Hi All. I have just acquired an Enfield .22 Trainer from a friend of mine who's father had in his collection but has recently passed away. Initially i thought it was a '.22 Short Rifle Mk1*' but on closer look i'm not sure what i have. It Has the original Lee Metford Mk 1* markings on the RH side of butt socket, but no conversion markings on LH side? The magazine has been replaced with a wooden magazine insert and a metal loading platform with a spent case ejector. Cutoff has been removed but rifle retains bolt & bolt head covers & also rear lobbing sight. The barrel is a solid .22 RF marked barrel that has been crudely shortened to 21" & is bent upwards. I'm assuming the barrel is for the '.22 Long Rifle Mk 1, 1* or Mk II. The rear sight is marked from 25 to 200. The front sight protector is .22 stamped & has curved ears as per the '.22 Short Rifle Mk 1 & Mk1*. The rifle operates & ejects the spent cases flawlessly. Please look at the attached photos & let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.
Your rifle is a converted C.G. Bonehill .22 MLM, #135 out of 300 commissioned in 1914 arriving in 1915 using retired MLM Mark I/I* rifles, not much is known about them. Your rifle has had its original barrel shortened with the foresight sweated on and front sight protector attached to make it in profile with a .22 Short Rifle Mark I most likely by an NZ armorer due to sold-out-of-service markings on the body and barrel. The modifications might of occurred post-service but I doubt it unless something bad happened to the end of the barrel requiring it to be cut.
Very interesting rifle and history - I have a similar pattern rifle but converted from a commercial LSA Mk1* rifle with a Tippins barrel - probably after the war.
It does not have the ejector device like yours though.
My firing pin will not come out as it appears the bolt head has been peened over, maybe too much dry firing which will take some delicate work to free up.
PM
