Rare Long Branch .22 prototype pre-cno7

[Biloba]

Yes, it seems to be a double spring. I am sure that this bolt head was made as a test, prior to the later made cno7 ones.

 

[Biloba]

 

[Biloba]

 

[Biloba]

 

[rgg_7]

Lots of detail in this front sight. Is the front sight blade fixed? Is the sight base silver soldered to the barrel? What is the barrel length from the bolt face?

 

[Biloba]

The whole front sight/blade seems to be one piece/fixed. The base is probably silver soldered.
The barrel is a bit more than 25 1/8’’

 

[Biloba]

There is a number 2 on the opposite side of the usual place of the bolt head.

 

[Biloba]

The barrel lenght seems the exact lenght of a regular cno7 barrel.

 

[rgg_7]

Is there and evidence of the cross pin cuts for the front sight boss? Can you measure the barrel OD at the muzzle to see if it is CNo7 dimension. I'll measure a CNo7 barrel as well. It would be interesting to see if your barrel is a turned down CNo7 or new profiled barrel. Lots of work went into making this rifle.

 

[Biloba]

There definitely no pins that have been there for the front sight base. I compared it to a regular cno7 and the diameter seems the same. Will measure it later when I will find my tool.

 

[Biloba]

Diameter seems the same, but the crown is different.

 

[cantom]

I wonder why they checkered the front face of the front sight? That's normally to stop light reflecting on the rear surface no?

The rifling on your rifle looks different at the muzzle. The Cno7 shows pronounced rifling. I can't see it in your rifle? Is it counterbored?

 

[Biloba]

I did not looked at the bore. Will do it.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

I went back to my photo folder to save these shots (as a high standard example), and compared the stock work with other less-well-done examples. Whoever made this stock know his way with a chisel, and wasn't an apprentice.

 

[Biloba]

There sign of chisel, where they fitted the grip cap, but the rest was probably done with SAL machinery at Long Branch. Definitely not a amateur work. I am pretty sure it’s a 43-44 test, just before they started the cno7 production.

 

[Biloba]

I looked at both bores. They seems identicals and there is no counter bore on the prototype.

 

[55recce]

This is a very neat rifle but I am doubting that is an official Long Branch build prototype:

- all other LB prototypes that I am aware of have a serial number usually beginning with X

- if it was intended to be a military trainer it would have a No. 4 type foresight. I can't see LB going out to source a fancy commercial style foresight or the military wanting one

- Likewise the stock. I can't see LB using a non standard stock or the military wanting one

- I do not see why a one piece stock would be required as every other LB Enfield uses the standard 2 piece stock

- I have never seen any references to such a rifle being built in any book, website etc

Like I said very cool, but I think a well done and very neat gunsmith build like the .22 No 5 I should have bought many years ago

 

[Biloba]

Can you show me few pictures of that one piece stock hunthing rifle made in Bedford, Qc? I live 10 minutes from there!

 

[beltfed]

Diameter seems the same, but the crown is different.

View attachment 447871

Those diameters look different...at least looking at the photo with a naked eye - perhaps a trick of perspective.
It would be interesting to know how they mic out.

 

[Biloba]

I think it’s a viduss ask effect from the outside bevel. But will measure it as soon as possible