Why not, I'd like to initiate a thread so that we could catalog and pass on the history of these fine, limited edition Canadian 7.62x 51mm converted target No4's.
A little history about them from the DCRA site. http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ri15.htm
As commissioned by the DCRA, these rifles were converted by Canadian Arsenals (CA) formerly Canadian Small Arms Factory Ltd. Long Branch, Ontario. This conversion consisted of first ensuring any of the bolts and receivers used were in good serviceable condition before commencing. It followed with replacing the .303 British barrel with a new 7.62mm x 51 chambered barrel, replacing the bolthead with a stronger one, headspace was checked and the barreled action was proof tested. Each conversion was assigned a progressive conversion number and was stamped onto the barrel, receiver and bolt along with the new proof stamp. This in a nutshell was the conversion, further individual tweaking could be done by the rifles owner after initial CA conversion by replacing the 303 extractor with a 7.62mm extractor (which had a longer claw to facilitate the rimless cartridge) and adding a Sterling magazine and ejector. The Sterling magazine allowed feeding of the new cartridge and was a drop-in replacement for the 303 magazine, but required a hole be drilled in the left side receiver wall to accommodate the ejector. Another magazine option was to fit an Enfield magazine (the same as used on the Envoy or L42A1) to the rifle, but this required a small (milling) adjustment to the magazine well on the rifle, otherwise the mag did not sit deep enough in the well to allow the bolt to pick up rounds. Anecdotal evidence suggests that only British made receivers required this milling operation and that Long Branch receivers had sufficient tolerance in the magazine well to accommodate the Enfield magazine without modification. The most universal tweak to these rifle was the fitting of a Parker-Hale PH5C (303 British) or A.J. Parker TZ 4/47 (7.62mm) fully adjustable competition rear sight.
The DCRA rifle in the hands of competition shooters was greatly experimented with in the form of barrel packing and bedding. The most common types of bedding found would be fiberglass and hardwood doweling, some may be encountered with a center bedded barrel and this can be in the form of either fiberglass or a hardwood block. Location of the barrel bedding may vary as each position and weight of barrel lift produced its own particular results, be it short, intermediate or long range.
It should be noted that Canadian Arsenals had many leftover barrels that were sold after they stopped doing conversions. So not all CA marked 7.62mm barrels found on No4 rifles will actually be DCRA conversions done by Canadian Arsenals, many military armourers and civilian gunsmiths used these barrels and created their own target rifles. To be sure if a rifle was converted by CA, look for the conversion numbers.
As the DCRA rifle was not a military specific conversion, there is little solid information regarding the entire scheme. However, to the best of my knowledge, here is basically how the DCRA rifle found its way into the Lee-Enfield history of things.
The Canadian Army Rifle Team DCRA Rifle
These rifles were selected from Army Weapons Stores and will most always be converted on a Long Branch receiver and will display the C Broad Arrow government ownership mark on the wood and metal. The conversions were done at Canadian Arsenals Ltd as the others were however, again most if not all were further modified with an Enfield magazine and 7.62mm extractor. Combined with the basic conversion, these rifles were stocked with new furniture and accurized by CA. All of these rifles were fitted with AJ Parker TZ4/47 rear sights and hardwood dowel bedded. Rifles of this type were stamped with a C inside an Oval.
DCRA “Club Gun” Conversion
The DCRA "Club Gun" will generally consist of the same features as the shooters conversion and may be converted on any make of No4 action. It is difficult to say with any certainty but it is believed that these rifles will have a 5G inside a box electro-penciled onto the receiver left side buttsocket above the serial number. These rifles will more than likely be complete with the target sights and a target swivel, or should be. Some “club guns” may have also been accurized by CA as examples show both the 5G and C inside an Oval markings.
Shooters Conversion
Anyone interested in having a conversion done by Canadian Arsenals (CA) could submit there No4 barreled action complete with bolt, no stock, to their DCRA club and the rifle would be forwarded to CA where the conversion would be done and the piece was sent back in reverse order complete with removed 303 British barrel, the cost was under $50.00. Re-stocking and/or bedding were the individuals concern. It should be noted that CA would convert any No4 receiver, it did not have to be a Long Branch made one so any No4 rifle can be found converted. What distinguishes the CA conversion as authentic is the conversion number. Another type of “shooters conversion” will be those done up by armourers and gunsmiths using purchased barrels from CA. These particular rifles will not have CA conversion numbers and can be built on any type of receiver and be stocked in any type of No4 lumber.
#001 /Brit FTR - Dook
#005 /Long Branch' 44, 75L (Action only) - RRCo
#009 /Long Branch’ Seen in Victoria, March 2025
#011 /Long Branch' 49 - unknown
#012 /Brit FTR - For sale in BC.
#016 /Long Branch' 43 - Can14
#024 /Long Branch’ - Crazyjay1982 for sale on ####### April 2025, has checkered buttstock
#034 /Brit FTR - For sale in BC
#036 /Long Branch' 44. -Unknown, no serialized # bolt and receiver
#040 /Brit FTR - California, Brian B
#048 /Long Branch' 44 - NateC
#059 /Long Branch - Has been seen!
#065 /Long Branch’ 42 - For sale guns international, Paul Booth in the USA
#069 /Long Branch - Unknown
#073 /Long Branch' 49 - DarrenK21
#083 /Long Branch' 49 - BGCameron
#098 /Long Branch - bearhunter
#105 /Barrel only - RRCo
#106 /Long Branch' 42 - Can14
#108 /Savage - Unknown
#112 /Long Branch' 42 - Maxinumarmor
#113 /Faz' 55 - J.T.
#115 /UF55 No4Mk2 - Collector in the US
#120 FAZ 11/50 PF - EE Jun23, possible #720 Faz Mk2.
#121 /Barrel only - RRCo
#125 /Long Branch' FTR'ed? For sale, Joe Salter's USA and mint condition
#126 /Long Branch' 45 FTR'ed 52, was for sale in BC
#131 /Fazerkerly receiver built. For sale @ Switzers Auction
#138 /Brit (F) FTR' 42 - Reconboyz
#143 /Unknown - Biloba
#148 /Long Branch' 43 - mikerock777
#149 /Long Branch' 49 - unknown
#152 /Long Branch' 45 - dumpdog
#153 /Long Branch - Ianrobertson
#161 /Barrel only - Greyman441
#167 /Long Branch - Bob
#168 /Barrel only - RRCo
#174 /Brit’ 42 FTR 53 - Mowgli127
#177 /FTR (F) - Unknown
#188 /Barrel only - 4 Sale
#191 /Savage FTR 1/3 - unknown converted to target rifle. for sale E&E.
#2** /Savage - M1Grand
#204 /Long Branch' 43 - For sale
#205 /Long Branch’ 43 - barrett50cal
#217 /Maltby or Faz '55 FTR - For sale - Oatslinger
#221 /FTR (F) - Dutchie
#231 /Long Branch’ 43 FTR (F) - Biloba in .303 British
#239 /Long Branch’ 50 Anonymous, was found converted to .22 cal at one time.
#244 /Long Branch - Noshow Estate auction.
#253 /Long Branch' 50 - for sale at joe salters auction usa
#259 /Long Branch' 45 - jgass
#265 /No4 Mk1 UK conversion - Dook2018
#268 /Long Branch' 50 - Kjohn
#270 /Brit - Bolt on Enforcer clone - 55Recce
#279 /Long Branch’ 44 - Forsale @ICollector. Oct 23
#282 /Brit (F) FTR' 49 forsale
#284 /Long Branch’ 50 - for sale E&E w/ PH5C rear sight
#291 /Long Branch’ 43 - for sale on E&E
A little history about them from the DCRA site. http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/ri15.htm
As commissioned by the DCRA, these rifles were converted by Canadian Arsenals (CA) formerly Canadian Small Arms Factory Ltd. Long Branch, Ontario. This conversion consisted of first ensuring any of the bolts and receivers used were in good serviceable condition before commencing. It followed with replacing the .303 British barrel with a new 7.62mm x 51 chambered barrel, replacing the bolthead with a stronger one, headspace was checked and the barreled action was proof tested. Each conversion was assigned a progressive conversion number and was stamped onto the barrel, receiver and bolt along with the new proof stamp. This in a nutshell was the conversion, further individual tweaking could be done by the rifles owner after initial CA conversion by replacing the 303 extractor with a 7.62mm extractor (which had a longer claw to facilitate the rimless cartridge) and adding a Sterling magazine and ejector. The Sterling magazine allowed feeding of the new cartridge and was a drop-in replacement for the 303 magazine, but required a hole be drilled in the left side receiver wall to accommodate the ejector. Another magazine option was to fit an Enfield magazine (the same as used on the Envoy or L42A1) to the rifle, but this required a small (milling) adjustment to the magazine well on the rifle, otherwise the mag did not sit deep enough in the well to allow the bolt to pick up rounds. Anecdotal evidence suggests that only British made receivers required this milling operation and that Long Branch receivers had sufficient tolerance in the magazine well to accommodate the Enfield magazine without modification. The most universal tweak to these rifle was the fitting of a Parker-Hale PH5C (303 British) or A.J. Parker TZ 4/47 (7.62mm) fully adjustable competition rear sight.
The DCRA rifle in the hands of competition shooters was greatly experimented with in the form of barrel packing and bedding. The most common types of bedding found would be fiberglass and hardwood doweling, some may be encountered with a center bedded barrel and this can be in the form of either fiberglass or a hardwood block. Location of the barrel bedding may vary as each position and weight of barrel lift produced its own particular results, be it short, intermediate or long range.
It should be noted that Canadian Arsenals had many leftover barrels that were sold after they stopped doing conversions. So not all CA marked 7.62mm barrels found on No4 rifles will actually be DCRA conversions done by Canadian Arsenals, many military armourers and civilian gunsmiths used these barrels and created their own target rifles. To be sure if a rifle was converted by CA, look for the conversion numbers.
As the DCRA rifle was not a military specific conversion, there is little solid information regarding the entire scheme. However, to the best of my knowledge, here is basically how the DCRA rifle found its way into the Lee-Enfield history of things.
The Canadian Army Rifle Team DCRA Rifle
These rifles were selected from Army Weapons Stores and will most always be converted on a Long Branch receiver and will display the C Broad Arrow government ownership mark on the wood and metal. The conversions were done at Canadian Arsenals Ltd as the others were however, again most if not all were further modified with an Enfield magazine and 7.62mm extractor. Combined with the basic conversion, these rifles were stocked with new furniture and accurized by CA. All of these rifles were fitted with AJ Parker TZ4/47 rear sights and hardwood dowel bedded. Rifles of this type were stamped with a C inside an Oval.
DCRA “Club Gun” Conversion
The DCRA "Club Gun" will generally consist of the same features as the shooters conversion and may be converted on any make of No4 action. It is difficult to say with any certainty but it is believed that these rifles will have a 5G inside a box electro-penciled onto the receiver left side buttsocket above the serial number. These rifles will more than likely be complete with the target sights and a target swivel, or should be. Some “club guns” may have also been accurized by CA as examples show both the 5G and C inside an Oval markings.
Shooters Conversion
Anyone interested in having a conversion done by Canadian Arsenals (CA) could submit there No4 barreled action complete with bolt, no stock, to their DCRA club and the rifle would be forwarded to CA where the conversion would be done and the piece was sent back in reverse order complete with removed 303 British barrel, the cost was under $50.00. Re-stocking and/or bedding were the individuals concern. It should be noted that CA would convert any No4 receiver, it did not have to be a Long Branch made one so any No4 rifle can be found converted. What distinguishes the CA conversion as authentic is the conversion number. Another type of “shooters conversion” will be those done up by armourers and gunsmiths using purchased barrels from CA. These particular rifles will not have CA conversion numbers and can be built on any type of receiver and be stocked in any type of No4 lumber.
#001 /Brit FTR - Dook
#005 /Long Branch' 44, 75L (Action only) - RRCo
#009 /Long Branch’ Seen in Victoria, March 2025
#011 /Long Branch' 49 - unknown
#012 /Brit FTR - For sale in BC.
#016 /Long Branch' 43 - Can14
#024 /Long Branch’ - Crazyjay1982 for sale on ####### April 2025, has checkered buttstock
#034 /Brit FTR - For sale in BC
#036 /Long Branch' 44. -Unknown, no serialized # bolt and receiver
#040 /Brit FTR - California, Brian B
#048 /Long Branch' 44 - NateC
#059 /Long Branch - Has been seen!
#065 /Long Branch’ 42 - For sale guns international, Paul Booth in the USA
#069 /Long Branch - Unknown
#073 /Long Branch' 49 - DarrenK21
#083 /Long Branch' 49 - BGCameron
#098 /Long Branch - bearhunter
#105 /Barrel only - RRCo
#106 /Long Branch' 42 - Can14
#108 /Savage - Unknown
#112 /Long Branch' 42 - Maxinumarmor
#113 /Faz' 55 - J.T.
#115 /UF55 No4Mk2 - Collector in the US
#120 FAZ 11/50 PF - EE Jun23, possible #720 Faz Mk2.
#121 /Barrel only - RRCo
#125 /Long Branch' FTR'ed? For sale, Joe Salter's USA and mint condition
#126 /Long Branch' 45 FTR'ed 52, was for sale in BC
#131 /Fazerkerly receiver built. For sale @ Switzers Auction
#138 /Brit (F) FTR' 42 - Reconboyz
#143 /Unknown - Biloba
#148 /Long Branch' 43 - mikerock777
#149 /Long Branch' 49 - unknown
#152 /Long Branch' 45 - dumpdog
#153 /Long Branch - Ianrobertson
#161 /Barrel only - Greyman441
#167 /Long Branch - Bob
#168 /Barrel only - RRCo
#174 /Brit’ 42 FTR 53 - Mowgli127
#177 /FTR (F) - Unknown
#188 /Barrel only - 4 Sale
#191 /Savage FTR 1/3 - unknown converted to target rifle. for sale E&E.
#2** /Savage - M1Grand
#204 /Long Branch' 43 - For sale
#205 /Long Branch’ 43 - barrett50cal
#217 /Maltby or Faz '55 FTR - For sale - Oatslinger
#221 /FTR (F) - Dutchie
#231 /Long Branch’ 43 FTR (F) - Biloba in .303 British
#239 /Long Branch’ 50 Anonymous, was found converted to .22 cal at one time.
#244 /Long Branch - Noshow Estate auction.
#253 /Long Branch' 50 - for sale at joe salters auction usa
#259 /Long Branch' 45 - jgass
#265 /No4 Mk1 UK conversion - Dook2018
#268 /Long Branch' 50 - Kjohn
#270 /Brit - Bolt on Enforcer clone - 55Recce
#279 /Long Branch’ 44 - Forsale @ICollector. Oct 23
#282 /Brit (F) FTR' 49 forsale
#284 /Long Branch’ 50 - for sale E&E w/ PH5C rear sight
#291 /Long Branch’ 43 - for sale on E&E
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