The 2A and 2A1 rifles are redesigned and modernized versions of the venerable No. 1 Mk III SMLE made by Rifle Factory Ishapore, West Bengal, India. The rifles are chambered for the 7.62MM NATO cartridge and use a redesigned magazine to feed the rimless round. Magazine capacity is 10 or 12 rounds. About 500,000 rifles were manufactured between 1963 and 1975. The rifle was issued to Indian para-military and police units. The 2A-series rifles were co-produced by R.F.I. along with the self-loading 1A1 rifle described separately.
Above: Ishapore-built 2A or 2A1 7.62MM NATO rifle.
Rifle Factory Ishapore had a long production history of No. 1 Mk III rifles in .303 caliber for the Indian Army under the British colonial government. Ishapore-built No. 1 Mk III rifles were initially supplied with the British Pattern 1907 bayonet and scabbard (also produced at Ishapore). Ishapore developed shortened variations of the Pattern 1907 when the Japanese Empire began its expansion into Southeast Asia. The bayonet design was shortened and modified to make a handier fighting weapon in the Asian jungles.
The first Ishapore-made shortened variation of the Pattern 1907 was the No. 1 Mk I, Mk I*, and Mk I**. The Pattern 1907 bayonets were shortened from 17 inches to 12.2 inches. The blade was cut off, reshaped, and the fuller (blood groove) ran all the way to the end of the Mk 1. The Mk I* and Mk I** added a false edge to the top end of the bayonet near the point. A shortened leather and metal scabbard, the Mk 2A, was issued. The web Pattern 1937 bayonet frog was used to attach the scabbard to the soldier's kit.
The next Ishapore-made variation of the Pattern 1907 bayonet was the Mk II and Mk II*. The Mk II eliminated the fuller and reshaped the tip; the Mk II* added a false edge to the top end of the bayonet near the point.
The last Ishapore-made variation of the Pattern 1907 bayonet was the Mk III and Mk III*. The Mk III was redesigned for ease of production and had no fuller. The pommel was very angular and the wooden grips were reshaped and simplified for production. The Mk III* added a false edge to the top end of the bayonet near the point.
The Mk I thorugh Mk III* bayonets were manufactured by Rifle Factory Ishapore (R.F.I.), Metal Industries Lahore (MIL), and Northwest Railways (NWR). These bayonets were issued with the 2A and 2A1 7.62MM rifles. These bayonets do not fit the 1A1 7.62MM self-loading rifle based on the Commonwealth L1A1 and FN FAL rifles. The Mk 2A scabbard was issued for the 1A bayonet used by the 1A1 rifle.
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 
