M1917 stock with a "T" makers mark

[Merc]

Just purchased a Remington Model 1917 yesterday. The stock has the "T" stamped on the front face. Also stamped left side in a outlined box OEL with 1919 underneath the 3 initials. All the stamping are in the square outlined box. The length in 46". The LOP is 13-3/8", serial number is 78694 bbl date is 9-18 gun is all Remington marked except rear sight spring "E", bolt release lever "E", and safety marked with "E". Could Remington have used "E" stamped parts in early production if they were short on "R" stamped parts? Also the OEL and 1919 is markings that I cannot google search info on. The bore is mint/ pristine. There is a "V" stamped forward of the floorplate on the underneath of the stock and there is a "BK" stamped behind the trigger guard in the wood. wood all matches with color and finish. Would say that all wood is original to when issued. There is a "R" stamped under the top front hand guard. I have not taken the gun further apart to verify any other stampings. All parts that I have viewed ( 75%) have the "R" stampings other than the ones noted. I do not think that the gun has been blasted as the WWII guns but it is a parkerized finish. Any questions out there to my gun are welcome and I can add pictures later if needed. I did purchase a couple 1917 books off of ebay for a great deal as well as this 1917. This is my first Model 1917 and would like to authenticate it as much as possible. Hope my gun will help others with information. Cell at 310-508-1827 Etienne

Some day someone will tell us who "T" was. The stock on my M1917 has no other marks other than the T and appears to have been stained but no linseed oil so it has a dull unfinished look.

Serial number 78694 stamped on the receiver indicates it was manufactured in 2/1918. There's a possibility that the barrel was replaced if it carries the date 9/18 on the muzzle as those dates were usually a lot closer.

You'll most likely will continue to find a mix of parts as you disassemble your rifle. It wasn't unusual for parts to get mixed during mass cleanings or when replacement parts were needed. Most non-R parts will work just fine while others may work ok but won't fit exactly right. R, E and W never completely achieved total parts interchangeability. R parts are easily found on eBay or on-line parts dealers (Springfield Sporters, Numrich, etc.).

Go to www.m1903.com and look under Marks in the left column for M1917 Parts. The list will tell where the OEM's initials were stamped.

If you're planning to shoot it, either have a gunsmith check it with a headspace field gauge or buy one and check it yourself. There's a way to check for throat erosion on this forum. Go to Mauser Rifles and go to Spanish Mauser 7X57 Reloads.

Merc

[mannparks]

One of my Eddy stones also has a T struck ,off to the right of a lightly struck fairly large E

[Merc]

One of my Eddy stones also has a T struck ,off to the right of a lightly struck fairly large E

It's still an original Eddystone if there's an E stamped on the stock. Could it be an inspector's mark?

Merc

[Tuna]

Just purchased a Remington Model 1917 yesterday. The stock has the "T" stamped on the front face. Also stamped left side in a outlined box OEL with 1919 underneath the 3 initials. All the stamping are in the square outlined box. The length in 46". The LOP is 13-3/8", serial number is 78694 bbl date is 9-18 gun is all Remington marked except rear sight spring "E", bolt release lever "E", and safety marked with "E". Could Remington have used "E" stamped parts in early production if they were short on "R" stamped parts? Also the OEL and 1919 is markings that I cannot google search info on. The bore is mint/ pristine. There is a "V" stamped forward of the floorplate on the underneath of the stock and there is a "BK" stamped behind the trigger guard in the wood. wood all matches with color and finish. Would say that all wood is original to when issued. There is a "R" stamped under the top front hand guard. I have not taken the gun further apart to verify any other stampings. All parts that I have viewed ( 75%) have the "R" stampings other than the ones noted. I do not think that the gun has been blasted as the WWII guns but it is a parkerized finish. Any questions out there to my gun are welcome and I can add pictures later if needed. I did purchase a couple 1917 books off of ebay for a great deal as well as this 1917. This is my first Model 1917 and would like to authenticate it as much as possible. Hope my gun will help others with information. Cell at 310-508-1827 Etienne

If your serial number is 78,000 range and the rifle is parkerized then it's been rebuilt and refinished for WW2. There were WW1 rifles that were parkerized but those were towards the end of production and not early on like yours. About the first 3/4 of production were all blued. As to the parts changed between makers. The answer is no they all used their own parts. Parts will generally interchange except for the very early Winchesters.

[JB White]

Some day someone will tell us who "T" was.

Perhaps they'll know the significance of the little heart shaped marking following the R on the tip of a Remington stock. Nobody has a clue so far. Only wish I still had the photo of it. The rifle has been long gone.

[mannparks]

Not inspectors Mark this is on the nose of the stock underneath the bayonet lug

[Merc]

Notes from the gun show I attended in Monroeville (near Pittsburgh) last Sunday.

A vendor had a M1917 for sale with a replacement stock. It was completely unmarked (no T) but, like mine, it was in nice shape and fit the rifle perfectly in every way.

The one thing I've always been curious about were the shape of the stock finger grooves. I noticed that the finger grooves of the original M1917 factory stocks had crisp edges. However, the grooves on my replacement T stamped stock were somewhat rounded as if someone had sanded them down during a refinishing attempt. I noticed that the replacement stock on the rifle that was for sale also had rounded edges on the stock finger grooves which now makes me think that they were originally made that way.

My '17 is still a blast (no pun intended) to shoot and still attracts lots of attention at the range.

[RC20]

Grove shape like the bolt handle recess are unique to each original MFG.

I don't have any non E, W or R stocks to compare, I think my brother has one and while not stamped it matches up as one of the other (R I think)

[RC20]

Three different sizes of the M1917 stocks would make sense since the rifle is such a monster. You have to wonder how 145 pound doughboys hauled them around France.

I wonder how those 98 pound Philippineoes and Chinese hauled those monsters around!

For them it had to be a crew served weapon.

[RC20]

If your serial number is 78,000 range and the rifle is parkerized then it's been rebuilt and refinished for WW2. There were WW1 rifles that were parkerized but those were towards the end of production and not early on like yours. About the first 3/4 of production were all blued. As to the parts changed between makers. The answer is no they all used their own parts. Parts will generally interchange except for the very early Winchesters.

They underwent a re man after WWI initially. If a W or R or E b arrel got onto a differen receiver (or versa visa) then that's when it would have occurred.

There was an issue with storge and I belive they pulled them out and reidd them but found many had corroded due to poor applicaothn of cosmo.

WWII would have been JA, RI (not that many) and HS who all made replacement barrels.

I would doubt any barrels got swapped, receiver would have been indestructible for all practical purposes If done it would have been at best rare

On the other hand, as it was not uncommon to change calibers on these in between WWI and WWII when in civilian hands there had to be a number of OEM barrels drifting around.

Its possible that some of those guns that owners wanted to keep 30-06 and took a gun in with a bad barrel, would get a replacement WWI used barrel that was good.

Great history and all sorts of intriguing gaps.