This is an outstanding example of a very early, original unaltered WWI Winchester Model 1917 bolt action rifle. This outstanding rifle has the Winchester all blued finish and the beautiful Winchester oil finished walnut stock and handguard set. These early unaltered examples are extremely rare as they were the primary service rifle that was issued to U.S. Army and USMC units during WWI (even more than the 1903 Springfield) with almost all being later rebuilt during the start of WWII. This fabulous example has a very low serial number, and a barrel date of Oct 1917 indicating it was made in approximately the third-fourth month of production. It is completely original with all of its parts being correctly manufactured by Winchester and having the correct "W" stamp on all of the parts. The receiver is marked "U.S./MODEL OF 1917/WINCHESTER/25206". The muzzle end of the barrel is correctly stamped with the Winchester factory markings of "W/US Ordnance Bomb proof/10-17". The left receiver rail is stamped with the ordnance bomb proof with a single "Star in a Circle". A double "Eagle Head" proof is on top of the receiver rail. The complete and correct Winchester bolt assembly is marked on the underside of the handle "W/NS". As noted, it has the original finger groove walnut stock with the correct "W" stamped on the end and crisp "Eagle Head" proof stamped on the underside about 2 inches in front of the trigger guard. It is fitted with a matching Winchester handguard set. The front barrel band is correctly stamped with a "W" proof on the underside, and the lower stacking swivel is also stamped with a "W/Eagle Head/526" proofs. It has the standard steel buttplate with trapdoor for the cleaning kit (not included).

Excellent with 98% of the original blue finish overall with some light bolt wear from hand cycling the rifle and minor blue loss on the top and lower ends of the buttplate where it sat in a rifle rack. There is dried grease still around the edges of the floorplate, trigger guard, the middle barrel band and lower sling swivel. The stock and handguards all have a beautiful, all matching, original Winchester oil finish, the crisp proof on the underside and sharp/crisp finger grooves. The stock has some minor light handling marks on the right side and underside of the stock probably from just sitting in a rifle rack. If you are not familiar with the Murray collection, they only collected the best Winchesters ever and this is certainly one of them. It is truly impossible to find a better one today.