Britains First Standard Trainer: the No 2 Mk IV*

Published on June 6, 2018
Duration: 7:45

This guide details the disassembly of the No. 2 Mk IV* Enfield Trainer, a converted SMLE used as Britain's first standardized .22 rimfire training rifle. Expert Ian McCollum demonstrates how to remove the bolt and its components, highlighting the unique offset firing pin and the magazine's function as a brass catcher. The video emphasizes the rifle's historical significance and its conversion process.

Quick Summary

The Enfield No. 2 Mk IV* was Britain's first standardized .22 rimfire training rifle, approved in 1921. Converted from SMLE rifles, it features a modified bolt with an offset firing pin and a unique magazine that functions only as a brass catcher. Its original 200-2000 yard sights were retained with a conversion table for .22 ranges.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: No. 2 Mk IV* Enfield Trainer
  2. 00:26Early British Sub-Caliber Training
  3. 00:59.22 Rimfire Adoption & Rifle Conversions
  4. 01:49No. 2 Mk IV* Standardization and Service
  5. 02:29Magazine as Brass Catcher
  6. 04:24Bolt and Barrel Conversion
  7. 06:07Unmodified Sights and Conversion Table
  8. 06:47Conclusion and Future Content

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Enfield No. 2 Mk IV* significant in British firearm history?

The No. 2 Mk IV* is significant as Britain's first standardized .22 rimfire caliber training rifle, formally approved in 1921. It was a conversion of existing SMLE rifles, adapted for cost-effective training.

How was the No. 2 Mk IV* Enfield trainer converted from a standard rifle?

The conversion involved a new barrel chambered for .22 rimfire, modifications to the bolt including an offset firing pin, and the magazine was hollowed out to act solely as a brass catcher for spent casings.

What is unique about the magazine on the No. 2 Mk IV*?

Unlike standard magazines, the No. 2 Mk IV*'s magazine is a hollowed-out shell without a follower or spring. Its sole purpose is to catch spent .22 rimfire casings, a feature added in 1925.

Can the original sights be used on the No. 2 Mk IV* trainer?

Yes, the No. 2 Mk IV* retains the standard 200-2000 yard military sights. A conversion table was provided to correlate actual .22 rimfire shooting distances with the sight markings.

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