+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 38

Thread: New 1941 Longbranch No4 MKI and questions

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Enfield trader's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Last On
    07-06-2023 @ 05:22 PM
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    83
    Real Name
    Thad
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:05 AM

    New 1941 Longbranch No4 MKI and questions

    Well it finally arrived his past weekend and I am happy but hve a few questions.

    1.Barrel is dated 42 which I guess is ok for a 41 receiver but the rifling is 2 groove, I thought the early No4's were 4,5 or 6 groove.
    2. Barrel has a line around it as in it looks like they stopped turing it before it was an even transition - kind of looks like the barrel is two pieces put together.
    3. I have the LB micrometer rear sight, Lb early cocking piece and the LB hinged front band - would you put hese on or just leave it as it?

    here are some pics
    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. The Following 6 Members Say Thank You to Enfield trader For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    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.
     

  4. #2
    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
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:05 AM
    After just a quick look the first thing I’d say is it a post-war refurb judging by the finish. I’m not sure about the line on the barrel whoever looking at the photo it’s at the point where the machining transitions from the regular barrel taper to the knox form contour. In my opinion reinstalling the early parts you have would technically make the rifle incorrect. When the rifle went in for refurb it would have had these early parts removed and the later parts added to bring it up to the then current specification.

  5. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to No4Mk1(T) For This Useful Post:


  6. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  7. #3
    Legacy Member limpetmine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 02:31 PM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    979
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:05 AM

    1941

    I agree with No4. It looks like a refurb to me, as well. I'd leave it be. It is a sharp looking rifle, you have a keeper!

  8. Thank You to limpetmine For This Useful Post:


  9. #4
    Moderator
    (Lee Enfield Forum)


    tbonesmith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 02:45 AM
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    1,076
    Real Name
    Thomas Smith
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:05 PM
    Notice the breeching shim?

  10. #5
    Administrator

    Site Owner
    Badger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Age
    75
    Posts
    12,941
    Real Name
    Doug
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:05 AM
    My Videos in Video Club
    12
    For comparison and with thanks to Advisory Panelicon member Lance, you could check the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

    A rare 1941 No.4 Mk1 Long Branch Rifle (click here) .....

    Complete with a 150 picture photo montage, this is a fascinating rifle to study its markings and components in detail, with some interesting oddities and variations from the standard No.4 Mk1* noted in the "Collector's Feedback and Comments" section of the main Knowledge Library entry. There's also information with pictured examples of how to check for a correct front waisted sight protector, versus a home made, or possible fake.

    (Click PIC to Enlarge)

    Regards,
    Badger

  11. #6
    Advisory Panel

    jmoore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-09-2023 @ 04:20 AM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    7,066
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:05 AM
    Wow, it's S/N is almost at the 15,000 mark. What's the highest number Mk1 LB known?

  12. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    bradtx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last On
    11-29-2010 @ 08:01 AM
    Location
    Pearland, TX
    Posts
    302
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:05 AM
    E T, I agree that it's been 'lightly' rearsenal'd, possibly in late 1950 or later because of the metal's finish. The N. American manufacturers jumped into 2-groove barrels quite early on and yours must've been in good enough condition to not have needed replacement. The backsight may've been a damaged Mk.I or a Mk.II, both of which would have been replaced. The cocking piece likely was originally the button style, but required replacement.

    I'd leave it as is.

    Brad

  13. #8
    Legacy Member limpetmine's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 02:31 PM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    979
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:05 AM

    1941

    This one is! The latest 1941 No. 4 Mk 1 I have in my database is a 1941 1L4588. This one makes it the oldest by 210 more rifles. Interesting that it has the 1942 barrel.
    Unlike the Savage No. 4 Mk1's, I have never seen nor heard of a 1942 Long Branch No. 4 Mk 1 (no star). If you know of one, please send me a picture!

    Quote Originally Posted by jmoore View Post
    Wow, it's S/N is almost at the 15,000 mark. What's the highest number Mk1 LB known?

  14. Thank You to limpetmine For This Useful Post:


  15. #9
    Advisory Panel Lee Enfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    03-16-2024 @ 12:24 PM
    Location
    out there
    Posts
    1,820
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:05 AM
    Your gun is appears to be an early post 1950 CAL (Canadianicon Arsenals Limited) FTR. Probably early as the bolt, safety and screws are still blued.

    Most (all?) 1941 LB No4MkI with '42 dated barrels are 2 groove. I have had a 1941 2 groove barrel confirmed to me but have never seen one myself. My 1941 dated barrel is a 5 groove...

    It has it's original barrel (what appears to be a shim is incomplete "killing" of the phosphate refinishing process).

    If there is a hole in the bolt knob it is the original 1941/42 bolt, if not it is PROBABLY a replacement from the FTR.

    Install an LB MkII "flip" rear sight if you want to make it "original". The instruction to replace the MkII sight with the MkIII was issued in 1944...
    Unless you plan to strip the finish and reblue it and change all of the parts for 1941/42 replacements, there is no use or reason to change it "back" to something it may never have been...
    Last edited by Lee Enfield; 03-02-2010 at 12:11 PM.
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

  16. #10
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:05 AM
    Hard to say now what sights, cocking piece and band it would have had. Probably as production of those early types ended, the existing stocks were simply used up and rifles fitted with a combination of parts depending on what stocks were exhausted first.

    If you're going to keep the rifle, put whatever parts you like on it. I rather doubt all the MkI parts, including the foresight protectors were removed if they were once there, but it is possible.

    JohnR has posted before that according to a then-serving armourer in the RCEME, these rifles were destroyed as an SOP when coming through ordnance workshops and the salvaged parts refitted to a new MkI* body, as the MkI* was the Canadianicon Army standard. If so, why would the rifle be "upgraded" with later parts? On the other hand, all kinds of odd things happen due to people having wrong ideas, or not reading or misreading the manuals etc., so who knows?

    Only the women that assembled them...and no one's asked them.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Questions on a 1941 Garand
    By epidoc in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-31-2009, 10:28 AM
  2. Questions, Questions Saginaw S'G'
    By Old-Win in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-02-2009, 10:57 AM
  3. 1941 No.4 Mk.I Longbranch (CGN Private Ad)
    By Badger in forum Appraisals, Fakery, Dispute Resolution & Mediation Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-17-2008, 07:50 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
Raven Rocks