I recently acquired an older Eddystone sporter conversion. It was allegedly owned by a fellow by the name of Waters. It is cambered in 257 Improved (28 degr.). It seems to be a light weight sporter barrel which is stamped with the name F. R. Butler Pooliney, VT .257 R IMP. The action reads US Model of 19?? (scope mount screw) Eddystone s/n12617**. The only consistent marks that I can find are the letter R, and E, EN, and what appears to be a WWI eagle's head acceptance stamp. The barreled action is fitted in a nice older looking walnut stock that has a raised cheekpiece. It is a really classic looking older rifle. The action is not glass bedded, but has two angular pieces of dowel inserted into the fore end to apparently evenly support the barrel. I would like to install a nice receiver peep sight to work with the existing front sight. I kind of liked the idea of a Williams FP with target knobs. There are three existing mounting holes for the peep sight. I just have to figure out which holes to use and what will line up for the Williams sight. It also has been drilled for scope mounts, but I will most likely plug them and use the peep. Any information about the action, Butler or Waters would be appreciated. Thanks, Peter.

Your rifle began its life as a U.S. Model of 1917 Enfield made at Eddystone Arsenal outside Philadelphia. Eddystone was owned by Remington and later was purchased by Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company. These rifles were made by Eddystone, Remingtomn and Winchester during WWI. In fact, there were more U.S 1917 rifles in front line service during the WWI than 1903 Springfields. Production of U.S 1917 rifles as quoted by Smith & Smith in "The Book of Rifles" are as follows: Eddystone 1,181,908, Remington 545,541 and Winchester just over 1,000,000 rifles.

Parts on your rifle may be stamped "E" for Eddystone, "R" for Remington or "W" for Winchester. Ordnance folks used these various parts as needed to keep these rifles in service. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

I am trying to set up a sighting system for my aforementioned 1917 Enfield Eddystone sporter in 257 R Imp. It has been drilled for both a receiver sight, on the right rear of the action, and also for a scope on top of the receiver rings. The 3 receiver sight mounting holes seem unevenly spaced and are not parallel to the action. They go uphill toward the front. From the rear to the front they are .625 and .600 between the 3 holes. I would be happy with a peep receiver sight, but have no idea what will fit. I also have a new Redfield JR 30 p/n 511103 one piece scope base and also 36 and -35 Weaver bases. The scope base mounting holes in the rear don't match the holes in the 36 base. They are spread about .625 apart whereas the Weaver 36 base hole spacing is .600. Then in the front, the forward ring of the action slopes downward toward the front (it is not flat). It appears as though it was originally that way due to the clear remaining Eddystone etc. stampings. As a result of this slope the scope base does not sit flat on it. The one piece Redfield base mentioned earlier will rock up and down between the front and rear mounting surfaces on the action. The same is true with the Weaver bases although the result there is that they won't be level or even parallel. Most all the holes mentioned except for the forward rear scope mount appear to be #8 holes and maybe 40 pitch. The odd one is probably a #10 fine or extra fine. Can anyone help with some solutions? Thanks, Peter.

Peter, get yourself a 36" steel rule, and see if the front receiver ring is parallel with the bore. It sounds like the rear receiver bridge has been reshaped and slopes down in the rear. If the front ring is parallel with the bore, than you will need to reshape the rear bridge to where it is parallel with the front ring, and use higher bases, or else shim a set of lower ones. I have never seen a 1917 with a receiver ring that slopes to the front.
Sounds like the front hole on the rear bridge got stripped and someone opted for a 10-32 or a 10-40 screw. I have seen a few 1917's that were ground down by people who did not check for parallel. Back in the 50's and 60's a lot of smiths used to reshape the rear bridge to match the Model 70. Any sights marked for use on a Remington Model 30 will work on the 1917 Enfield. unless the rear bridge has been altered to Model the 70 configuration. Hope this helps.

Lee L.

I recently acquired an older Eddystone sporter conversion. It was allegedly owned by a fellow by the name of Waters. It is cambered in 257 Improved (28 degr.). It seems to be a light weight sporter barrel which is stamped with the name F. R. Butler Pooliney, VT .257 R IMP. . . . Any information about the action, Butler or Waters would be appreciated. Thanks, Peter.

The famous gun writer Ken Waters comes to mind. Anyone know if he ever wrote up the 257 Improved in a Pet Load article? Might just be a coincidence, but you never know...

After my first posting I learned that the rifle was owned by Kenneth Waters. It was made (sporterized) by Floyd Butler of Pooliney Vt. He is now deceased. It was originally done in the early 50's as a .257 Roberts and later rechambered in the 28 degree improved version. The workmanship has many typical and attractive Butler design styles especially on the stock. At some point it appears the mounting holes had some rough service or workmanship as suggested by others. I do have a few machinists rulers and will check the rings and attempt to determine what is what. Thanks for everyones help and interest. I may try to post some pics. Thanks again, Peter.

Does anyone know what the correct receiver peep sight and base if necessry that would fit this application? Thanks, Peter.

As stated above, the Remington Mod 30 is a commercial version of the 1917 Enfield.

It is a dated (old) rifle and may be difficult finding sights to fit it.

Pintopete -

Swapped some scopes around this afternoon and looked at the Weaver bases on the '17 Eddystone.
The front base is a #46 and the rear base is a #47.

Oddly, my bridge had three holes, also. Two for the Weaver base and a larger one that doesn't seem to be for anything.

Just checked out one of the original configuration 1917's, and the large hole is for the spring used on the rear sight.

Lee L.

Thanks, 1894 - cleared up a big mystery! :D