1943 Long Branch No.4 Mk1*

Good morning one and all, Just introducing myself to the group. Located in Ottawa Canada and have been using this great site to get some info on my new purchase that came yesterday. Managed to pick up a 1943 Long Branch No.4 Mk1*. The serial number however did not fall within the expected range according to info I have read. Serial No. 88L0103 on the action and same on the bolt. Could the number be that far off from the numbers listed in Charles Stratton book?

88L is within the 1945 production year. Can you post a picture of the left side wall that shows the markings as well as the serial number on the butt socket. Something strange going on. Ron

I agree it is strange but this is what is shown on the rifle. Here are images of the numbers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It's had a 1945 bolt installed at sometime in the past. The receiver has be restamped to match the bolt. Generally the other way around. See the position of the"88" to the relationship of the remainder of the SN. Interesting. Ron

Thanks Ron. The rest of the gun looks normal to what should be there and is in good shape although the rifling is wore alot. Good to go with the bayonets.

All books can only be a guide, the Charles Stratton books in particular seem to be full of inaccuracies.

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Originally Posted by rgg_7

It's had a 1945 bolt installed at sometime in the past. The receiver has be restamped to match the bolt. Generally the other way around. See the position of the"88" to the relationship of the remainder of the SN. Interesting. Ron

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Will have to respectfully disagree about that: the "L0103" on the butt socket is original. The "88" is clearly a later over-stamping of the first two digits of the original SN; not even the correct sized stamps. The bolt is a complete renumber and another number was filed off first, so it is a re-used bolt, and looks like the hand of Bubba was upon it.;)

Why the SN on the socket was over-struck is anyone's guess: someone who liked "88", wanted to obscure the number of an "acquired" rifle, thought they knew what the SN "should be", etc. etc.:dunno:

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

The "88" is clearly a later over-stamping of the first two digits of the original SN; not even the correct sized stamps. The bolt is a complete renumber and another number was filed off first, so it is a re-used bolt, and looks like the hand of Bubba was upon it.

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I agree. The bolt has been filed and renumbered. You can see all sorts of different previous numbers.

But we should also add that there's nothing wrong with re-using a bolt providing that it's fittedCORRECTLY and you can get CHS with it. A bit more to it than that of course - but the principle of re-use is acceptable

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

the principle of re-use is acceptable

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Most certainly, no arguments...we're just trying to suss out the odd number.