SHT 22 Mk.2

[Gundoc]

Well Mr. jmoore you are exactly right about the magazine. I searched the links provided by bigduke and found the Tyneside Scots, Tyneside Irish and the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers Reg.. I had to wonder why a unit would mark the rifle as to location instead of using something like NFR-5. Does the N by the base of the volley sight refer to Naval issue? Another search found the 4th HMS Tyne was launched in 1878, in 1919 had 1 12 pounder and 2 6 pounders, served as a troopship, and sank in 1920. What are the thoughts on this finding?
Gundoc

[bigduke6]

Gundoc,

I did say it was a stab in the dark, but i got my dates mixed up regarding markings and regiment abbreviations which changed in 1881 so like you say the Northumberland Fusilers equipment were marked NF.

The fact that the rifle was approved for naval use (1912) and then two years later the start of WW1, with this in mind and regarding the shortage of kit for recruits the rifle could of ended up anywere but with the "TYNE 5" it definitely has something to do with Tyneside, possibly a training battalion but for which force i dont know.

The link here provides info on the (Army) Training Battalions during WW1

The Training Reserve of the British army of 1914-1918

[303 Collector]

Hi Gundoc
I'm not very knowledgeable but here is my "guess" about your rifle.
Its a very nice .22 short rifle Mk11. It started life as a .303, probably a Mk11
Lee Metford. Around 1912 it was converted to .22 and used by the Royal Navy as a training rifle. The little "N" above the front volley sight denotes this.
When converted the magazine was removed as being a .303 magazine it served no purpose. Later on a magazine case may have been added to catch the spent .22 cases.

Apart from the incorrect magazine I believe it has the wrong rear top wood. Originally it would have been the type found on SMLE Mk 1 series rifles with the sight protector wings. I would imagine at some time it got broken and a later top wood added. Just out of interest I have similar rifle number 718

My feelings on the "Tyne" marking is a bit different to the other answers.
I believe most .22 rifles were used for shore based cadet training.
If you check on the net "TS Tyne" is a sea cadet training unit based in Newcastle. This rifle may have been one of their cadet training rifles at some time. I'm not sure but I think the TS stands for "training ship" even though its a shore based unit. The "5" after Tyne just being the 5th rifle of their stock of rifles.

[Peter Laidler]

Eric is correct about the TS Tyne markings.

A similar situation arises where you get just 4 numbers stamped on the stocks of No7 and 8 rifles, such as 6160 which indicates the Air Training Corps squadron (RASF Cadet Force really....). We used to encounter this at workshops where we'd change, say, a split No8 butt for a new one and return the rifle. The old butt would be repaired in the fullness of time, then go back on another Cadet rifle....., to a different unit and they'd think that we'd swopped rifles around.

On the other hand, we'd swop them around just to be bloody minded!

[jmoore]

You don't mean it, I'm sure.

[Son]

Eric, The magazine shell was in the rifle as received, I am sure it is not correct but it is handy to catch spent cases, and can be removed if one wants. I am not aware of markings from navel use. Thanks all for the replies.
Gundoc

The "N" on the left side of the butt socket indicates it was converted for the Navy, as were all of the model.
Mine was an 1898 LE MkI* (with another "I" mark and neither struck out...) originally made at the Sparkbrook factory.

Yours looks to have been an 1896 Lee Enfield MkI made at the BSA factory.

[bigduke6]

Eric has a good point about, T S Tyne, but If the rifle did end its career with the Sea cadets, am sure it would of been marked T.S Tyne, and anything to do with a training ship would be, "TS" marked.