Factory 14 1/2 R modifications?
Re: Factory 14 1/2 R modifications?
Badger: You must be from Wisconsin. I'm located in Minnesota. I keep a database on 14s and½s, and currently record over 1500. Remington used parts in curious combinations over the years and trying to make rhyme or reason to it involves a lot of guesswork. AR=3/24 as a build date. KS3=May, 1925 as a date the rifle was returned for repair. A 1912 date on the rollmark indicates a barrel marking used until 1916. A flush shellhead was replaced with an offset solid shellhead in 1915 so the gun might well be a 1914 gun as the serial would indicate. On the other hand, the firing pin with the extension occurred in late 1922 or early 1923. Could this have been the repair made in 1925? I have seen guns with the fp extension but no hook before. But I have a 14R, for instance, that was made in July, 1925 on a 1914 receiver, plus other examples of guns made entirely out of sequence with the serial numbers. So there is a good chance that your rifle was originally made in March, 1924. If you ever get anyone who knows what all of the other symbols and letters mean, I would sure like to know. So far, no one I know could provide any information on them as to their meaning, other than proofs, assemblers marks or inspectors marks. I have flush solid shellheads recorded as late as 1919 production and type 1 barrels like yours as late as 1920, and to me, your rifle could have been built in 1924. Remington never threw anything away, and some parts laid in the bottom of the parts bin for a long time until used . So, in conclusion, your gun, I believe, could have been made in March, 1924. I hope this information helps..........tom h
NRA Benefactor Member
Re: Factory 14 1/2 R modifications?
Of course Hemphill has it right, when it comes to sorting out this kind of stuff, he's the best.
Adding to the "for whatever its worth" department, I have seen at least three guns that had hook/lever safeties with serials pre-dating the changeover to that system. I think I still own one of those but they stray into my "shop" off/on and they are obviously factory modifications but were totally lacking barrel coding.
I distinctly remember this one piece that was in the 10,000 serial range, the lower receiver wasn't tapped, and when I pulled it apart it had the H&L safety system. This kind of discovery no longer surprises me but rather adds to the interest & variety that exists with both the Model 14 & 14-1/2. I almost find it sad that the Model 141 is almost boring in comparison because of its uniformity during production.
The real concern here is that we have two Minnesotans comparing notes or in this case "cahooting"!
Best to the both of you!
Jim
Adding to the "for whatever its worth" department, I have seen at least three guns that had hook/lever safeties with serials pre-dating the changeover to that system. I think I still own one of those but they stray into my "shop" off/on and they are obviously factory modifications but were totally lacking barrel coding.
I distinctly remember this one piece that was in the 10,000 serial range, the lower receiver wasn't tapped, and when I pulled it apart it had the H&L safety system. This kind of discovery no longer surprises me but rather adds to the interest & variety that exists with both the Model 14 & 14-1/2. I almost find it sad that the Model 141 is almost boring in comparison because of its uniformity during production.
The real concern here is that we have two Minnesotans comparing notes or in this case "cahooting"!
Best to the both of you!
Jim
Jim Peterson