ERA P14 (R10 DA0284)

Genuine .303 P14 rifle. The P14 was produced in response to the shortage of rifles in the British Army at the start of WW1 from a RSAF Design design for a new rifle with a Mauser type bolt, in a smaller calibre than .303. With the commencement of Hostilities .303 was retained and contracts obtained with US companies (Winchester, Eddystone (ERA) and Remington) for production of what became the P14 (and for the Americans in .30-06 the P17)

It was probably fortunate that the design was not adopted prior to WW1 as the magazine holds less rounds than the SMLE and the Mauser bolt although more accurate has a slower lock time than the Lee bolt, this gave the SMLE a decided rate of fire advantage over the German Mausers at the cost of a slight loss in accuracy, this loss however was so small at combat ranges as to be academic

During WW2 the P14 saw service with the Homeguard, as well as army units after the fall of France when rifles were in short supply, other reports place them in the hands of Artillery and similar units in Europe in 1944(!). However their most well known use is without doubt with the Home Guard, most of which were 'Weedon converted' at the factory at Weedon, this mainly entailed removing the long range volley sights, and rifles retaining these are quite scarce

This example was made by ERA, it is in very good condition retaining most finish, a little wear here and there from use and faded on the upper and lower bands, wood has a few light marks from use.

Deactivated in our own workshop and comes with its Birmingham deactivation certificate (current spec 2018 so bolt works but cannot be removed and trigger is not connected to bolt,) . Photos show actual item.

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