My ears have writing on them!

[charlieboy]

I just picked up a P 14 built 1917, its a bit mismatched, the bolt have been matched to another but seems to fit in this one ok too.
the thing i find unusual is a serial number stamped onto the right sight protector.
It has an NG prefix ( national gaurd?? ) I understand that this can sometimes be the # of the scope it was matched with.... but this is a Remington and still has its ears, it also has its original peep sight numbered to the rifle

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Information

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[Kiwi]

You sure its a NG? It's most likely HG (Home Guard). New Zealand rifles taken for use in the Home Guard during WW2 were marked HG then the serial followed.

[charlieboy]

No, the first letter (see second pic )looks very similar to an N. Unless they slipped severely with the stamp.
Hence the question. It has no other NZ stamps about either. Thanks for the reply though.

[Kiwi]

I've got 2 NZ stamped P14's (both Winchester fine sight rifles). Owned plenty of HG marked rifles (Long Tom's, etc) over the past decade or so. Any chance of a clear (focused) picture of the marking?

[charlieboy]

Sure, managed to find one. The N isnt very well struck.

Attachment 110912

[Kiwi]

For reference, here are two different NZ marked p14's showing their stampings. Each only has one NZ stamp, and each stamp is located on opposite sides of the receiver.

As to your NG stamping, not sure. Could be that the person stamping it didn't have a H and used an N in stead (if it was a NZ home guard marked P14). If it wasn't Home Guard issued, then I don't have much more to add on that.

[charlieboy]

Thanks for the pics Kiwi, mine definitely has no NZ stamped any where on the metal work and nothing visible on the stock either.
A quick question on your W "F" rifles are the rear sites serial stamped with the receiver # on these or as the fine sight was an add on ( guessing) they just have a W, just for reference should I come across one, one day.

It does have a lot of stamps though, they ran out of room at the breech end so stamped the proof marks at the front!

EDIT Just had another thought, maybe the guy that stamped it and didnt have an H also didnt have a Z in his box so the breech stamp with N (E) is short for New Zealand
Who would know what things that got up to back in the day. All interesting stuff anyways.

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[Kiwi]

P14(F) rear sights either have a serial number that matches the receiver serial number or has a barred out serial number of a previous rifle. Both of mine have the barred out serial number, but I have seen one NZ marked P14(F) that had the same serial number on the rear sight so they do exist. Took one of mine to the range on Saturday and was hitting the gong out to 400m no problems with the F sight and 1950's surplus ammo. Next time I'll attempt the 500m and 800m gongs.

Also on my rifles there are no BNP or other commercial/out of service proof marks on the barrel or reciever so have been in NZ ownership since we got them.

[charlieboy]

OK good to know Kiwi.
I took this to the range on Saturday as well and got it zeroed to where I got 3 consecutive 5 ring scores at 300yds with that Greek ammo.
The 5 ring is 260 mm across, if i am reading the rule book correctly.

[Promo]

P14(F) rear sights either have a serial number that matches the receiver serial number or has a barred out serial number of a previous rifle. Both of mine have the barred out serial number, but I have seen one NZ marked P14(F) that had the same serial number on the rear sight so they do exist.

I cannot remember seeing a P.14 rifle equipped with a matching numbers (F) Sight. Even with otherwise all matching numbers sniper rifles always the (F) sights are mismatching. I'd therefore be highly cautious if a P.14(F) rifle got offered with matching numbers sight, since as you know these sights were also reproduced.