Odd foresight protector

[tbonesmith]

Hi all, I just got a half decent 1941 Maltby No4, all there, but the forend is badly warped, so I'll need to replace the wood or part it out. I'm suspicious about the bolt matching, and the wrist has been drilled and tapped to fit a PH5A. So no great loss, though as the original bluing is in very good nick, and the 2 groove barrel is good, it could make a fine shooter for me or someone.
One thing that caught my eye though was the foresight protector. I think I've heard them referred to as "waisted", never seen one until now though. Any idea of value? Don't want to go selling it on a cheap rifle if it's got some value.
Cheers.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

Yup, good money in that bit to the right people. I once bought a fairly ugly Fazackerly just to get the protector. Turns out that nasty, finishless, Savage bolted, old thing shoots really well, but that's just bonus.

In this case, that sight protector is possibly the very one that was installed on that rifle way back in '41.

[Bearclaw]

Tom,
I remember seeing somewhere that they can fetch a good price.

Myles

[Lance]

Value also depends on the markings. Is it Enfield, SM41, or LongBranch proofed?

[tbonesmith]

This one is marked SM 41

[Badger]

Check the MKL, specificically the Canada section ...

There's an interesting feedback from Advisory Panel member Lance in commenting on this piece:

Milsurps - 1941 No.4 Mk1 Long Branch Rifle

Extracted from article's "Collector's Comments and Feedback:"

1. Lance mentions in his article that early 1941 rifle had the waisted front sight protector used in the estimated pre-0L3xxx range and that the hinged front band was done away with around the 0L6xxx range. The 1941 Long Branch rifle serial number 0L6062, displayed in this Knowledge Library photo montage, has the hinged barrel band and is stamped LB, indicating it was manufactured in Canada by Long Branch, but has the later generation front sight protector, also manufactured by Long Branch. The pics below show examples of the early waisted front sight protector on other rifles, as well as the hinged barrel band mounted on 1941 Long Branch rifle serial number 0L6062, displayed in this Knowledge Library photo montage. .......... (Feedback by "Badger")

British correct "waisted" front sight protectors.
Note: pronounced steps on inside of sight band which cause the band to fit snug against barrel.
S.M. = Singer Mfg Co., Clydebank, Scotland.

Pic courtesy of "Lance"
(Click PIC To Enlarge)


1941 Long Branch correct "waisted" front sight protector used on estimated pre-0L3xxx range.
Note: pronounced steps on inside of sight protector band which cause the band to fit snug against barrel.

Pic courtesy of "Superbee"
(Click PIC To Enlarge)


3. If you should happen to be offered any Long Branch or British "Trials" rifle with a waisted front sight protector mounted on it, you should be careful to check if it is either "home made", or possibly an outright fake. Examine the pics below.

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Incorrect (home made?) .............................. Correct (British Mfg)

Note: For the correct version, look closely at the pronounced steps on inside of sight band, which cause the band to fit snug against barrel and in this case, it's also marked S.M. 41 = Singer Mfg Co., Clydebank, Scotland. The correct version pic of British made front sight protectors was provided courtesy of "Lance". Also note the pic in Collector's Comments Note #1, provided courtesy of "Superbee", which shows a correct and properly marked Long Branch manufactured waisted front sight protector. .......... (Feedback by "Badger")


4. Here's some additional pictures to show other types of "waisted" front sight protectors that a collector may encounter. The pic below depicts two other correct British "waisted" front sight protectors. The one on the left is for a SMLE Mk VI Trials rifle and the one on the right is for a No4. Mk1 Trials rifle. Note that the SMLE sight protectors are not cut out to allow for the sight adjustment screw. In both cases, note the pronounced steps on inside of sight protector band which cause the band to fit snug against barrel. .......... (Feedback by "Lance")


Pic courtesy of "Lance"
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

[Thunderbox]

If the foresight protector is original to the rifle, it would be a shame to part it out...

A 1941 Maltby is worth salvaging. Can't the forend be straightened?

[tbonesmith]

A 1941 Maltby is worth salvaging. Can't the forend be straightened?

I don't think so. The timber has been heavily relieved forward, and is stocked up in what looks like a poor attempt at " Bisley Bedding" (Upward pressure about 5" forward of the knox and floated beyond that). It may have been so relieved so that the warped forend would still "float". None the less, I cannot see positive possibilities for this forend, beyond being a candidate for an L42 style cutdown job on a heavy barrelled 7.62 target rifle.
It's the most warped forend I've seen.

[jmoore]

"Low Wood" (low at the ejection port) beech fore stock, yes?

[tbonesmith]

That's it.