"X" marked P-14 receiver

[Calfed]

Anyone know what a small "x" on the receiver ring of a P-14 indicates?



Thanks

Information

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[Mohawk]

May be some sort of British proof/acceptance mark. My Eddystone has about the same mark....

[Calfed]

I'm looking at buying this, so I only have access to a few pics..

[Badger]

Isn't an X on British arms the "sold out of service" marking?

Regards,
Doug

[Amatikulu]

I believe the "x" mark is actually intended to be an asterisk "*" Denoting that the rifle was modified from the original model. IIRC, the P14 bolt was modified early on and those so modified were marked with an asterisk on the receiver ring, and I believe bolt and butt stock.

[Calfed]

Thanks for the info--I'll let you know if I glom it.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Calfed,

I started to answer when you first posted, but what I had was so unsubstantiated I didn't want to say anything and I figured there was surely a 'book answer' someone would just pop out.
This is only from what I remember hearing between two older (older than I) gentlemen and I don't have any real reference, but in their discussion (arguing) at a gun show near mine was as to whether they were proof marks or acceptance marks. Supposedly Remington Arms Corp was acting as a purchasing agent for the UK and they marked the receivers they made with an X as a simplified cross flag pennant. I know that's about as unhelpful as can be, but I did hear them talking about it.

I wish I could help with something more.

I hope you do do ahead and get it if it's a good price.

(Other than that I'd say it's a Russian Capture P-14!)

[mdoerner]

Calfed,
[Text Deleted]

(Other than that I'd say it's a Russian Capture P-14!)

Didn't the Lithuanians use the P-14 along with Czech Mausers in .303 British? This could be plausible.....other than shouldn't it be on the side of the receiver?

Mike Doerner

[Pattern14]

Russians tended to slap shellac all over their captured German stocks and if this was a Russian capture I see no reason why they wouldn't do it to this rifle. My P14 has the same mark although smaller and I'm almost certain no Russian armourer ever had his hands on it especially with the green paint on the underside of the barrel. Amatikulu is probably correct- it's a sloppy version of an asterisk and probably has the same X or the proper asterisk on the bolt and stock and is an upgraded version of the rifle.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Regarding Lithuanian P-14s: not long ago I saw two rifles I suspect are from the batch provided in the post-WW1 arming of the short-lived Lithuanian army.

They both have a small,rectangular plate about 10mm x 30mm, stamped with a bunch of numbers, fixed vertically across the butt disc. I will attempt to get a photo of the details next time I visit the owner.

From memory, neither rifle has a matching bolt and one has a Mk1 bolt and the other a 1*.