Rare Long Branch .22 prototype pre-cno7

[rgg_7]

There is definitely a one piece military Enfield which predated the No5 however was not adopted due to weak stock at the wrist and recoil (had shorter barrel and was 303). These bore the drawing number as the serial number ie J- 5550-XX. Very few made and not many survived. You can see one on www.milsurp.com or check Julians Auctions as one sold a few years back for huge money (USD).

The CNo7 that Biloba is sharing with us is an interesting piece. The receiver has a close resemblance to the "Enfield Light Weight" as does the trigger mechanism. It's not the same as my Light Weight and I've only seen one other than Badger's example (same as mine). I know that both LB and CA at the end build presentation rifle for retired company officials. However these generally had an engraved plaque such as Major Jolley's (it's a 2 piece) currently own by his heirs.

A talented machinist/toolmaker could easily duplicate the CNo7..I don't see any unique parts.

Biloba - you could contact Switzer's and ask for the Consignee - it would establish some "provenance" and that might be to your benefit.

 

[Dosing]

Very 60s looking stock.

 

[gaff]

your action is not a 43-44 test. It was made from a .303 action in the 1950s. The bolt head and rear sight appear to be standard C No7 parts.
look at the machining marks on the bottom of the action.
Yes, it could have been assembled at the factory in the 1950s from spare parts.

 

[Biloba]

The Bolt head is not exactly like the standard cno7 ones. The only other possibility other than a prototype, would be a SAL or CA rifle assembled from mostly prototype parts, on a lightweight receiver rejected and not marked with the usual lightweight serial numbers.
My lightweight sporter rifle is marked J- 5550-28
There is a similar lightweight 303 survival rifle in the museum in Ottawa. It’s on the Skennerton book. These sporter lightweight rifles all had a very similar front sight line mine.

 

[Biloba]

Lightweight receivers where made from mostly 1944 303 receivers.

 

[rgg_7]

There was a fade in the late 50's and early 60's for one piece Enfield's. Ellwood Epps offered the conversion for No1 and 4's - they used "Judd" (Waterford Ontario)stocks in various grades of wood. Roberts Wood Products USA did the same. They were very light weight and made a awesome hunting rifle offered both in 303 Brit and 303 Epps. Some were scoped other had a Williams aperture sight and front ramp. You see an occasional one for sale as the crowd turns over.

Interesting J-5550-28 was "Sporterized". Is it's stock the same as the CNo7?

 

[rgg_7]

Here's some one piece Enfield - 303, 22 and 303 EPPS.

 

[Biloba]

The two last one are clearly gunsmith build rifles, but can you tell me more about the first one?

 

[Biloba]

 

[Biloba]

My J-5550-28 lightweight is in a modified wood. The father of the last owner, bought it in a surplus store in Ottawa in the early 60s.
I don’t have it here. I don’t keep my most precious here for security reasons, but I will try to find the pictures I made. I think it first came from SAL or CAL in the same stock as the one pictured in Skennerton book. The rear sight ears have been removed, but look like really well made and may be like this since the beginning. The front sight post have been replaced by the last owner and the rearsight is also not original to the rifle. The exterior of the wood have been modified by the father of the last owner. The grip have been rounded, the schnabel and cheek rest removed. But the inside machining clearly demonstrate it was factory made. It still have the same buttpad as the usual Lightweight military rifles.

 

[Biloba]

When, few years ago, I found my first pre-eal rcaf survival rifle, nobody was believing what i was think it was. Until someone found rcaf armourer pictures showing it. I later found a second one.

 

[rgg_7]

The "Light Weight" pix's are J-5550-13 sold by Julian Auction. It's part of the military prototype contract from 1943. The butt pad is a "black" Hawkins although some were report with the orange "Jostam" Pad. What is on J-5550-28?

 

[Biloba]

A black Hawkins pad.

 

[cantom]

When, few years ago, I found my first pre-eal rcaf survival rifle, nobody was believing what i was think it was. Until someone found rcaf armourer pictures showing it. I later found a second one.

Yes, plus I had one.

And I've recently heard that a gent around here has another one, and has 2 different kinds of front sight protector plates.

 

[Biloba]

My second one lost the front plates. But the holes are there. Do you have pictures of the second poste type?

 

[cantom]

Plus there was another one on Milsurp.com. Not sure if I can post the pics or not. (I have them)

 

[cantom]

My second one lost the front plates. But the holes are there. Do you have pictures of the second poste type?

No, haven't seen it.

 

[Biloba]

I found the pictures of my lightweight no28.
Interesting, that there is the same 5 on both bolts.

 

[Biloba]

 

[Biloba]

The mag is a 5 rounds. Really look to be factory made like that.