The No. 7 Mk I is a single shot bolt action training rifle manufactured by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) in .22 Long Rifle, designed for military marksmanship training within the British armed forces. The No. 7 was developed to provide recruits and service personnel with an inexpensive platform that replicated the general handling, weight, and manual of arms of the No. 4 Lee-Enfield service rifle while firing .22 LR rimfire ammunition. The rifle uses a simplified bolt action with a cock on closing striker mechanism. The bolt features a crossed flags stamp on the top, a characteristic BSA factory mark. A ring type lever safety is fitted on the left side of the receiver, which is rotated to engage or disengage the firing mechanism. The receiver is marked "No. 7 MK. 1" on the left side. The rifle is fitted in a full length military stock with a top handguard, barrel bands, and a buttplate with a hinged trap door compartment, replicating the profile and balance of the full bore Lee-Enfield. The No. 7 Mk I feeds from a detachable single stack box magazine.

This example was manufactured in 1948 under contract for the Royal Air Force, with a 25.5 inch barrel. Serials are non-matching across the three serialized components: BS0877 on the stock collar, BS2191 on the rear of the bolt handle, and BS2453 on the magazine. The rear of the bolt handle is also stamped with a broad arrow and a crossed flags mark. No visible import mark. No original box or accessories included.

Markings

The stock collar is stamped with a broad arrow, crown, the letter "E" (or possibly "M"), and "R6." The rear sight block is marked "P46" on the right side, "P" on top, and "P CR318" on the left side. The front barrel band is marked "CEW" with a broad arrow on top. The handguard retainer band at the front of the barrel is marked "D&M" with a broad arrow on top and an "S" in a square on the bottom. The right side of the bolt bears faint markings. Barrel shank markings are not visible. Stock collar markings are faint.

The front sight block is marked "1.14" and "P" in a square on top. A "B" is stamped forward of the magazine well. The underside of the handguard is marked "U1." The underside of the stock is marked "JC N22" with a broad arrow. Inside the buttplate trap door is an "E" in a square.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company)
• Model: No. 7 Mk I
• Date of Manufacture: 1948
• Contract: Royal Air Force (RAF)
• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
• Action: Bolt action, single shot, cock on closing
• Barrel: 25.5 inches
• Finish: Blued
• Stock: Full length military wood stock with top handguard
• Safety: Ring type lever safety, left side of receiver
• Sights: Front sight with blade, rear sight with elevation adjustment
• Magazine: Detachable single stack box magazine