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  1. #1
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    Greek Enfields

    Folks:

    Can anybody here shed light on the existence of No.4 rifles in Greece, which were returned to the loaning countries? I have heard that a number of these Longbranch rifles were originally lent by Canadaicon and returned.

    Can anyone here enlighten me on the inclusive dates of shipment/subsequent return of Longbranch No.4s to and from Greece and what characteristics these rifles have? Are there "dead giveaway" features that suggest Greek use?
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    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.
     

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    I imported a few hundred in 2000. They were purchased from a company in Englandicon in the late 1990's. All Long Branch manufacture and dated 1942-45 and 1950. They are/were all nice rifles with lots of handling marks in the woodwork but matching metal, good headspace and nice barrels as original or FTR at CAL prior to shipment to the Greece. The only Greek features found were stickers with the names and addresses of the troopers to whom issued on some but not all of the buttstocks. I still have about 20 here. Half and half wartime and 1950 dated. There are examples on the website.

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    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Dickicon View Post
    I imported a few hundred in 2000. They were purchased from a company in Englandicon in the late 1990's. All Long Branch manufacture and dated 1942-45 and 1950. They are/were all nice rifles with lots of handling marks in the woodwork but matching metal, good headspace and nice barrels as original or FTR at CAL prior to shipment to the Greece. The only Greek features found were stickers with the names and addresses of the troopers to whom issued on some but not all of the buttstocks. I still have about 20 here. Half and half wartime and 1950 dated. There are examples on the website.
    Were any of these rifles green-parkerized, with receiver origin marks removed?

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    Yes, many of the WWII Long Branch rifles had been back to Canadianicon Arsenals for FTR prior to being shipped to Greece where they were Parkerized. None of the original markings were removed and almost all still have their original barrels.

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    I may also add that these rifles were well used during the 1974 war in Cyprus. It was short but intense with no days off for participants. The handling marks came honestly.
    Regards, Jim

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    I purchased one of the Greek Enfields about 8-10 years ago. It is a Savage with all Savage marked parts and of course matching sn's on the bolt and receiver. It still had the sling on it with the name of the person it was issued to on it. The over all condition of the rifle was very good especially the bore. The stock was a little on the dry side but a liitle BLOicon on it took care of that.

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    I hold a 49 "Greek contract" LB from BDLicon. All metal is blued and in near-new condition. A few small dings and a small gouge on the wood but otherwise the rifle looks new. Shoots particularly consistently with my pet handload.

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    Marstar bought about 10 40-foot containers of LE woodwork and parts from Greece, waited a year to get the export permit. We are told that most are at sea right now, on their way to the USAicon but the shipment for Canadaicon is still stalled, waiting for a direct freighter.

    So we might see a few bits and pieces at a decent price..... some day.
    .

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    Is it possible theat a 1955 Long Branch rifle would ahve gone to Greece, or is this too late a date? I had also heard that rifles subsequently issued to the Canadianicon Rangers were parkerized.

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    The 1955 dated Long Branch receivers I've seen were all replacements and had the original serial numbers of the wartime rifles stamped on when the worn out receivers were replaced in Canadaicon. It's entirely possible that some of those wound up in the shipments to Greece. As mentioned above by BAR, they were used up and through the 1970's and possibly even later. I've also got a rifle here with a replacement receiver numbered in the 95L range. The whole rifle is original 1950 95L parts and the receiver is a 1944 Maltby No.4Mk.1! Go figure.

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