+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Restored 1943 Longbranch

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    santino34's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    04-20-2011 @ 06:36 PM
    Posts
    4
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:29 PM

    Restored 1943 Longbranch

    Hi guys, I'm new here and this is only my second post. I would like to share some pics of one of my favorite rifles and maybe get some more info on it. It is a 1943 Long Branch. I bought it several years ago at a gun show because it was like nothing I had in my collection. It was my first Enfield. It was covered in strips of burlap (camo) and appeared to be a sporterized gun that someone tried to make to look like a sniper rifle. When I got it home and removed the camo, I found that it had no front or rear sights and a low budget scope mounted on what appears to be a very well made custom mount. "NZicon" appears to have been scratched into the top front end of the receiver just under the front part of the mount. The furniture was in very good shape, but obviously modified and had friction tape on it. I also noticed that it lacked the bayo lugs on the end of the barrel. I posted pics of it on another forum and asked some questions, but it was severly trashed for not being "original". I shot it some and put it away. This is what it used to look like.




    A few years later I found an SMLE surplus stock set for sale online and ordered it. I also ordered a front sight and a stacking swivel and band. I also bought a better scope and installed a cheek pad. Now I know that it is still not original (especially with the Garandicon sling), but I think I got it as close as I can. I have since shot it some more at 100 yards and it is very accurate. Here is what it looks like now. What do you guys make of the scope mount and the LACK of bayo lugs?







    Here is a shot of what my small collection holds now.


    Later guys.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Head Moderator
    (Founding Partner)

    Site Founder
    Stevo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-31-2015 @ 06:39 PM
    Location
    NW Alberta
    Posts
    2,357
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    Good job, it looks way better than when you got it.

    Judging by the original shape of the handguard and fore-end, it may have been one of the Sante Fe "Commando" commercial sporters. They took No4s and reshaped the wood and added a faux No5 front sight and flash hider unit. That would explain the missing bayonet lugs as well.

    The scope mount is almost certainly home made. It does appear very solid, though.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    santino34's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    04-20-2011 @ 06:36 PM
    Posts
    4
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:29 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the response. Would the rifle be marked "Santa Fe Arms" someplace if it was one of their conversions? I ask because there is nothing like that on the rifle.
    Also, does anyone make a reproduction of the screw on wooden cheek pads like the ones used on the sniper version? Thanks again.

  6. #4
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    farmritch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    09-11-2011 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Northern Indiana
    Posts
    30
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 PM
    Interesting , I also have a L/B with no bayonet lugs
    Mine I've had since 1976 and was not a bubba job.
    I have talked with many of the experts over the years ( you've read some of thier books) but no one has a clue.
    I've heard maybe the lugs were ground off , but after measuring with a mic on 15 other #4's I find the size of the one with no lugs to be .015 larger than one with lugs.
    The barrel stamps match the serial number for dating correctly.
    Another odd one is when it was sold from service the BNP stamp was put on the barrel end , which tells me it was in who's ever service it was always that way.
    Also has a slightly re worked rear sight ( orig type though)
    She's 66+ years old now and I wish she could speak


    farmritch
    Last edited by farmritch; 12-29-2008 at 05:22 PM.

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    santino34's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    04-20-2011 @ 06:36 PM
    Posts
    4
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:29 PM
    Thread Starter
    Farmritch, I dont think my lugs were ground off either. Unfortunately, I didnt examine the barrel well enough before installing the new wood to notice any stamps. I do know however, that the numbers on the receiver, bolt and magazine all match.

  8. #6
    Moderator
    (Lee Enfield Forums)
    No4Mk1(T)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    09-26-2021 @ 09:58 AM
    Location
    Vancouver Island
    Posts
    407
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    04:29 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by farmritch View Post
    Interesting , I also have a L/B with no bayonet lugs
    Mine I've had since 1976 and was not a bubba job.
    I have talked with many of the experts over the years ( you've read some of thier books) but no one has a clue.
    I've heard maybe the lugs were ground off , but after measuring with a mic on 15 other #4's I find the size of the one with no lugs to be .015 larger than one with lugs.
    The barrel stamps match the serial number for dating correctly.
    Another odd one is when it was sold from service the BNP stamp was put on the barrel end , which tells me it was in who's ever service it was always that way.
    Also has a slightly re worked rear sight ( orig type though)
    She's 66+ years old now and I wish she could speak


    farmritch
    Do you have a few photos?

  9. #7
    Legacy Member bearhunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-16-2024 @ 02:46 PM
    Location
    Okanogan, BC
    Posts
    509
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    04:29 PM
    It may have one of the match barrels the Dominion of Canadaicon Rifle Association sold for awhile. I had a 7.62 Nato conversion rifle done up by the DCRA and a matching 303 Brit done by them as well, neither had bayonet lugs.

    bearhunter

  10. #8
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Swede's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last On
    11-20-2010 @ 11:40 AM
    Location
    MN USA
    Posts
    56
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    05:29 PM
    It's too bad those other sites can't be as helpful as this one.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. No4 Mk1* Longbranch 1943 help ...
    By Stan Rideout in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-26-2008, 11:48 AM
  2. 1944 Longbranch
    By happydude in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-25-2007, 10:49 PM
  3. 1944 Longbranch #4 MK1
    By Snipz in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-15-2007, 09:29 AM
  4. Longbranch odd marking.....
    By Dante in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-06-2007, 12:52 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts