Question - Sht.22 Mk.I

[englishman_ca]

The Sht.22 Mk.I is a conversion of a Mk.I Lee Metford rifle to provide a training rifle with a similar weight and balance of the SMLE. Even the sight picture with its front & rear sight protector ears was designed to be similar.

My question is regarding the trigger group and pull off.

On conversion, the Mk.I rifle bolt was modified by fitting an improved Deeley type bolt head and by removing the dust cover and lugs.

The original rifle's trigger group was single stage....so my question is...

Did this trainer get fitted with a two stage trigger as per the SMLE?

I have come across a stash of Mk.I parts and there is a couple of Mk.I cocking pieces with a bent that appears to have been reground to the angle of that of a two stage jobby.
I fitted it to a Mk.I rifle with original style single stage trigger and sear. The angle of the bent makes a huge difference in pull off. The bent being more perpendicular, it makes pull off very heavy. The two bump two stage trigger obviously has more mechanical advantage.

I am just wondering if these were modified for use on the trainer. I cant think of any other retrofit where they might be used.
Unlikely that they would have been used on an SMLE as the safety catch cut outs are different and would not work.

Information

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[englishman_ca]

Now that time has passed, I can answer my own question based upon my own observations.

The Sht 22 Mk.I appeared in 1907 and had a single stage trigger using the original MLM trigger group.

There was a retrofit program starting in 1912 where the two stage trigger and sear was fitted to mimic the SMLE. The original MLM cocking piece was reground with a steeper angle of the bent to suit.

If the cocking piece was ever changed out for repair, a Sht.LE cocking piece was used as the replacement.

[Gav]

Very interesting and nice to know, my trainer still has the MLM cocking piece and a very nice pull.

During the next "deep clean" I'll have to look at what's under the timber.

Cheers for you info.