1942 Long Branch No 4 mk 1*/3 barrel ID

Browningautorifle,

No, that's not far. The question is the barrels that were used on your builds. If you did not rebarrel, then I assume you were using barreled receivers and rifles that needed restoration or a stock set. You would have seen several different barrels during your work.

Like I said, It doesn't matter to me if an individual rebuilt it or a factory did. The question is the barrel's origins compared to the origins of the receiver. If this barrel is not original to the receiver (which I don't think it is), and not the type that was used on factory upgrades or FTRs, then someone else did it. Someone else who may have used a defective or rejected barrel.

As a shooter and small time collector, thats a big problem. Now maybe you see the why and what in my research.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jstr303

I will state my updated theory about this receiver, but I have no intentions of participating because to me, for a rifle made to shoot, it does not really matter.

If from that point someone needs more pictures or has questions, you guys and girls can draw straws as to who will private message me to get what is needed for your discussion. If you come up with the answer, have some one put it in an Enfield book.

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:bow:

Browningautorifle

Thanks for taking the time to provide information. That sounds interesting. Wish I could hear more about your work, procedures, and some of the technical problems you ran into.

I would have loved to watch and take part. I'd have made a good gofer or shop cleanup boy.

Best regards

The research into these things lives, travels, rebuilds, service history and everything else would probably fill a city library twice over just because a person has had upteen 1000 303 rifles of all descriptions through their hands does not mean they can pin point some of the markings present on these weapons.
Granted there are some very clever and knowledgeable personnel here who kindly donate their time and knowledge for nought reward except to be passing that hard earned knowledge on to a dip stick like me so we may all learn.

I posed a question on a certain mark on my 5MD 1916 Mk III Lithgow that had a very odd stamp now 6 - 7 years later after waiting it appears the answer is close if muffet is as good as his word as he has a rifle with the same mark. I have all of Ians books & The broad Arrow, The Enfield By E.B Reynolds and Stratton's the two volume set on Lithgow and its People no the mark is not mentioned or seen!
So who knows what where and how with the rifle you have, I did spy one picture shot through the mag well the wood seems dry as chips she could do with a drink but have fun with the rifle.:thup:

The armourers were not fussed what they grabbed out of the parts tray with the bands etc as the only thing they were tasked with was to get the weapon out there again in a safe serviceable condition to "Do the business."
Good luck in your next competition. P.S never change that name you gave to the rifle, even if you sell it as like a ship its bad ju ju to change names my Repsol 1000RR Honda was named Jennifer by the previous owner so Jennifer it is.........!

For heavens sake, someone just tell him that novice Pete says that it's a Fazakerley made barrel

The most prevalent factory No.4 replacement wood on the commercial market for the past several years has been South African contract beech. I had a stock pile years ago for both No.4 Mk.1 and Mk.2 as did many others. Mine's all long gone now except for handguards but someone is still selling it, (possibly on Ebay?), as I've fitted a few sets sent here in the past year or two on ground up, box of parts to rifle No.4T restorations for clients. I took interest in this thread because i just serviced a Mk.III SMLE, (BSA Co.) marked contract body with mixed South African and British metal and wood parts including a beech DOW buttstock. It was a really lovely rifle at a glimpse but when I disassembled it to inspect and clean/preserve, I found it was a mess. The matched number stamps used on body, barrel and nose cap, (SAF marked without a stacking swivel boss), are distinctly European looking and I'm also convinced if it was assembled from surplus parts outside of military service. Someone told me the owner of a long gone shop, (Victoria Trading Co.), may have assembled some rifles from parts he imported years ago but I don't know for sure. Maybe these are examples of his work? Just an uneducated guess in the case of your rifle but this SMLE was definitely NOT assembled and fitted in military service. Even the bolt was assembled incorrectly with a bolt head that wouldn't pass the .064 GO so I was back to the drawing board. Anyhow, it's done now and as close to perfect as i could get it.

---------- Post added at 04:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:22 PM ----------

Typo: "that it was assembled"

Brian Dick,

Thanks for the input. I had assumed that someone replaced the wood, but was curious if it had been a complete set or pieces. I was also curous as to what they ment.

I've seen modern SA Enfield parts marked DOW, and SA stocks marked with DOW, and general purpose pocket knives being sold marked DOW. I wasn't sure if they are related to the same company.

Thanks again

Peter Laidler

Thanks for the barrel information. If you care to take the time, I would appreciate info on the markings in the photo I posted.

I also owe you a big big thanks for helping me fit a replacement bolt assembly to an old mistreated BSA made No 4 mk 1. I had to replace the enire bolt to get system in into spec.

Your documents on CHS and fitting a bolt I read through months ago paid off. it was a bit of a pain doing it, but it was fun to. I'd rather get my feet wet working on a previously modified screwed up oldy than a more valuable rifle. My wife thought it was silly seeing me working on the bolt head at the breakfast counter. She couldn't understand why I had a cup of water, fine grit paper and a piece of glass. Sitting there for long periods (with coffee) making fine circular motions with my hand. Checking with my dial calipers, then back again. Tried to do it by the book. Hardest part was squaring it up gently against a NOGO gauge. I had no marking paint so I was using ultra thin layer of red auto grease. It worked. All assembled out of NOS parts I gathered together over a months shopping.

Works and feels nice, trigger pull is excellent, with nice take up then a crisp release. Safety now works (original problem of falling to half cock.) I also had to replace the sear. Struck primers look nice and normal, and spent cases look normal. Cocked bolt nolonger flips up when you shaked the gun or lightly tap the bolt handle.

Thanks :thup::bow: