Un-serialed LB Mk I

**boltaction** · 01-30-2012 11:53 PM

I found the other post about the un-serialed LB Mk I* interesting, so will post photos of this un-serialed early Long Branch Mk I I have just picked up. It is complete, original, fully inspected with all cartouches, has all early Mk I parts (waisted ft sight protector, button cocking piece, early Singer type sight, low wood for cutoff, hinged front swivel), but interestingly has no date stamp on the barrel, although it has the same inspection mark seen on the barrel on Doug's Mk in the MKL icon

. The story on this rifle is that it was in a display case at Long Branch, and was taken down from there by the Managing Director, an Al Sweeting, when the factory closed. There is no documentation of that of course. As they say, buy the rifle, not the story--I find the story interesting, and while I am sure many would say this is a "lunchbox special" I do find the story plausible. Having seen the photos posted online of Long Branch factory during the war, I know that these were assembled, and then serialed at the end of the line in batches. It is possible I suppose that someone managed to lift a complete early Mk I, or maybe it was indeed put in a display case as one of the first ones. Who knows, and at this late date, who would ever know? Story or no, display case rifle or lunchbox special, I bought the rifle because aside from having no serial number, it is flat out the nicest Mk I LB I've ever seen. Not that I've seen many, but this one is a beauty.

Ed

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**Highly Recommended** · 01-30-2012 11:53 PM

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**boltaction** · 01-30-2012 11:56 PM

Had to do a second post to fit the photos on.........

I am looking forward to taking it to the range for a tryout at some point.

Ed

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**paulseamus** · 01-31-2012 06:48 AM

Ed

OMG your rifle looks magnificent.

Great photos.

Regardless of the origin....wow.

Very jealous.

Have fun at the range.

Paul

**enfield303t** · 01-31-2012 11:48 PM

Now the strangest thing, on another forum is a 1943 Long Branch that doesn't have a serial number (unless I am really blind). It is a 1* but the odds of another no serial number gun must be pretty big.

**limpetmine** · 02-01-2012 12:33 AM

OP, if you know where the rifle's owners are, you might ask them for a letter which discribes the circumstance of that rifle. Very nice piece. Plausable story, but buy the rifle.

**spinecracker** · 02-01-2012 01:13 AM

I thought I recognised it. I chatted with the prior owner a while ago and tried to explain the importance of provenance, but I am not sure he got the idea. I know he was expecting to sell the rifle for a pretty penny.

**boltaction** · 02-01-2012 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by enfield303t

Now the strangest thing, on another forum is a 1943 Long Branch that doesn't have a serial number (unless I am really blind). It is a 1* but the odds of another no serial number gun must be pretty big.

Yes, it is odd. That one is on Gunnutz. Asking 950, which seems high for a rifle which is pictured without the front topwood and front sight "ears".

Ed

**enfield303t** · 02-01-2012 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by boltaction

Yes, it is odd. That one is on Gunnutz. Asking 950, which seems high for a rifle which is pictured without the front topwood and front sight "ears".

Ed

Yes, it is odd it is missing the front topwood and ears. The price is high but no serial number makes a person wonder how many are out there? Two show up in a couple of days and yet have never seen one before? Do you think they left via the backdoor of the plant?

**boltaction** · 02-01-2012 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by spinecracker

I thought I recognised it. I chatted with the prior owner a while ago and tried to explain the importance of provenance, but I am not sure he got the idea. I know he was expecting to sell the rifle for a pretty penny.

It's possible. It wasn't cheap, but then, no nice LB Mk I is. However, it was part of a package deal with a couple of sniper rifles and an REL observers scope with accessories, so it will come out in the wash. In any case, it is a rifle I'm planning on being buried with (so to speak) so the resale value is not of great relevance.

Ed

**spinecracker** · 02-01-2012 10:47 AM

@ Boltaction, Don't get me wrong, I was seriously considering buying the LB, but I didn't have the cash and importing the rifle into the US would have meant it being marked, and I couldn't do it to that rifle. As it is, I ended up having to sell some Long Branches anyway to cover medical bills, and later found out I didn't have to (oh, the inhumanity!).

According to our friends at trhe canadiangunnutz forum, "lunchbox" LBS may not be that uncommon in Canada icon

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