Part # 105570 - $24.95 - Gun Digest Book of Firearm Assembly/Disassembly Part IV - Centerfire Rifles - Your rifle is covered completely. Receivers were glass-hard and also brittle. These rifles were also made by Remington (545,541) and Winchester (545,511), and these rifles are preferred over the Eddystones because of a questionable heat-treat done by Eddystone. That included rechambering to the 300 Winchester cartridge in some cases. Very many were sportorized and/or converted to civilian use. And some were sold through the NRA and (DCM (Director of Civilian Marksmanship). (1,000,000 ?) Some were sent to the Philipines. We sent a large number of these rifles over to England during the Second War and they were used by their Home Guard. After the First War they were placed in reserve as secondary issue. A large number of these rifles were used by our forces in the First War. There is no way I can tell you what use or where the rifle served.
![1917 enfield eddystone serial numbers 1917 enfield eddystone serial numbers](https://www.gunsamerica.com/UserImages/3321/996538854/wm_15025397.jpg)
The rear sight should be a receiver peep sight mounted between two protective ears on the rear receiver bridge. Very easily done because all gunsmiths have headspace gauges for the 30-06 (or they should) I would suggest that you have your gunsmith check it for headspace. Your rifle is chambered for the 30-06 cartridge.
#1917 ENFIELD EDDYSTONE SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER#
And your serial number is very close to the total produced by Eddystone. One source (Book of Rifles - Smith/Smith) says production stopped on 9 November 1918, but your rifle date disputes that. Eddystone made 1,181,908 rifles and the 12-18 date on your rifle would correspond with production figures and times. This facility was run by our General Thompson, the same man that developed the Thompson Sub-machine gun. by a facility that was set up specifically to make this rifle. Your rifle was made by Eddystone (controlled by Remington) in Eddystone Penn. Not because the rifle itself is unusual, but because it's original military which is not found very often today.