Indian modified P.13

Just another piece which came from Poulin Antiques auction and originated from the Faris collection.

Since it is about the only thing I currently know on this rifle, I might once again quote Ian Skennertons description of it:

Quote:

---

Likely ex-Indian test sample, restocked in India.
Bolt handle bent forward and twisted, rear sight area milled off and a small range adjustable sight fitted, dial sight plate has no pointer, long range aperture pop-up sight remains. Markings: Indian roundel, restocked with P’14 furniture.

---

Edit 18.06.2023: re-uploaded pictures that were lost in forum crash.

Very, very interesting rifle. Love the bolt handle mod, wonder why? The sight is to the point...very much. Wonder why the changes?

Sorry to say it, but I think that is too much of a hack-job to even be an "Indian" experiment. The cold chisel work between the remains of the sight ears...the rough file work, the mismatching finish?!

The sight is so short it would only suit a .22 conversion and why bother at all?

I'd suggest this rifle was indeed an official experiment in regard to the bolt knob placement and perhaps trying to improve the rate of fire, as the knob is placed to more easily and quickly slip into the crook of the index finger, but after that idea was apparently dropped, I think it became the subject of some sort of private experiment that would have no application in a .303 rifle unless it was intended to be sighted to no more than 600 yards or so.

Maybe some consideration was given to a simpler, stronger sight for the P14, but the only scenario one can imagine is jungle warfare or some sort of conversion to No.5 Rifle size.

While it might be ugly made, the manufacture of a working and finely adjustable rear sight is definitely something professionally done. It is too worse for an official UK experiment, but also too nice to be basement made. The "Indian connection" was argued by Skennerton and mainly based on the Indian roundel (see the originally quoted text). Something rather simple - during test the rifle might had been dropped, the stock got damaged and the rear sight broke off - so they replaced it with a new stock and the broken rear sight due to its unique calibration might then had been repaired with a workshop invention...

The swept forward bolt handle is something I am familiar with from the French MAS1936 rifle. When having it in hands, you will notice what it is good for, it feels much better while closing the bolt (and remember the P.13/P.14/M1917 cock the bolt on closing and not on opening). But it also might just be a result in that during stock change the original handle would not had worked on the P.14 stock, so they modified the bolt handle instead of the stock?

The bolt is certainly interesting, I wonder if it helps or hinders rapid firing? In my experience, albeit limited, the p14 bolt handle is already very good.

Sam