A Neat .22 Trainer... With Provenance

[SpikeDD]

How often does one of our acquisitions come with any history? Almost never! Here is a neat little trainer I am hoping to make a trade deal on. It has a very interesting hang tag that indicates where it may have last been used. Oddly enough, as interesting as the hang tag information is, it is not really what I'm after the rifle for. Over the years I have become a big fan of the BSA FTR rifles and have at least a dozen or so examples. Most are No.4's and the earliest FTR date I have seen is 1954. I have a couple of Mk.III's with 1953 dates, but I have never come across a Mk.III with a 1954 date. I know there must be a bunch of them out there but I just haven't seen any. I guess this will also set up a quest for a No.4 with a BSA 1953 date on it

Other points of interest with this rifle.... It seems to have been FTR'd as a .22. I believe the SHt 22 IV* is pre 1926? There is a view date of 31' next to the safety with a Enfield inspection mark on the receiver ring, just under the serial number. Probably the arsenal which did the .22 conversion? It also sports a No.4 band and modified No.4 buttstock. Also note the post war broad arrow "house" looking inspection marks behind the trigger guard and on either side of the serial number on the barrel.

Maybe someone can shed some light on the hang tag info.

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