My 1945 Long Branch T!!!!

[jmoore]

Sure, look high and low! If you find a C. No.32 Mk.III, maybe I could swap you a British scope (and some boot) for your BSA as I have need of a Canadian Mk.II (S/N 270, actually).

You may want to add a post to the Milsurps (Angel's Matchmaking Service) forum below which is dedicated to bringing together long separated bits.:

Rifles looking for scopes:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=1039

[stencollector]

The milling of that area seems to have been somewhat common in Canadian service. My 1945 LB Sniper had it (rifle was sold a couple years ago) , and had the rifle's serial number engraved into that area. My brit made but Cdn marked sniper also has a similar milled area with the serial number engraved into it. Any renumbered Brit brackets that I have seen merely had their numbers barred or struck out.

The LB snipers are usually a premium over the Brit made ones, mostly due to the comparatively high number of brit examples made and surviving. Same goes for the scopes, brackets, chests and anything else Canadian.

[Lee Enfield]

Qty Mfg: ...................... 992 (Accepted Production from 1941-45 by Department of Munitions and Supply)
Note: .......................... 1141 (Calculated total mfg estimates as of Dec 31/1945 in Laidler/Skennerton publications)

Badger,
I think those figures are based on a misreading of the totals; the 992 (accepted production #) may be the number which the Canadian Army accepted, or alternatively those accepted for export...

Using data from Clive Law's book, (allegedly from the actual archives).

71 mfg up to Dec 31, 1943
1141 Jan 1 1944 to Dec 31 1945 (Note: Skennerton lists approximately 99 [of 350] No32TPs as being set up during early 1945)
@376 mfg by Canadian Arsenals Ltd 1946 (Note: Most or all being C.No.32 Mk3 scopes)

1588 total manufacture

Note: Only 1,524 scopes are recorded as having been produced & purchased by R.E.L. & DND respectively.

Law's conclusions are that the REL No.32 MkI, IA & II scopes are numbered CONSECUTIVELY, while the C.No.67 (No.32 MkIV), C.No.32 Mk3, and No.32TP run in their own sequences. Having said that, MkI, IA & II serials show limited (and unexplained) overlap (probably like a late numbered receiver with earlier features).

Laidler's original conclusion was that all serials had their own ranges, but I have been assured (by Law) that Laidler has since changed his mind to reflect Law's evidence. ....... Feedback by Advisory Panel Member "Lee Enfield".


Source: Without Warning - 20th Century Sniper Equipment of the Canadian Army, by Clive M. Law (2004), ISBN: 1-894581-16-4

[Roger Payne]

The bracket is a genuine piece. Most of those I have seen bear the very crudely electric pencilled broad arrow within a C. The addition of the numbering to the clamps & the milled panel on the centre rib of the bracket to me yells post-WW2 UK issue. I have come across a few Canadian, as well as British mfr brackets modded like this, presumably to take out the original issue rifle serial number. Indeed the panel sometimes contains the 'new' rifle serial within it. One sometimes sees brackets on L42's like this.

The rifle looks honest enough. I must check the serial in my register as it may even have been through my hands some years ago....

Good Hunting!

ATB

PS. Would concur with Badger re the rifle & scope combo -- it's just an honest mismatch.

[Headhunter]

Thanks for all your information!! Now I just need do something with it............There has to be a simpler hobby out there......Maybe I should stick to gambling.......Its safer and has less rules than collecting enfields!!!

Thanks Again
Scott

[Baal]

There has to be a simpler hobby out there......Maybe I should stick to gambling.......Its safer and has less rules than collecting enfields!!!t

I'll trade ya some poker chips for your Long Branch

[Badger]

Badger,
I think those figures are based on a misreading of the totals; the 992 (accepted production #) may be the number which the Canadian Army accepted, or alternatively those accepted for export...

Using data from Clive Law's book, (allegedly from the actual archives).

Thanks for the correction ...

I should have read our own MKL entry for your comments ...

1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch Sniper Rifle

Regards,
Doug

[limpetmine]

My 1943 LB (T) with matching REL Mk 1 scope has a hand inscribed C-Broad arrow. This is the only other example I know of that is similar to mine. Very interesting.

Although I'm a K98k collector, I concur with Lee Enfield, as my wife owns 2 LB snipers. The one you see in this MKL entry below and another that's only 18 serial numbers away from it.

1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Longbranch Sniper Rifle
Serial # 90L8161 c/w matching Model No.32 Mk.3 R.E.L Canada Scope Serial # 174-C

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...20_Medium_.JPG(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...20_Medium_.JPG

The serial number on headhunter's in the first post shown is # 90L8299, so it's not far off either of hers. In both cases of her rifles, they have No.32 MKIII scopes and the mounts are serial number matched with no consecutive bracket numbers appearing on either either matched scope/bracket combo.

I suspect that this is an all correct 1945 Long Branch sniper with a mix-n-match earlier scope/bracket combo put on it at sometime, plus I'm not sure the markings on the scope bracket are original. I've never seen a hand scribed C-Broad Arrow marking on an LB scope bracket, nor a maltese cross on one either, but I could be wrong. I have seen the maltese cross on the forestock up front and underneath, plus on the rear folding sight.

http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...20_Medium_.JPG(Click PIC to Enlarge)http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...20_Medium_.JPG

As per the Knowledge Library entry research, I also think the quantity manufactured was ..



Just my two cents …

Regards,
Doug

[Headhunter]

I am telling ..........It is easier and safer to double down on 17!!!!!!! The wife will be just as mad(she just found out about the Long Branch)...she said I didnt tell her...she might be right..OOPS!

While we are talking LBs............are there any more out there for sale? Badger??????????

[limpetmine]

Here is a picture of my '43. The Broad Arrow looks like it's carved with a steak knife.

There are plenty of good looking LB's to be had, just keep your eyes peeled. Someone smarter than me said "buy a gun, buy a book, buy a gun, buy a book". Words worth heeding.