No7 MK1 : original markings?

[Maxi5566]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to buy a Lee Enfield (Long Branch) No7 Mk1 in great condition. The problem is that the markings looks really faint to me. Are they original, or were they badly stamped by a forger/someone who made them from parts?

Pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/BmoR2L

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Flying10uk]

I'm not sure if you took the photos, Maxime, or the vendor but I would suggest posting a photo of the markings 'square-on" or asking the vendor for such a pic.

[Maxi5566]

I'm not sure if you took the photos, Maxime, or the vendor but I would suggest posting a photo of the markings 'square-on" or asking the vendor for such a pic.

I just added 2 pictures of the serial number

[limpetmine]

Need a square on shot of the left receiver wall and the markings. Not oblique, but square on.
From what I've seen, it looks legit.

[stencollector]

Everything I can see about it says it is 100% legitimate. I don't say that often when it comes to Cno7s.

Blowing up the serial number area, the metal looks cast rather than buffed or tampered. The intertwined LB is over the serial number which is also perfect. Usually those would be buffed off the area if it was one of the recycled receivers. The windage indicator even appears tom align with the mark on the receiver.
Check and make sure the front sight base is the proper one as opposed to the .303 one which slides over the bayonet lugs. Due to the difficulty in finding barrels, the fakes (post factory assembled rifles) will usually use recycled but sleeved 303 barrels and keep the corresponding lugs to hold the front sight base while removing the bayonet lugs.

Very nice rifle.

[Maxi5566]

Everything I can see about it says it is 100% legitimate. I don't say that often when it comes to Cno7s.

Blowing up the serial number area, the metal looks cast rather than buffed or tampered. The intertwined LB is over the serial number which is also perfect. Usually those would be buffed off the area if it was one of the recycled receivers. The windage indicator even appears tom align with the mark on the receiver.
Check and make sure the front sight base is the proper one as opposed to the .303 one which slides over the bayonet lugs. Due to the difficulty in finding barrels, the fakes (post factory assembled rifles) will usually use recycled but sleeved 303 barrels and keep the corresponding lugs to hold the front sight base while removing the bayonet lugs.

Very nice rifle.

Thanks for the thorough reply!
Is there any variation in value (and/or rarity/desirability) between those made in ‘44, ‘45 and ‘46?

[stencollector]

I have seen some guys feel there is more value to a 44 or 45 dated example, as they are wartime, but really, they are a rare enough rifle in their original form that they hold pretty good value. As to rarity, the ones made in the early 50s are the hardest to find as I suspect those may have only numbered around 300, starting in the 2L serial range.