1941 No 4 MK 1 Long Branch Frankenstein

[Brian Dick]

I don't have any spare Long Branch barrels but I do have a couple of decent Savage barrels on hand. Patiently awaiting word from Criterion on the new production barrels.

[beachloan]

Ridolpho: The barrel is 22" and the bolt does not match. Thank you for your input.

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

Well Gil, I am in somewhat of a unique situation in that I own a pawnshop and sometimes (especially with older firearms) have people walk in the door and just want to get rid of them. I paid $250.00 for this, a 1943 Mosin M91/30 and a Mossberg 152.

---------- Post added at 12:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------

I would like to thank everybody for the warm welcome and wealth of knowledge I have already gained. I am still trying to decide what to do with this one, buy it myself and restore it (I do have a nice little collection of wartime firearms) or sell it off to someone that would do it correctly. From what I have read and some of the comments here it would seem only fitting that this was put back to as close to original as possible.

[stencollector]

The nice thing about that rifle is not just that it is a LB no4mk1 (with no *) but also that it does not have the FTR markings from the UK electro etched onto the sidewall, or even worse had a conversion to mk1/2.
If it was on the Northern side of the US/Cdn border I would be happy to make a deal with you on it, but it being on the Southern side, the import fees make it uneconomical.

[tlvaughn]

The nice thing about that rifle is not just that it is a LB no4mk1 (with no *) but also that it does not have the FTR markings from the UK electro etched onto the sidewall, or even worse had a conversion to mk1/2.

I'm sure limpetmine or one of the other LB guru's will chime in if I am wrong, but LB made approx. 15,000 No4 MkI (no star) rifles which I classify as rare; however, a MkI/2 is much rarer than a MkI. I am not sure if anyone knows how many are out there, but I have never seen one for sale and only know of a few collectors that own one. Two Enfields that are at or near the top of my current "Holy Grail" list are a 1941 LB MkI/2 and a 1941 Savage MkI/2.

[ssj]

I think you can get LB un-issued and unstamped bolts in the USA, $30US I think.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Springfield Sporters has some Longbranch parts.

[Gil Boyd]

Beachloan,
What a steal good on you and thanks for the info

[jmoore]

If you do attempt restoration, it seems worthwhile to attempt a sleeve repair of the front end of the barrel. It is a '42 serial numbered to the action. The early Long Branch sight protector is a scarce part, and the early cocking piece is a little tough to find as well, but otherwise it would be straightforward.

What made/makes me shy away from the restoration route is the probability that the bolt is likely a replacement. That and the potential that the barrel needs the "heave-ho" as well. At which point it's just a cool action body.

[beachloan]

Yes jmoore, you are correct the bolt is a replacement SN#y16618.

It seems that this one might just be a little more work than I have time to put into and although I would love to add it to my collection I don't think it is going to make it. If you walked into my store and saw this sitting as it is now, what is a fair price?

[Surpmil]

"We can rebuild him; we have the technology"