.22 RF Pattern 1914 Short rifle No.1

[Buccaneer]

I have a particular "thing" about sub calibre training rifles and was lucky enough to find this one at the recent "Pheonix" meeting at Bisley. The rifle started life as a Mark 1* Lee Enfield made by B.S.A. & Co in 1901, it was then converted at Enfield in 1905 into a "SMLE Rifle Mk11 Cond", it's fitted with a mag cut off so it was done for the Navy. It's final incarnation saw it being converted by A.G.Parker into a ".22 RF Pattern 1914 No1". This was done by boreing out the .303 barrel and fitting a "Parker Tube" .22 liner. Considering its age and the amount of work that has been done over the years it is not in bad condition with a very good bore. This rifle is like a history book as there are proof / inspection / identifaction marks on almost every surface!!! Page 485 of "The Lee Enfield" has a full description for anyone who may be interested.
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Information

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[Claven2]

Fantastic find - thanks for sharing it

[gsimmons]

What a great rifle! I have one like it and it's probably my favourite Enfield.

[xa-coupe]

just magnificent ...

[Buccaneer]

I have just been doing some research on this rifle and it would appear that less than 450 of this pattern were made, so the smile on my face has just got even wider!!!

[Demo]

Very nice rifle. Congratulations.

[Son]

Congratulations! Mine is one of my favourite rifles too.- shame about the replacement bolthead, but truly magnificent anyway!

Have you taken it to the range yet?

[Buccaneer]

I only bought it two days ago but it will be off to the range very soon, will let you know how I get on.
The ".22 No2" strengthened bolthead was fitted as an update for the Short Rifle .22 inch RF Mark 1 in December 1910 and therefore could have been fitted at any time as the Pattern 14 was not approved until May 1915 but as you point out it is probably not the original.

[bigduke6]

Very nice and a great find, one of the reasons I didnt go, was to stop myself from buying anything, plus need the money to pay two forum members for some items.

If I had of seen that, It would be a case of bending the plastic a bit further....

[Son]

LoC entry 17320 (24 May 1915) is the introduction of the rifle. The bolthead is listed as one of the converted components and gives a very brief description of the process.

I see you say trainers are an interest of yours... Is this your first Enfield? If so, you will have a ball with it at the range, if not, then you already know how much fun these are!
Can we have a range report after you've fired it? Most users will tell you that standard velocity ammo seems to be more accurate in the Lee Enfield trainers than anything else.
What about your experiences?