Question on Long Branch #4 (T)

[spinecracker]

muffett, this is when I am NOT on the meds...saying that, I'm going to undergo a hip surgery just after Christmas, and I'll be back on the Vicodin. Luckily I met my deductible and the surgery is covered, otherwise I'd be selling off my collection of Long Branches to help pay for it...that would hurt more than the surgery.

[Lee Enfield]

The 90L rifles were assembled after hostilities in Europe were over. They went to the UK, never saw service in Canada. Held in stores until sold off surplus in the '60s, thus the fine condition. Often documentation detailing inspection and preservation over the years while in stores is in the case. When these rifles have m/m scopes, etc, it happened when in dealers' hands.

I understand that not all of the 90L rifles were UK contract. I know of at least 1 with no British markings which is supposed to have been obtained thru CF disposals.

They (and the C.No32Mk3 scopes) certainly feature in the 1946-@58 CFTO and 71- coded equipment info i've accumulated.

[boltaction]

Well, here are some photos of the old girl. Turning bright lights on things reveals some interesting things. There is an accumulation of old grease and some small spots of rust on it that show up rather harshly in the bright light. As well, I see that the front scope mount knob does not have the usual "dimple" seen on the LB's, but the rear does--was it replaced in service? I ahve included pictures of everything I can see in terms of marks, etc. The original serial number was struck a bit sloppily I would say, but seems original to me. What does everyone think?

Ed

Attachment 28929Attachment 28930Attachment 28931Attachment 28932Attachment 28933Attachment 28934Attachment 28935Attachment 28936Attachment 28937Attachment 28938Attachment 28939Attachment 28940Attachment 28941Attachment 28942Attachment 28943Attachment 28944Attachment 28945Attachment 28946Attachment 28947Attachment 28948Attachment 28949Attachment 28950Attachment 28951Attachment 28952Attachment 28953

The finish on the rifle itself is also "gloppier" than most LB's I've seen, more like some of the later English rifles. Reblued? The front wood isn't C Broad arrow stamped either.

[tiriaq]

I understand that not all of the 90L rifles were UK contract. I know of at least 1 with no British markings which is supposed to have been obtained thru CF disposals.

They (and the C.No32Mk3 scopes) certainly feature in the 1946-@58 CFTO and 71- coded equipment info i've accumulated.

Makes sense that some of the 1945 production would remain in Canada.

---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 AM ----------

boltaction - It really looks as if the forestock is not walnut. Beech? And the inspection stamp near the forend serial number looks to have an "F". Is it possible that the forend is a UK replacement?

The staking punchmarks on the scope mount cap screws are off the screw slots. Work has been done there. The scope body has a /l\ below the other marks. Any C/l\?

[Peter Laidler]

Thumbscrew 'dimples'......... I had a huge boxfull of them, from Holland and Holland and there was a mix of all sorts of machining and knurling so it is VERY likely that they've been changed for some reason or other. The common fault with the rear one was that some could tighten it so tightly that the nose of the thread would friction on the bolt!

[Lance]

Very nice rifle!! From your pictures you have an original as it left the service 1945 Canadian No. 4 T, it is not factory original as most '45 Canadian T's are as most were never issued, but this makes yours more unique! If you want to see a factory unissued girl, check out Badger's in the Knowledge Library (Milsurps - 1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch Sniper Rifle).

From what I can see the original factory parts of your rifle are the receiver, butt stock, scope mount and scope. The replaced parts: chest, scope can, forend, front and rear hand guards, bolt, rear sight, front stock band, butt plate and front scope mount thumbscrew. The receiver of your rifle as also been painted during rebuild but the scope mount pads escaped being staked.

[boltaction]

Well, the problem I can see is even though the rifle is original as it left the service in Britain, and has clearly been matched to its current tin and box when rebuilt, it is not original as it was when it left LB. Since most collectors want rifles the way they were supposed to be, is this worth anything much or has there been too much "done" to it? It is very different from my other LB sniper, which is original.

Ed

[boltaction]

I'm going to take the topwood off and see if the barrel was replaced as well.

Ed

[jmoore]

Very nice rifle!! From your pictures you have an original as it left the service 1945 Canadian No. 4 T, it is not factory original as most '45 Canadian T's are as most were never issued, but this makes yours more unique! If you want to see a factory unissued girl, check out Badger's in the Knowledge Library (Milsurps - 1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch Sniper Rifle).

From what I can see the original factory parts of your rifle are the receiver, butt stock, scope mount and scope. The replaced parts: chest, scope can, forend, front and rear hand guards, bolt, rear sight, front stock band, butt plate and front scope mount thumbscrew. The receiver of your rifle as also been painted during rebuild but the scope mount pads escaped being staked.

I would concur with that assessment.

Well, the problem I can see is even though the rifle is original as it left the service in Britain, and has clearly been matched to its current tin and box when rebuilt, it is not original as it was when it left LB. Since most collectors want rifles the way they were supposed to be, is this worth anything much or has there been too much "done" to it? It is very different from my other LB sniper, which is original.

Ed

Problem, what problem? So what if it isn't "new"! Good grief, I think this is far better than a "new in box" done nothing, been nowhere rifle. They're only good as a reference. This was a "working" rifle.

[spinecracker]

Problem? None whatsoever. I'd give my left kidney for a Long Branch No.4T like that, but people prefer money these days....