Short Rifle No 2 Mk IV* British Trainer……………SOLD

An official conversion of a S.M.L.E. into a small caliber trainer; in good condition

Of standard specifications with a couple of clever surprises to be discovered.  Serial number on receiver and bolt arm 5991.  Caliber .22 LR – single shot with magazine case to collect empties.  Very much still at first glance like the original or donor rifle.  This was once again the idea; to let the troops or younger cadets train on and get used to a rifle that was similar in as many ways as possible to the full bore version they would eventually end up with in service.

This rifle was probably originally a standard S.M.L.E with a date like 1914 or 1916  marked on the butt socket in .303.  When the rifle came to the end of its useful life as a full bore weapon it was used to create this trainer.  It has a purpose built solid .22 barrel and an altered bolt head.  The bolt head is marked “.22 No2.”  These were usually marked thus after 1924 or so. The guts of the magazine have been removed and the empty steel case remains to catch the used cases.

The woodwork, the furniture, butt etc remain the same.  There is a blank unit ID disk affixed to the side of the butt.  It still retains the same butt-plate with trap for cleaning equipment  A/F.

The rifle is 44.1/2″ in overall length.  The round barrel is 25″ long, the muzzle crowned instead of flat.  The rifle is fully stocked with full length hand guard.  All the woodwork is walnut.  At the muzzle end the fore-sight is protected by the old style waisted sight protector.  The nose cap also incorporates the bayonet lug and mount under.  The middle band has the front sling swivel under and is of the hinged type, marked with War Department and Enfield inspectors stamp.

The rear ramp sight is protected by the standard sight protectors with nice stamps on the outside of the LHS  piece. The sight is equipped with both windage and elevation adjustment.  An additional feature mounted on the sight block is an apperture plate which helps provide a more concentrated sight picture.  Additionally the center of the ramp has been milled away and beneath on the spring component of the sight there is a paper label which seems to have been there for a very long time.  Upon the the label is the following written by hand, in pencil; ” O @ 100 YDS”.

All the stocks and hand guards are in fine condition with no damage.  The finish is good and the same all over with a pleasing aged patina.   The butt socket is marked with a stylised  “crown / G.R.”  This is possibly and Indian version of the Tudor crown.  The original date marking which is usually seen beneath the crown has been removed and towards the base of the surface is the following: ” SHT _.22 / IV*”.  On the obverse the rifle is marked “ENGLAND” beneath the No III safety catch.  Serrated trigger.  Brass pin through stock in front of butt-socket.

The serial is faintly stamped upon the RHS of the receiver.  The action finished in the grey phosphate finish and in good order.  An Redfield peep sight has been mounted on the rear RHS of the action.  The rifle and bore are both in very good condition, the woodwork refinished but sympathetically.

.  The action is fine and the rifle carries fresh London proofs applied in 2015.  The stock feels slim compared to other SMLEs in all ways.  Both the wrist and the for-end feel lightweight, not too bulky.  This is a fine .22 Enfield Trainer and will be a pleasure to put through its paces.

Stock No 474

£ SOLD

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