I would like to ID this rifle, but I don't find a s/n or many other markings. What markings and where should they be? It has scope mounted, is 30.06 cal , the military stock has been customized. The one mark I do find looks like a flaming bomb. Thanks for any help Kelly.

I assume you are talking about a sporterized Model 1917.

There were only three makers in the US: Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone. That should be so indicated on the front receiver ring (partially blocked by a scope mount?). The flaming bombs are Ordinance stamps. Look on some of your parts for a W, R, or E, which indicated which of the makers made that particular part. M1917's are often a mismatch of parts; bolts, sights, etc.

If the barrel hasn't been shortened, then right behind the front sight you might find another flaming bomb and the initials of the barrel maker and the date it was made/installed. Most that I have seen are dated 1918.

Look on the stock for stamps/cartouches. Many of these rifles were re-arsenaled around the early WWII era. For example, you might find "OG EK" stamped on the left side of the stock (opposite the bolt handle). That means it was re-arsenaled at Ogden Arsenal and the 'smith that did it was non other than Elmer Keith.

But when they get sporterized a lot of the markings and such get wiped out.

Pull the front scope base off and there will be a serial number underneath the Printing: “U.S. Model of 1917†over either Winchester, Remington, or Eddystone.

Or... since you didn’t give a real good description other than military stock and .30-06, it might also say: U.S. over a manufacturers name over Model 1903 over a serial number.

In the latter case it‘s a Sprinfield and not an Enfield.

I pulled the scope off, and under the front base was US Model 1917 Remington and the s/n. The front sight is a barrel band sight, so all I could see was what looked like a 6 on one side and an 8 on the other side. There are no marks on the stock. Thaanks for the help.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Norman:
Look on the stock for stamps/cartouches. Many of these rifles were re-arsenaled around the early WWII era. For example, you might find "OG EK" stamped on the left side of the stock (opposite the bolt handle). That means it was re-arsenaled at Ogden Arsenal and the 'smith that did it was non other than Elmer Keith.

Matt - Are you certain Elmer did any gunsmithing on those rifles?

It is my understanding that he was an Inspector at Ogden, doing acceptance gauging for the military, not a gunsmith. Matter of fact, I don't recall Keith having ever worked anywhere as a gunsmith. He did a lot of experimenting, concept-wise, but even on his own guns he had Charlie O'Neill do his 'smithing if I remember things right (hence the OKH cartridges (O'Neill, Keith & Hopkins). 'Course it wouldn't be the first time in 70 years that I was wrong or my memory putzed out.......

The mark “OG EK†could be either Elmer Keith or E. Klouser. Both worked at Ogden Arsenal, but they were inspectors not gunsmiths.

I mis-spoke...he was not a gunsmith but final inspector. I will qoute excerpts from Elmer Keith's book "Hell, I Was There".

Page 186: "...I did the real inspection, checking the barrels, checking the actions, and I did all the proof firing. At one time we processed 500 rifles a day". (NOTE: he then mentions they were working on Enfields, Springfields, M1 Rifles, 30 Carbine, 45 Auto pistols and .50 caliber guns).

Page 187: "I put in three and a half years at Ogden Arsenal in charge of proof-firing and final inspection....I told the officers when I took the job I would not put OG.E.K. in the little rectangular box, my proof mark, on any gun I was not willing to go into combat with myself."