Long Branch No4(T) Scope Identification

[Polishmp]

I am in the process of acquiring a Long Branch No 4 (T) that appears to be from the British Contract (no C-broad arrow on the receiver ring). Everything on the rifle appears to pass muster in the way of markings and all but I cannot figure out what the scope was that was on this rifle. It appears to be set up for standard No. 32 scope brackets (will confirm as soon as I have it in hand) but the serial number stamped on the stock is way too high (in the 51,000 range). Anyone have any ideas on what model of scope this thing could have been assigned?

Information

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[Lance]

We need the rifle s/n to make an estimate.

[Polishmp]

49L2565 a 1943 dated Long Branch - what has me confused is that I can find no info on any of the regular 4(T) scopes having serial numbers that high.

[Lee Enfield]

49L2565 a 1943 dated Long Branch - what has me confused is that I can find no info on any of the regular 4(T) scopes having serial numbers that high.

They didn't.

Before the serial number blocks started to be used in 1944, IIRC 71 were accepted by Dec31, 1943 at Long Branch.

[Polishmp]

That's what I thought but can't find anything in the way of scopes that would have a serial number that high that were in use on these rifles. The Lyman Alaskans are the only thing I have found that comes close but they didn't come around until later and used a different mount (unless they were using a bushing to fit them into a #32 style bracket like I have read was done with some Weaver 330's in trials).

[Warren]

Do not take for gospel the numbers listed in current publications. There are several other very small blocks of rifles that do not fit into the mold. Work on this is progressing slowly and a major computer melt down did not help the project. Even getting back here was a challenge with passwords etc.
IF ANYONE HAS A No.4T AND NOT NECESSARILY Long Branch, OUTSIDE THE ACCEPTED NUMBERS, PLEASE CONTACT ME. I'd like to pick your brain for markings etc. I need more info to help legitimize some T's that ARE out there...

[limpetmine]

If this were a 1943 Long Branch sniper, it would be a pre-production model, would not expect to be for export, would be mounted with an REL #32 Mk 1 scope, should have the scope serial number (usually 1-3 digits, prefix or suffix of "C" on the butt heel (I've seen both), mount not necessarily serialed to either scope or rifle (at this time). "Officially", production of the LB T began in 1944, but as stated either 71 or 73 were known to have been produced in 1943. I know of no original Long Branch "T"'s mounted with British scopes; none show up in my serial number list. Your serial number is close to known 1943 LB snipers. Interesting, no doubt. As an aside, from my studies, no REL scopes were over three digits. They started over at "1" with each mark, and there were 3 or 4 marks, it's late and I can't remember.
My .02c.

[Lee Enfield]

If this were a 1943 Long Branch sniper, it would be a pre-BATCH production model, would not expect to be for export, would be mounted with an REL #32 Mk 1 scope, should have the scope serial number (usually 1-3 digits, prefix or suffix of "C" on the butt heel (I've seen both), mount not necessarily FULLY serialed to rifle (at this time). BATCH production of the LB T began in 1944, but as stated either 71 or 73 were known to have been produced BY DEC 31, 1943. I know of no original Long Branch "T"'s mounted with British scopes; none show up in my serial number list. Your serial number is close to known 1943 LB snipers. Interesting, no doubt. As an aside, from my studies, no REL scopes were over three digits. Mk I, Mk IA and MkII scopes appear to run in consecutive serial numbers, MkIII and Mk4(No.67) scopes each have seperate serial ranges started over at "1" with each mark, and there were 3 or 4 marks, it's late and I can't remember.
My .02c.

On the old gunboards, a fellow bought (quite cheaply IIRC) a "barn find" 1943 Long Branch "T" with it's original matching rings and a replacement British Mk3 scope.

[limpetmine]

Perhaps so, but was the scope serialed to the rifle? I suspect not. What I would suspect is a later model British scope put on a '43 LB. You did say, afterall, it was a "replacement" scope.

[jmoore]

The scope number will Not match the rifle number. The scope's serial number was placed on top of the wrist of the buttstock. Often the bracket had the rifle's number applied the side, post-war for British rifles. Not so sure when Canadian brackets began to be numbered, but they were done in a different style. At least that's the info rattling around in my pea brain....