No2 MkIV*

The No2 MkIV* Rifle

The No2 MkIV*, 22 caliber training rifle was made to simulate the exact weight of it's big brother the No1 MkIII*. All outer appearances and mechanical operations were the same as for the .303 version, the exception being that as a .22 this rifle was a single shot. The magazine was merely a shell, which excluded the follower and spring; its purpose was to catch the extracted cases after firing. These rifles were made/converted from worn out .303's. The conversion consisted, more or less, of changing the bolthead to accommodate a rimfire striker and extractor, removing the magazine follower and spring. Removing the magazine cut-off (if present) and fitting a new .22 caliber barrel. Lastly, re-marking it as a No2 MkIV*.

Right-side buttsocket marking: The original Crown, GR, Enfield (manufacturer) and manufacture date remain as well as the Sht part of the Sht LE. The remainder having been filed off and replaced with .22 IV*.

The muzzle maintains the exact features of the full sized .303, right down to being able to mount a bayonet. Also like the .303, its serial numbers can be found in the same places.

A fine example of the commercial Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) logo, 3 piled rifles.

Seen are the matching serial numbers on the barrel knox form and receiver ring. Note the two inspection proof stamps.

A comparison between the .22 trainer (left) and the standard .303 (right) extractors.

Visible on the left side of the magazine is the 22 stamp. To distinguish it, while off the rifle, as being a 22 trainer mag. So the Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) didn't have a fit, when he noticed it was missing the follower and spring.

A good example of a Butt Disc, being a bit cryptic they were not the easiest things to de-cipher. This one appears to suggest a Taken-On-Strength (TOS) date of Jan 1931, 2nd Regiment Royal Artillery and perhaps a stores rack number 750. Also seen clearly in this photo are two Canadian C Broad Arrow stamps indicating Canadian government ownership. Which leads me to question the Royal Artillery Unit Disc.

The Canadian C Broad Arrow stamped into the barrel. Also seen on the receiver ring, are more inspection proofs.

Pictured is the armourer's sight adjusting notes I found in the butt trap. It gives the rear sight settings for firing at 40-45 yards and at 25 feet. Dated 27 January 1952 and signed.