need some help with markings 1950 no4mk1*

**supa** · 10-08-2009 12:27 AM

Hi all,

I bought this rifle a week or so ago and have noticed that some of the markings might not be right for a LongBranch ( from what I could find online anyways ). I bought it to shoot, so it being a perfect match isn't a huge deal as it preforms nicely, I just wanna know if its a bubba? or not.The overall condition is quite nice minus some parts that have been damaged do to use of the wrong tools ( that is my guess anyways ). I should prolly note that the bolt is not a match and starts with the letters " BG "
Oh, I didn't get a picture of the rear sight, but it has an "F" on it. I tried my best to show the bore but I couldn't get the camera to agree.

I linked the pictures because they are big

Thanks for your help

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**Highly Recommended** · 10-08-2009 12:27 AM

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**Amatikulu** · 10-08-2009 06:41 AM

From what I can see the rifle has been restocked. It has a British icon

made short butt stock and the fore stock is of the No.4 mark 2 type. The receiver is a 1950 Longbranch No.4 mark 1*

I'd be concerned about the fit of the fore stock. A Mark 2 fore stock is specific to a mark 2, hung trigger rifle. The stock is different to the Mark 1/Mark 1* stock. I'd carefully remove the fore stock and take photos of it and of the receiver and post them agin here for comment.

**Edward Horton** · 10-08-2009 08:02 AM

First and foremost do yourself a favor and download Irfanview a “FREE” image viewer that can resize your images.

IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide

Resize your photos to at least 800x600 or 640x480 and the size quality to between 50% and 70% to reduce the photo size below 100 kb so the people with dialup modems don’t send you “HATE” mail.

The software is “free” and one of the best on the internet for resizing your home photos and you will be able to attach or insert them directly into the postings.

The example below is a resized photo of Amatikulu icon

when he served in an artillery regiment when he was much younger.

**supa** · 10-08-2009 12:27 PM

Thank you for your help. When I get home from work today I will take it apart and post the pics.

( smaller ones for the people with dial up

I know how to resize and have the programs do do it, I honestly didn't think of people who have dial up still )

Originally Posted by Amatikulu

From what I can see the rifle has been restocked. It has a British icon

made short butt stock and the fore stock is of the No.4 mark 2 type. The receiver is a 1950 Longbranch No.4 mark 1*

I'd be concerned about the fit of the fore stock. A Mark 2 fore stock is specific to a mark 2, hung trigger rifle. The stock is different to the Mark 1/Mark 1* stock. I'd carefully remove the fore stock and take photos of it and of the receiver and post them agin here for comment.

**supa** · 10-08-2009 10:13 PM

Here are the pictures with the fore stock removed. Nothing looks to hacked up, but I'm no expert. It definitely needed a good cleaning.

**jona** · 10-09-2009 04:52 PM

It looks like a Mk 1 wearing Mk 2 wood. That is ok, but means it was probably sportered and someone tried to put it back to military configuration. The fore end is beech and Long Branch only used walnut and birch. They experimented with other types, but only birch and walnut were accepted for general issue.

**supa** · 10-09-2009 05:28 PM

ok thanks for your help

I must say this has kinda thrown me off buying old stuff as I prolly paid a few more bucks then it was worth due to a lack of knowledge. Like I said im my first post I bought it as a shooter, not a history piece, but I didnt expect to buy a bubba.

one last question, as you can see from the pics the barrel in the front is tight against the right side, will this effect the accuracy of this rifle? should I sand the wood down to allow the barrel to free float?

thanks,

**No4Mk1(T)** · 10-09-2009 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Amatikulu

From what I can see the rifle has been restocked. It has a British icon

made short butt stock and the fore stock is of the No.4 mark 2 type. The receiver is a 1950 Long branch No.4 mark 1*

Amatikulu has hit the nail right on the head here. All the bits you would expect to see missing from a sporterized rifle have been replaced with ones of British manufacture like the foresight protector for example. In addition to the other observations you are also missing the stock screw that passes through the back of the forearm .

Originally Posted by supa

ok thanks for your help

I must say this has kinda thrown me off buying old stuff as I prolly paid a few more bucks then it was worth due to a lack of knowledge. Like I said im my first post I bought it as a shooter, not a history piece, but I didnt expect to buy a bubba.

I understand your frustration. It’s happened to all of us. On the positive side the rifle is completely restorable. Keep an eye out for correct CA marked parts though a forearm will be a challenge to find.

Originally Posted by supa

one last question, as you can see from the pics the barrel in the front is tight against the right side, will this effect the accuracy of this rifle? should I sand the wood down to allow the barrel to free float?

thanks,

Free floating an Enfield will, in most cases, destroy it’s accuracy. From the looks of your stock someone has already removed as much wood as could possibly be done from the forward bearing point. You can have a read through this manual, kindly donated by member Ed Horton:
1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (Complete Set) - Military Surplus Collectors Forums(Click Here)
Honestly though I think I’d just keep an eye out for the correct forearm and fit it properly.
Have a read through the Restorers Corner forum:
The Restorer's Corner - Military Surplus Collectors Forums(Click Here)
Forum mod louthepou has written extensively of his experiences restoring Enfields.

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