just bought a P14 - finally

[gsimmons]

I have a Winchester P14 that came from Springfield Sporters years ago with a plain stock. I wonder if this is one of those rifles and was "upgraded".

[Iosens]

Thanks Patrick

I agree with you, the stock is not original for sure.
I was wondering about the rear volley sight also.

But the bolt lug is short. Which star is the MK 1* start now, the one in the circle or the one on the bottom of the stock ?
Also do you know something about the J3?

I also do not understand what you mean with the mark on the front barrel band?

Last not least I have added the import marks from the barrel.

Attachment 38617Attachment 38618Attachment 38619Attachment 38620

[Patrick Chadwick]

I also do not understand what you mean with the mark on the front barrel band?

Perhaps I should have written "nose cap" - the thing with the bayonet lug! It has not just scratches - but rather gouge marks - on the outside AND on the inside, right next to the wood, which does not show any such marks. This is possibly the strongest indication that parts do not match - not just inconsistent degrees of wear, but scratches that stop suddenly and do not continue onto the neighboring component.

Take a very close look at the "4-5 o'clock2 area:


You can see the marks on the inside of the nose cap. I do not see how those marks could have been made with the nosecap still on that wood. Ergo, the wood and the nosecap have different origins.


The volley peepsight is also less worn than neighboring components:


Now to the star on the bolt handle:

According to That Book Which You Have Now Ordered (yes?) this must be the star mark for an upgrade from MKI to MkI*. But if the left-hand bolt lug is the shorter (0.62") version, then it can't be. I am puzzled, and I hope someone else has an explanation.

If it is the "star" upgrade, then there ought to be a star on the receiver ring, above the number, in fact usually fairly central, but one cannot tell from the photo - please check.


However, there is a star on the reciver, just not in the usual position



Hence my conclusion that a) the rifle has been asembled from various "donors" b) there is something odd about the star business.

One check you could perform, if you know someone who has a P14 with the long bolt lug, is to try a bolt with the long lug in your rifle.
1) If the long-lug bolt can be closed, the rifle is a MkI* .
2) If the bolt cannot be closed, then the rifle is not a MkI*, and the stars on the metalwork must mean something else (but what?).

[gsimmons]

I think I'm going to add to the confusion. My Winchester has the same short lug. Attachment 38621Attachment 38622Attachment 38623
Numbers match.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I think I'm going to add to the confusion. My Winchester has the same short lug.

No confusion, unless your Winchester also has the star mark on the bolt!

Try the same test I suggested in the previous post.

[Brian Dick]

It's a Springfield Sporters import from the 1980's. Most likely "restored" at some point by another owner. My very first P-14 was from that batch of rifles. It was an Eddystone and had been through FTR at Weedon.

[Iosens]

Thanks for all your comments, may I summarize

I 100% agree that the stock does not fit to the metal. And the rear volley sight might have been added later. ( I might have to "wear" it a bit... ;-) )

But: the bolt, action and sight do fit to each other - number wise.

The mystery are the stars (and there is no other star on the receiver ring and the blueing
looks good and smooth there ( no filing, or so) and the bolt lug.

I do have a acquaintance with a P14, but I do have no idea what kind. Might be a while until I see him though.

So, what value do I have now??

Is there any info in the stamping below the barrel?

Thanks

[Patrick Chadwick]

Is there any info in the stamping below the barrel?

Well it must mean something. But since the marks probably refer to a re-import into the USA, I won't even attempt to guess! It's time for soneone in the US to make a contribution!

[gsimmons]

The markings between the upper band and the foresight are the Springfield Sporters import marks. Like Brian said they came in the country in the '80's.
Incidentally if you look under the lower hand guard you'll see the date of the barrel.

[Iosens]

So... how much would you pay for this???