Re-barreled Longbranch (6 groove)

[Ridolpho]

Current interesting thread on DCRA rifles has prompted me to post about this one. Actually was my first L.E. and a mighty fine shooter but I've always wondered about it origins. Seller was a Canadian Forces armourer who indicated it had been used as a target rifle. Has the 50's six groove Cmk4 barrel and the serial number on the wrist has, obviously, been scrubbed/ restamped. The body has a '43 date on it while the serial is, I believe, from '42. So my questions to the Long Branch experts are: 1) Do the markings on the barrel indicate it was installed at the factory or were barrels like this available as spares?; 2) Why would the body be scrubbed and re-stamped to (apparently) match a bolt instead of vica-versa?

I've always assumed this was all done post service but was very well done. The bore is essentially as new and someone set up the headspace extremely tight. I've added PH sight and have made it my designated "target rifle".

Anyone see anything that might explain its origins?

Ridolpho

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.

[browningautorifle]

I knew many armorers over time and several fancied themselves master shots. I suspect this rifle was built from spares at hand, carefully selected and assembled and then laundered as to avoid complications in later life. All the parts would be available...source would be right...

[Brian Dick]

I was just going to ask where's Jim and boom! There he is!! I'd have to agree with him. I'm curious about the 58 on the barrel. Build date or barrel mfg. date? Need to pull a handguard and check a factory installed barrel on a 1950 rifle.

[tiriaq]

I once observed a bottle of whisky get swapped for a brand new 6 groove barrel.

[Peter Laidler]

Agree with BAR a zillion percent. Neither that body nor the bolt are original if you ask me! Barrels were a Base workshop job unless it was a designated static large Field workshop that had not only the facilities but the body gauges too

[browningautorifle]

I know we didn't have the facility at our base for barrel change, perhaps at the Navy base close by as they had Parkerizing facilities. Once I mentioned changing an FN barrel to the effect of unscrew it and change it...the weapon's Sgt just made fun of the remark. It was like it was the hardest thing to do. Not all of them seemed to be savvy to changing a pipe... The stampings on the knoxform are crude, not a CAL type of job.

[Ridolpho]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. It would appear, then, that my suspicions were correct. But regarding the stampings on the barrel, BAR, would not the factory have stamped something on them after manufacture? It is definitely a six groove reverse twist barrel.

Ridolpho

[rgg_7]

Nothing wrong with your barrel. Markings are correct. CMK4 CA meaning Canadian No4 manufactured by Canadian Arsenals (successor to Long Branch) dated 58 for 1958. Was a DCRA 6 groove 303 competition barrel and bears their stylized proof (maple leaf) and "p" which means it was a military issue rifle. I've got a couple of these as well. Rifle it's self has been re serialized...not sure why. Sure Tiriaq will chime in on this. Nice find..

[browningautorifle]

Nothing wrong with your barrel. Markings are correct.

Except for their shabby shape. That's what I refer to. Not to standard for the CAL. I saw lots of their markings and those don't look like what they did.

[Ridolpho]

Was a DCRA 6 groove 303 competition barrel and bears their stylized proof (maple leaf) and "p" which means it was a military issue rifle.

rgg: I assume this "proof" mark would only be applied when barrel was installed on rifle? Of course, it could have been installed on another rifle and later swapped but there's no evidence of amateur work here- not a mark on the barrel. BAR: the stampings on the barrel are certainly poorly done- double struck. Someone might have been having an off day?

Ridolpho