Early Eddystone M1917 with s/n on barrel?

[Rick the Librarian]

I had a guy email me about an early (78,000 range) Eddystone with a 10-17 Eddystone barrel. It had the serial number stamped on the barrel. No sign of import/export markings. I've seen serial numbers stamped on Dane M1917s but never on the barrel. Date and country of origin, if any?

[Promo]

Please show pictures of the markings! Where are those exactly located?

[chuckindenver]

pics...or it didnt happen

[Rick the Librarian]

It happened ... pics below. :D

http://www.fototime.com/D6BA5305CB995A7/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/73A345B8DDC8043/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/663B9698F42EF87/standard.jpg

[p246]

Very interesting...But I got no explanation. Thanks for posting them up.

[leftyo]

added after the factory, but why and where?

[Promo]

Looks like the British/Commonwealth font. Probably rebarreled and therefore stamped?

[Rick the Librarian]

Unless it was rebarreled with a barrel of the same vintage, I don't know. The current barrel matches of production date of the receiver.

[cplnorton]

You know when I see the punch mark in front the serial like that, I always think USMC, just like with the 1903. I know they say there is no correlation between the punch mark in the front of the serial on 1903's and the 1917's. But the Marines did use the 1917. Especially as a training rifle in boot camp during WWII. And I believe they did some in WWI as well, just they preferred the 1903.

To me that punch mark is a sign of a USMC rebuild. It makes sense in my mind at least. Especially knowing the Marines, I personally think they would have marked the 1917 rebuilds the same way as the 1903's. I know many would disagree with me, but it makes sense in my head at least. :)