Another 1917 Sporter

[Gil Martin]

I came across a U.S. 1917 made by Winchester that had been nicely sporterized. I managed to sight it in today at the range. The Pacific aperture sight was easy to adjust an it was possible to achieve honest MOA groups using 150 grain reloads. These rifles are great and a joy to shoot. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Thanks for your post about one more P-17 Winchester that met its cruel fate at the "sporterization" hack saw! It makes my seven ORIGINAL P-17 Winchesters all the more valuable. We now have one less "as issue" P-17 Winchester on the planet, eh, wot?

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Years ago folks were not very concerned about collector values of surplus arms. There were plenty of them around and it seemed that would always be the case. I have six original 1917s and would never alter them. All the best...
Gil

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Well of course Century Arms sporterised a lot of the P-14/17's until quite recently. BSA made up about 14,000 sporting between the years 1949-1953. Alot of these were salvageed form the battle fields of WW1 then put into MOD storage after checking over. The Government decided to clear them out in 49 and BSA brought them and offered them in 5 grades. A-E with E being the highest haveing a new BSA made barrel sporting sights action drilled and tapped for scope blocks and a P-H 6E aperture sight and a new walnut sporting stock. Grade A had the handguard removed and was checked over .

This is a grade E in .303:-





They were also offered built on the P-17 action in 30.-06 or .270.

[Gil Martin]

I agree that a lot of P14 and P17 rifles were sporterized over the years. It is what it is and the current reality is that we should enjoy those that were sporterized as we prize those rifles that were not altered. All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

By jove, you got it right! I have always preferred the P-17 action over the M1903 action. I hunt with vintage "as issued" P-17s and have liked them afield. I have accuracy handloads for my Enfields.

Adam