long branch sniper ?

[Surpmil]

There is a retired RCEME armourer known to some of us who told me unprompted that he saw No4s being converted to sniper specs in the ordnance workshops in Montreal in the 1950s. He did not work on them himself so could not say what kind of mounts were being used, but he did say that rifles were being converted, not simply worked on. I'll have to ask him again about that.

So the other variable, which presumably doesn't apply to this rifle by virtue of its ENGLAND stamp, but may apply to other more 'rough and ready' Long Branch No4(T) conversions. Long Branch/SAL and REL were both maintained very high standards of fit and finish; it's obvious from the kit we see even today. I can't see a rifle like this, with the ends of the screws not even blacked, being done in WWII at Long Branch:

Attachment 43445

Does anyone have documentary or even anecdotal evidence about the timelines of the "ENGLAND" stamp and how and where it was applied?

[jmoore]

Same rifle, other side. 1944 vintage assigned scope C 270 (which is missing).

Fairly low usage rifle, but the pad screws aren't pretty. Possible resolder yet the screws are still "tore up"? Me not know. Just seems to happen more regularly on what few Canadian "T"s I've seen . Even the rifle in the MKL has abused screw heads, but at least that 1945 rifle has short enough screws that they are recessed from the bolt raceway. Which feature I've never seen on a British conversion.

[Surpmil]

Have you got a closeup of the "T" stamp on that one?

[jmoore]

Have you got a closeup of the "T" stamp on that one?

That's as good as it gets in the existing album.

Nasty old yellow scribbles on the buttstock. Probably ought to sand 'em off to make it purdy...

[Surpmil]

Right, well I think that answers the question: not the normal LB "T" stamp but someone's attempt to match the font of the UK "T" stamp.

[paul87buick]

That T stamp looks totally legit .The real deal. Jmoore do you have a pic of the top of your cheek rest and the other side of it .

[jmoore]

Right, well I think that answers the question: not the normal LB "T" stamp but someone's attempt to match the font of the UK "T" stamp.

"Somebody" also managed to mis-mark the serial number, too!

[paul87buick]

My latest parts a Canadian pantographed cheekrest copy in walnut with a Holland And Holland beech cheekrest for comparison,with A Canadian rear hand guard ,both thanks to Roger Payne.and a Canadian Sling screw.

[Seaforth72]

The source is quoted correctly but there is a small error in the source due to the poor quality of the copy as stated. It is actually CANADIAN ARMY EME MANUAL SMALL ARMS C 503 Instr 11 [not 41] Page 21 27 June 55 - Issue 1

And a bit more Canadian Sniper "ephemera":

From a barely legible copy of a page from a Canadian EME document (C 503 Instr 41??, page 21, 27 June 55 Issue 1)

Cheek-rests

86. When the cheek-rest as fitted to a rifle with a telescopic sight does not suit the individual to whom it has been issued, a spare rest will be assembled to the rifle in an endeavour to meet his requirements. If this is not satisfactory, the most suitable will be adjusted for shape and position. When wood is removed for this purpose the surface will be finally be smoothed and polished, and if the cheek-rest has been repositioned the existing screw holes will be plugged before the rest is secured.


Further down the page is this:

Re-numbering of rifles

89. Rifles may be found with master number indistinct or illegible. This number may be ascertained by reference to the serial numbers on the bolt . The number will be re-stamped clearly on the left side of the butt socket. Any previous markings will be barred out.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Ah-HA....

Is there any chance of a properly legible copy of this document appearing any time??