Odd bolt marking on P14

[Aragorn243]

This is off what appears to be a numbers matching P14. The owner thought that this mark was a crossed out serial number with a force match underneath. I looked at it and it just didn't seem right for a serial number. Looked in Stratton's book but that muddied the waters even further.

This is a Remington barrel, receiver and bolt. Stratton says Remington put the serial numbers on the underside of the bolt but this is on the top. Bolt is clearly marked R on the bottom of the bolt. This mark is on the side of the bolt, above the bend where the serial number is located.

When I took this photo, it became pretty clear what it seems to be but I still can't I'd it from Stratton's book.

It appears to be a British Proof mark, circle under crown with letters in the circle which I can't make out. Numbers on each end are 19 and 16 which would seem to me to be the date of acceptance. They are not obscured by the proof mark. But proof marks don't seem to have been added until the rifle was exported or sold out of the military. And shouldn't that be on the receiver or barrel. I did not see any proofs of this style under the hand guard and I didn't think to look for a date on the barrel.

The actual serial number looks original, no grinding marks, etc. Also has a crossed "flags" acceptance mark beside the serial. The rifle has apparently gone through Weddon as there are half hearted asterisks on the bolt beside this mark and on the receiver as well as this metal all sitting in a fat boy Eddystone stock with a star and letters under the pistol grip.

Rifle is missing it's volley sights although the front one was never ground. Stock disk as been replaced with a wooden one and the butt at least was sanded down enough to make the original acceptance mark faint.

Rear sight also matches.

So is this a re-struck serial number or an obstructed proof mark with date or something else?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Beerhunter]

It looks like a pre-1954 Birmingham Military Proof mark to me; BM = Birmingham Military.

[Aragorn243]

It does appear to be a proof of some sort, not a lined out serial number and that's what I told the owner. Figured I'd post it here to see what the experts thought. He's been telling everyone it's a forced match bolt but while the serial number isn't where it's supposed to be according to Stratton, there is no indication there ever was one where Stratton says it's supposed to be, on the underside of the handle. Barrel end has that weird little "Not England Made" stamp that is almost impossible to read.

I guess the next question would be why someone stamped over the proof mark.

[Beerhunter]

Barrel end has that weird little "Not England Made" stamp that is almost impossible to read.

That confirms it as a Birmingham Military Proof. BTW, beware Stratton. His books on British rifles are laced with errors.