DCRA (Canadian Arsenals) 7.62x51mm Converted BSA No4 mk1/2 with stage 2 bedding and AJP TZ 4/47

The discussion of rifle shooting competitors with the LEE Enfield models often focus on Bisely and contributions of Parker Hale, or Central of Australia, but Canada has quietly made significant contributions to the technology until the later parts of the 20th Century.

Here we have a DCRA conversion to 7.62x51mm NATO based on a BSA FTR and converted (to mk2 trigger specification), wartime BSA rifle - that has had a very high level of gunsmith execution to deliver stage 2 resin bedding.

On the left face we can determine the serial number to be from the BSA block as its first visit is a 4. The metal shape, finish and other marks are consistent with a war time BSA manufactured rifle also.

Interestingly the FTR marking is also of the BSA size, type and position - it could be assumed that the conversion to the Mk2 trigger (hung on the action not the (trigger guard) was also done at this time - typically in the late 1940's. The Suncorite metal finish may have originated there.

I would assume that the high gloss polymer finish beech wood stock were added later - they are devoid of makers factory marks and may have come from Canadian Arsenals (the Renamed Long Branch for its DCRA contract conversion.

The Dominion of Canada Rifle Association would produce standard and custom target rifle builds, in one program you could provide the donor rifle - so it would seem that this rifle was surplus in the Canadian (or North American market in happier times) and was privately held and submitted to DCRA for 7.62x51mm conversion. The rifle bares the simple "England" export marking required after the mid 1960's.

The barrel seems to be a slightly heavier profile - rifling specifications unknown at this writing and the conversion included the requisite extractor and reproofing work at a higher working pressure (19T).

DCRA conversions are indicated with a special stamped symbol and contract number - this one is number 1117. This is observed upside down on the right receiver nox form.

DCRA has some documentation online - but I have not found any searchable specifications or index of contract numbers (yet) - so we do not know if the wood, bedding or any other features were part of the conversion program - other than the barrel, extractor and reproofing - which are through the suncorite finish.

The front lower forewood has been resin / epoxy bedded onto the receiver to give a very tight fit - of especial interest is the wide mouth keyhole resin block produced around the receiver screw at the draws - even the gap to the receiver wrist is filled. Similarly the trigger guard has been set into its inlet - resin tight. The actual bedding has never been broken free since the resin set - so the actual magazine housing, middle bearing (a favorite of Canadian Arsenal accurisors) and front bedding are a mystery - although the barrel is held absolutely solid with no uplift pressure / movement (a standard No4 uses 2-4 lbs).

The rifle came to me from a dealer who had just attended an auction for new inventory - this one stuck out to him and so he asked for my input. It was without front sight and rear sight - so added the best examples from my stash - I chose a AJP TZ 4/47 in 7.62 elevation and 1/4 MOA increments to see what it could do. I also added the L8 / L42 magazine to oblige the NRA rapid fire course of fire. I could co-mount a LB rear micrometer sight (with the battle sight ground of No4T style to take advantage of the quick release bridge on the TZ - although the bedding would forgo it being a military configuration.

I took it to a local CMP workshop in Sept 2022 in this configuration and even though it is from the unobtrusive and softly spoken North - with IMI NATO Ball, it spoke like this:

It was a rainy and cool day - thank goodness for that glossy varnish and resin bedding to protect the workings - we were shooting from under partial cover. This is at 100 yards. Rain does change ballistics though - the denser experience will create a little bullet rise - point of impact being 1 MOA higher - its a fluid dynamics thing.. What? Oh? that one down there? That's "Larry" - there is one in every box of 20.. to be expected..

This outing exposed a couple of hiccups in rapid fire - the magazine had to be fettled to feed off both right and left stacks. The DCRA now quietly waiting for my time to return to thoughts of CMP workshops and a chance to speak again..