Wanted: Full wood Stock for 1918 Lee Enfield

[Lang]

David,

It is a P14. The photos of the markings have .303 stamped on the chamber.

Lang

[Lang]

Just noticed a reference in "The Book of Rifles" Smith.

In 1939/40 the Americans shipped an astonishing 1,000,000 of these rifles "on hand" in bulk to UK. Because Smith deals with both rifles in the same section of the book I can't work out if they were 30-06 or .303. Why would the Americans have 1,000,000 .303 on hand, indicating production through the 20's?

I can understand them having the M1917/P17 Enfield on hand as they had standardised on the Springfield for their army and had the WW1 P17 leftovers but if they were 30-06 there is little mention in any history I have seen of the British using that calibre rifle in vast numbers.

Lang

[Lynn Eades]

Yep, P14. They were un popular because of the bolt shape. They were heavy, but made good snipers rifles.
I would query the date. It should be WWII era.

[Lang]

Lynn,

The stated date above is 1918 but the markings on the chamber indicate 1916. ('16)

No .303 of this type were made in the WW2 era but it appears millions of old stock were used.

This will tell you who made it (once again for P17 but P14 the same)

http://m1903.com/m1917markings.htm

Lang

[Ed Storey]

As has been stated, the US manufactured the .303 P14 for the British during the Great War. They were used again during the Second World War and in the case of Canada, mostly for training by the Army. The .3006 P17 was also used by Canada during the Second World War and it is possible to see them being employed by the RCN and RCAF.

Your cut-down P14 is a nice rifle that deserves to be restored back to its original configuration.

[David Dunlop]

Check with IMA in the US. They might have the full wood set and hardware you are looking for and they will be able to ship into Canada for you.

Here in Canada, SIR used to have full wood sets for these British and American rifles, but I am not sure what would be available since they merged with Cabelas. Wouldn't cost anything to ask them at any rate.


David

[Lynn Eades]

Lang, Ed, thanks for the revision. I did know it once, but the info was lost somewhere in my head I was not putting it together, "model OF 1914", model Of 1917 etc.
I actually owned a P14 for some years. It had been cut down to a 13 inch barrel. The result of my dad's friend having the muzzle in the water when trout fishing. The 13" barrel was all that was left after the pitch fork bit was cut away.

[Casey B]

Thanks for all the information and yes I see that it is not a Lee Enfield as I was told and after handling a few Enfields today.I saw the difference. So we all think it is a P14..Okay. I am slightly confused as to whether it is a modified Enfield or Springfield? there was a lot of onformation.
I just want to know what to ask for when locating the stock parts...that's all.

Yes he "Dad" took good care if it and it was purchased here in vancouver either at the three Vets or Army and navy when they actually sold surplus!
Thank you for the kind words and I would like to restore it to it's youth!

He didn't do the modifications but I fear that the way the front of the stock was cut and shaped that the front lower piece of wood may not be able to fit?

The dates... I was not sure of either as I see the date in the red box as 18-5 so May 1918 or is it the circled '16 and then 18 as the day and may as the month? there are several crowns as well tow in the picture another on the side of the chamber both have the BNP with a crown over it as well the Broad arrow.

I will try to find some more info on it. If anyone needs better pics to help fill in the gaps please don't hesitate to ask.


PS this link that was sent in a post... ( http://m1903.com/m1917markings.htm) did not seem to work for me...is it correct? thanks Casey

[rob love]

I only know of one source for P14/P17 wood at reasonable prices. The company has most of the hardware as well. Shoot me a PM Casey if you still need some, and I'll forward you the details.

I do not believe you will find any on this side of the border however. I usually bring 4 sets to the Calgary show each year and they are long gone before the public ever gets in to the show.