Pattern 14 Stacking Swivel Question

[esu_1985]

Hey all,

I recently picked up a Remington Pattern 14 that has been through the Weedon Repair process. It is missing the volley sights, stock disk has been plugged, and the stacking swivel is missing. I believe that the Brits started discarding the stacking swivels on the SMLE's after WWI, so I would assume that the practice extended to the Pattern 14 as well. Is a missing stacking swivel correct for a weedon repair rifle? I don't plan on de-Weedoning the rifle by adding volley sights or trying to replace the stock disk. Should I put effort into finding a replacement stacking swivel? Thanks in advance for all of the input and guidance!

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[fjruple]

The piling swivel or stacking swivel and screw for the M1917 .30-06 Enfield will fit the Pattern 14 Rifles. Just look for one that is blued instead of parkerized. As a side note the SMLE piling swivel will also fit.

--fjruple

[browningautorifle]

It probably just shot loose or was removed.

[Richardwv]

When India surplussed their Pattern 14 rifles, I bought 2 direct from the importer still encased in their version of cosmoline. Both had obviously been through the repair, but one had the swivel and one didn't. I know not what to make of that, but evidently there wasn't consistency in service. Either way is likely correct if you are seeking an "as served" configuration. For me nothing speaks louder on how they served than how they were when obtained directly from military storage. The more recent trend of trying to restore rifles to a specific standard with "matching" parts I find frankly bothersome. A rifle direct from military storage is as historically correct as you can get and changing (or as some would say "correcting) it just starts deleting its history.

[Peter Laidler]

I think everyone who embarks on owning their first milsurp pistol, rifle of machine gun ought to be forced to read your comments Richard. And then, when they've digested said comments, have an hour long exam connected with them afterwards!!!!!!

[esu_1985]

I definitely agree with you Richard. I'm going to leave it just as it is. Especially since as you say, there was not really any consistency with the practice.

Thanks for the input, that definitely answers my question!

Montani Semper Liberi!

[Flying10uk]

Was it definitely part of the Weedon repair process to remove the butt disc on the P14?

some would say "correcting) it just starts deleting its history.

If I'm doing a bit of restoration/repair work on a bayonet or other bit of kit I try to avoid, at all costs, ending up with the "civilian refurb" look as some call it but I call it the "tarting up" look. The secret is to retain as much history in the item as possible, warts in all, but there are occasions when parts need to be replaced and repairs made.

[Aragorn243]

I do my best to restore rifles to the standard they were first used in service. That does not include making them look like new, just as the soldier would be carrying them in combat. Reason for this is because I give presentations and when parts are obviously missing from a WWI rifle it just doesn't feel right. But when volley sights are going for over $100 on the second day of a 7 day auction, I'm not real enthused with doing so. I can explain what that weirdly shaped thing is on the side of the stock.

[Richardwv]

When using any artifact for education on a given time period you are of course stuck with the dilemma of returning it to the configuration that is correct for that time. The vast majority of firearms collected are not used for that purpose and I strongly believe that maintaining a firearm's cumulative history outweighs the notional benefit of "restoring it" to as initially issued....which is the trend I was referring to. While I didn't always think that way.....and have some embarrassing examples of over enthusiastic "restorations" in my collection, now I'm in the clean it, repair/replace any part that interferes with it being safely shot....and then leaving it that way. This philosophy means that I've got lots of mismatched rifles with stained wood and worn finishes....but that is the result of it's history of use and during my ownership will stay that way.

[mmppres]

I deal with collectors ever weekend at a different show in different areas. The same questions do i have any matching parts. Very little ask for correct parts. To me any military rifle which is whole according to that branch of service is correct. Weather all numbers match or not. When an armour sends a firearm back into service it has to be real to serve. To me that mismatched firearm speaks so much more than a fully new matching one. They feel better in the hands an shoot better too. In my crazy opinion.