Sporterized Long Branch No4 Mk1*

[dseder]

Well this is what I get for being preoccupied and not looking close enough at an auction

At first I looked past the fact it was sporterized (wood cut) and saw what excellent shape it was in - paint, etc., so I bid on it. Was outbid at $150, but still thought, "man that's a clean rifle!" so I put a high bid in for $215, thinking a small chance it would go over. Well, obviously I won.

AFTER winning the auction, I looked at it closer (three pics below are the only ones which were provided) and, to my horror, saw the barrel had been cut in front of the sight. Still not giving up hope, the rifle was in such good shape I thought maybe it was stamped Parker Hale somewhere (Standard No4). Showed up to pick it up and, nope.

I will say that whoever sporterized it - it appears to be professionally done as it is immaculate - both inside and out. Cleanest looking Enfield I have seen. All matching serial numbers - even the magazine! I'm envisioning that it was either completely stripped, cleaned, and redone, or it was once a wrapped enfield, cleaned up and sporterized. There are no stamps anywhere (not even an import stamp) - aside from the typical stamps you see on an Enfield. One thing I cannot figure out is why the magazine was punched - rain intrusion?!?

Oh well. Just a lesson in not being preocuppied and watching what you are buying. Regardless, a very nice, clean Enfield in deed. Who knows ... I may turn it into a project. Any suggestions?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

There is a marking from import on it, it states "England". This is typical of sport jobs done decades ago for everyone, Marshall Wells, Eatons, Sears, CDN Tire... This rifle was also stripped and polished, reblued at a gloss blue. The wood has been completely sanded and coated and the holes in the mag are a custom job that has purpose only known to the individual that drilled them. It's a standard sporting rifle that will give you years of shooting or hunting. Most of us in Canada have had or have one through their hunting and shooting time.

[dseder]

*Facepalm* - I looked over the "England" stamp. Totally insignificant I know - but the holes make me believe that the person who stripped/coated it put them there as the "sporterization" process, as they are clean, professionally done, and coated. Thank you for the info on the actual coating - I was unsure of what this actually was as I haven't seen it on my "full up" rifles.

Whoever done this rifle did an awesome job - I just got it out again and was checking her out. The wood actually looks better than the pictures show. So beautifully done, I think I'll certainly leave her in this configuration. Ashame I couldn't restore her to original - I can keep an eye out for another LB - but proud to have her nonetheless.

[browningautorifle]

but the holes are clean, professionally done, and coated

Because they were drilled and then the rifle was reblued. That's a salt bath that's boiling at a high temperature...so it covers everything.

[CINDERS]

Did they have the lightening hole in the bolt knob by that stage in production just wondering if the bolt is original to the rifle.

[Lee Enfield]

Did they have the lightening hole in the bolt knob by that stage in production just wondering if the bolt is original to the rifle.

1941 Long Branch No4 rifles had lightening holes, 1942 are solid knobs.
I would note that about 1/2 of the approx. 15,000 1941 dated receivers were assembled with 1942 dated barrels.

I believe that late 1941 dated receivers were probably originally assembled with solid knobs, there are always some overlap in parts fitting so there may have been a few '42 dated receivers fitted with earlier bolts...

[dseder]

Serial nos. match on this, with no strike-outs etc., so I assume bolt is original.

[can14&]

That is a nice sporter you have. The standard rifle for everyone who wanted to move up from
carrying military en fields in the bush in the 1960s. Not as many around as one thinks there
are. They are back in the hunting game, as if they ever left. I used to buy nice ones when I
saw them. Not that many to choose from now. 303 in the Commonwealth has killed al most
everything, like 3006 in America. In Canada we use both, little more 303.

[dseder]

Thanks can14! I am thinking more and more to keep her as is. I'll get another Long Branch for my collection that's not been sporterized.