P14 - Fatboy

Team,

I have just picked up a P14, its a fatboy, well thats what ive been told its called??

I did some swaps with some stuff that i wasnt using and was only going to send down range and to be honest with the amount of cast lead stuff im making at the moment, well it was stuff just lying around anyway.

But the new addition is very impresive, im rather rapt in it. Its even NZ marked!

Its got some markings on the butt that i am unfamiliar with and was hoping that someone here might be able to give me some indication as what to they mean or reference to?

cheers

Mark

Attachment 27048Attachment 27049Attachment 27050

I take it it was made by Eddystone, at least that's what it says. the marks on the butt disc say as you suspect March of 17 to NZ. The muzzle is Alf Parker ball burnished for accuracy. The left side of the forend is set up for the volley sights. Fat Boy? Never heard of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Fat Boy? Never heard of it.

---

It's a reference to the "no finger groove" stocks found on some Eddystones. The above is an example.

Actually, it's a reference to the fact that the stock on Eddystone's bulges ( near the front volley sight ). This isn't the case with the Remington or Winchester M1917s. Not sure if the term was coined in the US or England.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by husk

Actually, it's a reference to the fact that the stock on Eddystone's bulges ( near the front volley sight ).

---

Pardon my ignoring the obvious!:D

sorry moderators i never knew this section existed!!! Say thanks guys for the input, but the "+" on the butt, any ideas, and the reason it has the front dial smoothed back removing the ranges but still has rear lobbing sight? its a great looking rifle and am very keen to get her down to the range!

The volley sights were removed along the way but hard to say just who or when. If one is present and not the other, I suspect an individual taste was the reason for removal. I don't remember what the cross proof means.

underneath the barrel just back from the foresight and towards the nose cap was a BSA logo with BSA Target Quality, Made for Parker Hale Ltd, Birmingham 4 England.

Its also been pointed out to me its a MkI not MkI*, still working on its history though, but still rather happy with it all,

As far as I know the + on the butt ment emergency use only. Looks like someone removed the screw for the volley sight dialer; I'm not sure as I'd need to see a better picture, but could be that the base for the dialer has been milled off what could be the reason why it's only partially here.

There should be an ERA on the reciever just above the S/N. Also check the backside of the sight, there should be the S/N of the rifle on top. Is there a * punchmark on the reciever?

from what i was told the {fatboy} stocks were used as replacements and on rifles ment for grenade use, the grasping grooves on 17,s 14, ect were put there for grip during bayonet fighting.
the thicker fatter stocks were supposed to be stronger and held up from the recoil of a grenade...
RIA museum has one on display, with a rubber butt pad as well, and thats how they explained it....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Promo

As far as I know the + on the butt ment emergency use only. Looks like someone removed the screw for the volley sight dialer; I'm not sure as I'd need to see a better picture, but could be that the base for the dialer has been milled off what could be the reason why it's only partially here.

There should be an ERA on the reciever just above the S/N. Also check the backside of the sight, there should be the S/N of the rifle on top. Is there a * punchmark on the reciever?

---

Promo if you have a look at the bottom of No3 | | All About EnfieldsAll About Enfields there is a set of pictures that i took, rather quickly sadly and i need to get a better camera but it should answer some of your questions.

Now my understanding of emergency use or EY Enfields, that standard may be different for the P14? asve been over thislike a hawk and now had two good collectors look at it and both seem impressed with the mechanical aspect and bore barrel reciever condition, is it the fact that it was a non standard rifle of the day make it EY? or am i missing something?

I am appreciating all the feed back and comments here to, thanks

the stock is an eddystone - IE is the key , the reciever needs to be marked ERA , if there is no * on the reciever or bolt , it could be a mkI , they are out there - mine is a mkI with intact volleys ,

weedon removed the volleys when they refurbed then stored these , is their a six pointed star on the butt / reciever , this may have gone thru that , many did , they will be coded on the bottom of the pistol grip for the place ,

the 'fatboy' stock is comon terminology for the eddystone stock as they are less gracefull than the remington and winchesters , each mfgr made their own ,


the cross is indeed 'emergency use only' marking , hard to say why without going through it , could be just becuase its not converted to mkI* i suppose , a very early rifle [low serial] could do it , there is a reason they changed the bolt ,

i think you did well , congrats

From what ive seen, and trust me ive had a good look, there is no * that i can find on the old girl. I posted a link to a site that i have some images of the rifle on, let me know if there are some i should add.

But Im extremely happy with the rifle and its going to be well enjoyed, i will see if i cant find a load somewhere that will suit the rifle.

The front volley sight has been milled off. Check the top of the ladder rear sight on the back if the S/N there is matching the rifle. The stacking swivel is missing. Is there a S/N on the bolt and if yes, does it match the S/N on the reciever?

Promo, i will go have a look in a min, say just curious what would the value of something like this be? i did some swaps to get the old girl! 500 MEN84 and some odd projectiles