New Long Branch 1941...

[spinecracker]

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.

The buttplate is stamped on the inside with an "F", and so is the buttplate trap, is it is highly unlikely to be original lol..

[spinecracker]

I was looking at the bolt just a few minutes ago, and for the life of my I cannot find any indication as to the size of the Savage bolt head. Would someone please tell me where the bolt head size number should be marked? The only stamp I can see on the bolt head is the Savage "S" on the top.

[jmoore]

I was looking at the bolt just a few minutes ago, and for the life of my I cannot find any indication as to the size of the Savage bolt head. Would someone please tell me where the bolt head size number should be marked? The only stamp I can see on the bolt head is the Savage "S" on the top.

Just above the retaining groove on the RH side behind the extractor is the usual spot

[spinecracker]

That is what I thought, but if there are any markings, I can't see them even with a magnifying glass. I should be able to post a range report tomorrow evening, circumstances permitting.

[spinecracker]

Range report - weather sunny, slight 5-10mph side wind left to right on occasions, temperature 90 degrees F in the shade, shooting from seated position, rifle resting on a sandbag. The micrometer sight was used, set at 200 yards, and the ammunition used was 1969 Kynoch .303 Mk.7Z. I managed to get a 6-round 1 1/2" grouping 3 inches high and 3 inches to the right, so all I have to do is adjust for windage (3 inches high at 100 yards with the sight set at 200 yards with military ammunition is correct, according to my resources). Next time I will be trying the rifle out at 200 yards, after correcting for windage.

[bradtx]

spinecracker, Better than average grouping, congrats.

Brad

[Surpmil]

The buttplate is stamped on the inside with an "F", and so is the buttplate trap, is it is highly unlikely to be original lol..

If you look at my post again you'll see I corrected myself, before your post above.

Compare to a normal No4 buttplate and you'll see how the heel is different from most No4 buttplates.

[spinecracker]

Surpmil, I did see your correction, but I was just adding extra information. The rifle is currently stripped down for the good ol' "black palstic bag and 30 feet of paper towels" trick to get the crud out of the wooden parts. I will be going over the rifle with a magnifying glass to find stamp marks. So far I have noted only a Savage "S" on the bolt head (no other markings at all - nothing, zip, nada), and the front sight protector has no markings whatsoever. Prepare for an extensive list later, hopefully with photos.

Brad - I am very pleased with the grouping. The conditions were almost ideal, the lighting perfect, and I wasn't being disturbed. Later yesterday the wind picked up, and I am sure if I had gone shooting then I would not have hit a barn door at 20 paces lol.

[spinecracker]

I managed to strip the gun down quite far, degreased and cleaned (what I, and some other people took for suncorite was just really thick, dried-on grease - it is coming off, slowly but surely), and now I can see some of the details better. My camera is not working at the moment, so bear with me -

Receiver - serial number 0L75XX correctly stamped on the buttsocket, with something that looks like "K1" with M" underneath stamped in small letters directly under the safety catch, and "50" stamped just to the right in numbers about the same size as the serial number. Left side of receiver wall stamped with "No 4 Mk 1", "LONG BRANCH" and "1941" . Magazine catch is stamped "LB", but I cannot find any markings on the sear (still has some gunk on it though - a job for another day). The breech bolt head catch plate (what a mouthful) is stamped "LB", so I think the entire assembly (sear, magazine catch, sear spring) is original. The safety catch looks to be stamped with a "B" and a board arrow. The rear sight is a Fazakerley Mk.1 micrometer sight. There is a "rust" star stamp on top of the receiver, just in front of a 5-pointed star stamp (the stamp is incomplete, so I cannot work out the lettering inside the stamp).

Barrel - stamped with serial number matching the receiver, dated '42 with the correct inspection stamps, etc. Importers mark at end of muzzle (fortunately not too noticeable). I cannot find any damage that would relate to the "rust" stamp mentioned above - must look harder lol.

Bolt - handle correctly serialed to the receiver and barrel (not a force-match), has "LB" stamp and "crossed flags" stamp in correct places. Cocking piece is replacement, stamped "N67 Mk.II". Bolt head is stamped with the Savage "S" and there are no other markings (I know that Savage helped Long Branch out several times with parts, and vice versa, including 1941, so the bolt head may be original, but we will never know).

wood - butt stamped with Savage "S", has arsenal heel repair. Cannot find any marking on forend, but it is an obvious replacement. The forend cap is stamped with "F" over "55" and maybe "O" over "21". The forend wood has some "tiger stripping" and has a red tint, so stained beech? Front handguard cap stamped with "S.M.", so obviously a replacement.

Magazine - stamped with broad arrow and "KO" on back of rib on back of magazine. There are some other marks, but they are mostly obliterated. The magazine has been serialed for 3 rifles, my rifle being the last. Magazine follower stamped with "F49"

Front sight protector, bands - unstamped - nada.

Trigger, trigger guard - trigger with Savage "S" stamp and some other stamps that look like inspection stamps, trigger guard has a big partial "B" (?) stamped next to, and under, the loop, and a "3" on the other side.

That is enough for one night. Opinions - who thinks that this can/should be put back to 1941 configuration?

[jmoore]

In this case, I think a good cleaning is all that I would do. Leave it as is. Bubba doesn't seem to have messed w/ it, so it's just likely showing that it DID see a bit of use, and needed a military overhaul.