Long Branch spotted in pawn shop

Long time milsurp collector, but admittedly know very little about the great British Lee-Enfield. I own a No. 1 MkIII, a sporterized Ishy, and a No 5 Carbine. Today, I saw a Long Branch marked rifle in a pawn shop. The forestock had been cut down and handguards were missing. Everything else seemed to be in place, barrel was not cut back, original front sight was there, and it had a nice parkerized finish. Asking price was $180. Assuming good bore, etc., is this a good price? Also, is the front band, forestock and handguards available? I didn't think that a regular No. 4 would be worth that considering the parts required to bring it back to original configuration, but didn't know if the Long Branch would bring a premium.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

daveboy

If it was a 1950 Long Branch, I'd grab it!

If a 1941, 1949 or 1950 Long branch - a good possibility for restoration. If you buy it, we'd love to see photos, and I am sure that there are membershere who can direct you to correct parts to put this old girl back in shape.

I know I am showing my ignorance concerning these rifles (more of an American milsurp collector) but what makes the 41, 49 and 50 models more valuable?

I plan to go back by the pawn shop today and look a little harder.

Thanks
daveboy

P.S. Photography is my other expensive hobby. So, if I bring the rifle home you can count on photos!

1941 - first year of production, less than 18,000 made (Stratton says 10,000 to 15,000), and not that many still with us

1949 - Long branch was ramping up production again after not making No.4 Mk.1*s since WW2, so not that many of them out there

1950 - Probably the height of craftsmanship from the Long Branch factory (depending on who you ask - everyone has their own opinion, if not more than one...)

Looked at it briefly again today. It is stamped "1943 No. 4 Mk1*". The rear sight is marked "MKIII". The peep slides up and down on the ladder held snugly by spring pressure alone. There is no "button" or "lever" to push to get it to move. Is this correct or is the rear sight missing something?
Bore is 2 groove and looks very nice with sharp rifling. Muzzle passed the "bullet" test just fine.
The bolt s/n does not match the rifle. The parkerized finish looks pretty nice. Was this the original finish or was it applied later?
I know that the furniture and hardware to get it back to its military configuration will cost me $150 or so. I'm thinking of offering him $130 and if he won't take it to walk away. Does that sound fair?

Thanks again
daveboy

A Mk 3 rear sight is the correct one for that year. It is elevation adjustable only, and the mechanism you described is also correct.

What rear sight type would have been standard on the 1950 Longbranch ?

I can't resist this shameless plug so I'll apologize in advance The sporterized Long Branch you're looking at is one that's been back to Canadian Arsenals in the 1950's, been Parkerized and the rear sight upgraded to the Canadian adjustable type. I have some of the same rifles here that were imported by myself and were surplused from Greek War Reserve Stores. Almost all of mine have matching serial numbers throughout and all have very good to excellent barrels and good headspace. They are also complete and range ready. Buy one of mine instead because in the long run, you'll have a range ready rifle that you don't need to restore at about the same price. Food for thought.

Daveboy,
The 1943 year of production was the height of Long Branch production. The amount is not at the tip of my tounge, but it's well into the 350,000 range.
For a mis matched bolt, chopped stock, you'd do well to look into Brians stock of Greek rifles. I'll attest, they are top notch, and a fair price. An un-bubba'ed. :)