Parker Hale Winchester P14 Target Rifle Questions

[M94/14]

I'm posting some pics of my Winchester P14 Target Rifle as I received it.

It is marked "Tested by Parker Hale" on the top of the receiver ring. Along with the usual Parker Front and Rear Sight assemblies, had also been supplied with both front and rear sight covers (although I didn't receive them when the rifle was purchased, and not sure if the previous owner had them) as the stud to retain the rear is present, and also by the wear on the sides of the front sight wings.

Some Stock bedding work had been done. The bedding work was done buy in-letting wood into the area around the rear of the Stock Bolt, and also on both sides of the stock near the back of the receiver, just ahead of the tang. The front band area of the stock has also been modded, as it appears material has been removed from both the "Pressure Pad" area, and also from the inside of the front band itself, effectively free-floating the barrel.

My main question is: Does anyone with concrete factual knowledge on these Parker hale P14 target Rifles consider the "Free-Foating" mod to be correct, or one that Parker Hale would do?

I had always assumed that there should be an upward "pressure" on the barrel of around 2-6 lbs force.

I am hoping that someone actually knows what Parker Hales procedures were when they Modded these rifles as there is an abundance of opinions abound...

[Surpmil]

I have one that also hasn't been through the Weedon "pick 'n pull" and the question yours reminds me of is: were these rifles that were sold before WWII, rifles from the general stock that somehow missed the trip to Weedon, or rifles from the 10,000 Winchester P14s purportedly put aside after WWI for possible future sniper conversion?

Bearing in mind that the purported laying away of all the Aldis scopes pulled off the SMLE snipers scrapped post-WWI never in fact happened, I suppose one shouldn't be too confident that the 10,000 Winchesters were put aside either, but it's all we got for info so far.

[Mk VII]

I copied this out into my files many years ago. I think I found it in one of the NRA annual Programmes, but I'm not sure which one.


P-14 Stocking Up


1.The following instructions are published for the “stocking up” of the “1914” Pattern Rifle are published for information.

2.The action should be so bedded that the following parts bear definitely on the stock:-

(i) the rear face of the recoil lug.
(ii) The underside of the body at the front and rear ends.
(iii) The reinforce of the barrel

3.The barrel at the muzzle end should bear lightly against the stock when the body and the reinforce bearings have been correctly adjusted. There is, however, no objection to the floating out of the forend to allow the barrel to be completely free at the nuzzle should it be so desired. The clearance given by floating out should be kept to a minimum. Also a bearing may be obtained between the two lightening cuts approximately six inches forward of the body. This bearing should be obtained by building up the forend at this point by means of a light metal shim or wood insert glued in position. From this point forwards the muzzle of the barrel should be clear of all furniture,

4. The length of the butt may be adjusted, but a Pattern ’14 buttplate must be replaced after adjustment, or a S.M.L.E. No.1 or No.4 buttplate fitted in its place.

[Simon P]

I had the exact same rifle, that I regret selling about 15 years ago.

This is the page from the Parker Hale catalogue describing their P14 rifles available at the time, this is from the 1947 catalogue

In the 1954 Catalogue they are advertised with Brand new BSA Target Quality Barrels that are "Ball burnished"

[M94/14]

Thanks to all who replied.

James and Simon: The information you guy's posted was exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks, much appreciated!

[Surpmil]

I had the exact same rifle, that I regret selling about 15 years ago.

This is the page from the Parker Hale catalogue describing their P14 rifles available at the time, this is from the 1947 catalogue

In the 1954 Catalogue they are advertised with Brand new BSA Target Quality Barrels that are "Ball burnished"

Interesting comment on the bedding permitted under NRA rules; hard to see how wood could be "inadvertently removed" though.

The accuracy claim is no small one either: "...the rifle will group as closely as it is held"