[badlander]

Wondered if any of our experts could tell me how to find out more info from the serial number on action?
Number is 645268.
I recently inherited this rifle from my grandfather and remember him taking it to a smith when I was a youngster.

 

[wingman]

Can’t help ya on the numbers but that is one of the nicest sporterized Enfields that I’ve ever seen.

 

[badlander]

Can't help ya on the numbers but that is one of the nicest sporterized Enfields that I've ever seen.

It is in pretty nice shape, but not a safe queen for sure and I'm not upset about that. I'm fairly certain grandpa intended for it to be used, and it dayum sure will

 

[farmnhunt]

Very nice! Was the caliber changed or is it 303?

 

[badlander]

Very nice! Was the caliber changed or is it 303?

Neglected to say; it was in fact changed to 30-06. I remember going with grandpa when he either dropped it off, or picked up from the gunsmith. Glass is a 3-9 redfield from the early 70's, I think.

 

[sharps4590]

I'd bet a significant sum it was originally 30-06. A LOT MORE were made in -06 than 303 Brit. The 303's were mostly sent to Great Britain though I suspect over time a lot were repatriated though they are rarely seen. I believe Sgt. Alvin York actually used an Enfield rather than the Springfield in his incredible deeds during WWI. Remington used the Enfield as the basis for their Model 30 and 30A, many of which were left in their original 30-06 caliber.

 

[Matt_in_KC]

The P14 Enfield is in 303 British and the M1917 is in 30-06. If you ever have to get parts for it, make sure to order the 1917 parts as some of them aren't compatible. It looks like the smith shaved the magazine box down so the bottom metal sat flush with the new stock. It looks like it was rebarreled also.

 

[oneshot 1]

Looks nice. My first Deer Rifle was a.303 British Full Stock one heavy Rifle but a good shooter.

oneshot

Long as it feeds the Big Grin she don’t care

 

[farmnhunt]

I've got a 303. Was my Dad's. The stock has been shorten but not much else changed. Me and my boy have killed deer with it. It's not near as pretty as this one.

 

[henry]

The P14 Enfield is in 303 British and the M1917 is in 30-06. If you ever have to get parts for it, make sure to order the 1917 parts as some of them aren't compatible. It looks like the smith shaved the magazine box down so the bottom metal sat flush with the new stock. It looks like it was rebarreled also.

Isn't there a difference in build of the action ? I seem to remember the 303s being funky to scope mount .

 

[Matt_in_KC]

Isn't there a difference in build of the action ? I seem to remember the 303s being funky to scope mount .

You may be thinking of the Lee Enfield SMLE 303's.
There were a set of protective ears around the rear sight on both the P14 and M1917 models, and the whole rear sight assembly has been removed and machined away on the rear of this rifles action.

 

[badlander]

^^^^^^ and machined quite cleanly too. The “claws” for stripper clip are still intact though. Mag box was cut down and floor plate flush fit.

 

[badlander]

Do any of you’s know any particular proof marks and or locations, where I may find them?

 

[Matt_in_KC]

http://m1903.com/m1917markings.htm

 

[glennasher1]

They have been used by A-Square for BIG elephant type rifles, they are bull-strong actions. They were made here in the US, by Remington, Eddystone (a Remington plant) and Winchester, in both 1914 and 1917 versions, but the Brits and the US, respectively.

Remington liked the action enough to use it for the M30, M30S, and M720 rifles they sold before coming out with the 721s and 722 actions, which they've modified into the current 700s.

 

[Perry]

I had one that looked very much like yours except that it had a Lyman peep sight instead of the scope. It had the mag hump taken out, the ears taken off of the rear sight. It was a Winchester in 30-06 and was very accurate. I gave it to my son, he uses it for deer. It is a very good rifle, I suspect that there were a lot of them converted and sold at one time.

 

[patriotoutlaw]

That is a nice rifle. Do you know if that stock is a Fajen? I've got two sporterized Eddystones myself. One is in 25-.284. The other .300H&H.

 

[badlander]

That is a nice rifle. Do you know if that stock is a Fajen? I've got two sporterized Eddystones myself. One is in 25-.284. The other .300H&H.

I believe it is, at the least the butt plate is Fajen. It was glass bedded when it was sporterized as well. I think the stock was finished with varnish, or similar; as it's rough in spots.