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Brad, I share your feelings regarding this rifle not being 100% original, but a 1941 Long Branch in any condition is still a rare bird, in my humble estimation, and the marks of maintenance add to the history of the weapon, if not the collector value. This firearm would not be a candidate for returning to 1941 condition due to the marks indicating later maintenance work, but I think it might just clean up nicely.
TGI swears the barrel is bright, shinny, free of any pitting. They told me this and I believe they told you the same thing. The receiver looks legit to me and that was all I wanted. I have the correct furniture and small bits. I guess we'll all know in a week or so.
Pretty much that is what they told me, Madcratebuilder :), although that does not address the rifling. I have a shotgun that has a bore that is
bright, shiny and free of any pitting lol
I assume you are holding onto the correct furniture and small bits for the right reciever and barrel to turn up. I will keep my eyes peeled for you (thinking about it, isn't that a disgusting phrase, or what?) as I seem to be attracting 1941 Long Branches at the moment.
Rifle turned up - new photos at:
http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/...Branch%201941/
I did note the mark on top of the receiver indicating rust in the bore/chamber, but I gave both as good an inspection as I could and didn't see anything. Indeed, the rifling looks good all the way down, the bore is shiny, and the chamber looks smooth. Any comments regarding the 5 point star mark next to the "rust" stamp?
The bolt head is a Savage, and many of the small metal work appears to be from Fazakerley, and the woodwork has been replaced, but it looks like everyhing has been together for a very long time. The rear sight is a Fazakerley-made one. The good news is that the barrel and receiver have not been messed with, and still have what is left of the original finish, so I think that this rifle could be returned to the original 1941 configuration without raising too many eyebrows. The magazine is a replacement, and has been stamped with 2 other serial numbers (one of them a Savage serial number).
Comments would be appreciated. The test firing will be tomorrow morning - I also have 2 Mosin Nagants to check (one is mine, the other belongs to my father-in-law), and I am going to go for the last range visit with my Enforcer - my wife is expecting (woohoo!!!), but that means bills to pay (weeps bitterly), and the Enforcer has to go.
Looks like you have an SMLE buttplate on there. Otherwise looks very authentic and probably original. Perhaps even the forend too. Edit: scratch that, No4 buttplate with top ground down - or an Indian type?
Supports the theory that the "MkI" features such as cocking piece, foresight protector, hinged band etc. went out pretty early in production.
Good rifle as is. Although the Indian modified middle band seems a bit of of place- I might have to swap that bit for a non-drilled one. (Otherwise the fore stock needs fore and aft relief cuts- which I wouldn't do!)
spinecracker, Congrats on the baby news!
Waiting on the range report.
Brad
Happy news about the baby, Spinecracker! Say, you and RJW NZ at the same time- y'all conspiring or something?
"Say, you and RJW NZ at the same time- y'all conspiring or something?"
--jmoore
It's a race! My two daughters (always competed against each other) dominoed eight days apart in March but swear it wasn't conspired.
Brad
I just trying to take the US back for King George, one baby at a time....and I will be celebrating Colonial Day....errrr...Independence Day in my own special way (or, as I prefer to call it, "You kicked us out over 3 little taxes and now you're taxed up every orifice" Day) :P