1941 Long Branch Restoration

This is my most challenging adventure yet.

I will need some help and advice in attempting to restore this 1941 No4 MkI Long Branch.

I did not know 100% what I had to work with until the rifle arrived today.

I was happy to see the barrel is a 5 groove and is in fact numbered to the rifle and stamped 41. (difficult to see but it is there)

The bolt is also numbered to the rifle, but is clearly a replacement. (I have a unnumbered early LB bolt with button cocking piece - use as a replacement?)

What are my next steps? Looking to the experts.

Thank you in advance for your advice and any assistance that can be offered.

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Looks like I could be wrong about the bolt afterall.

Started cleaning and revealed the C Broadarrow.

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Looks good, you can do this !...................

The rifle has been completely disassembled. Very dirty and in need of cleaning.

All of the internal parts are LB and/or C^ stamped.

My only question is on the trigger guard as it is savage S stamped.

Comments or input on this are most welcome.

Thank you.

It`s NOT unusual that you find Savage parts on a Long Branch, they were built just across the lake from one another !...............

I will also need to re blue.

I do not mind patina, but the sunocrite is warn off in many areas.

A mineral salts bath to loosen the paint and to reveal the hidden proof marks.

I expect comments from the purists on this one :)

I am a Purist of sorts. I don`t mind seeing one taken down & Blued......That is at least protection for the metal, what grinds my gears is when they chop em up !..............

CODFan -From what I have seen, you are the LB purist on this forum! These old girls do need a hometown touch. Cannot wait to see it progress. Keep up the nice work.

Cheers

Jerry

What does the rest of it look like?

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Originally Posted by CODFan

A mineral salts bath to loosen the paint

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Would acetone remove Suncorite?

The Mineral Spirits seemed to work well. Here are a couple of before and after photos....

Attachment 57115Attachment 57118Attachment 57116Attachment 57117

Perfect!

Looking Good !....................

Thanks for the support. A couple more inspector/proof stamps ....

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Nice C-broad arrow...surprising what you find when you clean up the garbage that sometimes accumulates.

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Originally Posted by 303tom

It`s NOT unusual that you find Savage parts on a Long Branch, they were built just across the lake from one another !...............

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I had a better look as I work through cleaning the rifle.

An interesting grooved trigger.

Attachment 57267

Yeap thats a Savage trigger !...................

You'll also see where the bridge charger guide has been over-welded.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

You'll also see where the bridge charger guide has been over-welded.

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Peter,

If you have a moment can you expand on this.

Was this an early production issue or a sign of something else?

Is there a specific image I should reference?

Thank you.

Post 11 pic 2 is very clear. It was obviously loose at one time.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Post 11 pic 2 is very clear. It was obviously loose at one time.

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Got it. There is a small repair then on both sides. One (on the right) is more visible when looking down at the charging bridge.

No big thing, I guess it was done all the time.

If you have a question, chances are it has been answered before and the search function will find it in seconds.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Here it is from the horses mouth. Nothing to do with weak bodies. They were all MANUFACTURED by being pinned in place. Early on, they were screwed in place with two 'taper-lock' screws. During the 'in inspection' process at Field and Base workshop, you'd lever a screwdriver under the bridge and if you saw an oil squeeze or felt any looseness, you'd drill a small countersink along the base line on both sides and fill the countersink with weld. Simply as a means of retaining it for good.

I've done literally hundreds on No4's and 5's ......................

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#4 charger guide attachment welded VS pinned

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Originally Posted by CODFan

Thanks for the support. A couple more inspector/proof stamps ....

Attachment 57265

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Very nice hardness test impressions.

I would like to see your bolt, why do you think it is a replacement?

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Originally Posted by 303tom

It`s NOT unusual that you find Savage parts on a Long Branch, they were built just across the lake from one another !...............

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Ummnnn that would seem to be a major oversimplification.

By road, Long Branch (Toronto) Ontario is 467 miles (to 474 miles) from Chicopee Falls Massachusetts. Chicopee Falls Mass. is also 258 miles from the port? of Oswego New York.

By air, (presumably the most direct route) non-stop to Springfield International it is 1hr and 35 minutes...presumably somewhat faster than it would have been in 1944...

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Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

I would like to see your bolt, why do you think it is a replacement?

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Font does not look correct. However the bolt head does look like an early LB one.

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Originally Posted by CODFan

Font does not look correct. However the bolt head does look like an early LB one.

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it's certainly been numbered somewhere along the way outside the factory.

My 1941 LB with original bolt looks identical to a BSA, maybe it's just the angle, but your bolt knob "lightening hole" looks odd...

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Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

your bolt knob "lightening hole" looks odd...

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I think it is just my poor picture taking skills :ugh:

Purely speculation, however I believe based on comments and observations:

- The Rifle went through FTR.
- Charging Bridge was repaired.
- Suncorite was applied.
- Internal LB parts were maintained
- Bolt body was replaced and numbered to rifle. Bolt head was maintained.

Rationale: The consistent patina of the rifle when received and consistent “dirt” found in all parts makes me believe this rifle has been together for a while.

I may replace the front band (currently a thick LB one) and the front sight protector with early LB parts.

Everyone's input so far has been very helpful.

This thread has also been a good reference for me: https://www.milsurps.com/archive/index.php/t-21013.html

I haven't fololowed this in great detail but I would imagine that your rifle went to Britain and while there, or in some other Armourers shop somewhere in the known world an Armourer noticed that it had a loose charger guide, a sloppy trigger and bent foresight protectors. He replaced the trigger withthe next one out of his spare parts tray, welded the bridge charged back in place (probably on both sides this time.....) and snapped the foresight protector whole straightening it. Easy enough to do! Rifle sent back to Command workshop at next opportunity together with 100 others where it was re-finished. While there, bolt body replaced to correct something else and by coincidence a LB bolt head was fitted to

That is original so far as I am concerned. Not factory original, I accept. But to REVERT something to 'original' CANNOT be original surely............ Just my view as someone who sees 'original' restored cars occasionally. Nope, I don't understand it either!

and then ironically, the following item was offered to me today ….

Say it ain't so! Imagine being on here and finding what you want?

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

That is original so far as I am concerned. Not factory original, I accept. But to REVERT something to 'original' CANNOT be original surely............ Just my view as someone who sees 'original' restored cars occasionally. Nope, I don't understand it either!

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Reminds me of one of my Birthdays away many moons ago when we had docked in Korea and managed to find a drinking hole/knocking shop, one of the labels on the bottles that caught my eye it was either "Original Korean Scottish Whisky" or " Original Scottish Whiskey" Made in Korea.

I did not know they stamped the firing pin ....

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d2db3dac-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...01ba5b5a-1.jpg

My LB resto project was a butchered rifle, all I had was the same as the one you posted. The rifle cost me $50 and I gathered parts mostly from Springfield Sporters , original LB bits and pieces, plus some Savage. LB and Savage did share parts, when Savage contract was finished, all their remaining inventory went up to LB in Canada. I did find some wood furniture on Ebay. All told, the entire resto was under $200. I tried blending the wood to create some age rather then new and clean, warmed the wood enough to singe some grain. Them rubbed in a smidge of some very used motor oil, then some BLO and left it alone. Springfield Sporters, Inc.

Nice work.

Yep, good work, That's where a No4 rifles is at its best......... On the ranges!

For those NEEDING a similar project, there was a Long Branch 1941 No. 4 for sale at the Vancouver Island Arms Collectors Assn. annual show last weekend (2014-10-25 & 26) Bolt is mismatched. Still full wood. Mk II cocking piece. Mk II foresight guard as I recall. I have the seller's name and phone number. Price was not cheap. British Columbia, Canada.

Cleaning complete.

Turned the corner and now the fun begins putting things back together .....

The front sight protector required a little persuasion with a wood dowel (aka my wife's rolling pin :ugh:)

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Reassembled .....

Attachment 58384

With Thanks to Brian and others who helped out!

Nice rifle...at last, at last...