New Long Branch 1941...

[spinecracker]

Brad, I share your feelings regarding this rifle not being 100% original, but a 1941 Long Branch in any condition is still a rare bird, in my humble estimation, and the marks of maintenance add to the history of the weapon, if not the collector value. This firearm would not be a candidate for returning to 1941 condition due to the marks indicating later maintenance work, but I think it might just clean up nicely.

[madcratebuilder]

TGI swears the barrel is bright, shinny, free of any pitting. They told me this and I believe they told you the same thing. The receiver looks legit to me and that was all I wanted. I have the correct furniture and small bits. I guess we'll all know in a week or so.

[spinecracker]

Pretty much that is what they told me, Madcratebuilder , although that does not address the rifling. I have a shotgun that has a bore that is
bright, shiny and free of any pitting lol

I assume you are holding onto the correct furniture and small bits for the right reciever and barrel to turn up. I will keep my eyes peeled for you (thinking about it, isn't that a disgusting phrase, or what?) as I seem to be attracting 1941 Long Branches at the moment.

[spinecracker]

Rifle turned up - new photos at:

http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/...Branch%201941/

I did note the mark on top of the receiver indicating rust in the bore/chamber, but I gave both as good an inspection as I could and didn't see anything. Indeed, the rifling looks good all the way down, the bore is shiny, and the chamber looks smooth. Any comments regarding the 5 point star mark next to the "rust" stamp?

The bolt head is a Savage, and many of the small metal work appears to be from Fazakerley, and the woodwork has been replaced, but it looks like everyhing has been together for a very long time. The rear sight is a Fazakerley-made one. The good news is that the barrel and receiver have not been messed with, and still have what is left of the original finish, so I think that this rifle could be returned to the original 1941 configuration without raising too many eyebrows. The magazine is a replacement, and has been stamped with 2 other serial numbers (one of them a Savage serial number).

Comments would be appreciated. The test firing will be tomorrow morning - I also have 2 Mosin Nagants to check (one is mine, the other belongs to my father-in-law), and I am going to go for the last range visit with my Enforcer - my wife is expecting (woohoo!!!), but that means bills to pay (weeps bitterly), and the Enforcer has to go.

[Surpmil]

Looks like you have an SMLE buttplate on there. Otherwise looks very authentic and probably original. Perhaps even the forend too. Edit: scratch that, No4 buttplate with top ground down - or an Indian type?

Supports the theory that the "MkI" features such as cocking piece, foresight protector, hinged band etc. went out pretty early in production.

[jmoore]

Good rifle as is. Although the Indian modified middle band seems a bit of of place- I might have to swap that bit for a non-drilled one. (Otherwise the fore stock needs fore and aft relief cuts- which I wouldn't do!)

[bradtx]

spinecracker, Congrats on the baby news!

Waiting on the range report.

Brad

[jmoore]

Happy news about the baby, Spinecracker! Say, you and RJW NZ at the same time- y'all conspiring or something?

[bradtx]

"Say, you and RJW NZ at the same time- y'all conspiring or something?"
--jmoore

It's a race! My two daughters (always competed against each other) dominoed eight days apart in March but swear it wasn't conspired.

Brad

[spinecracker]

I just trying to take the US back for King George, one baby at a time....and I will be celebrating Colonial Day....errrr...Independence Day in my own special way (or, as I prefer to call it, "You kicked us out over 3 little taxes and now you're taxed up every orifice" Day) :P