Early Longbranch question.

[ickmann]

I have an opportunity to pick up an early 1941 Longbranch No4 MK1 (no *) Serial # is in the 0L37xx range, but would like to post a few questions first. Everything appears as it should..round charging handle, low right side stock for where a magazine cut-off would be, etc. but, it has a few Savage marked parts on her such as the front sight blade and on the bottom of the buttstock. Does anyone know if Savage supplied parts to Longbranch in the first years of production? Also the left side of the wrist has a hole in it..the location of which looks like a No.1 MK III safety assembly was attached. Either that or it had a side mounted sight attachment at one point. It is very coincidental, as my trade pattern Longbranch sniper had a hole in the same position, but was filleted in with weld material and numbered over. Hmmmmm.

Ian

Information

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[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Trade Pattern LB? That would be the one with the Lyman scope? I don't know why there would be a hole on the left side, except to hang something civilian on. But, we aren't talking about the ejector screw ....?

[ickmann]

You are correct about the Lyman. The hole tho is not on the receiver where the ejector screw is, it is on the wrist where the serial #s are found.

[Badger]

Not directly related to the 1941, but here's an example of a metal plug on a Long Branch, before they turned it into 1 of 20 experimentals. There's a metal plug on one side of the receiver and it's been buffed clean on the other side. (see pics)

When Claven2 was over visiting and checking out this rifle, he noticed it.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[Lee Enfield]

I have an opportunity to pick up an early 1941 Longbranch No4 MK1 (no *) Serial # is in the 0L37xx range, but would like to post a few questions first. Everything appears as it should..round charging handle, low right side stock for where a magazine cut-off would be, etc. but, it has a few Savage marked parts on her such as the front sight blade and on the bottom of the buttstock. Does anyone know if Savage supplied parts to Longbranch in the first years of production? Also the left side of the wrist has a hole in it..the location of which looks like a No.1 MK III safety assembly was attached. Either that or it had a side mounted sight attachment at one point. It is very coincidental, as my trade pattern Longbranch sniper had a hole in the same position, but was filleted in with weld material and numbered over. Hmmmmm.

Ian

These extra holes are "Common as dirt".

A Parker Hale type receiver sight for a SMLE (No1 MkIII) can be fitted to a No4 by adding a hole in the butt socket which corresponds with the lower bell safety spring on the No1 receiver.

I'll take a picture for you if you like of one which I personally removed the sight (and sold it off IIRC) from a 1950 LB.

[ickmann]

I'll take a picture for you if you like of one which I personally removed the sight (and sold it off IIRC) from a 1950 LB.

Would like to see that pic please.

I.

[muffett.2008]

Me to.

[Gav]

would it look like the hole in the socket of this 1931 No4 trial rifle?

This was a range rifle at some time.

[ickmann]

That looks pretty close to what I am talking about. Same location. Now, what about the Savage question...?

Ian

[Lance]

From what I was told a while ago by a LongBranch expert, Savage did not supply any parts to LongBranch until near the end of their production in 1944. He did state that finding Enfield made parts on very early LB's did happen as a small supply was shipped over for tooling. On a side note, an early LB piece showed up this week... goodies you find on the internet. I only wish I had the rest of the rifle.