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Does anyone have any information on the Canadian contract guns? These are 30-06 with a C and broad arrow cartouche.
I don’t think they were “contract” guns. Rather, Model 1917 rifles were either Lend Lease guns provided just prior to the US entering WWII or they were some of the several thousand that were sold as surplus to a domestic company who in turn sent them to Canada.
Tom D said
I don’t think they were “contract” guns.
Certainly not if chambered .30-06! Possibly Lend-Lease, but the Brits presumably still had a million+ Pattern 1914s, that I don’t believe had been used extensively in WW I.
I don’t have the gun but was told it is a 30-06 not a 303. It does not have the usual red spot that most lend lease 30-06 guns have though.
Tom D said
I don’t think they were “contract” guns. Rather, Model 1917 rifles were either Lend Lease guns provided just prior to the US entering WWII or they were some of the several thousand that were sold as surplus to a domestic company who in turn sent them to Canada.
This is only the 3rd gun in my life I have bought without first handling the gun. But, a good friend knows the seller so I took a chance. Brought this gun home yesterday. Took it to Jeff’s second Gunslinger’s shop for Craig Riesch to look at. Everything is as manufactured other than maybe the front top piece of the hand guard. I only say this because the color isn’t perfect. It is not an Eddystone part because it is not marked as such and the mark would be visible. I will pull the hand guard apart and see what it is marked underneath.
Chuck said Everything is as manufactured other than maybe the front top piece of the hand guard. I only say this because the color isn’t perfect.
Replaced hand-guards are common because they often cracked.
But I can’t believe these guns are now bringing that kind of dough, even in mint cond. What I’d be curious to know is how this specimen survived in mint cond. not only after serving in France, but then being sent to Canada during WW II; pretty remarkable, to say the least.
That’s a beauty of an example. Some did survive. I have a Remington made Model 1917 that is also in mint condition. The trigger plate screws are still staked just like this one. Nice score, Chuck.
It probably escaped any action when sent to Canada mainly because of the different caliber — it’s not 303 British. Same thing with the Lend Lease M1 Garands sent to Great Britain. Most were hardly used, if at all, and remained in their original configuration.
Clarence I’ve been looking for years for a nice 1917. I hoped to only have to pay around $2500. But every nice one was more and even some of the junk ones.
I pulled the hand guards, bolt, butt plate and floor plate with spring and follower. The questionable hand guard is correct as far as being a Winchester. The only problem I found was an E stamped on the bottom of the follower. If this really bothers me I can always find one with the W.
Now I need to buy some clips, a 1907 sling and a bayonet. I have a sling that is broke but it can be mended until I find another one. I also have a Remington bayonet. I need the correct brass stripper clip for display. Craig says that there are 3 different brass ones. He is going to show me what the earliest looks like. I guess these are hard to find. There are brass and steel clips for sale online but you have to make sure the little metal tips aren’t broken. If there is most of it left you can bend it to keep the cartridges where they should be. I am still looking for a WRACO head stamped cartridge with the early primer. So now I may need about 8? 5 for the clip, 1 for the magazine, 1 for the chamber and 1 for my cartridge collection? I’m going to go through my Garand tools and cleaning stuff to see what I need for the 1917. I know I need the early flat top oiler tube.
Chuck said
Now I need to buy some clips, a 1907 sling and a bayonet.
Finding an original sling in anywhere near the same cond as your rifle won’t be easy, as most are now in poor condition. Good many show up on ebay, but rarely in good enough cond. to match your rifle.
Thanks Larry. I just read the instructions in C.S. Ferris’ book on how to install this actual sling. Kerr Standard Extension Gun Sling.
Tom D.
In Ferris’ book he says that after Dunkirk England was in great need of guns. A British Purchasing Commission was formed. In addition to many other shipments, 80,000 surplus 1917s went to Canada. This was before the Lend Lease Program.
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