C no 7 enfield

Installed a C No. 7 extractor in the SMLE bolthead. Direct fit, no alterations needed. Cut the extractor notch in the barrel breech. Started with a couple of hacksaw cuts, then went to work with small files. Test fired, extractor works nicely.
Ready to start external cleanup on the salvaged parts used. I was thinking about blasting and parking, but a lot of FTR'd SMLEs were painted. Might just go that route.
Basically what I will have is a rebuilt barrelled action in .22LR.
Now I have to decide if I want to install the .22 barrelled action in a restored SMLE I have, or go the route of finding all the parts to stock it up correctly. A nice SMLE stock and hardware set is no longer inexpensive...
 
A few pictures needed ... just because ...

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I don't recall ever seeing a C No. 7 barrel offered for sale. Sleeving a .303 barrel is probably the easiest solution. With the bayonet lugs turned off, it is a reasonable facsimile.
 
I've found several barrels over the years that progressively got more expensive. The last once was around $200 and I would pay that in a heartbeat nowadays. I know where there are likely a couple but the fellow with them is one of the 'I have to have two of everything I own' crowd.
 
tiriaq said:
I don't recall ever seeing a C No. 7 barrel offered for sale. Sleeving a .303 barrel is probably the easiest solution. With the bayonet lugs turned off, it is a reasonable facsimile.
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Epps and Marstar both sold them about ten years ago. Epps had a whole bunch of receivers as well. Neither of them had a lot of barrels though. I managed to get one from each of them. I could also use a purpose made No7 barrel. The rifle I have with the liner is all correct but the fellow I bought it from sleeved it because the bore was worn beyond the point of good accuracy.
 
bobdbldr said:
I shot them in Cadets and wanted one ever since, the search begins!
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I've heard that many of the surplussed rifles went to the RCMP. Rumor only. Supposedly they were procured by local depots for regional use. Again RUMOR has it many never were entered into the official ledgers. I have one that is MP marked but not in the official ledger. Sad, value would certainly be increased.
 
tiriaq said:
Installed a C No. 7 extractor in the SMLE bolthead. Direct fit, no alterations needed. Cut the extractor notch in the barrel breech. Started with a couple of hacksaw cuts, then went to work with small files. Test fired, extractor works nicely.
Ready to start external cleanup on the salvaged parts used. I was thinking about blasting and parking, but a lot of FTR'd SMLEs were painted. Might just go that route.
Basically what I will have is a rebuilt barrelled action in .22LR.
Now I have to decide if I want to install the .22 barrelled action in a restored SMLE I have, or go the route of finding all the parts to stock it up correctly. A nice SMLE stock and hardware set is no longer inexpensive...
Click to expand...


A whole bunch of SMLE rifles that were purpose built as 22LR came out of the UK about thirty years ago. They were relatively cheap and were being sold by International as "school guns." The butts were correct but the fore ends were cut back, all of the top wood was missing and the mag wells had been filled with either a wooden block or a totally out of place piece of wall board. I bought one of those and its been sitting in the dark recesses of the shop safe with a tag on it that has a 50 yard X 1/2 inch group and a note to put it into a proper stock. I just haven't been able to find a decent stock to put it into and frankly don't want to spend a lot of money on it.
 
tiriaq said:
Muzzle crowned, breech faced off, chamber cut. Used a match reamer. Converted a bolt head to rimfire. Drew back the hardness, drilled a 1/4" hole through, soldered in a 1/4" plug, faced both ends. Drilled an offset two diameter hole for a firing pin, made a firing pin to fit. Altered a .303 firing pin into a striker, cutting off the tapered tip, leaving a flat end. Test fired. No issues.

Next step will be to set up an extractor, and cut the extractor notch in the barrel breech.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a labor of love.
 
granite said:
I've found several barrels over the years that progressively got more expensive. The last once was around $200 and I would pay that in a heartbeat nowadays. I know where there are likely a couple but the fellow with them is one of the 'I have to have two of everything I own' crowd.
Click to expand...


I got lucky with mine, it was screwed on to a MkIII Martini action, hand tight. 2 projects for the price of one, paid $160
 
The receiver now has a buttstock, and a I found a sported forend in my junk bin, so It will be enough of a rifle to test. To test accuracy, I've installed a Central base and Central No. 4 aperture rear sight.
If it shoots well, then I'll have to start the search for the forend assembly to restore the proper appearance.
 
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