P14 project / questions

[Flying10uk]

I did read somewhere that the P14/M1917 rifle was the most technically advanced rifle to be used during WW1. Some will probably dispute this.

[Doco overboard]

I have read the same thing some time prior to discovering the rifle but I forget what the specific reasons were or where I read it. Ejector being the main weak point. Could have been the initial trial period and ammunition development, receiver alloy content, ease of manufacture for numbers or the combination of a number of ideas that were incorporated into the design. Maybe like dog legged bolt, helix shaped locking lugs or bolt safety interface. Accuracy. Anything other than that is strictly conjecture on my part. I found all the missing parts with the exception of the stock. Stocks are hard to find for m17's I'm hoping the same is not to awful bad as true for the p14's.

[Doco overboard]

Attachment 85089Attachment 85090Attachment 85091Attachment 85092

[fjruple]

Attachment 85089Attachment 85090Attachment 85091Attachment 85092

Doco--

That's a nice one with all matching serial numbers. And an unconverted MkI, too. Does your rifled have a serial number stamp in the wood under the front of the forend? Thanks for sharing

Cheers

fjruple

[Doco overboard]

When I found it I was looking for a No4 and right before I walked out I spotted it in a pile of sported rifles in front of the rack. Someone had whittled the stock it was mounted on to pieces. The forearm had been shortened so it has been lost for good.
There is something in the butt-stock compartment that looks like an oiler but it has what I think to be a soft rubber end to it. I think it may be a recoil reducer but I'm not sure how to get it out because its pretty tight in there. I don't know why it would be needed on such a heavy rifle though......Well I just went out and looked at and I think its an oiler. The top of the cap seems to be cork and doesn't go towards the entire circumference of the cylinder and it looks like nickle. Would that be a possibility? There was small black string tied to it but it broke trying to remove it from being oil contaminated and old. The only marks that remain are a serif 2 an 16 inside the floor plate in-letting. There is an additional hole drilled of the same diameter that parallels the main compartment below it and then yet another drilled at an angle between the two. Reminds me of a drain hole. Its about 5/16 diameter. I'm going to drill below the main compartment and try to remove that object. Its a shame, there is a nice grain to the old stock. Someone could probably use it for repair wood or knife handles or something.

[oldfoneguy]

Doco that is a combo oiler/cleaning kit. It has a soft end so that it doesn't make noise as it slides up and down in it's chamber. Obviously not a problem for yours. Oil under one cap cleaning pull-thru under the other. If it's complete there will also be a brush that screws into the pull-thru and patches. Nice find as they are almost never there. Kind of a shame though, think of how complete that rifle must have been before being chopped! - Bill

[Doco overboard]

Attachment 85124 I got it out pretty easy with a dental pick. The string had a knot jammed against the sidewall. The oil reservoir was nearly full. Smells almost like a cross between diesel fuel and Quaker state.

[browningautorifle]

Typical early Springfield kit. The rubber end should actually be wood.

[Doco overboard]

I found two stocks that I'm waiting to secure when they arrive. The first is a drill rifle no worse for wear that is complete with a welded rod into it and paint stripes. Attachment 85705Attachment 85706Attachment 85707The other is different with a perch belly profile in front of the mag well, and a groove in the left hand guard towards the pointer but is in much better shape. The butt-stock has the same letters stamped in it that the left side of the receiver has on it so it may be a better match. Pictures are fair at best but give a general idea of the second stock.

[Kiwi]

The fuller profile stock you have is an early Eddystone 'Fatboy' stock. Almost all the stocks I have or have seen have had the buttstock markings sanded back, so that one looks really good.