1944 Long Branch No.4 Mk1* Jungle Carbine Prototype?

[servicepub]

I am wading into this late and am relying on a memory that is poor to begin and files that are in deep, although unintended, storage following my office renovations with so please bear with me.

Both the UK and Canada embarked on a rifle suitable for use in the Pacific theatre. Designs were shared and on-going discussions were maintained between London and Ottawa. The chosen model would be known as the No. 5. Canada's design was basically a No 4 that had been reduced in weight. I believe that Skennerton shows this but a photo is reproduced below.



Although Canadian tests looked positive the Brits found that the butt was prone to breakage when dropped and didn't like it's length. They decided to go ahead with the British design, now known as the Jungle Carbine, although there was also talk of issues to the army in Northwest Europe.

Taking into account the wonderful photo at SAL I don't come to conclusions based on a single photo of materiel which I cannot personally examine. In researching "Without Warning" it was evident that any development work was heavily documented. LB was supplied wood and metal - both in short supply as war materiel - and had to account to the Department of Munitions and Supply for its use. Further, LB had to pay for labour, etc.. and this would also be documented. In the case of the 20 experimental sniper rifles both money and resources had to be approved. Further, these designs were the responsibility of the Army Technical Development Branch who oversaw the design, manufacture and testing and their records still exist at both Archives and DND, yet there is no mention of a Jungle Carbine.

Based on my studies at Archives and DND I would discount any "Canadian" made Jungle Carbine.

Clive