Long Branch Mk I*: refurbed or original?

[Brian Dick]

That looks like bluing to me. Very possibly the original Dulite. I look at the screw heads and condition of the matching serial number woodwork and it reminds me of a '42 Long Branch I have that's in newish condition with nary a mark on it. The rear sight has been changed on yours to a Mk.1. Guessing British manufacture? LB rifles in that serial number range would have had the Mk.2 300-600 yard sight installed at the factory. It's a beauty Ridolfo. I like the birch woodwork too. Both my '42 an '43 which are NZ owned rifles are stocked in birch too. I have another '42 with the post 1955 Parkerized finish that's got Canadian ownership marks present on both the metal and wood. It's lovely manganese phosphate as Canadian rifles built new or refinished after that time frame are. It's distinctive and doesn't look anything like yours. It has a fabricated C Mk.3 replacement rear sight fitted too.