A few questions to help a newbie
Hello folks,
Just bought my first rifle :)
It’s a Long Branch No4 Mk1*
I have attached some pictures here.
I have done a bit of research on the web...but there are some things which are puzzling me.
Would greatly appreciate if you guys might be able to help me out...sorry if these are a bit silly but as it’s my first rifle I want to ensure I do everything correctly to be completely safe. After all...it’s better to ask and feel a fool, rather than not ask and be a fool !!
My sincere apologies if I get my terminology for the various parts mixed up :confused:
1. The receiver is dated 1955, but the serial no is 27L66XX. Do you think this number is about right ? Or do you smell a rat ?
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...3&d=1433193973
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...5&d=1433194025
2. At the back of the receiver on the right hand side...there is what looks like a broad-arrow P mark (see picture) ....or is this the Long Branch mark ?
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...6&d=1433194049
3. The front sight post...and also the safety selector toggle switch...are stamped with a capital S...is this the Savage USA stamp ?
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...9&d=1433194099
4. There are two tiny stamps just above the trigger on the wrist/rear band....does anybody know what these are ? These might also be on the very end of the barrel...it’s hard to tell because they are tiny.
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...8&d=1433194084
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...0&d=1433194126
5. The rear sight seems to be one of the MkIII flip up type ones....but I thought that these ladder/flip up sights were not fitted to Mk1 * (star) rifles as it was cheaper/faster to produce them with the smaller peep-hole type sights ?
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...7&d=1433194070
6. The stock...it’s still a bit sticky in places from the storage grease....but it looks in decent shape. What would you recommend for cleaning the stock ? Would rubbing in some linseed oil do the trick or is that more to add a finish...rather than to clean it and remove some of the grease ?
https://www.milsurps.com/vbpgimage.p...4&d=1433194007
7. I think there might still be some residue from the storage grease in the bore (I haven't shot the rifle yet...but the RFD said it had been "proofed")...looking around on the web....a popular tip seems to be pouring boiling water down the barrel...then putting some Hoppes No9 down it...then a little bit of “normal” gun oil....would this be OK for a No4 ?
Greatly appreciate any assistance and guidance with the above.