M1917 stock with a "T" makers mark

[Merc]

I acquired a really nice M1917 Winchester recently with an early serial number 65030. The rifling is crisp and the rifle's general condition would indicate light duty throughout its life. The stock has been replaced at some point in time with one that has a "T" makers mark stamped on the front end where you would expect to see a W, R or E. I am not familiar with this manufacturer and I am not seeing anything on the Internet that would shed any light. Does anyone have any information on, or can identify this company?

Update with a photo:

Ipad Photos 116.jpg

[warbrds]

I have seen on other sites the it could be for length of stock T tall, M medium, S short
never seen a manufacturer with a T
also could be an E that is worn and was an attempt at a re-stamp gone bad...

my 2 cents worth

[Merc]

The stamping is crisp so it is definitely a T. The stock has good darkly toned walnut color, a nice dull finish, zero wear and all hardware fits as it should. I was thinking possibly aftermarket. I only have a few mechanical parts to replace to return to an all original Winchester M1917 but the stock won't be among them.

[jaie5070]

Does the stock have any other markings, ie eagles head or "P" proof stamp? Markings inside the mortising?

[Merc]

There are no identifying marks anywhere except for the T stamped on the front end of the stock.

[kcw]

Have you checked the configurations of the bolt handle notch in your stock? There are differences between the three WWI manufacturers. The "sculpting" is similar between R & W, but the difference is discernible. E is totally different than R & W. The reason that I mention this is because I've seen a few M1917 stocks where there was simply no evidence of the front end ever being stamped. An examination of the bolt notch however revealed their origin. It may that those stocks were from finished but uninspected inventory from the end of WWI that were used in the WWII rebuild? Additionally the front ends of M1917 stocks were commonly stamped with what appear to be unit or inventory markings. It's also my understanding that at least one contractor was supplying stocks for the WWII rebuild program, but I've never heard of who it was.

[Merc]

I recently bought a Winchester bolt to replace the Eddystone bolt that came with the rifle and I can see a difference in the shape of the bolt handles. The W handle is curved and the E handle is squared. Both seem to fit inside the stock notch. I might take my W M1917 with me to the next gun show and compare it to the stocks on the M1917s that are for sale to see if the notch on mine matches any of them. Thanks for the suggestion. The stock on my M1917 is close to being flawless so I'm committed to keeping it.

[kragluver]

The lack of a P or eagles head stamp would indicate your T stock is a replacement. This thread caught my eye as I own a '17 with a stock fore tip stamped LT with the two letters being over struck. My stock has a proof and Eagles head stamp and no rebuild mark. The rest of the rifle is a mix master.

[Merc]

Kragluver, I've always known that the stock has been replaced if only because of the like-new condition and I'm ok with it. This rifle probably went into storage after receiving a new stock. The only damaged part was a rusty butt plate that was probably caused by it being propped upright on a damp concrete floor. Good to know I'm not the only '17 owner with questions about the origin of their stock. I read about another stock stamped with a T on this forum. The owner was also baffled as to its origin.

Pretty sure the typical service performed at arsenals almost always resulted in mixed parts. I've read about the early W '17s with a star in a circle stamping on the receiver (like mine) and the Army's supposed reluctance to send these guns to Europe due to parts interchangeability issues. However, my early '17 (Ser. No. 65030 made in Nov. 1917) mixmaster has a W barrel and receiver and the rest are mostly E and R parts. Everything fits properly and the rifle functions as intended.

[chuckindenver]

S short
M medium
T tall
3 lengths of stocks available for the 1917 during rebuild or lend lease , most were made by Melton Bradly. and other sub contarctors

[Merc]

Warbrds also mentioned that M1917 stocks came in tall, medium and short lengths in his earlier posting. That has me wondering if any stocks marked with a M or S are out there and how much of a size difference exists among the three sizes. Why three sizes were offered is another good question.

[Merc]

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.

[Merc]

The OEM probably shortened up the butt stock end to vary the length. Haven't heard of anyone finding a M or S yet. Everyone who looks at the rifle with a T stock comments on the size of it (46").

[missmodel12]

New aquisition with "T"

The OEM probably shortened up the butt stock end to vary the length. Haven't heard of anyone finding a M or S yet. Everyone who looks at the rifle with a T stock comments on the size of it (46").

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

[IditarodJoe]

Harrison identifies OEL / 1919 in a rectangular box as a Rock Island Arsenal post WW1 acceptance mark that "may indicate rework or check and test only". No indication has been found that any of the three 1917 manufacturers ever exchanged parts. HTH