No. 1 and No. 4 questions

I've come across a couple of L-E that I'm quite interested in. I've only had time for a cursory glance at both, but plan to take a closer look soon. The quick glance, combined with my limited Enfield experience, means I have a couple of questions I hope some folks here can answer.

The first rifle is a '44 Long Branch Mk I* - all matching in great shape, but I didn't see any C-Broad arrow markings in my quick scan. Nor are there any other distinguishable country ownership markings. There is what might be a three-digit rack number on the buttstock. Is this common, and what does the lack of such markings indicate?

The second is a very early pre-WW1 Enfield No. 1 Mk III (no star) - bolt matching. It has what looks like a small C-Broad arrow on the top of the receiver, but I need to take a closer look there as well. Would that be a standard location for such a marking? There's also a faint FTR under the Enfield/year stamp on the butt socket. My question here is, during an FTR, would any and all parts replaced be re-stamped to match the receiver S/N? The nosecap and rear sight #s do not match, the stock does not have any volley sight remnants, but it has the cutoff in place, so I just want to find out if this is an after-market put-together assemblage or not.

Thanks in advance.

RR, The C/broad arrow stamp is an ownership mark. Not all Long Branch rifles were issued to the Canadian military. Two of mine don't have the stamp and it's nothing to worry about unless it's a feature you desire.

WRT the SMLE, yes the numbers would match all around if work were performed during a FTR. Older SMLEs can have at least three different fore end styles depending on when the rearsenal happened. Many rifles built/rebuilt during the inter war era had fore ends clearanced for the cut off, but no mill work for volly sights. This is because although inter war rifles were again Mk.IIIs, they weren't the same as pre/early WWI Mk.IIIs in that the volley sights and windage adjustable back sights weren't reinstituted.

While it's possible to be a civilian rebuild, it can also be an expediant field repair...who knows for sure.

Brad

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Originally Posted by RangeRover

I've come across a couple of L-E that I'm quite interested in. I've only had time for a cursory glance at both, but plan to take a closer look soon. The quick glance, combined with my limited Enfield experience, means I have a couple of questions I hope some folks here can answer.

The first rifle is a '44 Long Branch Mk I* - all matching in great shape, but I didn't see any C-Broad arrow markings in my quick scan. Nor are there any other distinguishable country ownership markings. There is what might be a three-digit rack number on the buttstock. Is this common, and what does the lack of such markings indicate?

The second is a very early pre-WW1 Enfield No. 1 Mk III (no star) - bolt matching. It has what looks like a small C-Broad arrow on the top of the receiver, but I need to take a closer look there as well. Would that be a standard location for such a marking? There's also a faint FTR under the Enfield/year stamp on the butt socket. My question here is, during an FTR, would any and all parts replaced be re-stamped to match the receiver S/N? The nosecap and rear sight #s do not match, the stock does not have any volley sight remnants, but it has the cutoff in place, so I just want to find out if this is an after-market put-together assemblage or not.

Thanks in advance.

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Hello RangeRover !

To the No. 4 : a good friend has also an Long Branch No.4 with no visible markings. The only markings are under the forestock on the barrel. It was all original we bought it direct from the RAF Arsenal.
To the No1. : Sometimes you can find the broad arrow on different parts. It was not unusual to have this marking 2- or 3 times on one rifle and only one on an other. But i couldnt tell you that this one was combined at FTR.
Pictures where helpful.

Gunner

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Originally Posted by bradtx

RR, The C/broad arrow stamp is an ownership mark. Not all Long Branch rifles were issued to the Canadian military. Two of mine don't have the stamp and it's nothing to worry about unless it's a feature you desire.

WRT the SMLE, yes the numbers would match all around if work were performed during a FTR. Older SMLEs can have at least three different fore end styles depending on when the rearsenal happened. Many rifles built/rebuilt during the inter war era had fore ends clearanced for the cut off, but no mill work for volly sights. This is because although inter war rifles were again Mk.IIIs, they weren't the same as pre/early WWI Mk.IIIs in that the volley sights and windage adjustable back sights weren't reinstituted.

While it's possible to be a civilian rebuild, it can also be an expediant field repair...who knows for sure.

Brad

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Hi Brad

Did you know anything about this marking. Its a C in a cartouche on top of the barrel on my No.4 MKI* ? The barrel is a .303 not an converted .308.

Thank you in advance

Gunner

Gunner, Off hand I only remember mine having a date on the barrel. Where is the marking and what year manufacture so I can check?

Brad

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Originally Posted by bradtx

Gunner, Off hand I only remember mine having a date on the barrel. Where is the marking and what year manufacture so I can check?

Brad

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Hi Brad

The marking is direct behind the chamber, the manufacture date is 1942.
Its made by Savage Arms as a landlease rifle.

Gunner

Gunner, Can you post a pic of the marking? I can't find anything that I think you're describing. Someone around here should be able to help, however.

Brad

Brad,

I`d try to make a picture of this marking but my camera isnt the best.
So i got a sketch of it. I think it means : matchgrade barrel but it is normally
on .308 Win. converted barrels. On the picture you can see a screw in the forestock. Is this made by Savage? I`ve only know these screw from the No. 5.

Thank you in advance

Gunner

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gunner

Brad,

I`d try to make a picture of this marking but my camera isnt the best.
So i got a sketch of it. I think it means : matchgrade barrel but it is normally
on .308 Win. converted barrels. On the picture you can see a screw in the forestock. Is this made by Savage? I`ve only know these screw from the No. 5.

Thank you in advance

Gunner

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Cannot comment on the C but this rifle looks to have seen time in India. It looks to have been FR'd by the Ishapore factory and the infamous "Ishapore Screw" (thats the screw in the forend) added.
Mind you - A person whose 'in the know' does say that this screw was added at other Factories as well so who knows where it been.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

Cannot comment on the C but this rifle looks to have seen time in India. It looks to have been FR'd by the Ishapore factory and the infamous "Ishapore Screw" (thats the screw in the forend) added.
Mind you - A person whose 'in the know' does say that this screw was added at other Factories as well so who knows where it been.

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Hello Alan de Enfield,

Thank you for the information. The rifle has an green paint for rust prevent on the barrel so it`s possible that she was in India or South Pacific. She also has an Canadian Broad arrow on the chamber. But she has a very high precision (last competition a 10-shot group on 100m under 40mm ! ) and that`s with her two-groove-barrel. So, i like the old Lady.

Gunner

Gunner, Been away for a bit...thanks for the pic and sketch. Sorry, but I still don't have any info on the mark. Individual L-Es can have a remarkably varied history of service and ownership...just another one of the advantages of L-E collecting and shooting.

2-groove barrels have proven over the years to shoot just as well as 5-groove barrels, in like condition. Hve fun!

Brad

Hi Brad,
Thank´s for looking. Now i know why it is infectious to shoot and collect LE´s.
there are many things to discover.

Gunner