WWI Winchester Pattern 14 P14 American Enfield .303 British Bolt Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2825
LSB#: 230503WH010
Make: Winchester. British Contract
Model: Pattern 1914 (P14)
Serial Number: W204617
Year of Manufacture: Production ran from 1916 to 1917 (page 128 of Charles Stratton’s book, British Enfield Rifles Volume 4 – The Pattern 1914 and U.S. Model 1917 Rifles)
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: Approximately 26 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post atop a raised base and between 2 protective ears. In the down position, the rear sight is an aperture set between 2 protective ears. When flipped up it becomes a sight ladder that uses a sliding aperture.
The left side of the forearm has a volley sight base installed. The front dial volley sight rotates properly. The rear volley sight is a tall aperture attached to the top of the safety.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, scallops for the volley sight base, nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, through bolt, marking disk, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. The marking disk shows oxidation. The buttplate and stock hardware have been refinished. The wood shows scattered small scratches and handling marks as well as light sanding marks. The LOP measures 13 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is some light oxidation at the muzzle.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows light handling marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads show moderate use. Most of the markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine Plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: During WWI the UK had an urgent need for rifles. Contracts for the new rifle were placed with arms companies in the United States. They decided to ask these companies to produce the new rifle design in the old .303 caliber for convenience of supply. The new rifle was termed the “Pattern 14”. In the case of the P14 rifle, Winchester and Remington were selected. A third manufacturer, Eddystone Arsenal – a subsidiary of Remington – was tooled up at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Thus, three variations of the P14 and Model 1917 exist, labeled “Winchester,” “Remington” and “Eddystone”.
This Winchester Pattern 1914 was made during WWI so it is well over 100 years old. The metal and wood have been nicely refinished so the rifle looks great. This P14 has intact volley sights and a strong bright bore. The rifle is in Fine Plus condition.
…Now go shoot something!
