No.2 Mk IV* .22cal Trainer Lee Enfield

[martin08]

Even though this is my 6th Lee Enfield, I'm still a veritable novice. So, with lots of pics and $500 lighter in the wallet, I would ask for information and opinions on my newest LE.

I do know that it is/was an SHTLE III, 1909, from the reign of King Edward VII, and the conversion to the SHT 22 IV* N.Z. is dated in December, 1925. Still has the rear volley sight, front disc, and the mag cut-off slot. Bolt, receiver, barrel, front wood, and bayonet lug all match with H 290. Buttsocket and buttstock had numbers matching, 7853. New Zealand marked, and has no import marks.

The rest is in the pics. Thanks for looking.

 

[45collector]

That is cool as hell. Sorry I can't tell you anything about other than it's cool as hell!

 

[KBCraig]

I can't see the pics (could be blocked by my work firewall, not unusual). But just from the description, I'd say you did good.

 

[NinerMaine]

Two windage adjustable rear sights in one week! That is very nice Martin. Would love to see that in person some day. The front volley sight stud is ground off, which is common and since it is in 22 there is no need to try and restore the front volley sight. Nice stock.. .sold out of service marks which are the 2 broad arrows face to fact touching on their points. Does the rear sight leaf match?

I assume the mag has no follower, is that correct? If so that would be for the empty 22 LR shells to just drop in after extraction. The Brits never missed a chance to be neat and orderly

The most interesting part of this rifle is that it was once in service in New Zeeland, which is the N broad arrow Z markings. I would like to know more about that from the experts. I wonder if it was converted in NZ or in the UK and then sent to NZ.

A very nice looking over all rifle with mostly EFD parts and in the rarer 22 Conversion as well. Nice pick up....

 

[50 BMG]

Martin what the heck...every post of your new purchases are surprises. Congarts buddy. Nice pick up.

 

[SKS Ray]

A little rough compared to some I've seen but a nice pick up and for a very fair price.

 

[TFLeader]

Have you shot it yet?

 

[martin08]

Just picked it up yesterday, so it isn't fired by me.

Thanks all. And from what I gather, the New Zealand No 2 Mk IV* does not surface too often in the states. Far more trainers based on the No 4 rifle seem to be around.

Niner, the rear sight is not matching to the gun. What looks original are at least the 1909 receiver, fore-end wood, nose cap, and bolt body. And yes, the mag guts are ripped out. Looks like it will hold a whole afternoon's worth of empty .22 casings (hint for a range session, soon!)

As near as I can tell from the history of training rifle assembly, this would have been fitted with the solid barrel at RSAF Enfield in England, on the 1921 to 1925 contract, and then issued to New Zealand. How it got to the US with no import marks is beyond me.

Here is a link with a brief history and summary of the trainer models.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?217476-best-of-lee-enfield-22-training-rifles

 

[Maninblue1861]

Neat. Always wanted to pick one up, but most seen were beaten to hell and back to put nicely.


Nice score

 

[TFLeader]

This rifle is only one I know of that catches and retains the brass after firing.

Did not realize it until I took it to the range.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

The Enfield showed up tonight, it is a BSA No 2 Mk 4/1 the took the No 1 battle sights off and welded on the sights from a Enfield No 4.

the date on the side of it is 1942, the stock looks like it has been through the war but should clean up. the bore looks very good, just needs some cleaning. All the metal needs some cleaning, there is a light coat of tanish brown, not grease it is like a dried on dirt.

I will take and post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Well here is the Trainer, I don't know much about it except that it is, according to the importer a BSA No 2 Mk IV* Is the barrel sleeved or purpose built?
















- - - Updated - - -

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I took the wood off and found a greenish coating on the barrel and metal under the wood, it cleaned off to reveal a nice blue no rust or pitting. The barrel had a couple other numbers on it as well as the serial number.

 

[martin08]

Nice!

Not sure about the later trainer conversions, but my barrel is not sleeved. It was purpose built in 1925.