GunSerialsWinchester U.S. Model 1917 serial numbers — what the records say
A bolt-action rifle using .30-06 Springfield ammunition, made by Winchester in New Haven, Connecticut, during World War I.
- Produced:
- 1917–1919
- Action:
- bolt-action
New to gun terms? Start here
- Model:
- The name of the gun design, such as Model 94. A model name that looks like a year does not tell you when your gun was made.
- Serial number:
- The number stamped on an individual gun. Include letters that are part of the number. A separate letter stamped above it, like the Model 97's C, D or E, is a different marking.
- Receiver:
- The main metal body just behind the barrel. The receiver ring is its front section, where the barrel joins it.
- Tang:
- A strip of metal extending from the receiver into the stock. The lower tang runs underneath, behind the trigger.
- Stock:
- The part you hold against your shoulder, usually made of wood on older Winchesters.
- Forearm or forend:
- The part under the barrel where your forward hand holds the gun.
- Action:
- The mechanism that loads and removes cartridges. Names such as lever action, pump action, and bolt action describe how it works.
- Caliber or gauge:
- The ammunition size or type a gun is designed to use. This marking is different from the model and serial number.
- Takedown:
- A version designed to separate into major sections for storage. A takedown joint is where those sections meet.
- Proof mark:
- A factory testing mark, such as Winchester's oval WP stamp. It is not a serial number or a date code.
- Peep or aperture sight:
- A rear sight with a small hole to look through. A hooded front sight has a cover around it.
Winchester U.S. Model 1917 value: what it sells for at auction
These prices come from 61 Winchester U.S. Model 1917s sold individually at Rock Island Auction Company (11), Morphy Auctions (6), Poulin Auctions (20), Redding Auction Services (14), and Amoskeag Auction Company (10) between Sep 2023 and Sep 2026. The age-group rows use the auction companies' categories: antique, curio and relic, or modern.
The typical price is the middle price, also called the median. Half sold for more and half for less. The middle 50% range leaves out the lowest quarter and highest quarter of prices. The wider 80% range leaves out the lowest tenth and highest tenth.
We leave out listings described as deluxe, special-order, engraved, restored, or commemorative, and other exceptions in the value guide. Commemoratives are priced on their own page. Wear, repairs, original parts, and factory upgrades can make a particular gun worth more or less. These figures are a comparison, not an appraisal of your gun.
| Category | Sales | Middle 50% of prices | Typical price | Middle 80% of prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curio & Reliccollector category, usually 50+ years old | 61 | $847 – $1,280 | $968 | $725 – $2,460 |
Recent U.S. Model 1917 auction sales
Sales near the typical price and the newest. Their features and condition may differ from your gun. A lot number identifies an item in an auction.
| Sold | Gun | Auction company | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | U.S. Model 1917 | Amoskeag lot 374 | $968 |
| May 2025 | U.S. Model 1917 | Poulin lot 1324 | $968 |
| Apr 2024 | U.S. Model 1917 | Poulin lot 1018 | $968 |
| Aug 2026 | U.S. Model 1917 · 30-06 Springfield | Rock Island lot 3276 | $3,231 |
| Aug 2026 | U.S. Model 1917 · 30-06 Springfield | Rock Island lot 242 | $5,875 |
Prices are in US dollars and include the buyer’s premium, the auction company’s fee added to the winning bid, where the house charges one; Redding charges none. They are not the amount the seller receives. A dealer’s offer or private sale price may differ. The full picture, model by model →
Where the serial number is
On the receiver's front section, just behind the barrel, beside the U.S. Model of 1917 marking.
Where these dates come from
We do not have a reliable year-by-year serial table for the Winchester U.S. Model 1917. The notes below explain what the available references say about its numbers and production dates.
What to know about U.S. Model 1917 serial numbers
- These numbers show where the records and ranges begin and end. They are not counts of finished rifles. Receivers that were rejected, skipped or never used are why the range runs past the number of rifles made.
- Production did not stop at the Armistice in November 1918. About 79,531 more rifles lie between 465,980 and the final figure of 545,511.
- About the first 5,000 Winchester M1917s were marked with a W followed by the serial number. Later receivers carry the standard full model and maker marking.
- Winchester, Remington and Eddystone each numbered their rifles in their own sequence. A number on its own does not identify a rifle unless you also know the maker.
Winchester rifles usually made without serial numbers
These models usually have no serial number. Their pages explain the exceptions and how their features may help estimate age.
Need more detail? Check for factory records
The Cody Firearms Records Office can check for surviving records for your serial number. For a fee, it can issue a letter reporting what they say. Some records contain only dates; others also describe the gun’s original features.
The office’s May 2024 coverage sheet lists these U.S. Model 1917 serial numbers: 1–548,255. Check current availability with the office before ordering; a listed range does not guarantee a record for every number.
Order a factory letter from the Cody Firearms Museum →What a factory letter shows, and when one is worth ordering →