Long Branch - Linking Serial Numbers to Month of Production

[CODFan]

I thought I would try to match-up some of the rifles I have to the list:

1941 - 0L32xx and 0L39xx ('41 dated barrel and rifle with early features) = Nov 1941
1942 - 2L61xx ('42 barrel Numbered to rifle round cocking piece) = March 1942
1943 - 50L29xx ('43 barrel) = October 1943
1944 - 64L66xx ('43 dated barrel) = April 1944

So my observation is that the list does seem to be in the range.

For the '44 dated receiver and '43 barrel .... barrel production at full capacity ahead of receiver production/dating? plausible?

[Seaspriter]

For the '44 dated receiver and '43 barrel .... barrel production at full capacity ahead of receiver production/dating? plausible?

Thanks CODFan. While I don't have written evidence (like a memo, or document) to answer your question , the best evidence is your rifle collection. The use of 1943 barrels on 1944 receivers would have two possible/plausible explanations:
1) the barrel supplier, who was at first way behind in production then got into full swing, produced barrels faster than Long Branch could produce completed rifles, creating a surplus of barrel inventory
2) Long Branch did not use First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory for production. Instead, in was more like First In, Last Out (FILO), putting any parts used for production at the bottom of the bin or back of the shelf. Since war-time gun production does not use perishables and does not need advanced accounting techniques, the FILO system for Work In Process would also explain the variance.

Thanks for the details on your rifles -- we need careful correlations to be sure the extrapolated dates match the realities in the field. And, as I've mentioned before, there will be many anomalies that occur in wartime production, like yours, many of which are perfectly plausible. So if you like Long Branch rifles, you must have a high tolerance for anomaly.

[Lee Enfield]

I have to point out 2 issues:

-1st, the earliest known serial number is a Long Branch No4 T converted to L42. it's serial number (0L9xx) would indicate a 1941 date for the receiver. Having said that, there are known errors in the L42 serial numbers, including other Long Branches (reference the 50L0027 rifle recorded incorrectly as 30L0027 - both this rifle and its L42 transit case are known and have been illustrated here on Milsurps).
Then there are 2 rifles (again 1 on the L42 list, so the same error of serial is possible) L42 12Lxxxx and No4T 8L7xxx which would be 1942 dated receivers.

-2nd, the description of the pre-1944 sniping rifles as "pre-production".

Pre 1944 production of sniping rifles is recorded as proceeding in the same manner as in the UK, ie) accurate rifles were set aside for conversion, resulting in near (and possibly) sequential, though scattered serial numbers.

In as much the description of "pre-production" would be technically correct as the block system of "production" manufacturing the rifles as snipers did not occur until late 1943-early 1944; but the description should not be interpreted to indicate "experimental" production.

[Seaspriter]

Pre 1944 production of sniping rifles

One of the things that can easily confuse a collector are the terms "production" and "preproduction." Generally in a manufacturing plant, from the perspective of a "production manager" who writes the "Production Reports," when an item is recorded as "produced" it means the item has been manufactured, assembled, tested, passed QC, and is packed, ready for shipment. The term "pre-production" may be a little less specific, but I might interpret it to mean "work in process."

[limpetmine]

Hello all,
I've been woefully behind in logging data for one reason or anther, but am now motivated to get back to it. There have been lots of new rifles found and data recorded and I need to get this out to everyone.

[Bindi2]

I have to point out 2 issues:

-1st, the earliest known serial number is a Long Branch No4 T converted to L42. it's serial number (0L9xx) would indicate a 1941 date for the receiver.

What took the Canucks so long. The Yanks first one is a 1941 OC109 to L42. tin hat on moving to a deep slit trench. might need

[limpetmine]

I just found a 1943 that is the latest known, 57L5018. Far and away the latest 1943 in my data set. I need to see if I can get the owner to determine the barrel date.

[limpetmine]

I bid on the 50L0027 L-42 three years ago. It sold on a Sunday, April 9, 2017 for $7,637.50 and was from the Poulin Auction House. I gave the best run I could but came up short. I understand it went back to Canada. I own No. 4 Mk 1*(T) 50L0026, 1943, one of 73 made that year. Brian Dick of BDL did the restoration of the forestock, and Capt. Laidler did the rebuild of the scope. It is matching scope and rifle, with sunshield on scope.
I had a transit crate with a front clear panel made from the mate on this site, and it's a fine display.



04/17 April Premier Firearms Auction | Poulin Auctions, Inc.

Edit: My notes indicate that 50L0027 is from the Bob Farris collection.

I have to point out 2 issues:

-1st, the earliest known serial number is a Long Branch No4 T converted to L42. it's serial number (0L9xx) would indicate a 1941 date for the receiver. Having said that, there are known errors in the L42 serial numbers, including other Long Branches (reference the 50L0027 rifle recorded incorrectly as 30L0027 - both this rifle and its L42 transit case are known and have been illustrated here on Milsurps).
Then there are 2 rifles (again 1 on the L42 list, so the same error of serial is possible) L42 12Lxxxx and No4T 8L7xxx which would be 1942 dated receivers.

-2nd, the description of the pre-1944 sniping rifles as "pre-production".

Pre 1944 production of sniping rifles is recorded as proceeding in the same manner as in the UK, ie) accurate rifles were set aside for conversion, resulting in near (and possibly) sequential, though scattered serial numbers.

In as much the description of "pre-production" would be technically correct as the block system of "production" manufacturing the rifles as snipers did not occur until late 1943-early 1944; but the description should not be interpreted to indicate "experimental" production.