Hi All--
I was chatting about this rifle a week or so ago and had it out for pictures. It came to me by way of Sam back in 2019/2020. It's very salty, but given the dearth of 1917 and 18 dated Erfurt sterns (which 16s are very common by comparison), I have two matching 16 Erfurt sterns, so I was happy to have this one too. It's one of only 1-2 other 17s I've seen at any level.
The good news is that the action and related metal are matching. Unfortunately, the stock, handguard and bands match themselves, but do not match the rifle. They have a similar heavy patina and saltiness and have been together a very long time. It's most likely sporter rescue or very remote chance it's wartime m/m, though I don't put much confidence in that at all. The stock is a late war beech kroneol finish Suhl stock, so it looks correct and presents well.
The receiver face was cleaned a bit back in the day (probably to make the markings more legible), and the rest of the rifle is untouched. There is a good bit of pitting around the muzzle. This clearly did not lead an easy life. The bluing is very rich under the wood. The rear lock screw is broken off as well.
Anyway-- just wanted this one re-documented, since Sam's original pics were pretty old.
Here's the data:
Receiver 4959 1
Barrel 4959 1 (BSI 273)
Front Sight 59 (presumed)
Rear Sight Leaf 59
Sight Slider 59
Ejector Box 59
Trigger Sear 59
Front Barrel Band mm
Rear Barrel Band mm
Trigger Guard 4959
Trigger Guard Screws 59, 59
Floor Plate 59
Follower 59
Stock mm
Buttplate mm
Bayonet Lug mm
Handguard mm
Bolt body 4959 1
Safety 59
Cocking Piece 59
Shroud 5 (badly struck?)
Firing Pin 59
Extractor 59
I was chatting about this rifle a week or so ago and had it out for pictures. It came to me by way of Sam back in 2019/2020. It's very salty, but given the dearth of 1917 and 18 dated Erfurt sterns (which 16s are very common by comparison), I have two matching 16 Erfurt sterns, so I was happy to have this one too. It's one of only 1-2 other 17s I've seen at any level.
The good news is that the action and related metal are matching. Unfortunately, the stock, handguard and bands match themselves, but do not match the rifle. They have a similar heavy patina and saltiness and have been together a very long time. It's most likely sporter rescue or very remote chance it's wartime m/m, though I don't put much confidence in that at all. The stock is a late war beech kroneol finish Suhl stock, so it looks correct and presents well.
The receiver face was cleaned a bit back in the day (probably to make the markings more legible), and the rest of the rifle is untouched. There is a good bit of pitting around the muzzle. This clearly did not lead an easy life. The bluing is very rich under the wood. The rear lock screw is broken off as well.
Anyway-- just wanted this one re-documented, since Sam's original pics were pretty old.
Here's the data:
Receiver 4959 1
Barrel 4959 1 (BSI 273)
Front Sight 59 (presumed)
Rear Sight Leaf 59
Sight Slider 59
Ejector Box 59
Trigger Sear 59
Front Barrel Band mm
Rear Barrel Band mm
Trigger Guard 4959
Trigger Guard Screws 59, 59
Floor Plate 59
Follower 59
Stock mm
Buttplate mm
Bayonet Lug mm
Handguard mm
Bolt body 4959 1
Safety 59
Cocking Piece 59
Shroud 5 (badly struck?)
Firing Pin 59
Extractor 59
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