No2 MkIV*
The No2 MkIV* Rifle

The No2 MkIV*, 22 caliber
training rifle was made to simulate the exact weight of it's big brother the
No1 MkIII*. All outer appearances and mechanical operations were the same as
for the .303 version, the exception being that as a .22 this rifle was a single
shot. The magazine was merely a shell, which excluded the follower and spring;
its purpose was to catch the extracted cases after firing.
These rifles were made/converted from worn out .303's. The conversion
consisted, more or less, of changing the bolthead to accommodate a rimfire
striker and extractor, removing the magazine follower and spring. Removing the
magazine cut-off (if present) and fitting a new .22 caliber barrel. Lastly,
re-marking it as a No2 MkIV*.

Right-side buttsocket marking:
The original Crown, GR,

The muzzle maintains the exact features of the full
sized .303, right down to being able to mount a bayonet. Also like the .303,
its serial numbers can be found in the same places.

A fine example of the commercial Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) logo, 3 piled rifles.

Seen are the matching serial numbers on the barrel
knox form and receiver ring. Note the two inspection proof stamps.

A comparison between the .22 trainer (left) and the
standard .303 (right) extractors.

Visible on the left side of the magazine is the 22
stamp. To distinguish it, while off the rifle, as being a 22 trainer mag. So
the Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) didn't have a fit, when he noticed it
was missing the follower and spring.

A good example of a Butt Disc, being a bit cryptic
they were not the easiest things to de-cipher. This one appears to suggest a Taken-On-Strength
(TOS) date of Jan 1931, 2nd Regiment Royal Artillery and perhaps a stores rack
number 750. Also seen clearly in this photo are two Canadian C Broad Arrow
stamps indicating Canadian government ownership. Which leads me to question the
Royal Artillery Unit Disc.

The Canadian C Broad Arrow stamped into the barrel.
Also seen on the receiver ring, are more inspection proofs.

Pictured
is the armourer's sight adjusting notes I found in the butt trap. It gives the
rear sight settings for firing at 40-45 yards and at 25 feet. Dated 27 January
1952 and signed.
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