Question on Long Branch #4 (T)

[Roger Payne]

I may well be wrong, & the views are not ideal to make a judgement, but I suspect the complete bolt has been changed. It looks as though the bolt handle knob is round, typical of post-ww2
UK mfr., rather than round with a flat as usually seen on all but very early LB rifles.

As an aside, I've found the application of the 'Maltese Cross' stamp to be somewhat variable, although the C ^ is more consistent: stamped on front body pads, engraved on bracket side, stamped onto bracket thumb screws etc etc. Note also the horizontal milling mark on the photo of the front pad - running along the top edge of the face of the pad - this is not mentioned AFAIK in any texts, but is typical of Canadian front pads, certainly of later war mfr.

[rgg_7]

Bolt is Brit...has round knob like post war. Long Branch used a round with flat milled on end. Don't see Canadian proof mark after serial number or the "LB" by the root of the handle. Would like to see full lentgh picture of rifle and the barrel detail. Also noticed that the first digit after the "L" is double or overstamped. This rifle has gone through an extensive rework...surprised it's not marked "FTR".

[boltaction]

Also notice that the bolt has been reserialized...looks like electropencil..."L" is wrong font and same appears on mag and forestock.

The bolt may very well have been replaced, but it has been deeply struck with the serial number, not electropencilled.

Cheers

Ed

[jmoore]

The best way to buy "as used in WWII" without worrying about post war rebuilds is to get rifles from the "losing side". And even veterans' bringbacks aren't all that common in primo shape any more.

[Roger Payne]

That's a very good point. I've picked up some belting k98's in the past.......presumably as their military service ended in 1945. I let all my German stuff (save for a Gew 98 semi-turret) go over the years. If only I'd kept them!

[Warren]

Roger, if we'd kept everything we ever owned we'd be living in the Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and have a tent pitched in the parking lot for a place to sleep !!!
Well, maybe not after the divorce settlement !!!!! :-)##

[Roger Payne]

S'pose you're right. At least I have my garage workshop & you have your 'sheds'. Speaking of 'facilities' my wife's new kitchen & utility is nearing completion & I am told that no more will I be permitted to degrease SMLE forends; no more will I be able to douse the freshly parkerized brackets, all in the utility room sink. Looks like I'm going to have to get a water heater & Belfast sink fitted in the garage. Mind you; get a loo & shower in there as well & I'd never need to come out!!

[boltaction]

Would like to see full lentgh picture of rifle and the barrel detail. Also noticed that the first digit after the "L" is double or overstamped. This rifle has gone through an extensive rework...surprised it's not marked "FTR".

I took some photos of the marks on various pieces of the rifle as requested in a few of the replies. The forewood and topwood has of course been replaced, and so has the bolt, although it has been "restruck" with the serial number, not EP'd. There is a pair of marks below the main receiver serial number on the left butt socket which I can't really make out--kind of covered with the Suncorite. The rifle still sports its original 1945 dated Canadian barrel.

Ed

[Roger Payne]

Is the cheekpiece walnut; it looks to be, & original?

[boltaction]

Yes, sorry, forgot to mention that. The butt and cheekpiece seem to be original. I was going to pop the butt off it, and look at the socket markings on it, but it has the washer still inside on the screw, and I hate digging those things out because I always seem to wreck them. Anyone have any tricks on that? I do have a couple of really long screwdrivers of course (who doesn't who owns a Lee Enfield?) but they have a broad blade. Is the trick maybe to get a long screwdriver with a narrow blade that will fit through the little hole in the washer?????

Ed