Pattern 1914 Enfield Sniper
Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1914
Also known as: P14 Sniper, P14 (T), Rifle No. 3 Mk I* (T), Pattern 1914, P.14 Enfield
Overview
The Pattern 1914 Enfield Sniper (designated P14 (T) for 'Telescopic') was the principal British sniper rifle of World War I and continued in the role into World War II. Based on a modified Mauser action designed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, the P14 was found to be inherently more accurate than the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield and was therefore selected as the primary sniping platform. Manufactured under contract in the United States by Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone, the P14 sniper featured fine-adjustment aperture rear sights and could be fitted with various telescopic sights including the Aldis, Periscopic Prism Company, and Winchester A5 scopes.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1175 mm (46.26") |
| Barrel Length | 660 mm (25.98") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 744 m/s (2441 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3126 J (2306 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2500 m (2734 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .303 British · primary — also known as .303 Mk VII, 7.7x56mmR, .303 Enfield
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Wing Safety, Bolt Shroud Safety
- Features: Mauser Type Action, Fine Adjustment Aperture Rearsight, Telescopic Sight Mount, Protected Front Sight, Long Range Volley Sights
Variants
- Pattern 1914 Enfield (Standard) — Standard Infantry
- M1917 Enfield (.30-06) — Us Caliber Variant
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1914 · as Rifle, .303 Pattern 1914 (T)
- Australian Army · as P14 Sniper
- Canadian Expeditionary Force
Conflicts
- World War I (Western Front) (1915-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,235,298 · Production years: 1914-1917
Total P14 production was 1,235,298 rifles across Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone factories. The number of sniper conversions is not precisely recorded but represents a small fraction of total production. The P14 was the most accurate standard-issue bolt-action rifle available to British forces in WWI.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield
Discontinued: 1947
Notes
The P14 was designed before WWI as a potential replacement for the SMLE, featuring a modified Mauser-type action with controlled-round feed and a stronger locking system. However, it was never adopted as the standard service rifle due to the complexity and cost of retooling. Instead, it found its niche as a sniper and reserve weapon. The 'T' suffix in P14 (T) designated the telescopic sight variant. Over 1.2 million P14 rifles were produced in total, with the most accurate examples selected for sniper conversion. The rifle was officially declared obsolete in 1947 but had already been supplanted by the Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I (T) sniper in most roles by the end of WWII.
Background
The P14 sniper became the weapon of choice for British sniping sections on the Western Front, where the trench warfare environment made accurate long-range fire critically important. Major Hesketh Prichard, who established the British Army's first formal sniping school at Linghem in 1916, championed the P14 for its superior accuracy over the SMLE and trained hundreds of snipers in its use. The rifle's Mauser-derived action gave it an edge in precision that the faster-firing but less inherently accurate Lee-Enfield could not match.