Label on an FTRed Long Branch

[spinecracker]

I spotted the following label attached to a Long Branch that had been modified to a No.4 Mk.1/3 in, I think, 1951.



Is the label a factory label, a military label or an importer's label? I have not seen one of these before.

I also noted on the rifle that the magazine was not marked with the serial number. Could this be a replacement magazine after the FTR? I have owned and handled a couple of No.4s that had been FTRed at Fazakerley during and after 1949, and each one had the serial number electropenciled (?) on the underside of the magazine.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

That is the Base Ordnance Depot Donnington identification tag
B1 (equipment classification/type)
1005---2927 Identification code for a No4 Mk1/3 rifle
Quantity 1
Don ? Donnington followed by section. I thin it'll be 3 or 5 something
Primary Pack is the standard of packaging for storeage. Primary pack is the basic requirement for temperate climates as I seem to recall but I could be wrong there. There was a heavy duty code for the Far East where rust and corrosion was a problem.

There should be a serial number on the magazine. It's probably been swoipped during its travels, before it got to you

Next question

[spinecracker]

Thanks, Peter. The rifle looks to be in extremely good condition, but the fact that someone swapped the magazine is a little annoying. The current owner bought the rifle from the importer a number of years ago, and did not shoot it because he didn't want to mess up its nice new-looking finish. I am tempted to buy it as it is in beautiful condition would fill a gap in my collection (ok, there are LOTS of gaps in my collection....) of Long Branches, and the few No.4 Mk.1 FTRs I have shot have been tackdrivers, but the swapped magazine makes me think it isn't worth the $450 he wants lol.

[Peter Laidler]

Just make sure that the magazine fits - as per the EMER - function tests as per the same and then CAREFULLY, using the correct mandrill - as per the EMER, stamp the number on it. That's all we would do! What's the difference?

Or better still, get your local jeweller to engrave it - as we'd do a a Field or Base workshop!

[spinecracker]

Shhh...I'm trying to use the unserialed magazine as a bargaining chip.....if I can get the rifle down to $375, then I'm pouncing...

[spinecracker]

How common is it to find the military tag still attached? The owner is under the impression that the rifle had not been issued or shot since the FTR, but all the tag does is indicate that the rifle was at Donnington at some time prior to being sold out of service. Is my assumption correct?

[Peter Laidler]

Yep............... They were all sold/disposed of with the identification labels