New to me Lee Metford Trainer

[lgcal20ga]

Just acquired this from Empire Arms (their pic is the first one below), and looking for more information if any is available. EA indicated it was built in ca 1893, but I can't find a date anywhere on it. Barrel is marked on the muzzle "Parkerifled AGP" and looks like its a sleeve. Top wood is gone, as well as the volley sights. Bore was "ball burnished" by Vickers or Fulton, probably when the conversion was done. Have not shot it yet, but I will. And a magazine came with it, empty. Original magazine cutoff is still in place.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated. LarryAttachment 64792Attachment 64801Attachment 64800Attachment 64799Attachment 64798Attachment 64797Attachment 64796Attachment 64795Attachment 64794Attachment 64793Attachment 64802

Information

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[boltaction]

That is an interesting rifle, and it's hard to know what to make of it. It is commercial production receiver, not military, as can be seen by the plain BSA marking on the butt socket. The serial number as well is commerical, not military. The receiver looks like a Long Lee type, and the bolt with the dust cover is definitely Long Lee, not SMLE. However, the barrel is off an SMLE, as none of the long Lees had that tangent barrel sight. The "ears" on the front sight are the type usually seen on the CLLE. My best guess would be a commercial production Long Lee Enfield or Metford (usually private purchase or for clubs) which was subsequently converted to .22 and equipped with the SMLE .22 converted barrel. Whether it was ever left in full wood kit and then subsequently sporterized, or whether the "bobbing" was done at the time of conversion is hard to know. I would bet the former, just based on the workmanship. Nice that it still has its original commercial numbered bolt. I have a .22 Long Lee, commercial with just the BSA markings on it, still in full wood configuration.

Ed

[bigduke6]

I suspect the barrel was from a (RF Short. Mk.II) see link below, only a guess going by the fore sight protector.

http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Enfield_R...rison_page.htm