Rare Metford Trainer in .22 dated 1890…………..(f 834)SOLD

An extremely rare and interesting Lee-Metford Training Rifle for 1890

This rifle started in service as a full-bore Lee-Metford Mark I * as marked on the RHS of the butt-socket.  The socket reads as follows;” Royal Cypher / V.R. /ENFIELD /1890 / I * ”  Subsequently it has been through the changes authorised and been converted to the first official Training rifle after the passing of the “training tube ” devices.  It actually was altered in many ways; the round barrel was shortened to 25.1/4″ and modified to .22 calibre.  Then as directly effected by the barrel the  nose-cap was modified and bayonet bar removed.  The front facing surface of the nose-cap is now clearly marked with acceptance stamps which could only be added after the operation.  They clearly read “D/2” and “broad arrow / WD / B / 66.”   The fore-end was shortened by just over 2″ and the long-range volley dial removed and expertly inlaid with another piece of walnut.  The repair is so good it is not possible to feel the join!

Overall the rifle measures 44.1/2″ in length and the trigger pull is 13.3/8″ to center.  Its a handsome looking rifle with a rich deep toned walnut stock and short hand-guard.   The fore end has 6.1/2″ long finger grooves on each side and there is a  oval  dished cut-out below where the magazine cut-off used to be.  The butt-stock carries a good steel disk set into the RHS affixed by a brass slotted screw, the disk is marked and carries an important clue to the rifles history; ” S.A.S.” this does not refer to our heroic special forces but, to that earlier institution,  “The Small Arms School” at Hythe, Kent.  Below this are the numerals “33”.  Alongside the disc, is a clear cartouche of “BIRMINGHAM /1905 / broad arrow”  over “1*”  This is in reference to the rifle it was before the conversion and where it originated.  There are various inspection and acceptance markings on the underside of the wrist and a steel rounded butt-plate with trap, also “WD” accepted.  There is a single sling swivel on the underside of the butt which directly screws into the underside towards the rear.  The stock is in fine condition with no splits or looseness and shows a deep history of all the dings and dents of an active military life.  No over-finishing or re-lacquering detectable, with a fine smooth semi-matt shine to the overall surface.

Within the specifications of the original conversion, the detachable eight shot magazine should have been discarded , but as is clearly evident, this failed to be the case with this particular trainer.  Yet something more interesting has befallen this component, and this is the reason why this rifle is such a one-off; further work has been carried out on the magazine to enable it to act as a feed.  At some point, instruction must have been given to try to produce a prototype magazine feeder.  Efforts very reminiscent of armoury work, have been put into it and a small magazine has been fitted.  The single stack “inner” magazine looks like it may have come from a small automatic and is mounted upon a thick plate which slides forward and back ward from its position once the rifle magazine has been removed.  Then it needs to be loaded and replaced into the housing mag and then the housing mag’ set back into the rifle.   This conversion was only ever meant to produce a single shot rifle, there is no loading ramp which bridges the gap between the magazine and the flat front of the barrel face.   This looks to be an effort to convert a single shot rifle to a multi-shot piece.  Being as how this rifle was discovered very near to the Small Arms School, one can easily imagine, instruction sent down to the armoury to produce such a weapon.  The writer believes that this may have closely coincided with the introduction of the SMLE and its training cousins, henceforth the project was shelved.

However, the rifle that we have before us is a unique and rare example of an effort to bridge the gap between a single shot military trainer and a multi-shot or repeating capability item.  A rifle to train troops for the rapid fire capability of the SMLE that was just being introduced to service.  No other example of this effort has been found.  More official signs of the original conversion are visible.  The foresight guard is marked on the RHS; “broad arrow / EFD / 66″   The LHS is clearly marked “.22.”  The original  serial number of the Mk I* is seen struck through and was “1519”; above is the new serial number “7281” on the RHS of the receiver.  This is repeated on the rear face of the bolt arm.  It can be observed that old number of the Metford on the rear of the bolt arm has been filled off, but this is acceptable, in that the original bolts were modified.  The overall length of the bolt body was shortened to accommodate the extra long bolt head for the .22, and a new bolt head fitted.  This has all been done and proofed recently.  The bore is really rather good and equally unique as it carries small calibre Metford rifling which is in very good shape.  The rear sights are numbered to the rifle “7281” but are the original Metford sights graduated to 2000 yards with windage adjustment and a cross-hatched rear plate.

As further special modifications, the enlarged gas escape hole has now been connected to a longitudinal slot, which runs through the LHS of the action for a sprung ejector mounted upon the outside wall.  The head of this ejector does put excessive pressure on the rounds as they leave the magazine housing and tens to push them off course.  It is possible however to still enjoy this rifle, in that, it functions perfectly well as a three shot repeater and pulls off a good group.  Forward sling swivel on mid-band – “WD” inspected.  D-shaped cocking piece.  Serrated trigger and magazine release catch within trigger guard.  This is fine, semi-functional rifle, well built and finished which would be an absolute one-off in any serious collection.  It is a pleasure to handle, operate and own.  A true One-off !

Just ask for Stock No’ f 834

£ SOLD

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