Longbranch Sniper?

[Sniper]

I just purchased a No4 MK1 * with sniper pads installed. What I have been able to find out so far is: Barrel Marked "Santa Fe Model 1944, Golden State Arms Corp Pasadena Calif" They were an importer from about 1950-1960. They would butcher up milsurp rifles to make them more desirable to the hunters/shooters of the time. From the markings left on the gun, I would say it is a Longbranch No4 MK1* sn: 84L**** It would appear not to have been messed with since Golden State got through with it. Sights as installed by them, stock modified by them, rear part of reciever (bridge and rear sight) machined off. Sniper pads have socket head screws holing them on instead of flat head. What do you guys think?

Information

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[Melanie_Daniels]

The screws ar not original. And the two Long Branch sniper rifles with serial number 84Lxxxx I saw had a Griffin & Howe mount (with No. 67 scopes).

[tiriaq]

I suppose that it is entirely possible that Santa Fe would have butchered a T. The socket head screws are wrong, of course. Are the pads soldered on?Any "T" mark on the receiver?

[Sniper]

I do not think the pads are soldered. The front one may be, the rear one is clearly shimmed, golden State bumped the shims when they were milling the receiver, they missed the pads though. The front pad has the LB stamp on the top front. I can't see a "T" on the receiver no matter how hard I try to imagine one there. There are lots of Longbranch acceptance stamps, some savage, and I it does have going for it the fact that no one is trying to pass it off as anything... aside from that I have nothing. So, I guess I quite possibly have one of the few longbranch snipers out there, but I cannot prove it. It has a b 21 under the serial number, does that mean anything? Thanks for your responses by the way.

[Sniper]

More pics. I can see the marks where the original screws were staked in the pads.

[tiriaq]

I suspect the rifle was proofed in the UK after it was sported - proofs being on the breech of the barrel, rather than near the muzzle. Perhaps Santa Fe and bubba continued the work.
Realistically, if it is the remains of a T, what to do with it? Restoration would be a challenge, and expensive, and what would you have when you were finished? If the pads are original, they have value, of course.

[Sniper]

I know. I could sell the pads for what I paid for the rifle and enjoy my new "free deer gun" that once was a sniper. I had considered canibalizing another receiver to weld the receiver bridge back on, but where would that get me? Even If I restored the rifle, it would be just as valuable as a fake sniper, but would cost me a lot more. When i saw it in the pawn shop, (for 125 usd) I considered the value of the pads, and bought it. It has been fun researching it though. Sure do wish it had a "T" stamped on it.....

[Sniper]

Oh, and yes the front pad is soldered. Does that mean anything?

[Warren]

This is the marking on a Long Branch No.4 T sniper front base.
There is a C broad arrow and inspectors marks....No British crown.

[303sniper]

Hi All,

Looks to me the rifle is missing some "destinctive" T stamps in the metal. Some Bubba has screwed up an perfectly good rifle.

BTW the s/n range for the TP is 74Lxxxx.