No.1 MK3 British Enfield Trainer, SMLE

[P0H0]

How common is the No.1 MK3 British Enfield Trainer, SMLE? I have a opportunity to purchase one that is in mint condition.

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

If it is a 'trainer' it will be in calibre .22rf and is no longer called a No1 Mk3 (MkIII) whilst it is an 'ex' No1 Mk3 (MkIII) it has a model number of its own.
It will be a variant of the No2 rifle.

Not paticularly rare -not found every day, but unlike 'service rifles' that were used in battle the trainers stayed at home so losses were minimal.

Various version - some less easily found than others but the most common by far is the No2 MkIV* that were manufactured in India Australia and England

The various marks.

.22 RF PATTERN 1914 SHORT RIFLE No. 2
Approved 28th April 1916 (LoC 17755) for Land Service, this is the first rifle made from up from an original SMLE Mk III. Again, the .303 barrel was bored out and a .22 calibre liner inserted. Conversions were done by A.G. Parker & Co. Ltd. and Wesley Richards & Co. Some 1,743 conversions reported.

.22 RF SHORT RIFLE PATTERN 1918
Approved 10th July 1918 (LoC 21675) for Land Service, this rifle is unique in that it used a dummy .303 cartridge as a holder or conveyor for the .22 rimfire cartridge. The .22 barrel liner was soldered into place after the chamber. About 975 conversions done by W.W. Greener Co.

.22 SHORT RIFLE Mk IV
Approved 19th November 1921 (LoC 24909) for Land Service, this rifle starts out with a used SMLE Mk III or Mk III* (like the 1914 Short Rifle No. 2, above) but uses a solid, not tubed, barrel. Total number of conversions done by RSAF Enfield unknown.

RIFLE No.2 Mk IV*
Same rifle as above; just a change in nomenclature adopted in 1926. This rifle was the principal trainer for the next thirty years and was widely produced by in Britain, Australia and India. Issued in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and India, a variety of issue and ownership marks can be found on these rifles. At least 30,000 conversions made by the various factories.

[P0H0]

The knowledge here is incredible — thank you so much Alan.

[Lance]

Check the serial number, if it is a Lithgow made rifle with a "T" serial number it is a put-together rifle made up of left over parts

[CoatiMundi]

Glad you brought that up, Lance. That’s what came to mind because it kinda looks to me like an Lithgow in the pics.

P0H0, I really like mine, it’s fun and of course cheap to shoot.

[30Three]

The condition of the rifle would suggest a rebuild and new woodwork. The Training rifles were in constant use; after military use they went to cadet's and club's etc.
It would be rare to find one without a few dents.

There are some that may have been converted on civilian contract; as they do not have the usual markings changing the model of the military conversions.

These are great fun to shoot.
Here's one of my .22's, a 1918 SMLE MkIII* conversion, all original.

[browningautorifle]

I think the big rifles in .22 shoot wonderfully. I always liked ours.

[P0H0]

I was watching some YouTube videos on the UK trainer rifles last night — I agree it does appear to be a Lithgow. I understand Lithgow to be Australian, is that correct?

Lance - i will let you know if it has a “T” serial number when I get more photos.

Yeah, the rifles certainly do like a lot fun — I have a lot of 22LR around too.

30Three - You rifles appears to be a legit trainer, I wonder what the A designation was for?

[30Three]

The "A" on the butt has been there a while. No proof of what it's for; but I suspect it could be for a cadet squad identificaction or similar.
But my daughter's name start's with "A" so she is quite attached to this rifle. She enjoy's shooting it too.

[P0H0]

I bought the rifle and it’s on its way. The rifle does have a “T” in the serial — photos below: