LongBranch 1955

[bros]

Well this is a bit of an odd-ball that I need some insight on. A 1955 dated LongBranch with a 0Lxxxx serial #. Isn't that odd!!!! Do you think it's something somebody put together? Your thoughts always appreciated.

browningautorifle was so kind to post some pictures...thanks jim

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Here's the pics...

[Lee Enfield]

Well this is a bit of an odd-ball that I need some insight on. A 1955 dated LongBranch with a 0Lxxxx serial #. Isn't that odd!!!! Do you think it's something somebody put together? Your thoughts always appreciated.

browningautorifle was so kind to post some pictures...thanks jim

ALL of the 1954/1955/1956 dated Long Branch actions were "replacement" receivers of which many were "liberated" and assembled as target rifles (.303 & 7.62 Nato), both within the system and out in the cold DCRA world.

Some receivers were actually used for their "legitimate" purpose.

I have 3, one built as a hunting rifle, one a DCRA 7.62 and one a .303 service rifle.

Your rifle has the serial number of a 1941 Long Branch No4MkI, so it was probably originally assembled with whatever parts they were able to salvage from that original rifle, and whatever new replacement parts were needed.

Is it still a .303? If so please check the barrel for a manufacture date.

[bros]

Lee Enfield....it's still in 303brit. Ok had a look at the barrel, it is stamped as follows...CMK4, then underneath the Canadian Arsenals stamp, then 58 (so 1958), then the later Long Branch proof mark which is found on the butt-socket on the left as well as the upper right side. I knew that was a 1941 serial #.....don't really understand why that was used though other than the fact that maybe it was one that was put together by who knows who and they just decided to put a early serial # on for whatever reason....don't know???

[Ridolpho]

bros: My '58 dated CMK4 barrel is a 6 groove- I'll bet yours is, as well. Mine has a '43 dated receiver with scrubbed serial and re-stamped number dating to '42. If mine was done in-service (which is questionable) it wasn't done to re-number a body to match surviving barrel/ bolt as they were also replacements! Mine is my most accurate Lee Enfield- former owner had done some tinkering but left it with standard military bedding.

Ridolpho

[rgg_7]

As Lee Enfield pointed out the 1954, 1955 and 1956 were replacement receivers. It was assembled by SAL (Small Arms Limited)re purposing the bolt and other salvageable parts hence stamped with the 1941 serial number.It also received a 1958 barrel - 6 groove and set up for DCRA (303 Caliber. Very nice Enfield and quite collectible. Ron (Canada)

[bros]

As Lee Enfield pointed out the 1954, 1955 and 1956 were replacement receivers. It was assembled by SAL (Small Arms Limited)re purposing the bolt and other salvageable parts hence stamped with the 1941 serial number.It also received a 1958 barrel - 6 groove and set up for DCRA (303 Caliber. Very nice Enfield and quite collectible. Ron (Canada)

Just wondering how it possibly could be a 1941 serial #????? I understand all 41's started with 0L...... but as you see in the picture of the butt socket it's 0L23xxx, (it's a 5 digit number following the "L"). I thought production at LB in 1941 was about 13-14,000 units, how does it make sense that this is possible to be in the 23,000 range???
By the way, yes a 6 groove barrel and it is one of my more accurate Enfields.

[mr.e moose]

They would continue the 0L serial until they Hit 0L99999, so your receiver was made into a rifle in '42.

[bros]

They would continue the 0L serial until they Hit 0L99999, so your receiver was made into a rifle in '42.

I have never seen a Longbranch other than the one I'm holding (same as in the picture) with a 5 digit number following the "L" only a maximum of 4 digits after the "L". Did they not go from 0L9999, then to 1Lx, 1Lxx, 1Lxxx, 1L9999 then 2Lx, 2Lxx and so on. It's a mystery.
Sorry in my original post I put the serial # as 0Lxxxx where as it should have read 0Lxxxxx.

[Lee Enfield]

I have never seen a Longbranch other than the one I'm holding (same as in the picture) with a 5 digit number following the "L" only a maximum of 4 digits after the "L". Did they not go from 0L9999, then to 1Lx, 1Lxx, 1Lxxx, 1L9999 then 2Lx, 2Lxx and so on. It's a mystery.
Sorry in my original post I put the serial # as 0Lxxxx where as it should have read 0Lxxxxx.

We can't see your complete serial number, so:
Several possibilities:
1. Extra digit added accidently or on purpose
2. Miss interpreted serial number, eg) Lxxxxx would be a BSA series serial number that someone "corrected" by adding the "0" prefix
3. A totally made up serial number