3501

Outstanding Winchester Pattern 1917 "Production Sample" Bolt Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Outstanding Winchester Pattern 1917  Production Sample  Bolt Action Rifle
This is an outstanding example of an unissued Winchester Pattern 1917 in-house production sample bolt action rifle as manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms company for the US Army during WWI. This rifle is an exact duplicate in configuration condition as the British Pattern 14 rifle that we also are offering in this auction. This model of rifle has the all rust blued finish with the oil finished walnut stock and hand guard set. This model of rifle was actually adopted after the British 1914 contract ended as a war-expedient rifle since Winchester was already tooled up and in production and it required very little modification of the British pattern rifle to adopt it to the US 30-06 caliber. This rifle is actually a late production model, based on the later serial number of the rifle, that was undoubtedly retained by the Winchester factory as an "in-house" production sample rifle. It is the exact configuration of rifle that was produced through out the Army contract which was used from WWI, WWII and even into Korea. It retains all the original Winchester marked parts in their original configurations. The top of the receiver is only marked with the serial number, 548250 with a small circle "WP" Winchester proof on top of the left receiver rail and top of the exposed barrel. Correspondingly the barrel is also unmarked which tracks with it being retained by the Winchester factory as an in-house sample. The rifle has the original Winchester factory issue bolt that is marked with the large letter "W" and "NS" markings on the underside of the bolt handle indicating it was made by Winchester from Nickel Steel material. The rifle is fitted with the original factory walnut hand guards and finger groove stock with a small single Eagle head proof in front of the trigger guard and the front end of the stock marked with the large "W" indicating Winchester manufacture. The rifle is complete with an exceptional condition 1923 Kerr "No-Buckle" web sling. Several years ago, the Winchester factory sold off a large number of its duplicate rifles from their private collection. Even though this rifle does not have any accompanying documentation, based on the flat brand new condition it's assumed that this rifle undoubtedly came from that group. It would certainly be worth doing some further research on this very scarce and high end condition rifle to document it's history.
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 548250


Excellent plus, unissued with 99% plus of the original rust blued finish, with just a hint of flaking of the finish in the center of the floor plate, the top edge of the butt plate and some rub area on the bolt body from just cycling the bolt. The stock and hand guards are also in like brand new condition showing only a couple of very minor handling marks on the sides from sitting in a rifle rack. The screw heads have not been buggered with. Just a fantastic, factory unissued pattern 14 rifle.