No. 5 Trials .22 Caliber

[303 Gunner]

I got lucky a couple years ago and managed to pick this rifle up at auction. Fortunately, the auction house seemed to think it was simply a bubba'd No. 5! Unfortunately, it did not come with its 5 round magazine insert, only the single shot sled. I know it's about as long a shot as asking for hens teeth, but anyone have one sitting about in their spare parts drawer? Or, barring that, if anyone has one of these rifles, I'd love detailed photos of the insert.

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Information

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[Surpmil]

Not my field, but interesting piece. The backsight is the pattern originally designed for use on the No.4(T).

[NORTHOF60]

Are you talking about the No.7 mag with the 5 shot detachable BSA Sportsman mag inside?

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=67737

[Buccaneer]

I know it's about as long a shot as asking for hens teeth, but anyone have one sitting about in their spare parts drawer?

Are you referring to the 5 shot magazine that was fitted to the No7 rifle produced for the RAF?

[303 Gunner]

No, sadly those won't fit. The inserts for these were specially made for the rifles. As built, the rifle came with a sled insert and a 5-round magazine insert similar to the No. 7. A rotating lever is used to lock the magazine in place. The aperture was also specially made for these rifles. Also, interestingly, the checkering is factory original.

Oddly, the rifle does not like .22 LR and will not extract it properly. It seems to prefer .22 Long.

The No. 5 .22 rifles were built by BSA when the No. 5 Mk I was the service rifle presumptive. A hundred were built as trials rifles for a new training/competition rifle that followed the No. 5's pattern. When it was decided not to proceed with the No. 5, these trials rifles became superfluous and were set aside. They are mechanical fore-runners for all the later training rifles and introduced the shortened bolt body with elongated bolt head seen in them. A good synopsis can be had at https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_Rifle_No.5.html.

The first photo is a close-up of the bolt. The second a photo of the rifle with my other .22 Enfields

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[Promo]

Faris had serial T10024 in his collection. It came with both single shot and 5-rd magazine which were both matching numbers to the rifle and had interchangeable inserts.

Edit: dug out my file. It was sold as lot 2006 at Poulin 4/2017 auction. Estimate was $ 4000 to $ 6000. Hammer price was $ 3000 (without BP).

[Warren]

If you want photo's of the single shot platform, PM me and I will get back to you.
Might take a day or two.
Here are one of each model of the No.5 .22 cal.

[Surpmil]

Nice to see you here Warren.

[303 Gunner]

Here are one of each model of the No.5 .22 cal.

Thanks so much for the photos Warren! I wasn't aware there was another model of the No. 5 .22. BSA-made as well?