Januarys GOTM is my No2MkIV*, inspired by a recent foray into the world of trainers. The history of trainers in British military forces is an area of study on its own. Models range from the Morris Aiming Tube models of the Martine Henry in the 1880’s through to the L98A1 in the 1980’s.
The MkIV and MkIV* cover an extensive period of Enfield history from 1921 through to 1955. Conversions were done by Enfield, BSA, Lithgow and Ishapore. Some were also converted by the major players in the british guntrade such as Parker Hale, Darlow, Greener, Martin and Page during WW2.
Officially approved in November 1921 as the .22 Short Rifle MkIV they became the No2 MkIV* in 1926 with the widespread nomenclature changes. The asterisk was gained as the magazine was added to the rifle after 1926 although it was only a shell with no spring or follower.
Due to long period over which the conversions were done and the numerous factories involved there is a wide variation in markings and details. The fact that they were converted from both MkIII and MkIII* (service and DP) also has a bearing here as does their conversion under both peacetime and wartime conditions.
My No2 MkIV* was originally a pre WW1 MkIII and from a distance is virtually indistinguishable from any other MkIII. Seen here from the right and left sides you would be hard picked to correctly identify it at a casual glance.
As a MkIII it was originally manufactures at RSAF Enfield in 1912. As was usual with the early British conversions the original designation was scrubbed and replaced by the new designation. Allied with other clues the fact that the asterix is well off to one side, rather than tight to the IV, I feel this rifle was probably converted in the 1921 to 1926 period as a MkIV not after 1926 as a MkIV*.
The butt, which may not be original going on the colouration difference with other furniture, is a MkIII butt retaining the brass disc. The D just above has no meaning I’m aware of. Hard usage is indicated by three repairs to the butt.
The rifle has matching serial numbers in all the appropriate places starting with the bolt.
I have mounted a Parker Hale PH5A sight for no other reason than I happened to have a spare one lying around. Certainly makes a difference, especially when I found some ammunition the rifle liked – but more of that later.
As is usual there are a number of stamps on the rifle the meanings of which are now largely unknown. On this rifle is a T stamped into the cocking piece.
As stated previously the change from MkIV to MkIV* was due to the addition of the magazine shell. These were marked .22 on the left side and had the follower and spring removed.
Boltheads were marked .22 No2. Now here we get obscure (or I start showing my ignorance). I, never really having thought about it, assumed the No2 referred to the rifle designation but this is incorrect. The original .22 trainer (Rifle, Short, .22-inch, R.F. (Mark I) had the bolthead marked .22 for obvious reasons. In 1910 an improved bolthead was developed which it was decided to mark as .22 No2.
The receiver ring bears the serial number. Now this has me slightly puzzled as Skennerton says RSAF used the prefix’s A- K, M – T & X for the period 1907 to 1915 for the MkIII. He lists the MkIII used by Lawrence (Enfield made) as M6594 and 1914 dated. So Enfield were still in the A prefixes in 1912 but hit the M’s in 1914 ?
The left side of the receiver, as well as proof marks, carries an arrow within a D marking showing Australian ownership at some stage. As all proof markings are British and almost inspection marks as well I think it’s a safe bet the rifle didn’t come into Australian hands until after conversion. Wonder if it was used by Australian troops training in the UK in WW2 and subsequently found its way to Australia via the military ?
The innocuous looking .22 calibre hole where one would normally expect to find a man sized .303 opening.
The barrel is also serialled to the rifle. It bears multiple proof and inspection marks as well as the arrow in D. The fact it is dated 1924 means, as I said previously, the rifle was likely converted before the promulgation of the MkIV*.
Stampings continue on the underside of the barrel. Among the inspectors markings is a much larger one. It could possibly a date. 1951 ?
Interestingly the barrel bears the HV (High Velocity) marking. As fas as I can determine the barrel is solid rather than tubed. The HV marking was introduced in 1911, so had the original barrel been retained and sleeved I would expect to find the marking. However with a solid barrel being fitted in 1924 I find the marking out of place. Then there is the absence of the SC (Small Cone) marking introduced towards the end of WW1
Rear sight also bears the serial number, however, out of keeping with the retention of the volley sights it is not windage adjustable. The rear portion of the sight is also the abbreviated rear backsight cap common to Australia.
As mentioned above the rifle retains the volley sights. The rear arm has temporarily been removed to allow the fitting of the Parker Hale sight while the front plate and arm remain on the rifle. I wonder what distance you would get with front set to maximum range from the .22 ?
Serial number is also stamped into the fore-arm. Looks like there was possibly another serial number above the current one. A recycled fore-end ?
Nosecap shows the serial number. A close up of the business end of the barrel shows it to be solid rather than tubed.
Some general shots from around the rifle. A repair to the rear handguard. Stamp in the fore-end under the end of the barrel, possibly a year marking ? Stamp in the barrel channel. The bottom of the barrel band is even stamped.
Now for those asking the perennial question “Hows it shoot ?” the answer appears to be depends on the ammo.
Here are three five shot groups shot off a rest at 25 metres while sighting the rifle in. Lastly is a ten shot group shot once I considered the rifle sighted in. Ammo was some Winchester, exact specification unknown as it was salvaged from some ammo belts donated by an acquaintance.
Now, for all those who were actually paying attention for the last set of photos, there are in fact six shots in the last five shot group. Below is the five shots of that group particular circled. If we take the fifth uncircled shot and add it to the four shot group in this last picture, that is the five shot group when I used some SK Magazine just to see if there was any difference. All in all a fairly respectable group. The reason the fifth shot appears on another target is operator area pure and simple.
Oh, and here are the original bits temporarily removed to accommodate the target sight.
