Eddystone P14

.303

Description

The P14 was initially intended to replace the Enfield SMLE but WW1 put an end to this. For all intents & purposes the P14 is a copy of the Mauser Gew98, utilizing everything available to the RSAF at Enfield to avoid having to pay a single penny to the Mauser corporation in royalties. Initially the idea was introduce a new, smaller .276 'Magnum' around which the new rifle was based. This was to have been the Pattern 1913 Enfield (P13) & Vickers were awarded the contract to produce the new rifle. As WW1 on, it became increasingly clear that additional small arms would be required & with the British industrial war production stretched to its limits, the British Government looked to the USA to plug the potential gap in production. Winchester, Remington & Eddystone (a subsidiary of Remington created for the sole purpose of P14 production) were awarded the contract to produce the P13, now re-chambered for the standard British .303 & called the P14. It was not until February 1916 that the first MkI P14s were delivered. These were subject to further adjustments, because the size of the locking lugs on the bolt needed enlargement & the new specification was designated as the MkI* P14, which only further delayed its issue. The P14s which did make it into service with the British in WW1 were used primarily for sniping, due to being considerably more accurate that the SMLE (the P14 has a floating barrel as opposed to the fixed one on the SMLE) & that they were also available in fewer numbers. When the US entered WW1 they took the production facilities for the P14 & produced the rifle chambered for their own 30.06 cartridge under the designation of the Model 1917, otherwise known as the M17. Interestingly enough, it was not until 1926 that the British military officially adopted the P14 as the Enfield No.3 MkI. When WW2 broke out, the British once again looked to the US for help & the M17 was sent to Britain where they were issued to the Home Guard as part of the Lend Lease plan . Because the P14 and the M17 looked identical, the practice was to paint a red line around the M17 furniture so as to avoid any problems of identification due to the differing calibres employed. This all matching P14 was manufactured by the Eddystone factory as marked by the ERA (Eddystone Remington Arms) on the receiver & the E stamped on most parts of the rifle. Many P14's now are a parts mixture of Winchester, Eddystone & Remington, each marked W, E or R but this one is marked E everywhere we have looked. It is also fully matching serial numbers along with the various Broad Arrow British proof marks (see photos). Interestingly, one of the previous users may have been called Teak, as this is carved into the stock, (see photos) adding to the provenance of this rifle. The overall condition is good & can be seen in the photos which form the main description so call for more if desired. Sold on consignment on behalf of a collector.

Specifications