes I find it remarkable that they did not strip the lock bar sight off and sell them. Goes to show there are some pieces out there, I personally think this one survived because it was rough. Otherwise one could speculate it would have been sold. GREAT STORY, I would read these stories for years and not get bored at all. I wonder how many M1's are left at CMP. Waiting on the 1911's.

$400 - $800 for something nice. In the Richmond, VA area, $150 would buy you a sporterized or parts gun. A good number of 1917's were arsenal rebuilt for WWII. They will have mixed parts but are safe to shoot. I would pick up this reference guide for starters: https://www.amazon.com/P-17-AMERICAN-ENFIELD-J-C-Harrison/dp/B000H7Q2VC

Looks re parkerized. Does the slide match the frame by manufacturer? Any US inspection/ordinance marks? If no, then it's a 700.00 -900.00 gun. If all matching, non repark, closer to 2K. Hard to tell.

In reference to the below listed thread, can anyone point me in the direction of researching a Signla Corps photo from WW1 era? Thank you in advance. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/281077-looking-to-id-picture-possibly-gen-j-pershing/

Anyone know how to look up a Signal Corps photo by number?