My First Non-US rifle....No4 Mk1/3

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Just one observation. I don't ever recall us barring out the original number so as to make it illegible during any FTR or Base workshop overhaul. In fact, deleting a number was taboo. It was always barred through. There were exceptions where we would/could mill out the old but that was usually on No2 and L9 pistol slides/barrels where the an old one was being re-used on another pistol. But not the master number on the body - ever!

I wonder what the master number on the butt socket reads under the line of crosses

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I'll endeavor to see if it is legible once the rifle arrives in a couple weeks. Is the butt socket an integral part of the receiver assembly? If so, I could understand how that would help share the load of recoil with the stock.

Just to be clear, the S/N would be struck...but not so it could never be read again? New punch or a heavy hand in this case perhaps?

Roadkingtrax: Should be a good shooter. My only Longbranch was rebarreled inthe 50's with a 6 groove barrel and shoots real good! The butt socket is integral with the action body and it's interesting to know that the original Lee evaluation rifles did not have this arrangement- they were conventional with the action sitting in a one piece stock. It means that recoil is essentially taken up by the buttstock except for the bending that occurs as the obtuse angle between butt and barrel closes during firing. If you're interested in the history of the Lee Enfield you should consider the huge book by Ian Skennerton on the subject- hard to put down once you open it!

Ridolpho

Looking at the stampings it was FTR at the RSAF in Fazakerly, Liverpool. A D/A Longbranch sells for about £275 retail now. Live £600+ You have a nice rifle.

Kind regards, Lester

Yes, the butt socket is an integral part of the body.

In UK Military service, the rifle body is what we call the master component. That is the registered and accountable part of the whole gun - the part that is 'the gun' and never available as a spare part, ever! The serial number is stamped (or roll pressed) into the master component as that's the reason that it's never obliterated. If it is indistinct then it'll be restamped or engraved (as the factory did to yours) but never obliterated. If it gets worn away for some reason (such as in the bead blaster for example) you can usually reclaim the number from the master stores register held by the quartermaster. If not, then the Army will re-issue a new one with a special prefix...........

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Originally Posted by Ridolpho

Roadkingtrax: Should be a good shooter. My only Longbranch was rebarreled inthe 50's with a 6 groove barrel and shoots real good! The butt socket is integral with the action body and it's interesting to know that the original Lee evaluation rifles did not have this arrangement- they were conventional with the action sitting in a one piece stock. It means that recoil is essentially taken up by the buttstock except for the bending that occurs as the obtuse angle between butt and barrel closes during firing. If you're interested in the history of the Lee Enfield you should consider the huge book by Ian Skennerton on the subject- hard to put down once you open it!

Ridolpho

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Being a U.S citizen, I'll always have a soft spot for US rifles. We have our 1903, but my complaint (in contrast to some collectors) is that the stock seems like a real weak point. I regard this type of Enfield stock as a combat advantage. A portion of the stock can be replaced without having to scrap the entire assembly, such as a 1903 Springfield.

Granted as the decades go by, the parts get used and abused. I've seen more split 1903 stocks in the recoil area (inside), than any other rifle.

I will research that book, thank you!

You can get "The Lee Enfield Rifle" from http://www.skennerton.com of from me at the same price. I have them in stock too.