P14 Volley Sights

[MeatMarket]

I have a remington P14 given to me by my grandfather who bought it years ago from another owner. The previous owner had a scope mount smithed on the reciever for a cheap scope and the rear sight had to be removed. I recently removed the scope and mount and replaced the rear sight to it's original configuration. The rifle completely lacks both front and rear volley sights and I wanted to put a set of those on as well...however, there is no cutout on the front for the forward volley sight. Is this odd? Were not all P14's originally fitted with volley sights? Is it possible that the stock was replaced at some point? It appears to be completely original. Any thoughts?

Information

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[Badger]

Although not specifically related to your question about P14 volley sights, here's an interesting entry in the MKL which talks about SMLE No.1 MKIII's, with some pics that show the forestock setup for volley sights ..

1917 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkIII*

In the 1917 example above, note the large dent shown in the side of the forestock in a few of the pics of the photo virtual tour. At first glance it appears to be wood damage from some kind of impact, when in reality, it actually indicates that the stock of this rifle was from old supplies that had already been cut-out, in preparation for installing the front volley sight. By the time this rifle had been manufactured in 1917, the use of front and rear volley sights on No.1 rifles had been discontinued, as of January 1916.


(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Also, heres an entry that specifically shows pics of the various types of volley sights ..

Enfield Dial Sights (Variations)

My apologies for wandering off topic a little bit, but I thought members might be interested in seeing a forestock setup for a volley sight that never happened, most likely using up old stocks. I've never seen a P14 stock similar to this. I suppose they were always setup for volley sights and never removed until much later?

Regards,
Doug

[mike1967]

My guess would be that you have a M17 stock on that rifle.

Regards

Michael.

[Promo]

There were late replacement stocks for the P14 lacking the dialer disc, this was the Mk.II Version - see the attached pictures.

If the finger clearance cutouts are longer the rifle is equipped with a M1917 stock.

[MeatMarket]

Thank you all for this information. I think then that it has a Mk II stock on there, but I'll have to look closer to see if it's not an M1917 stock. Thanks for the help.

[Doug Rammel]

I recently removed the scope and mount and replaced the rear sight to it's original configuration.

Were the ears milled off. If so how were they replaced?

[A square 10]

when these went through weedon repair standard in 1939 the volleys were removed , the pointer was repoved from the front dial and the rear peep sight arm was cut , they were marked with a six point star over a letter indicating where the service was performed , this should show up at the bottom of the pistol grip ,

some with poor stocks were refitted with a new mkII stock made by H. Morris and Co in glasgow , scotland , these were not milled for the volleys or the marking disc and are somewhat of a nice find ,

if it is an M17 stock it will be marked with the factory code at the muzzle end a "W"-"R"-"E" will be evident , as well as the equal and longer finger groove difference , the buttrap will be cut for the standard US oiler rather than the commonwealth kit of pull through and weight ,

[MeatMarket]

Were the ears milled off. If so how were they replaced?

By "ears" is assume you mean the metal flanges on either side of the rear sight above the reciever? They were intact. The scope mount was custom made to fit in the space where the rear sight would have been so the rear sight had to be removed. The mount fit down inside the space between the ears and was bolted down. It took some careful pressure, but I was finally able to get the screws loose to remove it.

---------- Post added at 12:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 AM ----------

when these went through weedon repair standard in 1939 the volleys were removed , the pointer was repoved from the front dial and the rear peep sight arm was cut , they were marked with a six point star over a letter indicating where the service was performed , this should show up at the bottom of the pistol grip ,

some with poor stocks were refitted with a new mkII stock made by H. Morris and Co in glasgow , scotland , these were not milled for the volleys or the marking disc and are somewhat of a nice find ,

if it is an M17 stock it will be marked with the factory code at the muzzle end a "W"-"R"-"E" will be evident , as well as the equal and longer finger groove difference , the buttrap will be cut for the standard US oiler rather than the commonwealth kit of pull through and weight ,

Thanks, this is very helpful. I believe it is an M1917 stock becaus the finger groove looks to be a bit long. I don't think there is a butttrap though but I'll have to double-check and I haven't looked for the factory code yet.

[A square 10]

if it has an aftermarket butplate-pad you will have to look beneath it , there will be a small down slanted hole for the weight at the opening as well as the straight in hole for the cord for the P14 , just a slightly larger straight in hole for the US tube that contains oil and pull thru in the M17 ,

the factory code "letter" is visible at the muzzle end , unless its been cut off