Lee Enfiled Sparkbrook 22 conversion help - better pix of proofs

[jimmyjazz]

Just picked up this 22 conversion built on what apperas to be a No 1 Lee Enfield.
Not familiar with the maker Sparkbrook so any help identifying the proofs and if it's safe to use would be great appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[John Sukey]

The government purchased the National Arms and ammunition factory in Montgomery street, Sparkbrook, Birmingham in 1886 though it did not produce complete arms until 1889. This then became RSAF Sparkbrook. At the start of WW1 it was peoducing car parts and engineering tools but was then converted to small arms

Why wouldn't it be safe to use? You are not going to damage a .303 that's been downsized to a .22

 

[smellie]

John is riht, of course.

This started off as a (long) Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle mark I* in 1900. When the SMLE came in it was converted to SMLE status as a Converted Mark IV and then it was later converted to .22" bore for use as a training rifle.

NICE catch!

The Buttstock Markings give us a great deal of THIS rifle's history. Can you post a clearer close-up of these or, better yet, give us a transcript of what is there? I am sure that someone here will be able to put the tale together.

Sparkbrook built numbers of LEIs and LEI*s and then VERY small numbers of the first SMLEs. They are said to have built a TINY number of SMLE Mark III rifles very early in 1907, but that would have been under BSA administration. The Government sold the plant to BSA in 1906, after which it was used to make a few spare parts and then closed down. It was seized BACK by the Government when it became obvious that the Great War was going to last more than a couple of months, re-opened yet again and operated as Birmingham Repair Factory until the end of the War.

As Birmingham Repair, its inspectorate punches used a SCRIPT (slanted) letter "B" over the Inspector number; BSA used a ROMAN (upright) "B" over the Inspector number.

Hope this helps.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Better pix of buttstock uploaded.
10/19

EY beside brass disc

CMP
----
3MP

445

Thanks for any input.

 

[woodchopper]

Very nice score

 

[Lee Enfield]

Better pix of buttstock uploaded.
10/19

EY beside brass disc

CMP
----
3MD - corrected

445

Thanks for any input.

Nothing in the Canadian 3rd Military District from 1924-42 corresponds with C.M.P. nor C.M.R. nor M.R. nor M.P.

It appears to be dated November 1919, so it could be a WWI unit which ceased to exist shortly after the war?

When did the "Cadet" units begin to be known as such? edited to add:

According to the book, it would be marked C.C.C.M.P as a cadet unit...

 

[RangeRover]

Rifle shows Australian service - CMF - Citizen's Military Forces. 3MD is the 3rd Military District - State of Victoria. The 10/19 represents, I think, the point at which the rifle was taken in service/back in service. EY of course is Emergency Use only, back when she was a full .303

 

[buffdog]

Nothing in the Canadian 3rd Military District from 1924-42 corresponds with C.M.P. nor C.M.R. nor M.R. nor M.P.

It appears to be dated November 1919, so it could be a WWI unit which ceased to exist shortly after the war?

When did the "Cadet" units begin to be known as such? edited to add:

According to the book, it would be marked C.C.C.M.P as a cadet unit...

.
.
Look at the "star" on the stock disk. Australian. As mentioned, Third Military District of Australia, not Canada.
.

 

[RangeRover]

I suppose I should modify my last post (typed up and sent in a hurry) to say "the buttstock shows sign of Australian service". Are there any markings on the knox form, specifically D-arrow-D? That would better point to Austalian service versus an Australian buttstock being added at some point later in the rifle's life.

And enjoy what's a very neat rifle.