Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* Longbranch Bolt Renumbered

[RangeHound]

I am looking at a Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* Longbranch that appears to have had the last 4 digits on the bolt struck by hand. The number font is larger, uneven and deeper strikes.

If there was a problem with the bolt, let's say headspace, and it couldn't be resulted was a bolt from the same lot taken and the matching rifle serial number stamped by hand?

Trying to understand why the mismatch of number fonts. Thanks

[Sapper740]

It sounds like it could be a rifle that was "force matched" which is a nonsensical term when applied to Lee Enfields. Somebody could have stuck a bolt from another rifle in the one you're looking at, stamped a matching serial number on the bolt and said "here ya go!". Get it checked by a competent gunsmith familiar with Lee Enfields for head space and equal lug bearing.before buying it.

[RangeHound]

Correct me, but I have understood that the Longbranch were worse that the Savage for head space issue?

[browningautorifle]

Trying to understand why the mismatch of number fonts.

Really, really simple. Someone lost a bolt long after this was released from service and found a replacement. They head spaced to some end and marked it with serial to "Make it correct" for the collectors. It just ain't magic. Just about what Sapper is eluding to. There wasn't a problem, just a bolt replaced in the 80 plus years or so.

[Sapper740]

Correct me, but I have understood that the Longbranch were worse that the Savage for head space issue?

If so it's something I've never heard of.

To clarify my previous comment, you can find "force matched" rifles that were done by highly trained and competent armourers at the factory or depot level. You can also find "force matched" rifles that Bubba ground the serial number off the bolt and stamped a matching number without bothering to check it for fit. Without knowing what was done to your rifle, prudence dictates you get it checked out before firing or buying it.

[Roger Payne]

I dislike the term 'force matched' & don't use it. A rifle either has a matching bolt or a mis-matched bolt. Further, a matching bolt may be original matching or may be 're-matched'. As Sapper740 has pointed out, unless you have a handle on the history of the rifle, you may not know whether the bolt has been re-matched with due diligence & skill, or just been the nearest spare available & thrown into a needy rifle.

[Chubbs]

Could it be one of the Italian navy ones ? I believe most of them were Longbranch. I have one with the receiver being re matched to the bolt. They could have found a bolt with a close number and re matched it that way round.

[Sapper740]

RangeHound, I was reticent to make this comment for fear it would be taken as a green flag to throw caution to the wind and have you buy/shoot your rifle. I have a Long Branch with what appears to be a Savage bolt that had the serial number ground off and restamped to match the rifle. I took a chance and bought it as it was selling for an excellent price and the seller assured me all was well with it. Before I shot it I checked the headspace and the bearing lug engagement and found all was good. I'm very happy with this rifle as it has turned out to be one of my most accurate Lee Enfields and shoots into 1 1/2 MOA with handloads. I don't want to encourage you to buy the rifle based upon my experience, nor do I want to discourage you so long as you exercise due diligence. Who knows, yours might turn out to be a real shooter too.

[CINDERS]

As Sapper has said along with Roger it would be expedient and a wise move to have the whole rifle checked over by a competent gunsmith familiar with the Lee Enfield action as it is not all plug & play.
ISTR Bruce in Oz saying (I think) that the lock up on the 303's bolt is helical as you have bearing surfaces on the side and bottom of the bolt and Rt & Left sides of the receivers body.

Plus there may be other issues not seen.

[Surpmil]

I am looking at a Lee Enfield No4 Mk1* Longbranch that appears to have had the last 4 digits on the bolt struck by hand. The number font is larger, uneven and deeper strikes.

If there was a problem with the bolt, let's say headspace, and it couldn't be resulted was a bolt from the same lot taken and the matching rifle serial number stamped by hand?

Trying to understand why the mismatch of number fonts. Thanks

As others have mentioned already there are various possibilities, including an in-service job though if the markings are poorly done that is unlikely.

Photos would help and the most obvious questions are: is the finish uniform over the whole bolt including the renumbered area, and does it match the finish on the rifle? If yes to both, then is the finish of some obvious age and does it appear to be a finish applied in-service?

If a problem was found during production that is not how it would have been resolved.

Headspace is corrected with bolt head substitution and if I remember what we have been told by Peter and others, a rifle which would not HS on a No.2 bolthead would be gauged for wear/stretching to the bolt lugs in the receiver (aka body). If those were found within acceptable limits a bolt would be selectively fitted that did allow correct HS. If the receiver was found to be too worn/stretched it was stripped and scrapped.

Long Branch made a policy of marking their production neatly and uniformly, unlike some UK factories where it was often hand stamps and "have a go".