Ishapore 2A1 rifle

2022-12-14T19:45:40Z

2604:3D09:CD82:C200:99D0:2FD:63D5:3F43:

{{Infobox weapon
|name=RFI Rifle 7.62mm 2A/2A1 (aka Ishapore 2A/2A1)
| image= Ishapore 2A1.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption= Ishapore 2A1 rifle
|origin=India
|type=[[Bolt-action]] [[rifle]]

|is_ranged=yes
|is_UK=yes

|service=1963–present<ref name="Karp3">{{cite book |last1=Karp |first1=Aaron |last2=Rajagopalan |first2=Rajesh |title=Small Arms of the Indian State |pages=3 |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/176291/IAVA-IB4-small-arms-of-indian-state.pdf}}</ref>
|used_by=
|wars= [[Indo-Pakistan Wars]]

|designer=[[Rifle Factory Ishapore]]
|design_date=1962
|manufacturer= [[Ordnance Factories Board]]
|production_date=1962–1974<ref name="Karp3"/>
|number=250,000<ref name="Karp3"/>
|variants=
* 2A (2000 yd sights)
* 2A1 (800 m sights)

|weight=4.7 kg (10.4 lb), unloaded
|length=44.5 in (1130 mm)
|part_length=

|cartridge= [[7.62×51mm NATO]]
|action= [[Bolt action]]
|rate= 20–30 rounds/minute
|velocity= 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
|range=800 m (875 yd)
|max_range= 2,000 m (2,187 yd)
|feed=10- or 12-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips
|sights=Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed-post front sights
}}

The '''Rifle 7.62mm 2A/2A1'''<ref name="Weaponland">{{Cite web|url=http://weaponland.ru/load/vintovka_ishapore_2a_2a1/160-1-0-961|title = Винтовка Ishapore 2A / 2A1 (Индия)}}</ref> (also known as the '''Ishapore 2A/2A1'''<ref name="Weaponland"/>) is a [[7.62×51mm NATO]] calibre [[Bolt action|bolt-action rifle]] adopted as a reserve arm by the [[Indian Armed Forces]] in 1963. The rifle is a variant of the [[Lee–Enfield]] rifle. The design of the rifle – initially the '''Rifle 7.62mm 2A''' – began at the [[Rifle Factory Ishapore]] of the [[Ordnance Factories Board]] in India, soon after the [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962.<ref name="FN">{{cite web |url=http://www.firearms.net.au/military/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=147 |title = Ishapore 2A/2A1 – the last Lee-Enfield}}</ref>

The Ishapore 2A/2A1 has the distinction of being the last bolt-action rifle designed to be used by a regular military force other than specialized [[sniper rifles]]. While it is no longer in service with the Indian military, the rifle is still used by the Indian police.<ref name="Karp3"/>

==History==
The 2A was widely used by the Indian Army after the Sino-Indian War in 1962,<ref name="FN"/> despite the use of the SLR after 1965.<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-rifle-that-won-the-war-in-1965/articleshow/49327325.cms</ref> 2A rifles were previously supplied to Bangladesh during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]].<ref>https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/india-gifts-1971-war-of-independence-memorabilia-to-bangladesh</ref>

==Development==
Production of the 2A/2A1 started in 1962 after the [[Lee–Enfield|SMLE Mk IIIs*]] was phased out of service with the Indian military.<ref name="Karp3"/> The Indian-made SMLE Mk IIIs are known as the Type 56, made between 1956 and 1965 although any rifles made in the latter are rare due to the transition to the 2A.<ref>http://rodandgun.netfirms.com/ishapore/RFI.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=January 2022}}</ref>

Externally, the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle is based upon (and is almost identical to) the [[.303 British]] calibre [[Lee–Enfield|SMLE Mk III*]] rifle, with the exception of the distinctive "square" (10 or 12 round) magazine{{sfnp|Skennerton|2007|p=370}} and the use of the buttplate from the 1A (Indian version of the FN FAL) rifle.<ref name="FN"/> The bolt and receiver were made out of nickel.<ref name="Articlerifle">https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=googlescholar&id=GALE|A626205411&v=2.1&it=r&sid=googleScholar&asid=c202113a</ref>

The 2A was designed to allow the British Pattern 1907 (P'07) [[sword bayonet]] used on the SMLE MkIII to be attached.<ref>https://worldbayonets.com/Library/Articles/enfield_bayonets.pdf</ref> Other difference included the use of improved steel (to handle the increased pressures of the 7.62mm NATO round),{{sfnp|Skennerton|2004b|p=5}} and a redesigned extractor to cope with the rimless round.<ref name="FN"/>

The original (2A) design incorporated the Lee–Enfield rear sight which has graduations out to 2000 yards. The re-designated "Rifle 7.62mm 2A1" incorporated a more realistic 800 meter rear sight<ref name="FN"/> in 1965.<ref name="Weaponland"/> The stock is recycled from the No. 1 Mk. III armory stock, with the addition of a cross screw forward of the magazine well.

Some stocks were salvaged from existing surplus and show artificer repairs where rotted or damaged wood has been replaced. This repair is especially evident with the recoil draws (the area the receiver contacts when recoiling after the shot) that often failed over time due to the rifle being rack-stored butt down / muzzle up, which allowed oils and grease to migrate downwards into this critical area.

The weapon was produced at a rate between 22,000 and 115,000 rifles annually, averaging 70,000 a year.<ref name="Karp3"/> Around 250,000 rifles were made in total{{sfnp|Skennerton|1993|p=345}} before production ended in 1974.<ref name="Karp3"/>

==Variants==

===Ishapore 2A rifle===
The original production rifle has a sight range of 2000 meters.<ref name="FN"/>

===Ishapore 2A1 rifle===
A second production variant with a sight range of 800 meters.<ref name="FN"/>

===IOF .315 sporting rifle===
{{main|IOF .315 sporting rifle}}

===No. 7 Jungle Carbine===
There are 2A1 rifles converted to No. 7 [[Jungle Carbine|Jungle Carbines]], which are mostly commercial-based.{{sfnp|Skennerton|2007|p=382}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{commons category|Ishapore 2A1 rifle}}
* {{Cite book |last=Skennerton |first=Ian |year=2007 |title=The Lee–Enfield |publisher=Arms & Militaria Press |location=Gold Coast, QLD (Australia) |isbn=978-0-949749-82-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Skennerton |first=Ian |year=2004b |title=Small Arms Identification Series No. 18: 7.62mm L42A1 Sniper, L39A1, 2A & Lee–Enfield Conversions |publisher=Arms & Militaria Press |location=Labrador, QLD |isbn=978-0-949749-48-2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Skennerton |first=Ian |year=1993 |title=The Lee–Enfield Story |publisher=Arms & Militaria Press |location=Gold Coast, QLD (Australia) |isbn=978-1-85367-138-8}}

{{Ordnance Factories Board}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishapore 2a1 Rifle}}
[[Category:7.62×51mm NATO rifles]]
[[Category:Bolt-action rifles of India]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]

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Ishapore 2A1 rifle