Lee Enfield SN

[Lee Enfield]

...snip...

There is a "back story" I'm most interested in: whether it is true or legend that Savage and Long Branch helped each other stay in continuous production using the other's sub-contractor's excess inventory when their main subcontractors ran short. (There was a New York Central rail line between Boston and Buffalo, connecting to a Canadian Pacific line at Niagara Falls then on to Toronto. See http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/re...ad_map-600.jpg )

This supply chain collaboration happened with the M-1 Carbine and is very well documented with some great stories. Any evidence of this happening with the North American Enfields?
Robert

The first argument against this story/idea is the control that all transportation and shipping was under during the war. Everything which moved (including people) in the US had a priority level for transportation, you couldn't just drop a box onto the train and expect it to arrive during a specific time window. World War II Railroads - HowStuffWorks


The second is the fact that there is no direct route from Chicopee Falls, Mass, to Toronto, ON. The shortest route by road today is 742km (roughly 465 miles); no route by rail could be much shorter (google map it if you don't believe me).

"Savage" No4 rifles were not actually built by Savage, they were built by Savage's J. Stevens Arms "subsidiary".

Part of the confusion may be based on the idea that Savage was (founded) in Utica New York roughly half the distance of Chicopee from Toronto (though still separated by considerable distance and a "great lake"...

The "evidence" for this story is based on the fact that some Savage parts appear to have been shipped to Long Branch AFTER Savage production ended in 1944, specifically, Savage MkI rear sights converted to MkI/I and found (mainly) on 90L8 block Long Branch sniping rifles. These Savage MkI/I sights are also found on 1944 BSA No4 (T) rifles, does anyone believe that BSA and Savage shared component parts back and forth during the war?

ALL of the other Savage bands and hanguards I have found on Long Branch rifles are obvious rebuilds or repairs in service, or the LB was MANUFACTURED after Savage stopped producing No4 rifles.

No one has shown a war-time condition Savage No4 with Long Branch furniture or bands which does not show signs of rebuild, or replacement in service.

Anyone have a Savage or Long Branch which contradicts these observations?