How were Charnwood Ordnance rifles marked?

[breakeyp]

I saw an interestingly marked No.4 Mk2 this weekend. The receiver flat was marked with a serial Number N185 and a C in a circle about 1/4 inch across. There were no other markings. I took a picture with my new phone but can't figure out how to transfer it to my computer.

Anyway, is a circle c marking attributable to Charnwood?

Information

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[newcastle]

I thought that was Canadian. Vaguely remember that being on my DCRA's

[Roger Payne]

Hi Paul. I was a fairly regular visitor to Charnwood throughout the 1990's but I don't recall ever seeing that mark on one of their rifles. They might have used it, of course, & I may just have missed it, but I don't think so. I still keep in occasional touch with Robert (he posts on here, but only very rarely) so I'll try & get a definitive answer out of him for you, although that may take a while. One thing Charnwood did do when they made up rifles was to re-serial number with their own number, but starting it with the two letter prefix of 'CO'. I think in some, if not all examples, the last two digits of the year of assembly crept into there as well. It's taxing my powers of recollection after all this time, but I think they made up some 7.62mm No4's with serial numbers something like this: CO 188-92, or similar. IIRC they were engraved on the rear flat of the receiver just below where the rear sight sits.

Best.

[Lance]

Here is my example. I have seen them with CO89-XX and CO90-XX. I assume for 1989 and 1990.

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Lance. Looks like I got the order wrong, but that looks like what I saw in the factory warehouse in Ireton Rd.

[breakeyp]

I went and dug out a Long Branch with the discussed Competition marking for comparison. Picture attached. I remember it as an oval but this one seems to be round like I saw last weekend. Now I don't know what the square marking, double stamped, is located above the circle c marking. The rifle is a 1949 Long Branch in 7.62 NATO.

The rifle that started this had no proofs, no manufacturers markings. No.4 Mk1* located forward of the ejector screw, and circle C and N18x located aft of the ejector screw, all in a straight line. While interesting I can't see it worth $450 US.Attachment 96707

[superbee]

The double stamp above the serial # is 5G.I have several rifles like it.
Some people say it means a 5 groove barrel.

[Mk VII]

I had a 7.62 x 51 one from Charnwood and it had no special markings at all. A15579, if anyone comes across it.

[Roger Payne]

I've emailed Rob Hallam to ask him if Charnwood had any particular system for marking firearms that they produced, although I can't guarantee a response; Rob is more into Land Rovers these days than Lee Enfields. However, if he does get back to me I'll pass it on.