Rare Long Branch .22 prototype pre-cno7
- Thread starter Biloba
- Start date
Going to bump this thread with a recent acquisition that further points to these one piece stocked sporters being some sort of limited Small Arms Limited/Long Branch/Canadian Arsenal rifles.
Recently picked one up in .303 that pretty well the same stock profile, although mine is checkered. On mine there are no serial numbers on the receiver but the bolt is serialized with the same J5550 drawing number, this example being J5550-33.
The only marks on mine is a large letter C with an A and W inside. The stock also has a small metal insert marked "S.A.L. OFFICIAL"
Trigger mech is the same as the OP's .22 version and the mag is appears to be a cut down LB marked standard 303 mag.
Recently picked one up in .303 that pretty well the same stock profile, although mine is checkered. On mine there are no serial numbers on the receiver but the bolt is serialized with the same J5550 drawing number, this example being J5550-33.
The only marks on mine is a large letter C with an A and W inside. The stock also has a small metal insert marked "S.A.L. OFFICIAL"
Trigger mech is the same as the OP's .22 version and the mag is appears to be a cut down LB marked standard 303 mag.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
There seems to be a lot of confusion in this thread of what these rifles actually are.
These rifles are a sporting rifle made up of left over parts at the end of WW2/early post-war.
At the end of the war Long Branch had left over actions and components from the (LB's losing entry in the) lightweight rifle competition (the winning entry was put into production [only in the UK] as the No5MkI).
These left over (non standard) components were assembled as sporting rifles (probably by the tool room or model shop) and presented or sold to "deserving" big wigs and possibly others.
The CWA device on the side of the receiver is the marking of the "War Assets Corporation". War Assets Corp. was a (Government of Canada owned) "Crown Corporation" set up at the end of WW2 to dispose of Surplus goods and materials. WAC survived into at least the 1970s.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3638/
https://docslib.org/doc/1805594/the...l-of-canadas-munitions-and-supplies-1943-1948
These rifles are a sporting rifle made up of left over parts at the end of WW2/early post-war.
At the end of the war Long Branch had left over actions and components from the (LB's losing entry in the) lightweight rifle competition (the winning entry was put into production [only in the UK] as the No5MkI).
These left over (non standard) components were assembled as sporting rifles (probably by the tool room or model shop) and presented or sold to "deserving" big wigs and possibly others.
The CWA device on the side of the receiver is the marking of the "War Assets Corporation". War Assets Corp. was a (Government of Canada owned) "Crown Corporation" set up at the end of WW2 to dispose of Surplus goods and materials. WAC survived into at least the 1970s.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3638/
https://docslib.org/doc/1805594/the...l-of-canadas-munitions-and-supplies-1943-1948
Thank you Lee Enfield for submitting some common sense and insight into these unfounded 'experimental' rifle claims. With some guys its "self fulfilling prophecy" as they want to believe they have something that does not exist. The rifle in the pics does have a prototype follower though and of course the lightweight body. These rifles are not common by any means but many are one-offs pending what obsolete parts were on hand. Many are influenced by lightweight variations that unfortunately is scant on information. CAL was hard up for work and the skilled employees were encouraged to come up with ideas post war to keep the plant alive. I heard they even made 5 rd Sterling mags for the PM's bodyguard to keep under their coats. JOHN
Oh I have no doubt that these are not a standard production off the shelf rifle, was merely trying to point out that they are a rifle put together at Long Branch with lightweight rifle receivers and not one off gunsmith creations out of somebodys garage. They appear to have used a somewhat specific pattern for the stocks as they are all more or less the same shape with a large cheek-piece and a schnabel forend. Between the OP's rifle, mine and the one in the book at the Canadian War Museum it's not hard to see the similarities.
The rear sight does not have any range markings, just 2 different size apertures.
And some pictures of the sling swivels and front sight as requested.
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Found an interesting article on these exact rifles where they are labeled as being "C.A.L. Presentation Rifles"
https://sites.google.com/site/essentialagenciesltd/c-a-l-presentation-rifles
https://sites.google.com/site/essentialagenciesltd/c-a-l-presentation-rifles
