British .22 No.7 Mk1 barrels

[curly]

Does anyone know if the specifically made .22 barrels for the British .22 No.7 Mk1 had bayonet lugs? I understand that most barrels were converted No.4 barrels which were bored-out and had a sleeved .22 insert soldered into them but some rifles were fitted with specially-made .22 barrels.

Was it a requirement that all the rifles had bayonet lugs? - even the specially made .22 barrels? Does anyone know what serial number range were fitted with the forged .22 barrels.

Any information would be gratefully received as well as any photos of rifles with or without bayonet lugs. Do any members have a new barrel for the British No.7 spare - apparently Navy Arms imported quite a few unfinished rifles, actions and barrels - but no bolts! - some years ago.

Thanks,

Curly

Information

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[Alan de Enfield]

My BSA No7 Mk1
(With Bayonet Lugs)

[curly]

Hi Alan,

thank you very much for the excellent photos, the rifle looks superb, does your rifle have a sleeved barrel? Can you tell me if it is an early or late rifle in the serial run of approx. 2500 examples?

Thank you,

Curly

[Alan de Enfield]

Serial number BS1892

You would normally be able to see a 'witness line' where a sleeve is fitted, but on this rifle there is absolutely no indication it is sleeved. I'd say its a 'solid, original .22rf barrel'

[curly]

Hi Alan,

thanks again for the very useful info.

Curly

[Peter Laidler]

I've got BS1740 and it's got a solid barrel and bayonet lugs.

[Brian Dick]

I've had many and they were all solid barrels with bayonet lugs.

[curly]

Thanks to Brian and all members who have kindly answered.

I was desperately hoping that some No.7 barrels had been made without bayonet lugs as I have just bought a British No.7 Mk1 from Germany, although thanks to Icelandic volcanic ash both the payment and the rifle are stuck on the ground "somewhere in Europe". It seems the Germans have a thing about bayonet lugs and have ground them off this particular rifle. I've been attempting to track down the original importer, (Matthias) Wagner of Trier, to find out if they carried out this mutilation but I think they have gone out of business. If they didn't grind the lugs off then perhaps I have a Long Branch barrel in it!

Curly

[Peter Laidler]

It'd be simplicity itself to reinstate the bayonet lugs

[tbonesmith]

Would you do this by sleeving the protruding portion of the barrel with a bored out section of No 4 barrel with the lugs?