^Lot 279 Rare British Royal Navy .22 Short Mk II Lee Enfield Bolt Action Training Rifle

Rare British Royal Navy .22 Short Mk II Lee Enfield Bolt Action Training Rifle, #6978,.22 LR cal., 25.2'' barrel, blued finish, walnut stock set and handguard, blade front sight with rounded protectors, and tangent rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation, graduated to 2000 yards. Rifle was converted from a Mark II Lee Metford and is marked with original ''(Crown)/V.R./ENFIELD./1894/II.'' on right side of the action body and with ''ENFIELD/1912/SHT 22/II'' conversion markings on the left side below an ''N'' Naval property stamp. There are Victorian and Edwardian proof stamps on the receiver ring. There is a barred out ''RM SPARKBROOK/1.*'' roundel stamped on right side of the buttstock. Bolt does not match. Rifle retains early features including handguard with attached sight protectors, long range aperture sight and dial plate, early magazine assembly, bolt body with hooks, groove for steel dustcover, buttstock with long buttplate tang, and single point rear sling swivel. Condition overall is very good, retaining approx. 85% blue, showing wear, and toning with spots of patina to the bolt body. Wood is good with numerous impressions and handling marks scattered throughout. There is a white painted ''47'' rack number on right side of the buttstock. Action operates smoothly. Bore rates fair to poor with old pitting and visible rifling. A rare rifle as approximately 1,000 were produced, per ''THE LEE ENFIELD'' by Ian Skennerton, 2007 by Arms & Militaria Press. Est.:$1,000-$1,500. (Antique)