Lee Enfield training rifle

[tankerman]

Hello All,

First post on the renewed site. I have a question regarding a LEE ENFIELD
No. IV* .22 training rifle. I have an opportunity to buy this rifle but the seller is asking me for a fair price. Yea, I know, I don't like that either.

The rifle is a 1953 Australian rebuild. The front wood is coachwood.. The buttstock is a darker wood.
Metal is parkerized
Left side rec. ring marked ENFIELD/1905/SHT LE/ ###IV* in lines from top
Top of rec. flat marked 9.E.3
Left side of Rec at chamber N /\ Z
Right side at chamber 760
Righr side rec. ring marked Sht 22 / III / EFD in 3 lines
Bolt knob marked DP
Bolt head marked 22No2C
Rt side has slot for magazine cut-off and the stock is cut out this area but
no part of the rec. goes into the cut-out, perhaps done for a later rec.

Overall condition is about 95%. Minor scratches on stock and metal. Exc. bore. Comes with period sling, 1943 dtd. Aust muzzle cover / India pattern bayonet w/no scabbard and scattered pitting ( from poor storage as finish is 98% on bayo.

OK, what would be a fair price to offer the owner? Few on GunB to gauge price from.

Thanks,
tankerman

GOOD TO HAVE CSP BACK!!!

[n64atlas]

Are there any import marks on the rifle? You may have to look close as JJCO New York imported some of these along with parts that they assembled into rifles. Mine is marked JJCO NY NY in very small letters on the rightside receiver bridge. Average price for just the rifle was $450-$500 but that was a few years ago. The bayonet has added value as does the sling, but I'm not up on those prices.

[tankerman]

Hello Atlas; No import stamps that I find with magnifying glass. I went to local shop to look at LE's. The cut-out in the stock is for the rt. side of the charger guide which was cut off at left side slot. Must have been arsenal done as it is neatly done and re-finishe d with rest of the rifle. Saw a JJCO rifle, beautiful work, I believe they have a A or B suffix serial #.. I was "guessing" this piece was worth about what you say. It really is an attractive rifle. Hard to believe how old some of the parts are. Thanks, AL

[usmc69]

I'll pick up an Mk 2 No.IV trainer on Tuesday. I am getting it for $350. Will post the particulars then and some pictures. Are the bolts on these S/N'd to the rifle? It dated 1941 and was a BSA if I remember correctly.

[tankerman]

Hello USMC69. Look forward to pics to compare. As far as I know bolts not #'ed.

[usmc69]

Hello to you, tankerman. I am looking forward to picking it up. All the S/N's I could see matched. I do not remember seeing any import marks on it.

[rayfromnz]

I have a few Trainers and find then by far the most fun to use compared with standard L/Es
Great to see the faces on the range when the supposed .303 makes the slight crack of a .22

The bolt is matched on my No 2 Mk1V, everything matches but it is not uncommon for the bolt to be forced or non-matching

[usmc69]

Hello USMC69. Look forward to pics to compare. As far as I know bolts not #'ed.

I went and picked it up this morning. Paid $450 for it and a leather U.S. 1918 dated '03/M1 Sling.

[usmc69]

More pictures......

[usmc69]

Sorry about the multiple posts, but this forum only allows for 5 pictures per post. If any one knows what are the marking are please inform me. Thanks.

[usmc69]

Are there any import marks on the rifle? You may have to look close as JJCO New York imported some of these along with parts that they assembled into rifles. Mine is marked JJCO NY NY in very small letters on the rightside receiver bridge. Average price for just the rifle was $450-$500 but that was a few years ago. The bayonet has added value as does the sling, but I'm not up on those prices.

n64atlas,

I just found JJCO NY NY below the reciever bridge on the right side as yours is marked, the JJ is so faintly struck that you can just barely see the bottoms of the J's.

I also did not photograph other markings on the stock as they as very faint. They are "No 2 Mk IV*" and a date of "1945".

[tankerman]

Thanks for the photos. Nice rifle, mine is VERY similar except that it was built on a No1MKIII action. Also, the charger guide bridge on mine was removed, why I do not know but it was a neat job.

OA is I believe Ordnance australia
MA munitions Australia
FTR Factory thru (thorough) rebuild
X is actually a released from service mark

Very nice rifle. You should be pleased.

I'll post pice=s when I learn new camera

Thanks for sharing,

Tankerman

[usmc69]

I rubbed in some linseed oil tonight as the stock was very dry. While I was doing that some more stampings on the buttstock were visable. MAO SMLE MK III* HV 1945. Any guesses as to what rhat means?

[John Sukey]

MAO: Orange Small Arms Factory No3 New South Wales

HV is irrelevant in this case since it means the rifle is sighted for Mk7 .303 ammunition and its now a .22;)

[usmc69]

I rubbed in some linseed oil tonight as the stock was very dry. While I was doing that some more stampings on the buttstock were visable. MAO SMLE MK III* HV 1945. Any guesses as to what rhat means?

I put some linseed oil on it last night. Stock looks better and you can see the buttstock marking better.

[tankerman]

Nice piece USMC69. I looked at mine again for JJ markings. I cannot find any. Strange also about my charger guide bridge being removed. However, it does give the receiver a smoother look. Does anybody know why the charger guide would be removed?

[usmc69]

Nice piece USMC69. I looked at mine again for JJ markings. I cannot find any. Strange also about my charger guide bridge being removed. However, it does give the receiver a smoother look. Does anybody know why the charger guide would be removed?

Check Trainer on another forum http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2495139&postcount=46

It looks to me like the receiver bridge is gone.

[n64atlas]

The Jon Jovino markings are very small and lightly hit. If you didn't know where to look, you may not see them. Even trying to "highlight" them is difficult I'll see if I can get mine to be more readable. Mine is also on a Lithgow receiver, 1944 with a 7/45 over struck 44 buttstock date.Serial number on bolt matches the receiver. I do have a Lithgow 303 to go with it. Will try to get some pics up.

[usmc69]

Gentleman,

I have found a quandry on my rifle. I have a S/N of D1414 on the chamber and on the cap below the muzzle. Reference the pictures. I also have a S/N on the bolt inside the handle of V2614 and on the flat on the butt socket above the MA LITHGOW is also V2614. Guesses?

[n64atlas]

I believe that is what they call "forced match" the original bolt may have been unserviceable i'e didn't headspace with the 22 bolt head so they used another bolt and stamped that number on the receiver.

[usmc69]

I believe that is what they call "forced match" the original bolt may have been unserviceable i'e didn't headspace with the 22 bolt head so they used another bolt and stamped that number on the receiver.

Took mine out and shot it today. While I had it in my shoulder I looked at the rear flat of the bolt handle. On it was D 1414 and DPT stamped on the flat, also a British Proof and a Broad Arrow. So I am guessing the bolt is the original to the rifle and the other S/N must be the S/N of the .22 rebuild program? Best guesses?

[usmc69]

First rounds on target were about 8 inches low and 4-5 inches to the left of a six o'clock hold on a 4 inch bull at 50 yards. Using a bench and a rest. Raised the rear sight eventually up to the 550 meters marks and the shots were level with the bull. Drifted the front sight over until centered (of course we went the wrong way at first). Now can keep all shots for the most part inside the 8 ring on a bull that goes as low as a 7 ring. Old eyes and battle sights do not make for great accuracy. It is a hoot to shoot....no recoil at all...one of the several Range Officers that shot it said "if you were deaf you'd never know it had fired". Think I'll keep it.

[JimF]

The "FTR" on the receiver ring (or the Threaded Hood as the Brits call it) stands for "Factory Thorough Repair". --Jim

[John Sukey]

Keep in mind the British aim at the centre of the target, not at six o'clock

[usmc69]

Keep in mind the British aim at the centre of the target, not at six o'clock

John,

That maybe the case for the Brit's. However, we, Jarheads, were taught a 6 O'clock hold. Worked well for me to qual as an Expert many times over....so will stick with it.

AJ