P14 Advice

Hey all,

Just picked up a sporterized version of a P14 for the grand sum of.... $10. Didn't really know too much about it but for that cost I couldn't turn it down.

The bore looks a bit rough, but I figure I'll have to take it out to the range to test it out. What kind of groups would you guys go for at what range for this gun? Looking at getting out this week.

I've attached a few photos. Anything stand out? Bolt and receiver are matched. Is the stock just a cut one? It looks pretty close to the original (to a point) and has the proper butt plate.

Was thinking of restoring it since it cost me so little. Although I hear getting stocks for it in Canada could be a bit hard..

Thoughts?

Thanks!

A P14 with some of the wood removed. The rifling looks good. Good rifles. Restocking might be expensive.

There is serious pitting on the chamber end of the barrel, there might be more under the wood. Check and make sure the barrel is still good.

The guys with the knowledge will be along soon to provide more information.

Be sure it is not stamped DP on the receiver or bolt. A rather rusty Winchester. Measure the barrel and be sure its intact . A stock may cost $250 or so. Winchester will be a had find.
Also prior to any shooting try a FIELD gauge to see if it closes down on it. Also with the bolt matching it is a good possibility it will still headspace. Run an oversize brass brush down the barrel a few times say 30, that barrel does not look so bad, the outside is nasty.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zaidin

Was thinking of restoring it since it cost me so little.

---

Good luck with that, yes wood is nearly impossible to get and shipping stuff across the border is just about as bad now. The small parts will be even harder as you need bands and screws. The bore looks strong but probably never shine again. You should be able to do decent groups with factory and off a sandbag at 100m. Depends how your eyes are. Yes, the barrel is complete, it still has original sights mounted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 72 usmc

A stock may cost $250 or so. Winchester will be a had find.

---

Not in Canada it won't...unobtainium here...not available. Estimates from other countries are not accurate.

Nothing a little Bondo wouldn't fix. :D:

Which to be serious means a black paint finish will be your final destination IMHO. No point restocking a rifle with that much pitting damage - unless you just want to for the experience.

If the barrel turns out to be nice under the gunk, which they sometimes do, you've got a good truck/boat rifle: paint or cerakote it with a clear conscience!

There has been some messing around on top of the receiver ring by the look of it, so that would need investigating before spending much time on the rifle.

You could buy a DP rifle and part it out. Plug the side holes and should look better than it does now.

I’ve been working a P14 sporterized project myself over the last couple of months. Luckily my metal was all in great shape. The small parts are readily available on EBay and through various companies. The stocks are out there but not cheap $350+/- . I picked up a repaired DP stock for super cheap and collected the rest of the parts (upper/lower wood, barrel bands, bayonet lugs etc). I have under $175 in total (got the rifle for free). It’s no show piece but it’s period correct complete with battle scars and it’s been a fun chase. I’m no expert on these guns but I’m happy to share anything I’ve learned

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Promo

buy a DP rifle and part it out.

---

I've been expecting that one. Here in Canada there aren't the choices you might think. Here's an example of the cost of ad dewat... US Enfield Model 1917 (P17) rifle - Deactivated - Collector's Source, Military Collectibles Online

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikemiller69gs

The stocks are out there but not cheap $350+/-

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikemiller69gs

I have under $175 in total (got the rifle for free).

---

That ain't in Canada...good luck doing it here. Maybe he'll give us a total after he finishes.

The 1917 is beautiful but the price is roughly $1500 US? Is there an issue export a gun stock from the states into Canada? Is it like shipping a working weapon over the border? I'm asking because I simply don't know.
I went the repaired DP route because I wanted to do it inexpensive initially and get out and shoot it a bit. I have every intention of continuing to look for the correct stock while I enjoy shooting the gun. Mike

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikemiller69gs

Is there an issue export a gun stock

---

It's all about anything gun right now. Yes, we have issues. Yes, about $1500USD for that dewat, this is why guys asking about prices and availability mostly applies to close to home. You guys can get a plethora of stuff, normally.

I have been working on a number of them here in Manitoba. I found it difficult to find authorative references, compared to stuff that was written about M1917's, but have been going mostly from Charles Stratton's book. Regarding "matching" - the barrel, the receiver, the bolt and the rear sight have identical serial numbers originally, when they left the factory. I have an "E" (Eddystone) cut down stock that also has the last digits of the receiver stamped in the barrel channel. Not seeing those numbers in 5 other cut down stocks here - those 5 all have finger grooves, so are likely "W" or "R" stocks - not enough left for me to know for sure. Then have the Mk.1 and Mk.1* versions made when new. Then have the Wheedon overhaul. Then have the WWII rebuild program in U.K. Much is written and documented about how many parts from one maker and another were not interchangeable - to the extent that Britain adopted them as three different rifles. It makes for an interesting hobby to read and understand how each was different - as posted above, though, very, very difficult to find any complete P14 stock set here in Canada, and then to go with the appropriate metal parts - they were not all the same!!!!

The best reference I'm aware of is Skennerton's "The U.S. Enfield".

Pick a couple up while they're so modestly priced perhaps?

Breath taking prices shown for those books, in those links!!! I did get one of them in August 2019. A bookstore in Australia as a seller on eBay - was $C 99.50 mailed to me. Information quite consistent, generally, with "Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model of 1917 Rifles" by Charles Stratton. I tend to use the Stratton book more often. It was $C 33.52 mailed to me from Amazon.ca in Feb. 2019 - probably stupid nuts higher price now, I suppose...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Potashminer

I have been working on a number of them here in Manitoba. I found it difficult to find authorative references, compared to stuff that was written about M1917's, but have been going mostly from Charles Stratton's book. Regarding "matching" - the barrel, the receiver, the bolt and the rear sight have identical serial numbers originally, when they left the factory. I have an "E" (Eddystone) cut down stock that also has the last digits of the receiver stamped in the barrel channel. Not seeing those numbers in 5 other cut down stocks here - those 5 all have finger grooves, so are likely "W" or "R" stocks - not enough left for me to know for sure. Then have the Mk.1 and Mk.1* versions made when new. Then have the Wheedon overhaul. Then have the WWII rebuild program in U.K. Much is written and documented about how many parts from one maker and another were not interchangeable - to the extent that Britain adopted them as three different rifles. It makes for an interesting hobby to read and understand how each was different - as posted above, though, very, very difficult to find any complete P14 stock set here in Canada, and then to go with the appropriate metal parts - they were not all the same!!!!

---

Potashminer-- That's the one thing I like about the Pattern 14. First you have six major types to deal with. (Each manufacturer E, R and W, plus the MkI and MkI*) then there are changes with each manufacturer. It is amazing that the British Armourers could keep them all straight and working. Fast forward to today when you are trying to figure out what parts you need and then try and find a parts seller who knows what you are talking about. It's almost half the fun of doing the restoration of a bubba P-14. The stocks are becoming a difficult problem here in the US as well. There is an Italian company that is making the walnut M1917 stock, I believe the old Numrich gun parts is selling. I have not tried fitting a P-14 to a M1917 stock. I have better luck having a new front end grafted to the old bubba stock especially if a Eddystock "fat" boy stock. Good luck on your projects.

Italian made stocks - purchased from Numrich - I bought one set from them using the part numbers they give for the M1917; they also list or at least used to list stock sets for the P14 with a different part number, but I do not know if they are the same or not. Seemed to be nearly perfect drop in fit for a "W" M1917 that I had here. I also purchased a P14 with what I think is the exact same stock - at least the finger grooves on the sides say "M1917" rather than the P14 configuration. That second stock now has an "E" P14 in it and did not apparently need any modification at all. The finish is much different than on the original military ones, but they seem quite satisfactory if you want to make up a "shooter" or a "looker". Note that the two stocks that I had did not have the threaded brass cross pin between the trigger mortice and the magazine mortice. They were cross drilled for the lower band retaining pin and for the upper band cross screw, but of course, no metal was included there. The front and rear hand guards did come with the metal liners and rivets installed - a point to watch for - several USA vendors sell reproduction hand guards that do not have the liners or rivets, so need to buy and install them separately, if you can find them.

Original P14 and M1917 stocks will have different shaped cavities under the butt plates - one way to tell the difference - USA and Britain used different cleaning kits that stowed in there - I simply neglected to check that stock that got the "E" P14 set into it - I do not remember what cavities it had in there.

Try Libertytreecollectors.com. The have stocks and bands for the P14.

I think Ross Rifle Restorations has/had new, Candian made stocks for the P14. Won't be cheap, but, if they still have them, one would look good on a $10 rifle.
(just had a look on their site. C$350 for the 3 piece stock set, with fitting required)

Prestigious Wood Stocks in Alberta may be able help you out.