Metallurgy

[barretcreek]

The 1917 receiver is a nickel steel. Anyone know the assay? What about the bolt and magazine follower? I have a customized Eddystone which is impressive but the follower pops up at the front and before welding the rails I want to widen the follower.

[Richard H Brown Jr]

Barretcreek:

Haven't a clue, but before you go messing with the follower, make sure you got the right follower. I've *heard* that sometimes the wrong part was used. If you can get a hold of a as issued M1917, try compairing the followers.

RHB

[p246]

Make sure you don't have a Pattern 14 follower inserted by Bubba in a M1917. If you need pictures of the difference I will take photos of my P14 follower and M1917 follower.

[barretcreek]

I compared my box stock Eddystone to this one but if you don't mind please post a photo of a P14 follower.

[mhb]

The 1917 receivers...

and bolts were made of 3 1/2% nickel steel. I believe more info about the specific alloy is available in 'Hatcher's Notebook'.

mhb - MIke

[p246]

I'll get them out and post pictures tomorrow for you.

[p246]

IMG_1845.jpg

[p246]

Barrett Creek let me know if you need me to pull the rifles down for better pics but I think this highlights the differences I've noticed from looking at assembled guns.

P14 follower has much more metal removed from left side when looking from back to front. The right side of the rib is rounded at the front and slopes toward the ramp. On the M1917 the right side of the rib is straight and does not slope toward ramp. The rib of the P14 is rounded off at back to let rim of 303 run past it. M1917 is squared off.

[p246]

IMG_1846.jpg

[p246]

IMG_1847.jpg

Hopefully you can see the difference at the rear of the follower.

[p246]

IMG_1848.jpg
While we are at it difference in top of front band. Keep in mind this P14 has been rebuilt with a M1917 stock.

[p246]

Rear sight. P14 has a 1650 Mark and M1917 does not. That's the tell I have noticed.
IMG_1849.jpgIMG_1850.jpg

[barretcreek]

Thank you. Mine has a 1917 follower. Will attempt to post some photos of this rifle soon. Excellent work except for the feed conversion.

[p246]

I'm curious if they tried too grid center rib off. Have seen several that have been. I've found two M1917s with P14 mag followers. Both did not like to feed from left side. Guess yours won't be the third. Wonder why the front was narrowed or what one was trying to accomplish (weight saving...nah)'

[RC20]

I believe the 1903 follower is very close (I think one I got had it, a while back but remember the conversation).


Changed it to a for sure 1917 and the feed problem went away.

Pretty subtle and I would not have spotted it, my brother did, he has a very good eye for that sort of detail.