1943 Long Branch Sniper? a detailed fake or could it be.........

[nattcmars]

I recently picked this up and find it intriguing. I haven't taken it apart yet but here are some pics that I took pre-cleaning. It is a 1943 Long Branch, but it appears to have all the correct Holland and Holland marks. If it is a fake, it was done a long time ago because there is a ton dirt and crud in all the little screws. The rifle isn't import marked, only stamped England on the breech. The scope didn't come with the gun, but it was one that I had. What do yall think on this one?

Information

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[Badger]

For those of you who would like more pics, or need additional information, here's the original auction on GunBroker.

Enfield Sniper - Long Branch : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

Description for Item # 249915435

I am offering an Enfield Long Branch Sniper. No scope or mount is included in the auction and I do not have any for sale. Rifle is not matching. Bolt and forearm do not match. I hope the pictures answer most questions. the Long Branch snipers are a bit harder to find. I will only ship to an FFL (C&R is acceptable of course). I have not fired this rifle, but everything functions as it should. As with all used firearms, you should have it checked by a competent gunsmith prior to firing. Shipping is a flat $35 to the lower 48. Payment must be received within 7 days of the close of the auction. Please ask any questions prior to bidding. I accept US Postal Money Orders or Cashier's checks. 3 day inspection and returns accepted if I have misrepresented the firearm in any way. Buyer to pay shipping both ways. Thank you for checking out my auction.

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Amongst other anomalies which I'll leave to the experts here to comment upon, the sling swivel is "civilian", not the military version. Note the 360 degree rotation and extra clearance, whereas the military one didn't do that. See the MKL article for more details and pics of the correct sling swivels.

A correct Long Branch sniper will essentially look like this one...

1945 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch Sniper Rifle (160 pic photo montage)

Regards,
Doug

[nattcmars]

I am sorry for being the worlds worst photographer--LOL. I got her stripped down right now and here are some pics of stamps that were obscured by wood.

[Hal O'Peridol]

Spurious. Fitment of pads is atrocious. The side profile of a Longbranch No4MkI* is different from an English made rifle. The pads, especially the rear pad, don't match up to the machining of the side wall on LB rifles.

Foreend does not match, Long Branch rifles were not converted at H&H, so would not have the S51 stamp. Pull the buttstock off the rifle and post a photo of the numbers there.

Hope you can get your money back, as it is NOT a Longbranch sniper.

[Peter Laidler]

I hope that the telescope 8301 is still OK because I rebuilt that in Feb 02. It was an Ex Indian Army scope that had been partially converted to a Mk2/1 but I added the range drum from another old scope. The bracket was numbered AG9720, 37396 and AV3492. Does it have the usual Far Eastern Mk2 type desiccation screw? That's a sure sign of an ex Indian or Malaya type

It looks like the rifle is a differ as we say in polite company

[jmoore]

Parts is parts. Not many of which belong together in this case. BUT, photos of- Top of rear sight, front and rear pads shot from fore and aft and top would help dispel any doubt. Also screw tails of front pad. At best it's a "bitser". No Maltese crosses anywhere. Not looking good.

[vintage hunter]

I thought that scope looked familiar, now I know who beat me to it. I have its sibling, Kershaw MkII no.8582. Also have the sibling to your rifle, '43 LB #45L1657. Small world ain't it.

[Roger Payne]

It may have been done a long time, but it has been assembled from bits. The pads look real but probably not LB mfr. The triangular swivel is UK commercial; the trigger-guard is BSA; the bolt is out of a 43 BSA etc etc. The S51 on the butt does look as though it's probably original ('O' word again, sorry). The general fit of the pads is not up to the standard one would expect from the work of H&H or Canadian assembly.

Even so, you have some valuable parts...!

ATB

[husk]

Attachment 26956Attachment 26957I've posted these pics before, but it won't hurt to do it again. This is a genuine '43 LB sniper that you can compare to the one you acquired...

[Peter Laidler]

THere's a genuine and new front triger guard swiven on that auction site as we speak. He says it's both brand new and genuine