What type of firing pin is this?
- Thread starter Jeff2855
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
That appears to be the striker assembly for a Mauser K98-type rifle. The lack of a knob on the striker tail (cocking piece) is a pretty good indication that it's some flavor of Mauser.
The overall shape of the bolt sleeve is wrong for a K98k, though, so it must be some other make, or an earlier version.
The overall shape of the bolt sleeve is wrong for a K98k, though, so it must be some other make, or an earlier version.
Nope, not a Mauser. Mausers have buttress threads on the bolt shroud and the front of the firing pin is shaped to keep the striker from falling if the bolt is not in battery. That one has square threads on the bolt shroud and the firing pin is flat in front of the spring retaining collar. Looks familiar, though . . . More modern than a Mauser, and US-made. Yes, it does look like an Eddystone.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Holy sweet jeebus where was/is/will be my brain???
Pahoo you are absolutely correct! That's the assembly from a Model 1917 by Eddystone.
The lack of the safety catch as part of the assmebly should have been the key.
I was right, though, that it was a flavor of Mauser... The 1917 (and the Pattern 1913) were based heavily on the Mauser....
Pahoo you are absolutely correct! That's the assembly from a Model 1917 by Eddystone.
The lack of the safety catch as part of the assmebly should have been the key.
I was right, though, that it was a flavor of Mauser... The 1917 (and the Pattern 1913) were based heavily on the Mauser....
Dixie Gunsmithing
Moderator Emeritus
It looks close to a 1917 Enfield, but I can't see the sear good enough to tell. The give-away if the thread being square.
oldgunsmith
New member
It would surprise me if it's worth much. I've had 2 originals and 3 or 4 of the "speed lock" (cock on opening) versions in a junk box for 30 years.
The firing pin and bolt sleeve run around $35; the conversion cocking piece and spring would bring maybe $20 if anyone can be found who wants them. At one time, that conversion was common, but with the rising prices of original military rifles, not many folks want to lower the value of a 1917 by altering it.
FWIW, the conversion changes the gun to fire off the firing pin retraction cam, reducing firing pin fall to less than half its normal distance. That is why the spring has to be heavier than the standard spring. Even then, misfires were common with that conversion, especially with hard military primers.
Jim
FWIW, the conversion changes the gun to fire off the firing pin retraction cam, reducing firing pin fall to less than half its normal distance. That is why the spring has to be heavier than the standard spring. Even then, misfires were common with that conversion, especially with hard military primers.
Jim