This article investigates a truly significant historical firearm. It belonged to my father-in-law and holds a special place in history: the Remington Model 14 1/2.
At the outbreak of World War I, few military aircraft were armed. Consequently, a variety of weapons were issued to airmen during the war’s early stages. The American Remington pump-action rifle was one such weapon. The British Admiralty purchased 4,000 of these rifles. They desperately needed to address a shortage of service rifles, as many had been transferred to the Army.
Initially, the intention was to equip various small naval craft. However, a number of these rifles were eventually passed to the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) for use as aircraft armament.
Canadian inspectors in America examined these rifles on behalf of the British government. Upon acceptance, they received a “DCP” mark on the breech. This mark signified “Dominion of Canada Proof.” These specific rifles are even mentioned in Admiralty publication CB 1161.
Reference: Imperial War Museums. (n.d.). Remington pump-action rifle.
My collector’s rifle displays various markings. These unique stamps confirm its authenticity and tell part of its story.
In September 1908, John D. Pedersen began developing a high-power, pump-action sporting rifle for Remington. He later received U.S. patents in 1909, 1910, and 1912 for his innovations. Remington’s Crawford C. Loomis assisted Pedersen. The Remington Model 14 Slide-Action Rifle was subsequently introduced in August.
The Model 14, 14 1/2, and 141 boasted a host of innovative features – notably, a spiral magazine tube! This design presumably prevented the tip of a spitzer bullet from setting off the primer of the cartridge ahead of it when the gun fired. These models had a magazine capacity of five rounds.
Pedersen’s solution to eliminate potential detonations within the magazine tube, caused by pointed bullets contacting primers, was truly ingenious. He designed the Model 14 magazine tube with a distinct spiralling flute.
A brilliant solution by Pedersen with this design achieving three goals: First, it subtly tipped the cartridges. This ensured that no bullet point touched the primer of the next cartridge. Second, it prevented cartridges from rattling inside the magazine tube, which could alert game. Third, it effectively prevented the setback of bullets in the neck of the case and deformation of softpoints under the forces of recoil.
Reference: United States Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Patent for the design of the rifle.
This Remington firearm possesses significant historical value for several key reasons:
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