.22 Short Rifle Mk IV*

[Lance]

Greetings All.

Massively bored as my job has been drastically affected by Mr. COVID. No work today so I decided to visit my .22 Short Rifle Mk IV* (and .22 Short Mk IV, and Rifle No.2 Mk IV*).

One could base an entire collection on collecting different variations of just this model of Lee Enfield and looking at mine there are at least 4 more I would like to find. Currently, my collection is at 7 most I have posted before but here they are all together.

Pictures are not the best, waiting for Santa to bring a new camera this year!

From the top:

1922 reworked .22 Short Mk III in NZ. The addition of a "IV*" might of been done then or post-1926? It is basically still in Mk III status but was remarked to streamline the paperwork. Previously it was a 1907 Enfield converted ConD II* and before that a LMC. The "IV*" on this rifle was added to the ConD II* marks.

1922 reworked .22 Short Mk III in NZ. As above it is basically still in Mk III status. Previously it was a 1907 Enfield converted ConD II* and before that a LSA MLM/MLE. The "IV*" was overstamped on the original "III" on this example.

1924 barrel dated (and I will assume converted) from a 1915 BSA Mk III, Canadian ownership with Cooey Model 10 sight added and original rear sight removed.

1928 NZ converted 1908 Enfield SMLE Mk III. Armour conversion with hand stamp markings, a beautiful 1908 that made it through two wars basically untouched.

1941 Parker Hale conversion of a 1917 BSA SMLE MK III* (which was later upgraded to a Mk III status). Marked as a Rifle No.2 Mk IV* it has a tubed barrel which was approved with the current designation (prior to 1926 it would of been a .22 Patt.14 No.2)

1942 Ishapore converted SMLE Mk III*. As with many Ishapore conversions, all the original markings have been removed. This example was upgrated again in 1962 with a rear mounted sight, I assume to mimic the SLR for training.

1951 Lithgow conversion (based on the barrel date, might of been converted earlier??) of a 1908 Enfield ConD IV, which was originally a 1901 LSA MLE Mk I*. No.2 Mk IV* markings added over the ConD IV marks. Well beat up, but after 50 years in the service who isn't?

Information

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[Ovidio]

Great collection, congratulations!
I don’t know what you might think of that, but here in Italy we have a few no.1’s modidied at Terni arsenan with the Garand rear sight.
They are very particular and are also quite appreciated by shooters.
Have you ever heard about them?

[Lance]

Yes I have, on my want list! I have not had a chance to purchase on yet, but I am looking!!!

[Ovidio]

Good luck then!

[NORTHOF60]

Lovely collection - I envy you!

[HarryB]

Great collection Lance and nicely displayed.

[Roger Payne]

Yep, lovely Lance. I have three .22 SMLE's but they're all in bits or have been smoothbored! But maybe one day I'll get them rebuilt & looking like yours.

[browningautorifle]

Always loved the full size rifles done in .22. They handle smoothly and shoot great because they're steady and solid... I just can't afford them now.

[Alan de Enfield]

A while ago I had taken a few Enfield's to the 75 metre (82 yard) range for a 'play-day' I had finished shooting one and during the 'cease fire, replace targets' I changed to another rifle.

Firing started again and the Range Officer called for a cease fire and to lay down all firearms due to a missfire.
He approached me and suggested I had a F t F, or a 'squib' but that I certainly had a problem.

I had changed from my No4 to my 'identical looking' No7 (from a 303 to a .22rf) and the lack of 'bang' resulted in the cease fire - O' how we laughed.

The redeeming feature of using a .22rf on a 75m range is that after firing, you have time to go and get a cup of tea and a sticky-bun and still be back in time to see the bullet hit the target.

[Promo]

I don’t know what you might think of that, but here in Italy we have a few no.1’s modidied at Terni arsenan with the Garand rear sight.
They are very particular and are also quite appreciated by shooters.

Can you please share pictures of how this looks like?