U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Joe Boleo · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Finally, I came across a lovely Eddystone in a local gun shop. There were two of them at very reasonable prices. One was sold before I arrived. The second one I put on layaway. Looks like this one will be used in our DCM matches this year. Take care...
Joe

P.S. This came out of a gun shop that Gil Martin frequents.

Elvis · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Im none the wiser as to what it is but you sound pleased so I guess its good. I m sure some photos will follow to educate the likes of me.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Joe, we are going to need some pictures!

Suzanne · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Just to help out...here's a web site with historical data on the rifle and photos.
HERE Toothless

Suz

Elvis · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Thanks Suz that makes sense now. sure is a good looking rifle the typical enfield butt had me looking twice for sure.

slimjim · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:08 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Elvis wrote:

Thanks Suz .... sure is a good looking rifle

Yeah, thanks Suz. Agreed - good looking rifle.

Vince · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Elvis wrote:

Im none the wiser as to what it is but you sound pleased so I guess its good. I m sure some photos will follow to educate the likes of me.

Add me to that "dunno what he's talkin' about" list mate. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

SingleShotLover · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:57 am Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

I've only seen a few of the Eddystones, but I do know that they were quite numerous. During the Prohibition/gangster days here in Illinois many banks and post offices were issued one or two military rifles as defense against the Chicago gangs that spread out for the easier pickings of the rural and small town banks. A small bank in northern Illinois named Holcomb was the victim of an attempted gang robbery that was foiled by 2-inch thick bullet-proof glass surrounding the tellers' cages. The tellers merely lay on the floor while the gangsters tried to shoot out the glass. When they ran out of ammo, they left. Coincidentally, along with two panes of the bullet-starred glass, up to a few years ago they still had two Eddystone rifles in their vault that were left over from that era. I tried to buy them at that time to no avail.

The small town of Chadwick, Illinois was the scene of a gang/vigilante shootout within about the same time-frame when word of a Chicago gang passing through had people roaming the countryside looking for them. Many of the members of these groups were equipped with federally issued Eddystones as well. The actual confrontation was more Keystone cops than drama since it was triggered by an accidental shot fired through the roof of their car by a towns-person, a fumbling novice shooter, as a carload of the intrepid vigilantes were meeting the carload of bad guys...totally unrecognized!

Gil Martin · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:04 am Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about this rifle. All the best...
Gil

www.surplusrifle.com/m.../index.asp

Dawgdad · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:08 am Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Gil, how did you miss this? Joe does not scoop you too often.

Gil Martin · Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Well it happens and that's the breaks. I was going to visit John's shop to look for a Model 1917. The folks at the gun shop in Elizabethtown told me that Joe was in and what he bought. Seems he wanted to steal a march on me and he did. All the best...
Gil

BigBlue · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:54 am Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Good info! I had heard of Eddystone rifles before, but never knew anything about them. Before reading this I would have walked right by that rifle thinking it was another surplus Enfield. I didn't even know Eddystone was a town in PA. and not all that far away.
"Remington Arms Co. of Delaware purchased a half-finished locomotive factory in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. This factory became known as the Eddystone Arsenal, producing Pattern 14 rifles for the British war effort and later the U.S. Model 1917 rifle. In 1918, the Remington Arms Company of Delaware was absorbed by the Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company."

Don

fnuser · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Century arms built sporters on surplus receivers back in the late 80's or early 90's due to the extra long actions I bought one in .300 Win. Mag. and mounted a fixed 6x scope on it, glass bedded it and shot alot of ammo through it. Can't remember exactly who they are but one of their rifles was called a Hannibal, I think they used those receivers as well.

Elvis · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone

Asquare perhaps???

fnuser · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone