P14 Eddystone - Strange Markings

[hatrick]

I just picked up a really early, unconverted/unmodified Eddystone P14 (serial number 10xxx) and it has a few strange stamps on it I was hoping someone can help me out with. Everything on it seems to be Eddystone marked with the typical "E" but the trigger has a strange E inside of a triangle where the normal E would be stamped. Also, the sear and the side of the front sight have a weird E or flat bottomed W. Also, on the side of the receiver rail there is a strange stamp where the normal Broad Arrow would be. Here are some pics.









The only thing it is missing is the front volley sight arm, screw and washer. Any idea where to get the correct front volley sight parts??

Thanks,
Eric

[stevesmle]

The marking between the EY and the Proofmark is a cancellation stamp, but what it is cancelling I can,t make out.

[hatrick]

Typically that is where the Broad Arrow stamp is but the marking does not look to be an overstamp and I don't see any remnants of a Broad Arrow.

Eric

[hatrick]

Here are more pics of the rifle. The bolt is not matching buy is an Eddystone bolt and is also EY marked. Also, the rear volley sight was not removed but the arm at some point has snapped off. I have an Eddystone replacement arm on the way.

Eric

[Promo]

Check the top of the sight ladder on the back, there should be the S/N aswell.

[hatrick]

The sight ladder serial number matches the receiver as does the barrel number. The barrel is dated 1916 and it is a non-import rifle. The bore is about as perfect as it gets.

Eric

[303Nut]

That is really nice. How does it shoot?

[stevesmle]

the E markings were applied by the manufacturer , but all the other markings were stamped by British inspectors or viewers, the Broard Arrow was an acceptance stamp, so maybe this rifle did not pass final acceptance, and something else was stamped in place of the Arrow. I know problems were encountered with the inspectors failing large quantities of these rifles, and so the British sent over a couple of trouble shooters to try to iron out these problems, maybe this rifle was re-inspected, passed, and the original marking cancelled, as this is a definate British cancellation stamp.

[mannparks]

thats a realy nice early E. good luck with finding volly sights,that will be a task.
as for the EY marks,i think some one got a little stamp nuts. i have a 14 w/volly sights but bubba sanded the stock w/ a belt sander w/ #80 grit. hard to get it all.---charles

[gsimmons]

EY is emergency use. It's a military mark found on a lot of P14's and grenade launching SMLE's. That's why you see the cancelled marks. Use ball in emergency only. I don't know why. It doesn't mean the rifle is unsafe, that would be ZF or DP. Ian Skennerton's "Lee Enfield Story" covers most of the abbreviations.