Info on Lee Enfield C #7 MK 1 single shot .22

northbranchon

northbranchon

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Hi all, I bought this single shot lee enfield with the wooden travelling box from my uncle in the '70s and had used one in the army a couple times on indoor ranges and know the cadets used them too. Its pretty accurate but I haven't shot it all that much and not in the last couple years but wonder if there's many around as the cadets got rid of their's quite a while ago and I don't see them come up much. Does it have much value? It was built in 1945 at Long Branch.
 
Your CNo7 has value....many fold over what you paid in the 70's. The first thing you need to do is to determine if it is original or a clone. Not many of these were released to the public for sale however there were and are lots of components out there to build a clone that may have all the correct parts however not a serialized CNo7. Questions - 1) Is it serialized, 2) Bolt matches SN if present, 3) Is SN correct for 1945 , 4) original barrel not lined 5) Chest identified, 6) Cleaning rod and attachments present, 7) Sling, targets there?. If you could post a few pictures I or some of our members can confirm what you have. If you can't post pictures PM me and I'll help you out. Ron
 
Complete and original in the transit box, these are highly sought after and will command a price that will scare you. It could be quite valuable.

If you went shopping for one you would need a couple of grand in your pocket!

Our local cadet corps still has five of them. Only corps that actively participate in biathlon still retain 22s. The rest are being called back to stores. They are being welded up and reissued as drill rifles. Sad...

I checked the corp's Distribution Account, the C No.7s are listed with a value of $85.00
 
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Here is a link to an article about them: https://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=152-1944-C-No.7-.22-Caliber-Lee-Enfield-Training-Rifle

If it is a factory rifle, and not a put-together, I would suggest you would be looking at somewhere between $1800 to $3,000, depending on condition, and the accessories with it. If it is a post-factory put-together, you can pretty much cut those numbers in half.

One thing about these rifles is that with them being withdrawn and de-activated into drill rifles, it guarantees the value of the existing rifles, as it is pretty much guaranteed there will be no more releases of them.

Photos, especially of the serial number area, would be welcome, and the rifle can be better appraised.
 
Thanks for all the info, it's marked on the left side of the receiver C No.7 22 in. Mk1,Long Branch, 1945 with a serial number on the metal wrist band and bolt handle both matching 0L9587. I believe I have the sling somewhere but no cleaning equipment and the transit box is stencilled for the rifle and has CGB on it and a sticker with the serial number plus an old CP rail shipping sticker. The box handles are old canvas slings cut and screwed to the box. They were all over the military when I was in and were easy to use on the indoor ranges but seem to have disappeared. I think I paid my uncle 70 dollars for it in the late '70's. Now that photobucket has changed I have to get a new account to post my pics up. I appreciate sharing all your knowledge. If anyone wants to pm me with an email I can send pics to that would be fine.
 
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some pics of the Lee Enfield

finally figured out how to add pictures, been an education!
 
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wood markings are at the front bottom a letter B over 32 and a circle with tripod and by the center sling swivel has a 6 or 9 with a K and a B or R while just behind the trigger there is B over 32 and a circle with a tripod in it
 
Photos show a very nice rifle. Would you be able to do one more of a close up of the serial number area? If that area is right, then I would suggest you have a $2500 rifle there.

Oooops, never mind. I found the one you posted. It looks perfect. I have re-posted it here so people can see what the serial area should look like on a factory correct rifle. If you save the photo and zoom in, you will see the pebbling of the metal, and also the little LB marking over top. The fakers will try and make their product look unmolested, but the pebbling is hard to replicate after the military burnished the area of it's original serial number.

With the vast majority of Cno7s on the market being assembled from parts, it is always nice to see another original out there.
 

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Stock markings are good noting Long Branch and Canadian military acceptance. The forend and top guards are walnut whereas the rear butt is birch and marked "L" for long - not uncommon for CNo7's. Butt socket SN and "LB" struck markings are good. Just need to know more on the barrel length and bore condition. Ron PS Certainly looks like a well cared for rifle.
 
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northbranchon said:
wood markings are at the front bottom a letter B over 32 and a circle with tripod and by the center sling swivel has a 6 or 9 with a K and a B or R while just behind the trigger there is B over 32 and a circle with a tripod in it
Click to expand...

Circle with a tripod is probably a C/l\ - "C broad arrow" - the property mark. Brits used the /l\ for ages, C added for Canada.
 
the barrel from the bolt face to the end is 25 and 3/8 inches, the barrel length past the front sight barrel band is 1 and 3/4 inches

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the box case is serial numbered with the rifle

I am so impressed with all the knowledge and help identifying this rifle and appreciate those who value its history
 
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maybe sell it in the fall, haven't used it much over the years and it sat in my back shed in the box after we moved here for 15 years, only paid about 70 dollars for it back in the day but liked shooting it the bit I did in the army and taught my kids to shoot with it

I'm happy its appreciated by so many people who would look after it and gave so much of their knowledge and expertise to help me out.
 
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