Lee-Enfield Pattern 18 - ".303 cum .22" (II)

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The Rifle, Pattern '18 ".303" CUM .22"

Above and below is the unusual Pattern 18 A.G. Parker conversion of the .303" Short Magazine Lee-Enfield to .22" calibre.

This conversion (known as the .303" cum .22" ) provided what was probably the most realistic loading system and action weighting of all. The design offered rimfire cartridge "conveyors" of fullbore cartridge dimensions. Their weight and the provision of proper

magazine fire, clip loading and full-bore style ejection, gave truly representative handling characteristics. Only the noise and recoil were missing; in common with most small-bore training weapons.

(see The Williams Floating Chamber and The Morris and Aiming Tubes)

The picture to the left shows the receiver with charger guide bridge and the .22" bolt head with offset firing pin. Unlike most .22" conversions, the extractor is full width, as on the .303" parent arm. An auxiliary ejector was fitted to the left hand side of the receiver in a freshly machined slot. It was a rather agricultural addition, but proved necessary to assist in the ejection of the heavy steel conveyors (see picture below left).

The steel conveyors were smoothbored and chambered for the .22" rimfire long rifle round. A loading tool was provided to press the rounds into the conveyor, flush with the rim. It was also used to press out the fired empty case. This meant that a man had to be dedicated to clearing and loading the conveyors, not conducive to ease and speed of use. This was probably one factor in the system's limited use in the Military. It was phased out after ab

out only two years in operation. Another minor problem was that the necessary blunt end of the conveyors did sometimes result in a breech jam which the pointed full bore bullet almost (but not completely) precluded. The most significant drawback was the lack of obturation. Unlike a brass cartridge case, the conveyors did not expand into the .303" chamber. The resultant gas leakage is considerable, and any person shooting one of these rifles today would be well advised to wear safety glasses! The image below right shows the conveyors feeding from the magazine. The cut-off was left on these rifles, and is still best used for single shot practice. Parkers bored the original

barrel and fitted a sleeve along the lines of their

famous "Parker Rifling" process. Although declared obsolete for military use in 1920, a small number were later sold commercially and a sibling system was still advertised in the Parker-Hale catalogue of 1933, but as "applied to Vickers Machine Guns for non-automatic firing practice on miniature ranges".

This shot of the muzzle well illustrates the sleeving. Close inspection shows either the use of a steel olive at the front of the sleeve - a precursor to the brass ones later fitted to Parker Rifled arms, or perhaps indicating the fitment of a replacement at some stage in this example's lifetime. In good overall repair, the weapon shows typical signs of significant use, and has the stain marks down the woodwork born of regular cleaning at a time when black powder was the propellant, and of having been frequently stood in the rack without being wiped down.............................

.......................

The barrel seating's original Enfield mark was overstamped ~

PARKER-HALE

.303" CUM .22"

and the barrel reinforce has a multiplicity of

markings for modifications and proof with the

~ 22" SLEEVED ~ stamping being prominent.

The right hand side of the butt socket has the original markings of Enfield manufacture

~ Sht. LE ~

III

below which was added

~ & Co. Ltd. BIRMINGHAM .22 PATT' 18 " ~ The line above "& Co. Ltd" is missing, either poorly impressed or ground from the stamp. It is possible that it would have read - A.G. PARKER ~ since the two companies were so closely entwined.

The long range rear aperture and dial sight are retained.

The bolt head is a modification of the .303"original with the "U" stamp, rather than

the later purpose manufactured ".22" head. The butt stock disc gives the unit to

which the converted rifle was issued as the Officers Training Corps. An unusual

career's end for a 1912 Enfield manufactured S.M.L.E. Mk.III. If only such historic

items could tell their tale..........

Below right is the loading tool as illustrated in the advertisement alongside. With the hand lever to the side shown, the fresh cartridge is pressed ( carefully) into the conveyor. The standing post on the right hand side receives the ejected conveyor carrying the fired cartridge case. The conveyor is slid over the post, neck downwards, and the lever brought over to that side. The empty case is then pressed out of the conveyor through the clearance hole in the lever arm. To keep a squad of recruits on the firing points supplied with ammunition would have been no mean task!