3 Attachment(s)
1944 Long Branch No.4 MK1* T
Hi,
I have a 1944 Long Branch No.4 MK1* (T) which is a matching number rifle however in trying to ascertain it's history a number of anomalies have come up which has left me confused. The first relates to the serial number. According to Clive Law's book Without Warning blocks of serial numbers were set aside for the sniper rifles "71Lxxxx consisting of mostly No.32 Mark2 scopes; 74L0001 to 74L0350 set-up with the Lyman Alaskan; 80L8xxx with the No.67 Mark 1 scope and 90L8xxx mounted mostly with theNo.32 Mark 3 scope". The serial number on my rifle is 80L0259.
Having read the article “Is my Lee Enfield sniper rifle a fake?” there is a comment regarding scopes which says "a Long Branch rifle with a British scope should be approached skeptically". My rifle has a No32 Mk1 scope dated 1943 made by William Watson & Sons.
As I said in my opening sentence the rifle is a matching example. The serial number of the scope has been stamped on the front edge of the butt and the rifle serial number has been stamped just in front of the scope number. The rifle number is also stamped onto the scope bracket along with a Canadian manufacturing mark. Please see attached photo's.
So my question is were British scopes used on Long Branch rifles in late 1943/44 and was the block of serial numbers set aside for sniper rifles 80Lxxxx as opposed to 80L8xxx?
Many thanks
10 Attachment(s)
1944 Long Branch No.4 Mk1* T
Many thanks for your detailed response. I had a sneaking suspicion so wasn't totally surprised but still disappointed. :crying:
Anyway as requested I attach some more photographs. I am aware that the swivel in front of the magazine has been changed for a parker hale version at some point in its history. If you want me to remove the woodwork, happy to do so if this will help.
Neil
1944 Long Branch No.4 Mk1* T
Gentlemen,
Many thanks for your comments.
I will carefully strip the rifle down tonight, photograph everything and post them here.
As you say, someone has gone to a lot of trouble with this one.
Thanks again it's most appreciated.
Neil
14 Attachment(s)
1944 Long Branch No.4 Mk1* T
Thanks Seaforth, I wish I'd known about this forum before I bought it!! :crying:
In stripping it down to look for various marks and answer a number of questions asked I looked at the serial number under a strong magnifying glass - see the first photograph! The first digit is a 6 so the correct serial number is 60L0259 although if you look at the number on the bolt it shows 0258.
Between 2013 and when I bought the rifle in 2017 it had lost its transit chest and scope case.
The $64,000 question is what are my chances of getting my money back as it was sold to me as a genuine No4T by a dealer, who in my honest opinion should know better?
Whilst rgg_7 advice was to "shoot the rifle and enjoy it as is" it is leaving a somewhat hollow feeling in my stomach. :(
Any advice on legal recourse against the original dealer would be appreciated (I'm UK based).
I've attached various other photographs for reference.
Many thanks
Neil