P14/p17 lack of collector interest????????????????????

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Is it just me or is there a genuine lack of interest from fellow Gun Nuters collecting these amazing rifles.
Lets start out by saying that my main area of interest is No4 Enfields but recently I acquired a couple of P14's. I love the 303 British round and I thought why not...it's a Enfield design and I've heard so many good things about them.
I was truly impressed not only reading up on the historical significance but also when I initially went to the range for the first time. What a joy to shoot!!! I would dare say one of the more accurate milsurp rifles.....they were known for there accuracy. While I don't want to put down my beloved No4's the trigger is far superior!!!!
They are lovely rifles and there is a whole history available for interested collectors, there is a array of numbers, stamps on the various parts to keep the keen collector on his toes.....many of these rifles went through a Weedon re-building process. Original P14's had volley sights as well!!!
Periodically they come up on the EE here and I typically see them for around $500-750. I think that is a real bargain compared to what the market is paying for other Milsurp rifles that I would say are far more plentiful in original condition.
That's my rant for the day..........the P14/P17 is the most underrated, least collected, undervalued milsurp firearm on the EE. Have another look guys.....they are amazing rifles and built to last a few more lifetimes and they don't make them anymore.
Your input is always appreciated!!!!
 
P14/M17

But yes i agree. They have an oddly cheap price and have a relatively small following. Im not sure why.

Ive been wanting one for my Lee enfield collection after all its is the No3 rifle.

I wonder if its due to their ohh so ugly look.

They make awesome sporters and can handle most any round you want to stuff in it. Or in factory trim.you can use 308 load data in the 303 case for a hotter round.
 
There is a WINCHESTER P-17 in excellent condition posted in EE... pretty sure the owner/OP will deal a discount if going to the right home lol.

For me, I found that I never got around to mucking around with these, given several other Lee's to keep warm ha.

Cheers.
 
Last milsurp shoot we took part in, at my gun club, my son placed 1st with a M1917, I placed 2nd with my P14. There.

:)

Lou
 
The terminology is essentially interchangeable and the M-1917 is unofficially known as a 'P-17' in Canadian parlance. I know people get ornery or pedantic about this, but really, who cares? We know exactly what he's talking about.

I've had three P-14's at one time, but am down to two. One pre-Weedon, the other, post. They are great shooters and very undervalued, especially the P-14's. I believe one factor is the 'ugliness' factor of most pot-belly stocks and bare volley base plates. The other is the actions hatred for any round that isn't very pointy (seriously, they mangle soft-points and RNs). The M-1917 usually goes for a bit more, but still cheaper than a 1903 Springy. All the better for someone who wants to shoot them. If I was inclined to get another set of dies and brass for .30-06 (I'm not, I reload for enough), I would pick up a new barrel from Criterion, drop the whole affair in a replacement stock, and shoot the bejeesus out of it. They are getting harder to find in very good condition and I would hate to wear out a perfectly good one, which is why my Winchester is saved for fondling, and my Eddystone will mainly be used for low-cost lead rounds.
 
A P17 would be my milsurp of choice. Great action, good peep sight with long sight radius.... what's not to like?
 
I would say the lack of collector interest is pretty simple.

1) it was a second standard arm for everyone it was issued (the US M1917 was the rifle you were most likely issued in WWI but still never became the primary adopted arm).

2) lack of variations in the design, coupled with the lack of service history makes it just not as exciting to many collectors. If you buy a P14 and a M1917 you basically have the set other than the really minute details. If you decide to collect basically any other service arm (Mausers, Swiss rifles, Krags, Lee Enfields, Mannlichers, etc.) there is much more variety and features to look for (major updates, minor ones, caliber changes, carbines, rifles, issuance to different nations, etc.).

They are fantastic rifles and a very good design, just not as exciting to many people as other rifles can be.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
I would say the lack of collector interest is pretty simple.

1) it was a second standard arm for everyone it was issued (the US M1917 was the rifle you were most likely issued in WWI but still never became the primary adopted arm).

2) lack of variations in the design, coupled with the lack of service history makes it just not as exciting to many collectors. If you buy a P14 and a M1917 you basically have the set other than the really minute details. If you decide to collect basically any other service arm (Mausers, Swiss rifles, Krags, Lee Enfields, Mannlichers, etc.) there is much more variety and features to look for (major updates, minor ones, caliber changes, carbines, rifles, issuance to different nations, etc.).

They are fantastic rifles and a very good design, just not as exciting to many people as other rifles can be.
Click to expand...

Sort of like an M96 Swede... excellent rifle, just no panache.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
I would say the lack of collector interest is pretty simple.

1) it was a second standard arm for everyone it was issued (the US M1917 was the rifle you were most likely issued in WWI but still never became the primary adopted arm).

They are fantastic rifles and a very good design, just not as exciting to many people as other rifles can be.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I am wrong but at least in the case of the M1917 - I thought read that it was the unofficial service rifle of the AEF in WW1 and its use exceeded the 1903?
 
Hi Bros. Canada actually purchased 30 -40 P-14s from Eddystone during WW1. So it was considered at the same time as Canada
was buying Ross Rifles. Some Winchester made P-14's enjoyed a sighting upgrade by Enfield with the Fine Adjustable sight. And 2000
or so of these enjoyed an upgrading to the 1st official Brit sniping rifle with the Pat.1918 scope. In WW2 some surplus Aldis scopes
were attached to a few P-14s as a stop gap sniping rifle. Only a couple of Warner & Swazey scopes were set up on a couple of the
Canadian P-14s as an emergency measure and were with Canadians in Italy. P-14s and M-17s were used in more wars than I can count.A robust, sturdy, and accurate service rifle that has been a favourite at Bisley. The only problem is getting a P-14 not used to near death. Canadian soldiers trained with and carried over M-17s in WW2. Rifles with lots of history. JOHN
 
SteelFlint said:
There is a WINCHESTER P-17 in excellent condition posted in EE... pretty sure the owner/OP will deal a discount if going to the right home lol.

For me, I found that I never got around to mucking around with these, given several other Lee's to keep warm ha.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Took a look. It is a Canadian issued one with the C broad arrow. The red paint was eth band to denote 30-06 so the guys didn't grab the wrong ammo. Looks like the top wood was replaced.

Edit - I looked at the Remington one not the Winchester
 
jtaylor said:
Hi Bros. Canada actually purchased 30 -40 P-14s from Eddystone during WW1. So it was considered at the same time as Canada
was buying Ross Rifles. Some Winchester made P-14's enjoyed a sighting upgrade by Enfield with the Fine Adjustable sight. And 2000
or so of these enjoyed an upgrading to the 1st official Brit sniping rifle with the Pat.1918 scope. In WW2 some surplus Aldis scopes
were attached to a few P-14s as a stop gap sniping rifle. Only a couple of Warner & Swazey scopes were set up on a couple of the
Canadian P-14s as an emergency measure and were with Canadians in Italy. P-14s and M-17s were used in more wars than I can count.A robust, sturdy, and accurate service rifle that has been a favourite at Bisley. The only problem is getting a P-14 not used to near death. Canadian soldiers trained with and carried over M-17s in WW2. Rifles with lots of history. JOHN
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies fellows!! Well said jtaylor......."rifles with lots of history" and "the only problem is getting a P-14 not used to near death". I'll agree there are a lot of different types of milsurps out there that can be found in excellent original matching condition but one of the hardest to find is the P-14.....I'm talking one of the 1st generation that has the volley sights and escaped the Weedon updates of WW2. Most P-14's look like they have been dragged behind a truck and down a gravel road.
Yes they may seem a bit ugly when looking at pictures in a book....at least that's how I viewed them initially (especially the big rabbit ears protecting the rear sight). Albeit when I acquired my first one, it didn't seem to be really that ugly after all......then a trip to the range cured me of any ill thoughts I had about the P14.
Captain C. Shore in his book "With British Snipers to the Reich" states...."my beloved P14 which accompanied me on the Great Adventure on June 5th 1944 I can speak with a real affection........." Shore praises the P14......the only complaint he had was being a man of small stature he found the butts were to long for his liking.
 
CMichaud said:
Correct me if I am wrong but at least in the case of the M1917 - I thought read that it was the unofficial service rifle of the AEF in WW1 and its use exceeded the 1903?
Click to expand...

It was, hence second standard. It also almost became the US main service rifle post-WWI.

They are fantastic rifles just they don't have the history or diversity many other arms have in my opinion.
 
I really don't get how you guys can pay a small fortune. For these surplus rifles ?

And then you have to post something trying to make people think they are something special ??

I know lets pay $1000 plus for a Lee whatever. they are maybe worth $250 tops.. You are the same guys that drove the price of a Garand up near $2000. give your head a shake Kids, they are not worth it. If you all just said nope not paying that much all the prices would go down, Not that I would buy one anyway Been There done that. No Lee Enfield is worth $800 even if Winston Churchill owned it or the Queen used it for a pole dance.

Have fun and keep watching the MSM news. Oh yeah there will be free Kool Aid down at the CBC for family day.
Wake Up
 
ramhunter said:
I really don't get how you guys can pay a small fortune. For these surplus rifles ?

And then you have to post something trying to make people think they are something special ??

I know lets pay $1000 plus for a Lee whatever. they are maybe worth $250 tops.. You are the same guys that drove the price of a Garand up near $2000. give your head a shake Kids, they are not worth it. If you all just said nope not paying that much all the prices would go down, Not that I would buy one anyway Been There done that. No Lee Enfield is worth $800 even if Winston Churchill owned it or the Queen used it for a pole dance.

Have fun and keep watching the MSM news. Oh yeah there will be free Kool Aid down at the CBC for family day.
Wake Up
Click to expand...

Supply and demand, combined with a inflation. It is a pretty simple concept that is not limited to surplus rifles.
 
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