Winchester U.S. Model 1917 serial numbers — what the records say

Where the serial number is

On the receiver ring, with the U.S. Model of 1917 rollmark.

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.

Other Winchester military contract arms

• M1 Garand1940–1945
• Hotchkiss1878–1900
• M1 Carbine1942–1945
• Model 1895 Lee Navy1896–1908
• Pattern 141916–1917

Winchester rifles that never had a serial number

These have no serial number to look up. Their pages explain why, and how to date one from its features.

• Model 471949–1954
• Model 581928–1934
• Model 601930–1939
• Model 60A1932–1939
• Model 671934–1963
• Model 681934–1945
• Model 691935–1963
• Model 72A1949–1959
• Model 19001899–1902
• Model 19021902–1931
• Model 19041904–1931
• Thumb Trigger1904–1923