1943-44 Enfield No.4 Mk1* Experimental Long Branch 'Scout' Sniper Rifle

[Badger]

With thanks to Advisory Panel members Clive "servicepub" Law and Claven2, we have added a new article to the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here), along with an excellent additional 175 pic photo montage.

1943-44 Enfield No.4 Mk1* Experimental Long Branch "Scout" Sniper Rifle Serial # ASC-43-3 (click here)
(Mfg by Long Branch Arsenal, Leaside, Ontario, Canada)
c/w No.32 Mk.4 (C No.67 Mk1) Scope Serial #57-C
C.G.B. 91 CGA Mfg by R.E.L (Research Enterprises Ltd.)

Article Extract .....

....... As REL experimented with different mounts and different sights, SAL (Small Arms Limited), at the behest of the Army, undertook to develop several new weapons during the war, one of which was an improved sniper rifle. The project was instigated by the War Office, in 1943, who felt that several weapons could benefit from new designs. These were identified as; a light rifle, a sniper rifle, a self loading rifle, a machine carbine and a light automatic rifle. When asked which of these projects Canada would wish to undertake the army replied that Canadian competence was in the light rifle, sniper rifle and machine carbine. Co-incidentally these were the style of firearms manufactured in the Crown-owned Small Arms Limited, and no mention was made of expertise developed by the John Inglis Company in the manufacture of light machine guns, pistols and anti-tank rifles. …. (article continues)

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Regards,
Doug

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.

[Claven2]

A rather nice piece, that one. I was very happy to have helped unearthing it.

[RJW NZ]

The fine rifle not withstanding, No 32 mk4, wow, I wonder if that scope was widely used anywhere?

[Surpmil]

The fine rifle not withstanding, No 32 mk4, wow, I wonder if that scope was widely used anywhere?

Well, it was widely used in the Canadian Army for about 20 years.

[Claven2]

I'm not sure "widely used" is terribly accurate - not many were made. It was used though.

[Surpmil]

I'm not sure "widely used" is terribly accurate - not many were made. It was used though.

I think the "Canadian Army" part was qualifier enough myself.

[Peter Laidler]

The reports at the old PR and some at Shrivenham (who got their paper records from the old IFCSO at Woolwich) say that the No67/Mk4 was cheaper and simpler to produce in Canada due to the fact that it utilised standard optical glassware already widely in use elsewhere - and I think it mentioned binocular systems. That would make sound logical sense to me. But has anyone looked and found exactly what other optical systems shared the lenses with the No67?

We've got one at Warminster but alas, nothing of Canadian origin to compare the lens make-up/focal lengths with!