These are British Army Inspectors Gauges, for checking the correct profile of .22" No.8 Mk1 Rifle triggers.

The gauges were used at Field and Base Workshops to check that triggers were not distorted when rebuilding .22" No8 Rifles. The rifle can suffer from a condition where even with the trigger mechanism correctly adjusted, if certain components are worn, the rifle can be fired by pushing forward on the trigger. To counter this, at Unit level, the normal repair was to bend down the tip of the trigger slightly so that when pushed forward the tip would contact the trigger guard preventing the rifle sear being released. When these rifles were overhauled or repaired at Field or Base REME Workshops the trigger mechanisms were repaired to factory standard using new components where necessary. Any triggers which had been 'set' were checked using this gauge and returned to the original profile or replaced.

These gauges are illustrated in the Electrical & Engineering Regulation (EMER) for the No8 Rifles. An engineering drawing is provided for these gauges to be produced at Base Workshops as required (shown in the background of the pictures). They were never 'issued' as such with the special tools for the rifle and were not given a NATO Stock Number or British Army part number.

'Originals' (if any of them can be classed as 'original') of these gauges are rarely encountered. We have had them made for us using the original engineering drawing from the EMER.

Unit of sale 1 Gauge.

British Army EMER Drawing Number; S C164/ 2 - 1, Fig 1.

Stock No; ARMRSTOOL 81.