The Accurate Reloading Forums
P-14 Enfield in 416 Rigby
27 July 2006, 02:43
WillieP-14 Enfield in 416 Rigby
This is a rifle listed for sale at Griffin and Howe. The link is...
http://www.griffinhowe.com/riflemoreinfo.cfmAny thoughts?
27 July 2006, 02:50
vapodogAt $4,750..... It's a great looking gun.
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Winston Churchill
27 July 2006, 03:04
WillieI am just wondring about the action. I own and have owned a few M-70's and a few Mauser's, and am confident that are able to withstand a big bore cartridge. What about the Enfield P-14?
27 July 2006, 03:17
Idaho SharpshooterWillie,
not to worry man, the P14 is what A-square used to make all of their boomers on. The P14 became the P17, after WWI was over it became the Remington M30 and M34. It was Wisners choice for his large caliber rifle actions.
I am fitting a 510 Kayser Express (510 Wells minus the belt) to one as we speak.
Much stronger than a model 70 or about any other commercial bolt action.
Rich
27 July 2006, 03:21
WillieThat's what I wanted to hear. I think I'll head up to NJ this weekend to take a look. Thanks, I'll let you know how I make out.
27 July 2006, 03:22
Dago RedSays the work was done by Sterling Davenport and his repuration is, well, sterling

Red
27 July 2006, 03:28
rolexfanThat is a nice rifle at a great price! Grab it if you are looking for this type of rifle. I have used
Remington 30 S actions for many large calibers and they are a commercial model of the Enfield. They are practically "blow up proof"!
Read carefully:work attributed to S.Davenport does NOT= done by Sterling Davenport.CAVEAT EMPTOR!!this is a great auction house trick to raise the price of an object above what it should bring.
27 July 2006, 05:08
bwanamrmOne way to find our for sure and that is to call Sterling up and ask him. He is a real delight to talk to and a true gentleman. I've been lucky enough to buy two rifles from him and they are are not only beautiful but function flawlessly! The gun does look like a Davenport but there is only one way to know for sure! The horse's mouth!
On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
27 July 2006, 05:23
Shumbaquote:
Originally posted by bwanamrm:
One way to find our for sure and that is to call Sterling up and ask him. He is a real delight to talk to and a true gentleman. I've been lucky enough to buy two rifles from him and they are are not only beautiful but function flawlessly! The gun does look like a Davenport but there is only one way to know for sure! The horse's mouth!
As always, good advice from bwanamrm. I don't want to throw water on the fire for the seller, BUT, I understand (from a very good source) that someone did buy the rifle with the understanding that it was a Sterling Davenport rifle (just like the others advertised on the website). The buyer received the rifle and then actually did call Sterling Davenport. Sterling said that he DID NOT work on that rifle.
The buyer of the rifle then called G&H, who then contacted the person they bought the rifle from. His story changed to something along the lines of another gunsmith did most of the work and he later sent it to Sterling to do some additional work. When asked again, Sterling still said that he could not recall working on the rifle.
My friend said the rifle was very nice and it was reported (by G&H and the previous seller) to be a good shooter. However, my friend elected to send it back to G&H for a refund given that it wasn't what he thought he was buying for the price.
Tim
27 July 2006, 05:34
30 Caliber Mag FanFriends-
It might not should fetch the price they are asking if Sterling Davenport was not the architect and builder of said rifle.
It is still a darned nice piece even if Santa Claus built it.
May the wind be in your face and the sun at your back.
P. Mark Stark
27 July 2006, 06:00
.366torqueel jeffe, could duplicate that! Just needs the wood! Hey boom, I'm thinking of your 470 AR!!!!!
27 July 2006, 08:19
400 Nitro ExpressGreat action. He was doing fine until he put the sights on and stocked it. Way too much money for crappy sights, stock design and scope mounts.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."
I would be happy with that stock design and those sights. Is that a copy of the Winchester Pre-64 African rear sight and NECG front? Looks like Talley rings and bases, not exactly crappy if so.
Attributed to Sterling Davenport but denied by Sterling Davenport?

Offer $2375.
27 July 2006, 16:21
jeffeosso366,
if i had a pattern..
Mark, I think the forearm to perchbelly could have a better blend and i HATE the rear sight, but other than that, it's pretty nice
jeffe
27 July 2006, 17:59
WillieWait a minute. So this is not a rfle that Sterling Davenport built? I am calling G&H this morning to see what they have to say about the gun before taking a ride up there.
27 July 2006, 20:04
new_guyquote:
Originally posted by Willie:
Wait a minute. So this is not a rfle that Sterling Davenport built? I am calling G&H this morning to see what they have to say about the gun before taking a ride up there.
G&H indicates:
"Comments : Douglas Premium barrel and premium grade wood. Work attributed to S. Davenport."
27 July 2006, 23:36
bwanamrmquote:
I don't want to throw water on the fire for the seller, BUT, I understand (from a very good source) that someone did buy the rifle with the understanding that it was a Sterling Davenport rifle (just like the others advertised on the website). The buyer received the rifle and then actually did call Sterling Davenport. Sterling said that he DID NOT work on that rifle
Good detective work, Tim. I think the rifle is still decent but agree with RIP... I would offer him less... $2375 is dirt cheap but $3000 to $3500 is probably fair. BTW if he will take $2375 for it and you don't take it... pm me!

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
28 July 2006, 01:49
WillieG&H says that they had called Sterling Davenport about the rifle in question. According to them Mr. Davenport does not recall ever building an Enfield in 416 Rigby. Not much of an explanation as to "work attributed to S. Davenport." statement in there ad. I am going to make them an offer for it tomorrow. They are willing to send it down for a three day evaluation.
This looks an awful lot like a rifle I bought last year from Champlin's. Anyone got any followup over the last three years over where this rifle went from G&H?
12 May 2009, 21:34
Colonel_KlinkIn this economy I bet you get a bargain
A little follow up. I called Sterling Davenport. He did not build the rifle, as posted in 2006. He did the stock work on a barreled action for his customer. I bought this guy a year ago, and it is a terrific gun. I wish I had paid a little less than $5100, but that's life, I guess. It's going on a tuskless hunt in Zim in two months.
George had JJ turn the barrel in a turn and rechamber, as the headspace was a little excessive. He had to glass bed, but it was done so artfully it doesn't detract from the beautiful inletting Mr. Davenport did. I had JJ replace the crappy Winchester rear sight with a NECG skeletonized sight. It holds a minute of angle, and the action is as slick as hog snot on a doorknob. This gun isn't going anywhere without me.
I wish I knew who made it.