please delete

That is a new one for me. In the US, there are Garands and Springfields converted for VFA firing parties, which have been recovered by the CMP. But, Canadian veterans' funerals don't generally have firing parties. Members who died in service, recieve military honours at the graveside, and the troops fire blanks with issue service firearms (rifles or SMGs).
 
I just got this in a recent deal.

1943 Long Branch
Brass Butt Plate
Canadian wood.

"7.62 - BLANK ONLY" Stamped on the receiver

Came with a Sterling 10 round mag.

Has anyone seen this before? Lou? Did the Military have certain Long Branches converted for drill purpose?

It fires 7.62mm Blank quite well from the magazine.

Pics to follow.

Is there a barrel restriction, or signs of one having been installed?

I've seen a number of "movie guns" over the years which have been "perminently" converted to blank fire only...
 
It'd be interesting to see pics of it. Including, from the breech end, looking through the barrel at a light so we can see what was done to it.

And, whatever markings are on it that are out of the ordinary, like the blank only thing.
 
This rings a bell....

I think I saw a mention of something similar by Peter Laidlerhttp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=16948 or Ian Skennertonhttp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=23 on a thread in the The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forumhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72.

Do a search, or start a new thread and ask them for comment, as I'm sure at least Ian would be interested from a research point of view. He's started helping members with odd markings that they've discovered on their Enfields that don't seem to be found in the available common reference material.

My guess is that it's a "home gown" mark put on for some purpose on than official use, but I've never seen it before.

Regards,
Badger
 
Pics posted.

Sorry Guys, I 'm not the owner of Ian's book. (Although I'll buy one if someones got a copy of it)

The bore is in excellent shape. The rifle is in overall "good +" shape. It does not have any modifications to it at all. Original .303 British bore.

I know little about the 7.62 LE. I've never seen this magazine before although I have heard people talk about it.

FTR'd as the pics show.
 
Pics posted.

Sorry Guys, I 'm not the owner of Ian's book. (Although I'll buy one if someones got a copy of it)

The bore is in excellent shape. The rifle is in overall "good +" shape. It does not have any modifications to it at all. Original .303 British bore.

FTR'd as the pics show.

You don't need his book to ask him the question directly ... :D

I did a search and couldn't find that specific reference, so I guess I was wrong. f:P:2:

Anyway, Ian and Peter logon regularly and address questions, so I paraphrased your question and posted it for them to answer, if they could, as I thought it was an interesting topic for Enfield collectors in general.

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=26306

Hope that helps find an answer for you .. :)

Regards,
Badger
 
Thank you for posting that on MILSURPS Doug. It looks great, and hopefully there can be a little light shed on this topic.

The bolt matches the reciever, and the action functions with a full magazine. This would be the perfect rifle for Remembence day!
 
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Interesting, saw the new pics.

Looking down the bore, looks totally normal?

Is the barrel changed out to a 7.62 barrel? Or is it a .303 that was reamed, thus maybe not set up to chamber live 7.62 and support it properly?

I'd personally be cautious till I know why they say blank only.
 
Thank you for posting that on MILSURPS Doug. It looks great, and hopefully there can be a little light shed on this topic.

The bolt matches the reciever, and the action functions with a full magazine. This would be the perfect rifle for Remembence day!

You're welcome ...

Interesting piece and a ceratinly unusual .... :D

Both Peter and Ian left you responses, as well as some additional questions .... ;)

Regards,
Badger
 
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