Long Branch serial number listing

[limpetmine]

I am serioulsy behind in logging and posting an update. With Mr. Skinnertons' additions, I've got about 200+ serial numbers to add to the ever growing list. Look for an update sometime in July.
Off to scout camp this week.

[Foxbrook]

Here is my 1950 Long Branch That I just aquired
Serial number 92L1902 all matching.





Foxbrook

[m4a3sherman]

Hello all- as with any research regarding milsurp rifles, I am pleased as punch to assist. My NO.4 Mk.I* (and it is currently my only one) is a Long Branch and is New Zealand property marked with entirely matching parts and is simply a beautiful rifle. The serial is 7L8207 and manufacture date is 1942. For what it is worth, the NZ serial number is 2103 and is stamped on the receiver, mag, and bolt. Anyway, happy to help and feel free to ask for anything further you need in regards to the rifle.
Cheers!

[spinecracker]

My new beauty - 1942 Long Branch No.4 Mk.1* all matching (receiver, bolt, forend), appears to be unissued condition. LB serial number 21L7473. NZ serial number 17085 marked on top of receiver (electropenciled) with "NZ" above, stamped on buttsocket, top of bolt handle and magazine. No import marks.

[yiant]

newbie here and looking forward to soaking up some wisdom!

[mudgee]

Got a long branch No4 T sniper serial no 90L8292 can i get any informaiton on this rifle.

[RangeRover]

A real bitser...mix of LB, Savage and Faz (micrometer sight) parts



1941 No. 4 Mk 1
1L3851
'42 two-groove barrel - s/n matching
Bolt mismatch
matching numbered fore-end (high-wall: not low-wall for cutout)
matching numbered magazine

The odd thing?

Different number, "AL 6505" stamped on left hand side of buttsocket below LB serial.



I've started a thread on AL double-stamped Enfields...there are apparently a few out there. Would like to find out more. Any more in the database?

[limpetmine]

Here is another Long Branch serial number update. There are six changes in this list. As you can see, having all the digits in the serial number make are a great help to narrowing the change over serial number on year changes. As noted, there is an overlap of serial numbers especially between 42-43 and 44-45.
Of 506 in the data base, there are 15 No. 4 Mk1/3's, and one No 4 Mk1/2. I know there are more Mk1/2's out there. There are 23 No. 4Mk1* (T)'s in the list.

1941 Mk 1 0L244
1941 M k 1 1L4798 change

1942 Mk1* 1L5979
1942 Mk1* 21L7473 CHANGE

1943 Mk1* 21L9027 CHANGE
1943 Mk1*57L4906

1944 50L66xx (this looks to be an aberration, actual prefix change in the 57L range)
1944 57L6082
1944 83L9956

1945 83L3375 CHANGE
1945 90L8318 (T) CHANGE

1949 91L0064 CHANGE
1949 91L5133

1950 91L66XX
1950 96L0012

[FHG918]

My very modest contribution to the serial number catalogue. I am an ex-pat Canuck down here in the US, and in the late 1980s picked up a 1942 Long Branch MkI* with NZ markings. Still in the cosmoline, no import stamps (so entered the US pre-1966), and apparently not fired - at least since it was handled in New Zealand (bolthead was a size 0, and wouldn't close on a no-go gauge.) First variation safety locking lever, first variation micrometer rear sight (yes, with the correct LB milled peep and LB C-arrow markings), and the butt plate (zamac alloy) has never touched a parade square.

And the numbers all match...well, sort of...and this where someone might have further comment.

There is a number on both the left side of the socket and the top of the bolt handle that match (24741) that I assume was put on in New Zealand, so at least since that time the bolt has been properly mated to the receiver. But the Long Branch number on the rear surface of the bolt handle doesn't match the Long Branch number on the receiver, although they have sufficiently similar digits that one wonders if someone were just not paying attention with the stamps. The receiver is marked 14L1521 vs 16L2521 on the bolt handle. (The number 14L1521 does appear on both the forearm and the magazine.) Further, Long Branch appears to have over-stamped the bolt - there is obviously an older LB number underneath; this looks like it might have been 13L0480 (?)

Anyone else seen something like this?

I learned to shoot using the No4 and C No7 in a high school cadet corps in downtown Toronto in the late 1960s. We actually had a 25 yd range inside the school building, could draw a brick of DND ammo after classes, and shoot. Just the senior boys in charge on the range, no teachers present, cleaned the rifles, swept up the brass and locked up when done, no one did anything out of line and there was never an issue with anything going missing or being abused. All gone now; the rifles as well as that level of conduct and trust.

[muffett.2008]

Another one saved, just the bolt and receiver rescued from a turkey parting out, cost me a fair bit just to get these bits, owner was'nt going to cancel ongoing bits sales, it would have cost a fortune just to by the remainder from ebay listings.
But as this person is an unlicenced holder of these parts, I have dropped a line to the relavant authorities.
No. 4 Mk1* Longbranch 1943 S/N 39L3922
Oh yeah, did a search on stolen firearms list, appears clean.