Help needed to ID rifle

**OllieReeder** · 05-01-2009, 18:33

Posted on behalf of another ARRSEr currently stuck in the 'Stan with no means of uploading the pics...

"Can anyone help identify this, please? It's been presented to someone out here, and I need some info (rough model type, place of manufacture, year of manufacture) in order to get it sent home legally."

Initial thoughts are that it is an Enfield P14 (or presumably could be an M1917). 5 round magazine, and certainly looks like a modified Mauser action.

**studentfeckwit** · 05-01-2009, 19:10

Looks very much like a P17. Any more pics of the chamber area and of the whole rifle? Closeups of left and right hand sides of the receiver would be helpful.

http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/detail/P17_3.htm - looks almost identical except for the upper handguard missing from your weapon.

**EX_STAB** · 05-01-2009, 20:58

Originally Posted by OllieReeder

Posted on behalf of another ARRSEr currently stuck in the 'Stan with no means of uploading the pics...

"Can anyone help identify this, please? It's been presented to someone out here, and I need some info (rough model type, place of manufacture, year of manufacture) in order to get it sent home legally."

Initial thoughts are that it is an Enfield P14 (or presumably could be an M1917). 5 round magazine, and certainly looks like a modified Mauser action.

It is as you suggest a Pattern 14 or Model1917. Hard to say from the pictures but I would suggest P14 going by the look of the action - looks slightly shorter than the M'17. The extractors have a slightly different look too but the easiest way to tell would be whether it is stamped "US model of 1917". Either could have US Ordnance Board "Flaming grenade" proof marks as far as I know.
A new top guard should be available somewhere.

In the UK it would be classified as Section 1 in either case. You could argue a S58(2) but you'd have a fight on your hands.

**ugly** · 05-01-2009, 21:15

The hump of the magazine should indicate a P14 and its a Remington made one, worth about 100 pounds ish and I do have a spare handguard I think! Oh and section 1.

**4(T)** · 05-01-2009, 21:58

Looks like a P14 in .303", judging by the length of the rearsight and the fact its got volley sights (the stalk thing on the left side of the receiver. BTW, this should fold forward, not backwards). The .30-06 M17 has a shorter rearsight and no volley sights.

Its a section one firearm, so you'd need a firearm certificate back in UK.

**ugly** · 05-01-2009, 22:04

Hey I looked but couldnt see the volley sight, now I know why!

**4(T)** · 05-01-2009, 22:18

Although all of the P14s were made in one of the three US factories, they went through a British military acceptance process and received a War Office inspection mark on the left receiver wall. The .30-06 M17s have a US Ordnance "Flaming Bomb" mark in this location instead.

**ugly** · 05-01-2009, 22:19

Nice ERA there, a fatboy definetly!

**4(T)** · 05-01-2009, 22:33

Who are you calling a Fat Boy....?!

Actually its just a normal stock. I had a Fat Boy P14, but sold it recently. Ugly, can i interest you in a nice sporterised P14? It has nice chequering, and I'm sure it would make a good stalking rifle - make short work of those aggresive muntjacs, etc...

**ugly** · 05-01-2009, 23:19

Now now you know I am looking for something not quite sporterised. I rather fancy a BSA built on a P14 action in 7mm Mauser. I have a box of 10 receivers so there is an opportunity if anyone is interested in knocking up a faux mid 30's sporter!

**EX_STAB** · 05-01-2009, 23:24

Originally Posted by ugly

Now now you know I am looking for something not quite sporterised. I rather fancy a BSA built on a P14 action in 7mm Mauser. I have a box of 10 receivers so there is an opportunity if anyone is interested in knocking up a faux mid 30's sporter!

Which make of receiver are they? I'm never touching an Eddystone ever again!

**ugly** · 05-01-2009, 23:29

There are some eddystones and Remingtons (both made by Remington by the way) but I dont remember any Winchesters that said I have used an ERA and it definetly hadnt been through Ma Parkers!

**jonwilly** · 06-01-2009, 00:50

Would one of the boards Experts, please tell more on the P14/17 ?
john
I know I should search eleswhere, but please don't say Google/Wikipi, I'd like an expert view and I know the board has them.

**EX_STAB** · 06-01-2009, 01:01

Originally Posted by jonwilly

Would one of the boards Experts, please tell more on the P14/17 ?
john
I know I should search eleswhere, but please don't say Google/Wikipi, I'd like an expert view and I know the board has them.

Well I doubt anyone is going to type up the whole history. You can find the basics yourself. If you have a specific question though I'm sure it will be answered.

**OllieReeder** · 06-01-2009, 09:20

Thanks to everyone - have yet to raise our friend in theatre, but I know he will be suitably grateful. I also managed to find my father's 1942 small arms manual last night, so now have the identification mark positions and types for the three different factories (Remington Arms Co, Remington Arms Union and Winchester Repeating Arms Co). As mentioned above, it certainly looks to be the first of these.