Long Branch C7 question

[#1oilman]

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?

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]

Sounds like an admittedly stolen gun and a good item to leave alone. Or, you could strip it for parts and buy a clean numbered receiver and build a nice piece. Gashbin the old receiver...far away.

[#1oilman]

Not mine Jim but it struck me as odd the friend who bought it didn't even notice the lack of serial numbers

[Eaglelord17]

I had something similar happen with a M1904 Portuguese Mauser Vergueiro. Bought the rifle, but never even thought to ask about serial numbers. When I got the rifle the location the serial number was supposed to be was bare, however there was no evidence of grinding. I did the proper thing and called the police asking if there was any listed as stolen, they got back to me and said there was none listed.

It can be difficult to notice something like that unless your paying attention. With online buying it can be even harder to notice if the seller doesn't list it as missing (which most won't as if it is odds are it is stolen).

[browningautorifle]

Serial numbers can be discovered after removing and I wouldn't want to be trying to explain that I bought it that way.

[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

[browningautorifle]

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

Yes, but I was taking it this was different...ground...the scrubbing was careful. I wouldn't call it "Ground"... I guess he is suggesting this was finished over top of the old number location.

[Seaforth72]

The "scrubbing" (removal of serial numbers) was sometimes a done a bit crudely when the rifles were stripped down for parts to supply the No.4 rifles. Sometimes the grinding is very obvious and sometimes it is barely visible. They would reblue/blacken the area. Stencollector is the main authority on these I believe. No need to fear it is stolen as the government themselves ground off THOUSANDS of serial numbers and sold the scrubbed bodies. Just a few days ago I noticed a Canadian surplus scrubbed C No.7 22" body for sale. Nothing unusual or to be paranoid about UNLESS you are buying what is reputed to be an expensive factory original rifle,

[Hal O'Peridol]

Several years back I wanted a CNo7 in the worst way. Srarted tio collect parts when I found the scrubbed reciever. Nicely refinished with scrubbed SN. Shortly after I was able to buy a legit CNo7 from a friend that I had found for him to buy from a fellow up on Vancouver Island. I think I paid the then outagious sum of 700 USD for it. Still have the project parts lying around, hardest one to find was the complete rear sight. I had a Savage No4 barrel lined to .22 for the project.

Here is a pic of the reciever:



Here are a couple of the rifle I ended up with:

[browningautorifle]

evidence of the grinders work was clear

I guess we'd need to see what's spoken of then. I know what you are all talking about but this isn't what I understood in the first place.