Long Branch 1955

Today at a local gun collectors meeting was a real nice 1955 vintage Long Branch #4 mk 1 with a price tag of $275.00 U.S. I was a little skeptical of the finish of the gun, it appeared too good (doe's that make sense?). I don't know enough about this model to jump in feet first. What should I look for should I see the gun again? The wood was very light in color and the bore was mint. All the markings seemed very sharp and clear, I just don't know what I should be looking for.-SDH:bash:

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Originally Posted by sdh1911

Today at a local gun collectors meeting was a real nice 1955 vintage Long Branch #4 mk 1 with a price tag of $275.00 U.S. I was a little skeptical of the finish of the gun, it appeared too good (doe's that make sense?). I don't know enough about this model to jump in feet first. What should I look for should I see the gun again? The wood was very light in color and the bore was mint. All the markings seemed very sharp and clear, I just don't know what I should be looking for.-SDH:bash:

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Please grab the rifle, I'll buy it from you if at that price. :)
We can import but it costs hundreds.

A LB dated that late is very unusual. It was likely assembled from parts, series production had ended earlier. The only '55 I've seen had a 2 groove barrel, and a round cocking piece. This was in 1961. It is my understanding that sometimes the serial numbers on late rifles are way out of sequence; numbers from earlier rifles which were scrapped were recycled.
Most LB rifles were stocked in walnut or birch. Birch can be quite light coloured. Very limited use was made of maple.
Even if the rifle has been FR'd somewhere, it is still unusual. I know I would be tempted at the price.

What are you waiting for.Buy it! $275.00 is a steal!

I'm leaning that way,how do I tell if the parts are right or should I just go for it, regardless?SDH

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Originally Posted by sdh1911

I'm leaning that way,how do I tell if the parts are right or should I just go for it, regardless?SDH

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I'll repeat my offer to buy it based on your previous description alone, as long as it's a 55 Long Branch and looks to be in good shape.

I had a 55 and a 56 both were stocked in walnut both had the last digit in the date hand stamped .they were just using up parts by that date as C1 production was gearing up.these rifles are really hard to find, for $275.00 I'd jump all over it

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Originally Posted by 36 hamon

I had a 55 and a 56 both were stocked in walnut both had the last digit in the date hand stamped .they were just using up parts by that date as C1 production was gearing up.these rifles are really hard to find, for $275.00 I'd jump all over it

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I think they were all shipped away to other countries and never came back...I saw some in that pile of Italian rifles.

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Originally Posted by 36 hamon

I had a 55 and a 56 both were stocked in walnut both had the last digit in the date hand stamped .they were just using up parts by that date as C1 production was gearing up.these rifles are really hard to find, for $275.00 I'd jump all over it

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Tell me you didn't get rid of them...

yep.. when i was hard up for cash they went as did a consecutive pair of LB 1949's