Remington Pattern 14 canted front sight

[chexquest87]

OK so I took some pictures. A star on the top of the receiver, a star on the extractor but cannot see an actual star on the bolt body? The bolt number matches, although this could be force matched? Is this a mk1* bolt? All of the parts seem to be marked with an R (seemingly for Remington). The barrel seems to have this R too- which marks seem to be Hebrew? As far as the step between barrel and receiver goes- I tried to find images of this online- some seemed to have it and some did not, but that could also be the quality of the images. I do not mind if it is a mashup of a gun, I just want to know if it is safe to shoot? I ordered an extra front sight assembly just to compare the current one to as well. My ammunition came in, but I have yet to shoot it. Should I try and have a gunsmith align the barrel? Thanks for all of your input guys!

[browningautorifle]

Your extractor cut in the barrel and receiver look aligned. Aside from headspace that COULD be checked...you were going to shoot this and see if there was a problem or it was imagined?

[chexquest87]

Your extractor cut in the barrel and receiver look aligned. Aside from headspace that COULD be checked...you were going to shoot this and see if there was a problem or it was imagined?

What are you referring to- what do you mean “imagined problem”? I was not going to be unsafe and just hope for the best. This post started because I was curious as to why the front sight is canted to the right. But with the previous few posts indicating this could be a “parts gun”, I did not want to shoot it if it was unsafe.

[browningautorifle]

“imagined problem”

the front sight is canted to the right.

That's what you and I were discussing in past posts... Could be an optical illusion as you haven't confirmed you've taken steps as we've suggested to see if it's canted. Also, you said you would shoot it to see if it shot before you alter it... Headspace check with an unknown milsurp is just standard practise.

[oldfoneguy]

The asterisk or star you refer to is actually an indicator of an early WWII Weedon upgrade rebuild. Your correct in assuming the bolt is a force match as it was replaced during the refurb. These were replaced with a bolt with a longer right bolt lug to cure a feeding problem. There should also be a corresponding relief cut in the barrel face for the extended bolt lug. If there is no visibly machined relief cut in the barrel face then the barrel was replaced.
The Weedon process was applied to rifles that were built prior to December 1916 when the MkI version came out with the extended bolt lug already incorporated into the rifle. There should be a '16 year date stamped on the barrel on the left side just forward of the breech among the many other stamps. This would indicate that it is an original barrel. A picture of the stampings in this location can help determine originality.

[chexquest87]

That's what you and I were discussing in past posts... Could be an optical illusion as you haven't confirmed you've taken steps as we've suggested to see if it's canted. Also, you said you would shoot it to see if it shot before you alter it... Headspace check with an unknown milsurp is just standard practise.

Ah ok, thanks for the clarification- the only reason I was hesitant on shooting it was after learning it could be a mashup gun. My preliminary attempts at seeing if the sight is canted indeed indicates that it is, but I will be more thorough over the weekend. I will shoot it first though I think.

---------- Post added at 10:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 AM ----------

The asterisk or star you refer to is actually an indicator of an early WWII Weedon upgrade rebuild. Your correct in assuming the bolt is a force match as it was replaced during the refurb. These were replaced with a bolt with a longer right bolt lug to cure a feeding problem. There should also be a corresponding relief cut in the barrel face for the extended bolt lug. If there is no visibly machined relief cut in the barrel face then the barrel was replaced.
The Weedon process was applied to rifles that were built prior to December 1916 when the MkI version came out with the extended bolt lug already incorporated into the rifle. There should be a '16 year date stamped on the barrel on the left side just forward of the breech among the many other stamps. This would indicate that it is an original barrel. A picture of the stampings in this location can help determine originality.

I will get a picture up of the markings as soon as I can. The barrel does have a 16 date marked in it though. I thought a Weedon Repair Mark was more of a flower type mark and not an asterisk- the asterisk indicating a mk1*? This rifle does retain its front and rear volley sights, although I suppose this could be someone’s doing later in the rifles life after military service. I think it is fascinating to learn all of this history, but want to make sure this rifle is ok to shoot! Always thankful to you knowledgeable people!

---------- Post added at 10:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 AM ----------

Also if it is a Weedon repair rifle, I doubt that they would have been careless enough to cant the sights? Since the extractor cut in barrel and receiver look aligned this indicates it’s correctly set up?

[oldfoneguy]

The work done was wartime expedient meaning if it worked it was good. If indeed your barrel is over or under clocked it could be a good used barrel replacement during the refurb. It never would have left the factory like that. It could have been done by one of the dozens of small cottage shops where quality control was lax as opposed to being done at the Weedon Armory. In that aspect alone it's a piece of history and indicative of the desperation of the time. Cool! The volley sights had to be a post war addition as they were stripped off when refurbed.

[chexquest87]

There should be a '16 year date stamped on the barrel on the left side just forward of the breech among the many other stamps. This would indicate that it is an original barrel.

This picture shows the 16 date stamp on the barrel.

[chexquest87]

The work done was wartime expedient meaning if it worked it was good. If indeed your barrel is over or under clocked it could be a good used barrel replacement during the refurb. It never would have left the factory like that. It could have been done by one of the dozens of small cottage shops where quality control was lax as opposed to being done at the Weedon Armory. In that aspect alone it's a piece of history and indicative of the desperation of the time. Cool! The volley sights had to be a post war addition as they were stripped off when refurbed.

I find it all fascinating. Certainly fun while completing my MA in history! What do you make of the barrel 16' date marking and serial number? A force matched 1916 barrel? Since the barrel serial number might have a different font than the serial number on receiver, as well as a different finish. I also still do not know what was being referred to as potential hebrew lettering. Hmm.

[browningautorifle]

Now...when you shoot it, don't start at 100 yds and try from there. Start at 25 yds and go out. You should have a quarter size hole at 25 yds on the center vertical line if it's correct. Then at 100 four inches in the center line again, probably high...because it's factory zero is 200 or 300...I forget which. Use good ammo and a sandbag rest. Any measures short of this can frustrate ALL work. I know, I've been through it enough. And don't use old WW2 ammo...or worse... Use some PPU/Priv Partizan if you can.