New Long Branch 1941...

[bradtx]

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

I'm sure with enought time that the rifle can be restored to it's 'as assembled' condition, but I'm not sure that I would. Right now you have a sought after '41 Long Branch that has done it's job the world over and has survived mostly intact. Who, where and when repairs were made will likely stay a mystery, but are the history of the rifle. I'd clean her up and display/shoot her proudly.

The F/xx are Fazakerley over year stamps so in '55 or later the rifle was maintained.

Brad

[spinecracker]

This is why I am asking, Brad, as I respect the views of the other forum members here - and most of them have forgotten more than I will ever know lol.

I was considering, as an alternative, getting all the pieces to put the rifle back to 1941 configuration, but still keeping the parts the rifle came to me with - with a small amount of effort, the rifle could be displayed in it's original glory and, at will, changed back to the state it ended up in - a before and after montage if you will - and it would not involve making a single permanent change to the rifle.

Someone has already offered me an early forend, but I do not know what kind of wood would have ben used. So far I have heard that either walnut or birch were used in making early Long Branch forends - comments anyone?

Any idea what wood this might be?

Attachment 13792

[Surpmil]

My comment? Leave well enough alone. The rifle is probably quite original, perhaps even the forend too. AFAIK, we don't know where in the SN range the changeover to the "normal" forend occured.

Never heard of or seen early LB forends in Birch myself. Have seen them on early Maltby's, but nowhere else.

[spinecracker]

The safety catch looks to be stamped with a "B" and a board arrow. The rear sight is a Fazakerley Mk.1 micrometer sight.

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.

Looking over my previous post, I would have thought the stamps on the forend and upper hand guard would have indicated they were later replacements - I cannot imagine how they could be original (not making any comments as to when the change-over from early to later style forends happened, just that the forend is definitely not original to the rifle from what I can tell). The rear sight, safety catch, cocking piece and magazine are obviously replacements, and might/maybe withstand being replaced with LB parts at some later date, but that is a decision for the future. I am in no hurry to change anything lol.

[tlvaughn]

Spinecracker,

You know my opinion from earlier PM's, I would leave it alone! Unless Bubba got a hold of one, I always leave mine as I get them!

[spinecracker]

I hear ya, Surpmil and tlvaughan. I reassembled the gun this morning after my last post, and had a good think. If the metalwork was in better condition (like the example in the Knowledge Library) and the "50" stamp was not present, then I think I would restore this rifle in a heartbeat. Right now, it looks right for what it has been through, so why mess with it (you can see from my earlier posts that I was ready to toss a coin on this one lol). I may even keep the lower band, even though it has been drilled for an Indian grenade launcher sight, but the forend does not have the cut-outs on either side that would be expected. Any idea as to where this rifle may have been in service? The 5-pointed star stamp on the receiver has got me befuddled, and I do not like beinf befuddled.

Besides, I have owned 2 1941 Long Branches since January 2010, and the 3rd might just be the lucky one (all matching, correct wood, seller doesn't know what he has......now that would be heaven lol)

[bradtx]

spinecracker, With patience you may get an answer. Post the question every few months or so. It took a couple of years to learn why my Maltby twins looked the way they do.

Brad

[spinecracker]

Brad, you read my mind...I'm just throwing out questions that have popped into my head that may help with future 1941 Long Branches (you never know what might pop up at the next gun show). Contrary to public opinion, I can be quite patient lol.

[spinecracker]

Got hit by a big medical bill today, so the Long Branch has to go. I will officially be enfieldless in the near future, and will be slumming it at the gun range with a Mosin Nagant and a pea shooter....

Edit - when I got the bill, I gritted my teeth - I think I cracked a tooth - ouwwwwiieee!!!!

[Surpmil]

Gunbroker is your friend in that case.