Long Branch C7 question

[Lee Enfield]

A friend recently purchased a 1944 Long Branch C7 complete with Parker Hale sight and correct transit chest. The rifle appeared to be near mint condition but when he passed it to me for closer inspection I noticed the serial numbers on both the bolt and wrist had been ground off. I asked what he had to give for the rifle and upon his reply I responded that he stole the gun and perhaps a previous owner had as well. What I noticed was that even though the serial numbers were gone and evidence of the grinders work was clear the colour of the metal was consistent throughout the metal parts and appeared original. After mentioning this to a fellow member he mentioned the term "Scrubbed" as a gun that was assembled from parts. Can any other members give me their opinion on this?

Most No7 rifles were built from bare receivers which had been scrubbed (presumably) by the CF.

If your receiver is parkerized (and not dated in the 1950s), it is 95% that it was built from spare parts and one of these receivers.

They've been available that way to the public at least since the late '70s.

hundreds of them have been sold within the last 5 years by Ellwood Epps, they came in cardboard CF "Spares" boxes containing 2 scrubbed receivers.

My box is Marked:
Sept.59, 25 central ord. depot, Montreal QC, Sept 59, Part No: 1005.21.103.1133, Nominclature: Body, Quantity: 2

https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...Training-Rifle