Enfield Pattern 14 Markings a Mystery

[Drachenblut]

Hello All,

I have a Winchester made P-14 in good condition, circa 1917. I have discovered markings on the underside of the fore-wood. I was hoping someone could help me figure our what they are.

From the top down (the muzzel pointing up, looking down towards the magazine)

1. An upside-down triangle with an S, 5 or 6 inside, cannot tell it's a bit worn.

2. A round cirlce with the 4 quadrants darkened and punched in, leaving a whiter, embossed cross in the center

3. small n big N or small n big M

4. small, offcenter x

5. upside-down J

6. Two large camel humps. almost looks like a big "B" bit the two "humps" are spaced too far apart.

On the buttstock, are 3 sets of brandings

1. A - 1

2. In the circle, 506 Broad Arrow 82

3. Another circle and faded numbers, looks like 66 in block form

4. Patt. 14

Here are some pictures, thanks in advance!

 

[Mk VII]

P-14s normally have a circle on the butt with IR or IW or IE in it depending on the manufacturer. The broad arrow is normally above it. The 506 thing looks like overhaul by some foreign user, possibly India.

 

[purple]

The Skennerton and Stratton books are helpful when puzzling out the plethora of Enfield markings. And they don't get them all.

 

[Drachenblut]

India did not touch this rifle. There are no other markings on the gun but it is arsenal refinished but the quality is extreme

 

[Calum]

Something about the lettering style used for the "PATT 14" Mark that looks rather modern to me.

 

[myenfield]

That 506 in the circle with the broad arrow is very similar to standard butt markings on many firearms that have spent time in India. I've seen it on many No 5s in the past that have been there.

 

[Drachenblut]

... if it spent time in India does this devalue this firearm? There is nothing wrong with it and it all matches?

 

[Calum]

Personally I don't see any problem with a rifle that has been spent time in an arsenal in India...clearly it was made in the US and not India.

 

[John Sukey]

I should think it went through the Weedon Repair Centre prior to WW2 since the stock disc has been replaced by a wood plug.

 

[Drachenblut]

I keep hearing about "Weedon Repair" what is this?

 

[Hitzy]

One of the marks is an eagle head with a number below, WWI acceptance stamp of some sort. The circle thing near the trigger guard on your stock is a flaming bomb, also some sort of acceptance mark.
Here is one in some metal that is a little clearer.

 

[Drachenblut]

THANK YOU. Finally! Much appreciated.

 

[Gibbs505]

One of the marks is an eagle head with a number below, WWI acceptance stamp of some sort. The circle thing near the trigger guard on your stock is a flaming bomb, also some sort of acceptance mark.
Here is one in some metal that is a little clearer.

The flaming bomb is an americian acceptance mark. As is the eagle.

 

[Drachenblut]

Thanks

 

[Cole]

That one pic looks like " Grad 1984".

 

[RRCo.]

Over 100,000 P14s were shipped straight to India from the US in 1917/18 IRRC.

 

[#4mk1(T)]

Your rifle was overhauled in England for WWII (filled buttstock disk) and ether shipped during or after the war to India (In the circle, 506 Broad Arrow 82). The upside-down triangle with an S, 5 or 6 inside is the Iraqi property mark so it was likely sold by India to Iraq some time later.

 

[Drachenblut]

Thanks #4. Interesting markings and history so far, the bore is near immaculate!