1945 LB No4 MKI * Butt Socket marking question--

Hello Friends, A few questions that have been puzzling me - On the left side of the butt socket of my 1945 Long Branch is stamped “52” and “48”. Are these FTR dates or possibly an auxillary serial no. (all one number 5248) or something else? Also there is a broad arrow with “48” and “K”. Is this a British acceptance and proof mark? The magazine is painted green, so maybe a clue to its history? Import marks and proof test markings are near the muzzle.

Well as long as I’m here I thought I should post some pictures. So here is my Long Branch No 4 MK1*. I picked it up at a LGS right before the pandemic hit.
The negatives were – Cut stock, bands were missing, and the bayonet lugs were ground off.
The positives – The body, bolt, and magazine are matching. Most all the metal parts are marked LB. It has a No 2 bolt head and headspace is perfect. The 2 groove barrel shines like a mirror. There is very little wear anywhere and the bolt lug contacts are very even.
So I found the bands and “stretched” the forestock and refinished the wood. I decided to live with the ground off bayonet lugs. It’s too bad it had been sporterized but at least they didn’t chop the barrel! All in all I feel pretty lucky to have found this one. Thanks for looking, Salt Flat

Attachment 117909Attachment 117912Attachment 117911Attachment 117908Attachment 117910

The mags were painted along with the rifles for hard use in the bush like Malaya, Peter Laidler and others have told us about it. The mag was just added but not matching, any numbers on it? Maybe it came from a #5 rifle. Nice to find one with a mint mirror bore, looks good.

Jim, The mag has the same serial as the body, but I guess anybody could've stamped it on there. Thanks--

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

The mags were painted along with the rifles for hard use in the bush like Malaya, Peter Laidler and others have told us about it. The mag was just added but not matching, any numbers on it? Maybe it came from a #5 rifle. Nice to find one with a mint mirror bore, looks good.

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The rifles and magazines were painted green in ALL theatres, it was a general instruction issued 27/11/40 for 'all stations home and abroad'

Scan is a little feint, but if you open it up and zoom in it is quite readable.

Here is the text :

Painting Barrels of Rifles Nos 1, 2, and 3
A.C.I. No1444 dated 27/11/40

Approval has been given for the painting of rifle barrels and associated components, as a protection against rust, in lieu of the annual application of mineral jelly as laid down in Instructions for Armourers.
The painting will be carried out in all stations at home and abroad.
Paint, prepared for use, Khaki green, No3 or, as an alternative, Hadfield’s paint specification No1M.1013(B), will be applied by armourers as soon as conditions permit, the following procedure being adopted :-
1) Completely strip the rifle and thoroughly clean, removing all grease from the components to be painted by immersing in strong soda water (not caustic), followed by thorough rinsing in clean hot water to eliminate all traces of soda.
2) Apply one cost of paint to the metal parts normally in contact with the wood, ie:
Rifles No1 and 2
Barrel – The whole of the exterior
Block band foresight – The cylindrical portion only
Band inner – External face
Bed, back sight – Sides and undersides, care being taken to keep the ramps free from paint
Body – The underside and side portions normally in contact with the fore-end stock and the interior, and rear faces of the butt socket
Cap, nose – The interior faces with the exception of fore-sight protector wings
Stud , fore-end – Completely cover
Protector – All over except the protruding wings, which are to be left browned
Bolt, stock – Completely cover with the exception of the screw threads.

Rifle No3
Barrel – The whole of the exterior with the exception of the portion forward of the stock
Body – Underside and side portions normally in contact with the stock
Magazine – Sides and ends, externally
Cap, nose – Internally
Ring, Hand guard – The lever half

3) Allow the paint on the components to dry, standing the barrel muzzle downward.
4) After drying, examine and ensure that no metal shows through the paint, and, if necessary, apply a second coat, endeavouring to keep the film as thin as possible
5) When the paint is finally dry, remove all paint from the screw threads and any surplus paint from the magazine openings, etc.
6) Re-assemble the rifle, omitting the insertion of the mineral jelly between the fore-end, hand guards and painted components.
7) When in use, fore-ends need not be removed from the rifles having painted barrels until this is necessary for re-browning, or when other repairs make removal essential.
8) When re-browning is necessary, the paint should be removed with any suitable paint solvent, components being re-browned and repainted as in para 2
9) Paint, Prepared for use, Khaki green, No3 is obtainable from Section H.I of V.A.O.S on demand.

57/S.A./654 (A3)


The No4 rifle is not mentioned as it was not in service at this time - I assume (dangerous !!) that a similar note would be issued to cover the No4.

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Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

The rifles and magazines were painted green in ALL theatres, it was a general instruction issued 27/11/40 for 'all stations home and abroad'

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My misunderstanding...

FTR'd twice. That's unusual.

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

FTR'd twice. That's unusual.

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Well that's what I was really curious about. It looks like two separate year dates but doesn't really say FTR per say. I'm still learning about all of this, so please bear with me.

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

I'm still learning about all of this, so please bear with me.

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Isn't that just the "American way" (you have the right to arm bears)

That's how LB marked their FTR's.

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

Well that's what I was really curious about. It looks like two separate year dates but doesn't really say FTR per say. I'm still learning about all of this, so please bear with me.

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Limpetine, That's good! It's kind of what I suspected, but just wanted some confirmation. Thanks for your help. Salt Flat