.22 Enfield's Part 2

[Lance]

.22 Short Rifle Mk IV, .22 Short Rifle Mk IV*, Rifle No. 2 Mk IV*

The most plentiful of .22 calibre version of the Lee Enfield made from converted SMLE Mk III, III*, ConD IV and new receivers.

Many names but basically one rifle. The Mk IV* is an Mk IV that was upgraded by the addition of an empty magazine for shell collection in 1925. In 1926 British small arms were renamed thus the Mk IV* became Rifle No. 2 Mk IV*.

Approved in 1921 these conversions are found with dates into the late 1960’s early 1970’s making collecting just these types of rifles endless.

Below are two of the hundreds of different variations out there; in the previous posting, my .22 Short Rifle Mk III‘s are technically Mk IV* also!

.22 Short Mk IV converted from a 1915 BSA Mk III, I have incorrectly installed a magazine on the rifle because I had one to install. This rifle made its way to Canada (Canadian proofed all over) where it had a Cooey Model 10 rear sight installed so that it could mimic the No.4 rifle. I have found it difficult to find a receiver that has just “IV” stamping without the asterisk added.

Rifle No. 2 Mk IV* is a 1941 Parker Hale conversion from a 1917 BSA SMLE Mk III*. Due to the markings on the rifle it is possible to identify the exact contract that produced this rifle. In May 23, 1941 Parker Hale was awarded a contract for 2,000 No.2 Mk IV*’s converted from DP rifles. This rifle has had “DP” stamped into the barrel, then it was canceled and “PH” stamped above it. Also note the “PH 1941” stamp on the butt. Regulations were also relaxed due to the war effort so this rifle is fitted with a tubed barrel instead of the standard solid barrel.