Long Branch serial number listing

[WW2Buff]

I am envious - having trouble locating this level of No.4 here in Texas. Patience I guess...

Others more expert can comment, but very interested in the cocking piece. Yours looks just like the First Variation on my SMLE Mk III* from 1916. Stratton shows a First Variation for the No. 4, but it is dished and round. My SMLE is 'D' shaped, flat, and knurled around the perimeter, like yours.

If Long Branch didn't start production until 1940, what were they doing with an early 1900's-era SMLE part? Did the Brits ship over stock?

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[22SqnRAE]

I am envious - having trouble locating this level of No.4 here in Texas. Patience I guess...

Others more expert can comment, but very interested in the cocking piece. Yours looks just like the First Variation on my SMLE Mk III* from 1916. Stratton shows a First Variation for the No. 4, but it is dished and round. My SMLE is 'D' shaped, flat, and knurled around the perimeter, like yours.

If Long Branch didn't start production until 1940, what were they doing with an early 1900's-era SMLE part? Did the Brits ship over stock?

WW2Buff, the Mark I cocking piece was originally used on all No 4 rifles, as it was the design carried over from the No 1 MK III* rifle. As time, production, cost and expedience dictated, manufacturers sought cheaper, quicker solutions, hence the Mark II or 'normal' straight sided cocking piece with vertical grooves for grip were implemented. Not too sure about shipping stock, I'd think it was more a case of how early production lines were set up for milling. The UK didn't really have spare anything at the time the US and Canada were gearing up for production, I'd suggest. It's interesting to read through historical references and see what variations were in common use. We seem to be set in our impressions by much of what's in the market at the moment, and the amount of modification to Service rifles post war in refit/FTR/Base maintenance is quite substantial.

Looking through Ian Skennerton's "The Lee-Enfield, a centenary of Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield Rifles and Carbines" (Skennerton, Labrador, 2007) in Chapter 9 "North American Production" it's evident that many of the earlier No 4 Mk 1 and 1* produced by both Long Branch and Savage had the Mark 1 'button' cocking piece. A curiosity, but not something to get too worked up about, I'd think, noting earlier the many variations of components that occurred during war time and after. Certainly makes this No 4 Mk 1 (no star!) that little bit different.