1917 Enfield Eddystone Action

[RobertoScot88]

Hello AH, I have in my possession a 1917 eddytsone action that I acquired some time back in a package deal with an M1 Garand. It appears that someone made an attempt in the past century to sporterize it with the chrome and an 18" barrel hack job. The muzzle was hacked and the sight applied was terrible.

I stripped it down to the barrel and action (I do not have the ability to remove barrel) with the intention of it becoming a big bore for DG sometime in the future. With that said, what caliber would ya'll suggest? Also, please recommend a gunsmith.

I like the history of the 404 Jeffery and I have seen rifles here that were built on the 1917 action commercially for African Game departments that were beautiful.

Lets discuss!

 

[Nevada Mike]

If the edges are not buffed off round you can mill off the sight ears, alter the bolt to cock on closing, and barrel for a .404J. Maybe replace the safety if it bothers you.

 

[csmiffy]

you will need to open up the bolt face or find a P14 bolt to suit a magnum type cartridge. Not a biggy just saying and probably already know that but if you didn't, factor it into the build.
Mag box on the P17 I believe is right for a magnum, whereas the P14 is a little shorter.
I've got the bits and a couple of rifles (P14) here for such a conversion.
yeah, not a fan of the chrome either.
Going to scope it or stick with the quite robust factory military aperture?
Why not a 404. Sounds great.
As an aside there is a long ongoing catfight about the hardness of the Eddystones and cracking of the actions. Usually found after rebarreling and also attributed to over-tight barrels.
read a very good article online that suggested that there was way more of the Eddystone rifles built so that evens out the statistical average to be the frame as Remmy's and Winchesters.
And I am an idiot, as that seems to apply more to the P14s than the P17s from memory.
Should be a goody and good lock.
I have a hankering for a P14 (already BSA sporterised) into a 300 magnum of some sort and I would like a H+H or possible a 308 norma. 300 win mag would be fine just a little boring

 

[RobertoScot88]

you will need to open up the bolt face or find a P14 bolt to suit a magnum type cartridge. Not a biggy just saying and probably already know that but if you didn't, factor it into the build.
Mag box on the P17 I believe is right for a magnum, whereas the P14 is a little shorter.
I've got the bits and a couple of rifles (P14) here for such a conversion.
yeah, not a fan of the chrome either.
Going to scope it or stick with the quite robust factory military aperture?
Why not a 404. Sounds great.
As an aside there is a long ongoing catfight about the hardness of the Eddystones and cracking of the actions. Usually found after rebarreling and also attributed to over-tight barrels.
read a very good article online that suggested that there was way more of the Eddystone rifles built so that evens out the statistical average to be the frame as Remmy's and Winchesters.
And I am an idiot, as that seems to apply more to the P14s than the P17s from memory.
Should be a goody and good lock.
I have a hankering for a P14 (already BSA sporterised) into a 300 magnum of some sort and I would like a H+H or possible a 308 norma. 300 win mag would be fine just a little boring

Thanks for the input!

I was aware of the bolt face issue and the 17 needing to be opened up and Pac-nor offers such a service with rebarreling. My magazine box is 3.50 on the dot so it will probably need a touch of relieving to allow for the 404J COAL.

I read a post here if memory serves where early eddystone barrels were tightened with hydraulic wrenches, thus when mr. gunsmith applies the torque, the receiver cracks. I also read that if relief cuts are made in the barrel at the receiver to "break the seal" you can nearly unscrew the barrel with hand strength. My serial number is in the 1.3 millions so that shouldn't apply.

I will have the ears milled off and express sights installed on the barrel along with a barrel band sling swivel and have the horrid bolt handle taken care of. No scope. I feel a 404J was meant to be shot iron sighted.

Do you have any pictures of your rifles for inspiration?

Scott

 

[John P.]

P14 and P17 Enfields, I love 'em. Nice and big and a good alloy. The one below is destined to be a 450 Ackley. Have the reamers, dies, and a nice barrel.

The holes in the ring on your action disturb me. Right in the top receiver lug. Might have been a decommissioned Drill Purpose rifle. Greatly weaken the action. Is DP stamped on your action?

 

[John P.]

If you want to see a beautiful Enfield, go to the AR forum and search for Butch Lambert's Enfield conversion. Looks like something Holland and Holland would build.

 

[RobertoScot88]

P14 and P17 Enfields, I love 'em. Nice and big and a good alloy. The one below is destined to be a 450 Ackley. Have the reamers, dies, and a nice barrel.

View attachment 452883

The holes in the ring on your action disturb me. Right in the top receiver lug. Might have been a decommissioned Drill Purpose rifle. Greatly weaken the action. Is DP stamped on your action?

No, there isn't that I have seen. The one on the left is threaded as if an attempt was made to mount a scope base in the past but the one you reference is not threaded. It has the original barrel (cut down to 18") and appears to have been fired in the past.

 

[Trail Rated]

If it/was in the original .30-06, then making it a 9.3x62 would be easiest.

 

[C.W. Richter]

P14 and P17 Enfields, I love 'em. Nice and big and a good alloy. The one below is destined to be a 450 Ackley. Have the reamers, dies, and a nice barrel.

View attachment 452883

The holes in the ring on your action disturb me. Right in the top receiver lug. Might have been a decommissioned Drill Purpose rifle. Greatly weaken the action. Is DP stamped on your action?

i've never seen the Eddystone name cut into, drilled through etc. (and I grew up in that area, and have seen a pile for sale in PA-often converted from 06 to sporterized 308 Norma Mag.) I'm guessing yours was a 30-06. 18" bbl was perfect for PA woods deer/bear. You didn't say?

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Big fan of Art Alphin's (A-Sq) enfield-style action work! That, and the former Baldwin Locomotive Works along the Del. River in PA (purchased by Remington once Baldwin began pumping out guns for WWI.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

May we please see a clear pic of the front, top and center (threaded portion of) the receiver?

 

[csmiffy]

Thanks for the input!

I was aware of the bolt face issue and the 17 needing to be opened up and Pac-nor offers such a service with rebarreling. My magazine box is 3.50 on the dot so it will probably need a touch of relieving to allow for the 404J COAL.

I read a post here if memory serves where early eddystone barrels were tightened with hydraulic wrenches, thus when mr. gunsmith applies the torque, the receiver cracks. I also read that if relief cuts are made in the barrel at the receiver to "break the seal" you can nearly unscrew the barrel with hand strength. My serial number is in the 1.3 millions so that shouldn't apply.

I will have the ears milled off and express sights installed on the barrel along with a barrel band sling swivel and have the horrid bolt handle taken care of. No scope. I feel a 404J was meant to be shot iron sighted.

Do you have any pictures of your rifles for inspiration?

Scott

@Robertosci I have a couple to work with. Not sure if they are up to a high enough standard for here but then again I havent done anything to 2 of them and only a bit of minor work to get one going.
Got pics of the roughy but not of the others, if I pull my finger.out I'll dig them up.
The relief cut you speak of is done with a parting tool just in front of the reciever ring. Cant comment on the hand tight part but in my fitting/turning experience it just might.
Again something from the memory banks suggest the P17s didnt suffer from the hardness issues of the P14s
Yeah agree with the other FMs. Those holes in the front ring look a bit suspect although depending on location you might be lucky and they are no more harmful than scope base holes