.22LR No.4(T) on auction in Canada Apr 2024

LEE ENFIELD | Model: NO4 MK1T | Caliber: .22 LR - Switzer's Auction & Appraisal Service


One of Peter Laidler's articles mentions an unknown variant No.4(T) in .22LR. Here's another one on auction in Canada. My question is, was someone trying to make a Lee Enfield 'gallery' rifle for off season training?

LEE ENFIELD | Model: NO4 MK1T | Caliber: .22 LR - Switzer's Auction & Appraisal Service


Since the internet forgets things, here is the text:

Condition: 7/10

Make: LEE ENFIELD
Model: NO4 MK1T
Caliber: .22 LR

Bore(s): Excellent
Comes With: Magazine
Action: Bolt Action Rifle

Main Description: Manufactured by M47C BSA Shirley 1944, bolt numbered to match. This rifle has been converted to .22 LR with Canadian CNO7 barrel, foreend, bolt parts and magazine which has the proper follower. Receiver has the letter S stamped on the small flat on the right side, has the letter T with drooped ends, left side of butt socket stamped with TR near the bottom, top of wrist is unmarked along with the bottom. Blade front sight with ears and ramp, adjustable milled rear peep sight with battle sight removed, blued finish, includes telescope sighting No32 MK3 marked OS2039A CTS NO21816 with clear optics and intact reticle, leather scope covers, mount Numbered N31699. Four piece full military wood stocks, grooved rear handguard, pistol grip, wood cheek rest, smooth brass butt plate with trap. Two sling and one target swivel. Barrel does not have bayonet lugs.

Wear: Metal finish shows some scratches, handling marks and wear. Stocks show some marks, scratches and wear.

Barrel Length: 25.25"
Serial: E54258
Class: Canadian Non Restricted

That's an interesting one. It looks to be a perfectly genuine run of production BSA Shirley 1944 4T that has been converted to .22 LR. I do not believe that it is one of the 100 rifles that we believe BSA set up specifically in .22LR in 1944, as from conversations I had with PL many years ago I gather the bodies of these 100 rifles were not marked in the typical way, & they were serialled from 1 to 100 in their own s/n range.

As an aside, when Dave & I bought the large batch of partially stripped 4T's back in the late 90's there was a small number that had either shot out bores or bores with significant corrosion. So as not to end up deactivating them we sleeved them to .22LR, but unlike in this case we had commercial sleeves fitted into the existing barrels. For some years I had a BSA & a Maltby 4T in .22, & Dave had a couple too. We eventually succumbed & they were sold a few years ago via a certain renowned gunsmith in the Wiltshire area of England.

By coincidence I'm getting a few more rifles sleeved at present, although these are not 4T's, but No2 MkIV*'s that got smoothbored & mag restricted & which I'm getting re-sleeved to restore them back to original spec., one of which I then intend to hang on to! As I get older & more decrepit I am coming to increasingly appreciate the little .22 Enfield variants!


P.S. Should have made it clear I meant the rifle body is genuine BSA 44 4T. Clearly it has had a lot of replacement parts, not least the barrel & most of the woodwork. No doubt set up by an enterprising individual. Probably done in the days of relative plenty when one more or less 4T wasn't a big issue. I know I buXXered up a couple of 4T bodies & one or two original brackets on hair brained experiments back in the day, but we look on things from a slightly different perspective these days.......I'd give it house room if it came at the right price!

Fantasy piece! Receiver genuine BSA 1944 selected for No4T conversion then a donor for the conversion. The barrel is Canadian C No7 as is the bolt. All components mismatched and not a the real deal. Not aware of any Canadian conversions and certainly not Brit. Seen a number of 22 cal relined no4T's for plinking or target shooting. Will be interesting to see the hammer price. Ron (Canada)

From the collection of the late Harry Toye. I have no doubt that he could have accessed the C No. 7 parts. Keep in mind that No. 4T kits were C$79.95 in the late '60s. Making up a .22 would not have been a traumatic event years ago.
Interesting shooter as is. Install a .303 barrel and it becomes a representative 4T. Sell off the harvested .22 barrel for $500...

That's one thing I always had in mind when we sleeved some to .22..............rebarrel with another .303 barrel & Bob's your auntie! Ok, it won't satisy the purists who want 'as it left the factory', but it'll be a perfectly functional 4T.

Wow, I handled it in the 1980s as I used to visit Harry at his house in Sarnia on my trips to Western Ontario. I was 18 when I first met him. I spent many hours in his basement. My Grandfather, who lived in Corunna which is just down the road from Sarnia, hit it off with Harry too. I can tell you he was a real Armourer and it will be built correctly. It was a pleasure to know him. I was very fortunate to be introduced by my late Uncle in Chatham. Good times for sure.

Tell us some more about the man Brian. So many interesting characters pass on without being known outside their immediate circle.

I met Harry Toye in the early '60s when I was in my teens. Grew up in Sarnia, know Corunna. Did you know Sherm and Ken Ball who operated Corunna Hardware? Ken had gone to Colorado to take the gunsmithing program, and ran quite a gun counter in the hardware store. Sherm was ex-RCMP.
In my tickle trunk I have a new in the grease BSA No. 4 replacement barrel; just the thing for such a project...

I knew Harry as a polite gentleman, former soldier and Armourer. He was retired from the CF having served from WW2 onwards. He was very knowledgeable about all manner of weapons and what made them tick. The walls of his basement were covered with military long guns and it was like a museum to me. A fascinating guy. I saw my first RFI 2A/2A1 rifles there as well as Israeli K98k rifles in 7.62. He was a registered dealer and had a small and loyal clientele. My Grandfather was the senior machinist at the C&O/Chessie System shops in Sarnia and an avid trains, boats, cars, guns and gear guy so he enjoyed our trips over to Harry's house as well. I was in Corunna Hardware a few times with him and met Ken Ball. I never met Sherm that I can remember. My Grandfather knew them fairly well and lived not far away on Cameron Street.

Trying to remember - C&O ran the car ferry across the St. Clair River?