Lee Enfield No4 Longbranch CANADIAN EH!

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09-07-2012, 11:58 PM
shaunman79

12 Attachment(s)

Lee Enfield No4 Longbranch CANADIAN EH!

Hey guys I went to a gun show today and found this rifle, it was the last one on the table as I walked around the last isle I seen it sitting there from 10 feet away I picked it up and he said last one just sold 3 its canadian, I look over both shoulders and 2 guys are standing there waiting while I was giving it a look over:ugh: I said ill take it!:clap: bolt matches mag does not has the original issued sling as far as I know everything matches what caught my eye was the nice blonde tiger stripe stock all I need now is a ww2 issue canadian pig sticker bayonet, One more for the wall:thup: pictures attached if you guys can tell me a bit more about it by the numbers etc thanks!.
09-08-2012, 01:15 PM
conec

Is the side of the receiver scrubbed clean? The pic fails to show where you'd expect it say Long Branch and a date of production... The electropencilled bolt is problematic too.
09-08-2012, 04:12 PM
Ridolpho

Shaunman79: I'm no expert but I see the so-called "Ishapore screw" through the forend immediately in front of the magazine and a clear BSA "M47C" on the bolt handle which is hollowed as in a No. 5 handle. So some history behind this one- built in Canada, used in India (and elsewhere?), then sold commercially back North America from England as per the proof markings. The Longbranch serial number and small numbers beneath on the left cheek resemble those on my own Longbranch. So I'd be curious as to whether or not it was arsenal overhauled in India. Nice looking gun. Is the bore good and have you shot it yet?

Ridolpho
09-08-2012, 10:19 PM
lngstrt

Nice looking rifle! :thup:

Looks like a '1954' above the M47C as well.
09-09-2012, 10:20 AM
Beerhunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunman79

does not has the original issued sling

There is actually no such thing. Slings were a separate item and you got issued what you got issued. However the webbing on that one looks a little suspect to me.

It has definitely been refurbished by some one and to such an extent its difficult to tell what it was originally. If it is a Longbranch it should be a Mk.1*. The Isshy screw suggests it has been on the Indian sub-continent. I agree that it look like it has had a replacement BSA built bolt which if done by/for the UK forces would have had the number stamped not engraved. The trigger guard looks like it was by Stevens-Savage and the foresight protector looks North American to me.

I agree that it has been civilian Proofed in Birmingham England. The crossed sceptres (they look like swords) near the muzzle contain the date code of when that was done.
09-09-2012, 02:34 PM
Buccaneer

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunman79

what caught my eye was the nice blonde tiger stripe stock all

The wood looks very nice but I wish people would not use those self adhesive lables. If they are left for any length of time they can be very hard to remove and then take the finish off when you do manage to get the damn thing off!!!!
09-09-2012, 03:45 PM
shaunman79

6 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by conec

Is the side of the receiver scrubbed clean? The pic fails to show where you'd expect it say Long Branch and a date of production... The electropencilled bolt is problematic too

Hi I dont know if it is worn off? It does not say ftr anywhere I did a total strip down and it does say LB on the right of the receiver and on the barrel, It looks like it has seen combat, here are some additional pics I took i can barely see longbranch 1944 the no4 and mk1 your guess is as good as mine maybe a factory refurb after the war?.

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09-09-2012, 04:04 PM
shaunman79

9 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridolpho

Shaunman79: I'm no expert but I see the so-called "Ishapore screw" through the forend immediately in front of the magazine and a clear BSA "M47C" on the bolt handle which is hollowed as in a No. 5 handle. So some history behind this one- built in Canada, used in India (and elsewhere?), then sold commercially back North America from England as per the proof markings. The Longbranch serial number and small numbers beneath on the left cheek resemble those on my own Longbranch. So I'd be curious as to whether or not it was arsenal overhauled in India. Nice looking gun. Is the bore good and have you shot it yet?

Ridolpho

Hi i did a complete strip down yesterday, it is a LB it has the stamp on the right of the reciever under the wood and on the barrel :thup: I can make out longbranch above 1944 I cant see no4 mk above that? maybe rubbed off from constant use? would make sence if it was in ww2 then idia who knows where else, the lands and grooves are tight and is shiny gave it a good cleaning yesterday with varsol, then re-applied a fresh layer of gun grease all over it and on every part, I have noticed some S and F marked parts which would back your claim arsenal re-build, there is some marks on the stock too not sure what they say it looks like the wood has been refinished at some point? it is a LB stamped stock the main parts are LB stamped im happy!, the blonde wood is what cought my eye shes a keeper and my first lee enfield make me proud to be canadian holding this rifle and it was made in my home town Toronto Ontario Canada! love it cant wait to shoot it my range holds a rememberance day shoot every year maybe I can participate now.

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09-09-2012, 04:15 PM
shaunman79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

The wood looks very nice but I wish people would not use those self adhesive lables. If they are left for any length of time they can be very hard to remove and then take the finish off when you do manage to get the damn thing off!!!!

Sticker removed the rifle has been cleaned thoroughly and re-greased ready to go cant wait to shhot it the barrel is tight and shiny lookd good to me.
09-09-2012, 04:22 PM
shaunman79

9 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerhunter

There is actually no such thing. Slings were a separate item and you got issued what you got issued. However the webbing on that one looks a little suspect to me.

It has definitely been refurbished by some one and to such an extent its difficult to tell what it was originally. If it is a Longbranch it should be a Mk.1*. The Isshy screw suggests it has been on the Indian sub-continent. I agree that it look like it has had a replacement BSA built bolt which if done by/for the UK forces would have had the number stamped not engraved. The trigger guard looks like it was by Stevens-Savage and the foresight protector looks North American to me.

I agree that it has been civilian Proofed in Birmingham England. The crossed sceptres (they look like swords) near the muzzle contain the date code of when that was done.

Hi here is a picture of the sling it looks old and is marked c with arrow some partsd are makred S and F the main parts are LB thank god! I can make out the letter T? left rear of the bolt hole small parts can be replaced as they come shes a keep my firts complete lee enfield and made in my home town too!.Attachment 36639 Attachment 36640 Attachment 36641 Attachment 36642 Attachment 36643 Attachment 36644 Attachment 36645 Attachment 36646 Attachment 36647
09-09-2012, 04:51 PM
Peter Laidler

The original markings have ben roughly linished off the bodyside as you can see in bottomn row, middle pic. You've got a bog standard No4 Mk1* rifle made at Long Branch and has had a tough life and given some absolutely Sterling service wherever it's been. Enjoy it as it is, take care of it and it'll give you another 70 years of service
09-09-2012, 04:51 PM
Hal O'Peridol

When rifles were redone in India, the mfg markings were often linished off.
09-09-2012, 05:30 PM
shaunman79

3 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerhunter

There is actually no such thing. Slings were a separate item and you got issued what you got issued. However the webbing on that one looks a little suspect to me.

It has definitely been refurbished by some one and to such an extent its difficult to tell what it was originally. If it is a Longbranch it should be a Mk.1*. The Isshy screw suggests it has been on the Indian sub-continent. I agree that it look like it has had a replacement BSA built bolt which if done by/for the UK forces would have had the number stamped not engraved. The trigger guard looks like it was by Stevens-Savage and the foresight protector looks North American to me.

I agree that it has been civilian Proofed in Birmingham England. The crossed sceptres (they look like swords) near the muzzle contain the date code of when that was done.

Hi i have a better shot of the sling canadian 44 the civilian proof stamp date looks like 74, from what you guys are telling me this thing has as much history to it as my WW2 nazi german k98 mauser 8mm / then purchased by 1of 5000 selected in 1940 redesignated 147 m40 swedish rebarreled to 8x63/ sold 1956 israeli issue 7.62 rework possibly spent time in guatamala south america before i got it, gotta love the history of the gun!.

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09-09-2012, 05:36 PM
shaunman79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

The original markings have ben roughly linished off the bodyside as you can see in bottomn row, middle pic. You've got a bog standard No4 Mk1* rifle made at Long Branch and has had a tough life and given some absolutely Sterling service wherever it's been. Enjoy it as it is, take care of it and it'll give you another 70 years of service

I figured it was refinished but I still can see longbranch and 1944 below after dissasembly I found LB stamps on the reciever and barrel glad to see those! some parts have been changed to S and F stamped parts guess I will have to keep my eyes open for LB replacement parts, I plan on keeping this one just because the barrel is pristine not as tight as the sporter I found but still serviceable no pitting and came up very shiny after a thorough cleaning, regreased and ready to go cant wait to put some rounds down range I might use this one at my shooting range rememberance day shoot this year!