No1 MkIII .22 A.G. Parker SMLE Trainer……..SOLD
Created on July 11th 2012
A really nice A.G. Parker Converted SMLE .22 Rifle
This .22 SMLE trainer has the matching serial number marked on both the breech and bolt handle 9739.
Of standard specification for a SMLE except the Long Lee Butt stock. This SMLE is 44.3/4″ in overall length. The barrel is 25.3/4″ in length. The trigger pull to center is 13.1/2″ inches long.
The rifle is stocked in a nicely dark British Walnut with a pleasing patina all over. It has a Long-Lee brass butt-plate with cleaning trap. The rifle is fitted with three sling swivels but no stacking hook. It has attached a 1940’s webbing sling which is stamped with the date and manufacturer – indistinct, ” H & …….LTD /194..”
The rear sight has windage adjustment but has been altered in the conversion. The 300 yard mark has been replace by a 25 yard marking, and the ramp altered. The sight protectors are the early “dished” type. On the underside of the ladder the sight has been marked within the rifles serial number.
The breech shows many government inspection marks and an elongated gas escape hole on the LHS. The top of the breech is marked with the following; “A.G.PARKER / BIRMINGHAM” the top of the knox form, which is just visible has the logo “BISLEY WORKS / AGP” in triangular form, and a Nitro proof mark. The RHS wrist is marked with the following; “Crown / G.R. / B.S.A.&Co./1916 / SHT LE / III” The bolt has the early “D” shaped cocking piece. The safety in marked with the normal “III” Many other parts marked with government inspection marks.
The trigger is the serrated two stage type. The blueing on this rifle overall is in good condition with a strong percentage remaining all over. The main “aging” is on the bayonet and muzzle cap which is turning to a pleasing plumb brown. Ten shot .303 magazine – non matching with painted finish. The butt stock has a number indented onto it which is 1932 which does not seem to bear any reference to the rest of the rifle. There are no cracks in the wrist. The wooden stocks are in fine condition with a very even pleasing dark patina to them. Altogether the rifle is very rich in colour to look at. The action works smoothly and the bore is in very good condition. The writer has shot the rifle and found it grouped well and once the sights were adjusted, was accurate and consistent. A pleasure to use, with a long stretch of life left in it.
The firm of A.G.Parker from Birmingham started life around 1880 and supplied the Parker-Hiscock magazine for earlier training rifles. The conversions they produced were a sleeving of the .303 barrel usually from “tired” rifles. The firm later merged into Parker-Hale of Birmingham.
Stock code: f 272
£ SOLD
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