1942 Enfield No4 MkI* Longbranch

I just picked up a 1942 Enfield No4 MkI*Longbranch and might have over paid, but man she looks good and I couldn't resit. :madsmile: Just looking for some help in determining actual value. Hopefully the information below (and pictures) will help. I know value also varies from state to state, just looking for a ball park figure.

Numbers match on the stock, bolt and receiver, the magazine does not have a serial number and appears to be a parkerized Savage with LB spring and follower. Rest of the finish on the gun almost looks like bluing but I believe it is paint. I would say the finish is about 95%+.

The stock is walnut and the best stock that I personally have seen. She does have some dents and dings. (I will attach pictures of the warts)

It is a two grove barrel, headspaces perfect and has a number 1 bolt head. Milled micro rear sight. Brass butt plate.

Thanks for any and all input.

looks like a very early 1942 *. Grooved trigger. Brass butt. South African marked, which is cool. What did you pay? Easily a $450.00 and up rifle, in the USA, depending on market of course.
Nice looking wood, even with the gouges and knocks.

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

looks like a very early 1942 *. Grooved trigger. Brass butt. South African marked, which is cool. What did you pay? Easily a $450.00 and up rifle, in the USA, depending on market of course.
Nice looking wood, even with the gouges and knocks.

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Thanks for the reply.

I valued it at 450 - 500. Paid 550. Wasn't sure if I was high on my estimate. Also came with blade bayo, replica sling, pull thru cleaning kit, reloading dies, 30 rounds brass, 40 rounds Wolf (PPU brass) ammo. I am not a realoder.... yet. But figured I would use it in time. I am in Idaho.

Took her out today and she did great.

For that rifle with the assessories I'd say you did fine at $550.00 with it shooting well. Especially if it was shooting the boat tail ammo well. It has the Mark 1 sight which I like much better than the Mark 2 flipper. Also They tend to multiply once you let one in the house from my experience.

Nice rifle over all. You can make those dents pop out with some serious effort, I've done some and it's not bad. Other than that it looks very nice. Lots of very desirable features on that one.

What type of blade bayo net ? How about some pictures of that? That could be worth $100 and more. Depend......

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

What type of blade bayo net ? How about some pictures of that? That could be worth $100 and more. Depend......

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Here are some pictures of the bayo. I also added a couple of pictures of the buttplate. I think it means South African Navy (SAN).

Attachment 81762Attachment 81763Attachment 81764Attachment 81765Attachment 81766Attachment 81767Attachment 81768

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Nice rifle over all. You can make those dents pop out with some serious effort, I've done some and it's not bad. Other than that it looks very nice. Lots of very desirable features on that one.

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Thanks for the reply Browningautorifle.

I have always been afraid of doing it wrong and messing up the stock. I do have a sportrized Hakim stock that is just sitting around, could practice on that for future guns. Do you have to refinish the stock (oil) when you are done doing that? Also does that effect collect ability value? (Is it considered altering the gun.)

I think I will leave the "character" in this stock.

Depends on whose opinion you seek when asking about devaluing when cleaning up... The dents don't affect function...yes, you'd have to lift the current finish and it would require at least steaming and a couple other magic tricks to lift them. In the end it would be oiled and perfect and some would have a hard time picking it out. Your rifle, your choice. It does look like a desirable rifle now though. All the earlier features...

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Originally Posted by P246

It has the Mark 1 sight which I like much better than the Mark 2 flipper. Also They tend to multiply once you let one in the house from my experience.

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I like this type of sight as well. I know what you mean, this will be the 4th Enfield :) I have an issue with Swiss, Enfield and US guns following me home.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Depends on whose opinion you seek when asking about devaluing when cleaning up... The dents don't affect function...yes, you'd have to lift the current finish and it would require at least steaming and a couple other magic tricks to lift them. In the end it would be oiled and perfect and some would have a hard time picking it out. Your rifle, your choice. It does look like a desirable rifle now though. All the earlier features...

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Thanks Jim. Thanks for the info. I might give that a try on a project everyday 91/30.

I'm a minimalist. Do the least possible to the gun. Halt rust. Don't tear down unless you suspect rust or other issue. Dings and gouges are a part of a rifles life. Do what you like, but in 5 years you won't regret not doing anything to it. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

I'm a minimalist. Do the least possible to the gun. Halt rust. Don't tear down unless you suspect rust or other issue. Dings and gouges are a part of a rifles life. Do what you like, but in 5 years you won't regret not doing anything to it. YMMV.

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Thanks Limpetmine. I look at it the same way. I check for rust and take care of it, but I like to shot my guns so I always check that the barrel is free of obstructions, headspace is good and the firing pin depth is correct. Other then that, I let the gun be.

I have always stripped them down to their basic break down leaving the butt in place so you can look over everything to ensure there are no hidden surprises and the only time I did not strip an Enfield down I had a 20MOA grouping rifle at 100M (cause ~ smashed to bits draws also rocking on the trigger guard screw front) once oiled & BLO reassemble never to be torn down again unless warranted. May seem a waste of time to some but better the devil you know than the one you don't.....

Hi Limpetmine,

I posted pictures of the bayo. Is this the correct bayo for this gun?

Thanks for any info.

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Thanks everyone for all the input and knowledge.

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Originally Posted by EddieB

Is this the correct bayo for this gun?

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It fits the rifle, it's one of them. There are several and they're all correct for the rifle. Imagine this rifle being issued in the '70's...when all those bayonets were in existence. They're all correct.

Thanks Jim

I would leave that stock just as it is. That rifle easily fits into the category of lightly used.

I have a 1942 Long Branch that was one of an entire crate of consecutively numbered Long Branches in similar condition to it (thus unissued), and it STILL had a few dings in it.

Frankly, if the stock looked a whole lot better than that, I would suspect its originality to the rifle.

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

looks like a very early 1942 *. Grooved trigger. Brass butt. South African marked, which is cool. What did you pay? Easily a $450.00 and up rifle, in the USA, depending on market of course.
Nice looking wood, even with the gouges and knocks.

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Wouldn't expect those features on a 15L rifle usually, but I trust this one.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

Wouldn't expect those features on a 15L rifle usually, but I trust this one.

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Thanks Surpmil.