I stand corrected. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mag Fed
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I stand corrected. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mag Fed
1942 Long Branch No4. Mk1
15L5xxx
Serial numbers for bolt and magazine match, but there is also a NZ serial number listed. Unfortunately it was previously sporterized. Somewhere on here I have pics.
Hi there:
I was looking for some info on the Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 I just acuired,
and yes, it's a 1943 Long Branch (according to the stamp on the side of the
receiver)- the serial is:
29L8110
However, it has another marking next to the serial: FTR
Not sure what that means, but the rifle stock has been sporterized, the
foresight has been removed and changed with a blade foresight, and it
still has a ladder peep sight....I traded my beat up old SKS for it, and
the action is smooth, as well as the barrel- it all looks ok, going to
shoot it this weekend.
My big question is this: is it a fake long branch, or is it real (not
that I'm collecting- just curious, that's all).....?
Thanks in advance for any info you might have.
Cheers!
Pete
va6yag,
Sounds like you have a regular Long Branch (sported) which at some point in time went through a rebuild, i.e. FTR, meaning Factory Thorough Repair. This was a fairly common post-war British process done to refurb battle rifles. The FTR electro-pencil engraving is typically accompanied by a date. I have some done in '49, '50, '52, etc..... Should be a good shooter.
1943 Long Branch 34L2938. FTR Fazerkerly 1952. 5 groove barrel was full of cosmolene when I got it and looks new. Full beech stock, Mk1 sight (battle sight was ground off), Bolt, butt socket and receiver numbers match.
Added:
14L1663 South African 1942
18L2025 New Zealand 1942
56L8937 1*/3 1943
91L8311 1950
93L1423 1950
I purchased a longbranch barrel, 5 groove 1943, the guy sent it with the receiver still attached on it, for free, matching #'s and indexed. I purchased the mag and trigger group. When I got it and cleaned it up I noticed an S stamped into the receiver and marked barrel/receiver, plus a large R stamped on top of the reinforce.
I Obtained the whole trigger group, mag and guts all marked LB, and mag is marked with an lB or B in a circle. The trigger gaurd is marked with a distinct type T and then a C with a broad arrow inside it. The rifle number is 30Lxxxx
No bolt, but I have a nice couple of LB spares, and luckily one fits very nicely, fitted with early button type cocking piece now, and hinged type front band. Obtained a early set of SL made walnut. Looks very cool. Hope I've done it justice. All I know about it, markings are interesting.
I have a 1943 Mk1* 23L1483 bought from Worldwide Arms recently. Sadly this from a batch they obtained last year which have all now been deactivated, but the job has been done quite neatly. The bands, foresight protector, and magazine on these all have an American style grey parkerised finish.
Just purchased my first Long Branch, a pristine all matching 1943 LB No 4 Mk I* SN 56L9036. All parts except 3 have interlaced LB. The three parts that don't (mag, front handguard, butt socket) are Savage. It has many early features (button cocking piece, low "cutout" wood, "fish tail"(?) safety, grooved rear handguard and Mk II sight). All wood has matching B/66 C/broad arrow marks and also has very bright 2-groove barrel. I drove 2 1/2 hours to buy it but it was totally worth it to me and for a decent price, especially by today's standards. Now, I can continue the hunt for a CEF marked ShtLE and a Ross!
Here is another New Zealander, all matched up except mag
No. 4 Mk1* 1942
21L3443
NZ nr 18678
NZ Stamp on butt
2 groove barrel, grooved handguard, walnut furniture, mazac buttplate, rear sight is marked with 'B' and broad arrows on it
A little 'soldier worn' but not messed up at all.