Primer 027: British Pattern 14 Documentary

Comments · 772

• MU

  @munched55 · 10 years ago

  I actually own one of these with the volley sights that I found (!) in a wall of my summer house that I was renovating in Estonia. I was amazed firstly to find it then to see the condition of it which was used but in fine condition. When I dismantled it for a thorough cleaning, I discovered that it retained about 90% of it's original bluing with wear only on the muzzle where the bayonet would be attached, the butt plate and trigger guard. After cleaning the hardened grease from the bolt and receiver, the action was as smooth as any would expect from a modern Mauser sporter. Marked RE and '17, this 99-year-old weapon still raises eyebrows on those that have seen and held it. Thanks for this thorough and entertaining video that filled in all the blanks on a, for me, previously unknown rifle.

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• JO

  @johjoh4571 · 10 years ago

  a bullpup bolt action...? that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. I love it. I want a modern version.

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• LO

  @Lomi311 · 2 years ago

  Even back in the day, Johnathan Ferguson, the keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK, which houses thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history, was helping make awesome content on YouTube for us old gun nerds. What a boss

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• PA

  @patrickwentz8413 · 7 years ago

  So the small arms committee was not for alligators, crocodiles and T-rex's..?...  disappointing to say the least.

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• MM

  @mm06360 · 10 years ago

  For a second when I heard "Long Lee" I expected to see the Ghost of Sam Hughes to visit and say it is the best rifle ever, despite carrying it for miles.

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• PH

  @PHERGUSberger-lk5dp · 2 years ago

  I got my first Patt14 when I was 15 yrs old. Am 57 now , so do the math. Anyhow a schoolmate's dad was a B17 pilot in england. He traded an old english homeguard fellow some whiskey and food for that Patt14 rifle and promptly mailed it home. I bought it for a princely sum of $165 dollars . All my buddies thought I paid too much for any 303 let alone that one. But I had enough reading under my belt that I knew a patt14 in unmolested original trim without import marks was a rare bird. I still have this 12k serial ERA made rifle. It's wood is in superb unsanded finish with a bore so clean..and brother it can shoot !. I even used marbles cartridge converters in it for 32 S&W and it brought many a squirrel back to the frying pan !.  At the feb'24 SOS a dealer had a patt14 asking $3250.00...I shit you not !. He claimed minty gun, and matching. Bolt matched but the blue seemed darker than my example and the wood had for sure been cleaned and refinished as its pores were opened , stain applied and the shiny sheen nowhere near original. I pointed this out the "knowledgeable" dealer and he got rather arrogant and told me I dont know squat. Then I pointed out the wood putty repair to the toe at butt plate that was oddly under the finish. He tried to pontificate out of that conundrum like a thief caught. Cant stand these fraud profiteers !. In the end I am ever more confidant in my $165 purchase many years ago has paid off.

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• NA

  @Naltddesha · 1 month ago

  This is such a fantastic firearms channel. You guys have one of the most thorough, well shot and structured gun accounts on YouTube. Thanks for all the free knowlage and entertainment over the years!

• EN

  @endeavourunactive · 10 years ago

  when he says no one cares about Lee Enfield, I felt like I want to mad minute him!

  136

• SH

  @shilelea · 10 years ago

  Needs to be straight pull and designed by Mr. Ross....

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• BO

  @bold810 · 2 months ago

  This rifle has such a classic profile and prescence.

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• BR

  @britishmuzzleloaders · 10 years ago

  Othias and Mae, another fantastic presentation.  Top quality and effortlessly watched.  One thing came to mind as it went along was the adage that an Army prepares for the next war by planning for the last one....  The P14 really was the product of the Boer War and your video brings that to light as it explores the background of this rifle.  Here's an interesting point.  The rifle is a product of being the recipient of long range and damaging rifle fire..  i.e. something that would better match what they had faced in SA...  The British soldier shot out to 800 yds in his annual qualification before the Boer War....  By 1914 he was only shooting to 600...  Perceived combat ranges diminished while they worked on a weapon that would make it easier to engage at longer ones....  Interesting paradox.  As usual, great clip.  Nice to see Matt out with his Mk IV...

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• MO

  @Moxie-Smith · 2 weeks ago

  I find myself pausing occasionally to let it all sink in. So much great info, thank you.