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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Ticklish question... If it was mine, and I wanted to hunt with it, I'd need a QD scope. How big a sin, drilling and tapping for scope? In its current condition, does it have substantial collector value un-tapped or is it just a shooter? DF
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Hello Dirtfarmer,
Thanks for the reply.
It would be a "BIG SIN" to drill and tap this rifle. It is a true collector from a Vintage time of Dangerous Game Hunting. Working range for such rifles was usually under 50 yds and sometimes at distances measured in feet.
I've got dozens of other rifles that have scopes.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Campfire Tracker
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Is the rear sight island soldered or screwed on the C&H?. If it is screwed on, a Weaver base could be adapted to the barrel contour and hole spacing. A micro red dot then could be mounted on the single base. The arrangement would allow iron sight challenged shooters to shoot the C&H and not permanently mess with the collectibility.
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Hello carbon12
Thanks for the reply.
Its soldered on. And I'm not "iron sight challenged" with the practicle range of the 404 Jeffery.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Hello Dirtfarmer,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, now on to finding some History about it.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,229 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,229 Likes: 9 |
Provenance and history can sometimes get interesting. Here's a link to an early, pre-war Superposed I traded for, just liked the looks, not knowing anything about it. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=124719This thread went on for years, NOT a quick read... DF
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,650 Likes: 7
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42,650 Likes: 7 |
Never seen an Enfield action with a long extractor. Anyway, SWEET FIND! You must be thinking Lee Enfield. The P17 Enfield is a different action. Duh! sorry! and I even have a nice one in my safe! I'm just an Anglophile
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2009
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Yeah, it is an Enfield action, and their have one of the best safeties ever designed. I prefer them to the Model 70 type, because they do the same things but with less movement, and tucked down out of the way. THIS!!!^^^^^^ Thanks!!!!
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
WS
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Hello kaywoodie,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I think?
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Hello All, Well, Here's an update on my rifle. Detail examination shows that this rifle was originally a P-14 Eddystone. What I find most interesting is the "thumb cut" in the left receiver wall. It serves no purpose other than cosmetic to replicate the "look" of a 98 Mauser action. Or, the only other explaination would be that the thumb-cut it was intended to add finger clearance to aid in pushing the large cartridges down into the magazine box from above. I know for sure that it could not have been for loading from a stripper clip because if you place a cartridge into the existing stripper clip slot that is cut into the top of the rear receiver ring, the cartridge is far too long. The front of the cartridge hangs over the front receiver ring by about 1/2". In order to load the cartridges into the magazine box, you have to tuck them back "under" rear receiver ring, and push them into the box. While researching C&H bolt action rifles on the Internet, I have found several pictures of identical rifles in 404 caliber, but none of them had the thumb cut. However, a C&H catalog picture of the rifle from the 1950's that I found, does show his feature, so it was not an after market alteration. (see below) You can see it if you look closely. The thumb cut is there in the receiver, but just as with my rifle, the wood of the stock is not cut away around it. I was told that this rifle was shipped to an African Game Deptment, and I'm still looking for more information about this.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,168 Likes: 5
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
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Think the P-14 was chambered for the .303 British during WWI. While the 1917 Enfield was chambered for the .30/06.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 187
Campfire Member
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That's a beautiful old rifle and an awesome cartridge. I have a BSA P14 in 404 Jeffery built by my late Brother 10 years ago for my 60th. Originally bought as a 303 sporter in auction for $ 10 it took nearly three years for Brother to make the stock and do all the metalwork. I wish that I had the ability to post pictures here because it is a really nice piece, albeit a bit heavy..
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The thumb cut out will be for ease and speed of loading. A feature for a dangerous game rifle
"A person that carries a cat home by the tail will receive information that will always be useful to him." Mark Twain
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Campfire Tracker
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Buckstick, That rifle caught my attention at the SCI convention a couple of years ago and I took a number of photographs of it. A number of rifle makers cut thumb slots in DG rifles and I did the same on my 458 MKX Mauser as it helps speed things up when you need to cram rounds down rapidly.
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Hello 458Win,
Thanks for the reply.
Do you still have any ofthe pictures? I would enjoy seeing them. Do you recall what the asking price was back then?
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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I have a BSA P14 in 404 Jeffery built by my late Brother 10 years ago for my 60th. Originally bought as a 303 sporter in auction for $ 10 it took nearly three years for Brother to make the stock and do all the metalwork. I wish that I had the ability to post pictures here because it is a really nice piece, albeit a bit heavy.. Hello Bud Gills Thanks for the reply. Below, I have posted the pictures of your BSA rifle for you.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Posts: 187
Campfire Member
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Many Thanks Buckstix, I appreciate your doing that for me....
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Campfire Outfitter
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Hello All, It looks like my search is over. I've located a Vintage Cogswell & Harrison in 404 Jeffery. I found an identical rifle posted on the Africahunting Forun that was said to be a Rhodesian Game Department rifle. Its serial number is 3000 higher than this one. With the serial number being so close, I'm thinking this one might also have been used by the Wardens. One question that I would have is: Since the bottom metal is aluminum on both rifles, what would the date be when Cogswell & Harrison built these guns? A fellow with a similar rifle in 318WR said his was built "between the Wars" but I'm not sure. I'm guessing they were built after WWII, but have no hard evidence other than I don't think Aluminum was used for bottom metal before then. But then again, maybe it was. Does anyone know for sure, or have an opinion as to when this rifle was made? Here are some pics of the rifle: Was the bolt modified to cock on open?
Its all right to be white!! Stupidity left unattended will run rampant Don't argue with stupid people, They will drag you down to their level and then win by experience
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Hello Huntz,
Thanks for the reply.
No, the bolt was left "cock-on-close". I was told that many PH's liked the P-14's left that way because if you kept the rifle on your shoulder while working the bolt to chamber another round, it was much easier to "push" the bolt forward against the spring tension. Pushing "palm-forward" with the outstretched arm was a more natural action.
However, on rilfes modified to "cock-on-open" you would have your hand "palm-up" on the outstretched arm in an awkward lifting position trying to lift-up against the spring tension.
I have other P-14's modified to "cock-on-open" and I've tried it both ways. I found it true that it is much faster and easier to rapidly aim and work the action while keeping the rifle against your shoulder.
I suppose that this varient of a working rifle that found its way into the hands of Game Department shooters, was used for fast shooting when culling big game animals.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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