- Location
- Western Manitoba
So, for a couple of years, I have been trying to assemble all "R" marked parts to put together a P14 Mark 1 and a P14 Mark 1*, as they were built by Remington. So, I have to sort through Winchester and Eddystone made parts, to find Remington stamped parts, and also through Model of 1917 parts (which were built and stamped by same makers as P14) - not all marked the same, although they fit and seem to work fine - and I have found some correctly marked "R" parts in BSA Sporter rifles that were done up after WWII.
What I have noticed, and have not found an explanation - some "R", and some "E", stamps have got "serif" letters, and some do not. Is there any significance to that? I do not know what that means - might be a year-to-year thing, or might be indicative of something else. Any references to explain the difference would be appreciated. I am using various reference books, but not finding mention about the letter stamps used. Many parts are on hand with no stamps at all - at least one book mentions stamping may have been missed for hours / days / months of production - so what those "not-stamped" parts were original for, is not likely to ever be known, for sure - they will fit and work fine in several makes and models of rifle.
I think I started on this about "all matching" - besides the four serial number locations, each part is supposed to have a "maker" stamp (except coil springs and screws) - some were interchanged/replaced in service - one maker to another - some parts did not "drop-in interchange" - but I believe when they left the Remington factory, they had all "R" stamped parts - no "W" or "E" at that point - what I have been trying to re-construct. Is already a noticeable difference in the metal finish if the gun (or parts) are from WWI or if it was overhauled for WWII - I do not think the military at that time cared about maker marks - they wanted it to "work" - yes or no - but is some evidence that many mix masters were done up long after service - they tend to "work" just fine, but are not close to "all matched" parts - these rifles and the extra parts sold off VERY cheaply after WWII. An original, from the factory, without any alterations, ever, may no longer exist.
What I have noticed, and have not found an explanation - some "R", and some "E", stamps have got "serif" letters, and some do not. Is there any significance to that? I do not know what that means - might be a year-to-year thing, or might be indicative of something else. Any references to explain the difference would be appreciated. I am using various reference books, but not finding mention about the letter stamps used. Many parts are on hand with no stamps at all - at least one book mentions stamping may have been missed for hours / days / months of production - so what those "not-stamped" parts were original for, is not likely to ever be known, for sure - they will fit and work fine in several makes and models of rifle.
I think I started on this about "all matching" - besides the four serial number locations, each part is supposed to have a "maker" stamp (except coil springs and screws) - some were interchanged/replaced in service - one maker to another - some parts did not "drop-in interchange" - but I believe when they left the Remington factory, they had all "R" stamped parts - no "W" or "E" at that point - what I have been trying to re-construct. Is already a noticeable difference in the metal finish if the gun (or parts) are from WWI or if it was overhauled for WWII - I do not think the military at that time cared about maker marks - they wanted it to "work" - yes or no - but is some evidence that many mix masters were done up long after service - they tend to "work" just fine, but are not close to "all matched" parts - these rifles and the extra parts sold off VERY cheaply after WWII. An original, from the factory, without any alterations, ever, may no longer exist.
