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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
I think you can get LB un-issued and unstamped bolts in the USA, $30US I think.
Springfield Sporters has some Longbranch parts.
Beachloan,
What a steal good on you and thanks for the info
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.
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?
"We can rebuild him; we have the technology" ;)