Hi, I have spent several days searching for information on a Lithgow No 2 SMLE III* 22 trainer but have come up empty handed. Can anyone tell about this rifle? Thanks
Printable View
Hi, I have spent several days searching for information on a Lithgow No 2 SMLE III* 22 trainer but have come up empty handed. Can anyone tell about this rifle? Thanks
Did you try typing the phrase lithgow trainer in the search box located at the top right corner of the forum? ;)
Regards,
Doug
That would be a No.2Mk.IV*. A common .22 trainer conversion. What information are you looking for?
.22 SHORT RIFLE Mk IV
Approved 19th November 1921 (LoC 24909) for Land Service, this rifle starts out with a used SMLE Mk III or Mk III* but uses a solid, not tubed, barrel. Total number of conversions done by RSAF Enfield unknown.
RIFLE No.2 Mk IV*
Same rifle as above; just a change in nomenclature adopted in 1926. This rifle was the principal trainer for the next thirty years and was widely produced by in Britain, Australia and India. Issued in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and India, a variety of issue and ownership marks can be found on these rifles. At least 30,000 conversions made by the various factories.
The * addition to the designation was for the empty magazine case added around the time of the change from the .22 SHORT RIFLE to No2 designation & iirc the year before, while the main difference between this model & the previous Patt '14 No2 SMLE trainer was the solid vs tubed barrel there was a concession made for fitting existing stocks of tubed barrels to the new trainer to use those stocks up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield
As above plus a joy to shoot and seem to be appreciating in value.