RARE .22 Longbranch Trainer NOT a No.7

[Judge223]

Need some help & info as i just saw this absolutely gorgeous .22 Long Branch. Un serialized
No.4 Not a No.7
receiver stamped
.22
Longbranch
1945
NO OTHER MARKINGS
No other markings in a beautiful Bright tiger striped stock. Unfired condition in its transit case with all .22 cleaning rods & brushes... Guy stated very RARE & NOT CHEAP... but i can not find any info in my books... his notes on the gun was 1 of 6 hes ever seen & made before the No7. I feel in love with it but not the price..... This would make a fantastic addition to my collection. i did not take any pictures out of respect & the owner could be on here... Just looking for some to say JUMP on it or back away.. $3995

Information

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[rgg_7]

As always a few pictures are of great assistance in identifying the rifle. There's lots of CNo7 information in the "Knowledge Library" under "Canada".

Having said that the earliest CNo7 (Canadian) is 1944 with the receiver marked { .22" LongBranch 1944 } stacked in 3 rows. The marking for 1945 are quite different and would ask that you confirm exactly what's stamped on the receiver. No serial number generally is an indication that the rifle was assembled by somebody other than the factory...Armorer, shooting club, private individual. There are CNo7 Ordnance receivers available...at least in Canada...that have been built into rifle as few were every released for sale.

You should also check the bolt for a serial number on the back face of the bolt. If 1945 it should be 1LXXXX and have "LB" stamped near the firing pin hole. If the rear handguard is removed you should see more markings. Internal parts and sights also will be marked. Have a closer look and let us know what you see.

Highly figured stocks are very desirable. Generally these were set aside for special builds. Not seen any unmarked ones on CNo7's.

Rare to see transit chest and cleaning tools intact.

I'd get a bit more information before purchasing.

Ron (Canada)

[Judge223]

on the receiver, its stack stamped
.22
Longbranch
1945

Just like that. No numbers on wrist band & no numbers on bolt. Not stamped No7 anywhere
Has a target rear site with peep hole. Seller stating special trainer & un numbered as it is NOT a Military purpose Rifle for combat...... she is sooooo beautiful & i cant find much info on it anywhere.... No bayonet lug on barrel either. NON Grooved upper wood either... the wood is stunning & never seen anything like it
I left the show... but my buddy is going today & may put deposit down...

there is a No7 on gunbroker now for $5000 & this unmarked one is way better...

[breakeyp]

Past postings have discussed a series of .22s put together by a Canadian using blank receivers with new markings from the close out auction at Long Branch. I don't remember details as to the new markings but they were different from the norm. Someone may remember. Just something to keep in mind.

[Badger]

With thanks to stencollector, refer to this MKL article in the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Complete with over 100 detailed pictures, this is one of the best and most thorough write-ups I've encountered on the Internet, in regards to these rifles.

1944 C No.7 .22 Caliber Lee-Enfield Training Rifle (click here)

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

Another classic case of buy the rifle, not the story here.........

[rgg_7]

The surplused CNo7 receivers I've seen were boxed (2 per box) and wrapped for long term storage. Boxes were brown cardboard and marked Montreal Ordnance and sold off by Crown Assets in the 70's. No serial numbers. These were used for repair and serial number of damaged rifle restamped. Post WW2 all assets were transfer to CA (Canadian Arsenals) who operated for many more years...mid 60's (I believe).

If you can get a picture of the left side butt socket it will tell the story.

CNo7 barrels never had bayonet lugs so that detail appears to be correct.

Handguards - both grooved and non grooved were used.

Is the left side of the mag marked "22" with the correct single shot follower.

Do you know wood species? I've seen some awesome highly figured birch stocks on Cno7. Fiddleback walnut is extremely rare.

Like to see some pictures before saying "jump on it"

Ron (Canada)

[bigduke6]

Certainly worth doing your homework, as much as like my .22 Trainers (they are addictive and cheap to run) that price is a bit eye watering.

[stencollector]

The .22" marking overlapped into 1945 production, so while not particularly common, not really rare either, and I certainly would not give a premium for such a rifle with the receiver marked like that.

Lack of a serial number is an extremely good indication that the rifle was a post-factory assembled rifle. Often, the indicator is that the barrel is not indexed properly. If it is new unfired from the factory, is the SAL tag with the rifle?

The vast majority (I would suggest 99%) of the receivers that are available as replacements were from rifles that were torn down, the serial numbers scrubbed, and the area refinished. Not a lot of care was taken in the scrubbing, so you can usually feel the flat spot where the serial number was. As well, any high macro photo will show the difference between a sanded down area and the pimpling of the original.

For $3995, I would back away. I seriously doubt a new in the box Cno7 with the tags still on it would fetch that much (and I have one of those downstairs).

Not sure I am reading your initial post right: what makes it a number 4?

[Judge223]

stencollector, just my uneducated wording as im more of a No. 4 collector... I have decided to walk away from it. Beautiful & pricey & with NO numbers not sure if i can even register it.