long branch sniper ?

[paul87buick]

Thanks for everybody's input I had noticed the c in the wrong place but not the serial number it does look engraved and stamped or neatly stamped then sloppily stamped I'm inclined to think its the real deal .Who would make a fake and then ruin it by sporterizing it and putting a after market scope mount.I dont know how to post pic but IL try when i get my grubby little hands on it.

[Lance]

The "C" as a prefix on the scope s/n on the butt is common variation, one of my girls has it also

[vintage hunter]

Paul, being inclined to think something is the real deal and knowing for a fact it is are two different things. From what I've read so far the jury is still out. I asked what I did mostly for my own education because I need to know. One of these days I plan on adding a LB T to my collection and I want to be damn sure I can tell if it's real or not. Just give it some time and the more knowledgeable members will sort it out for you. We all hope it turns out to be real. If you plan on restoring it and proceed with just the belief it's genuine you may in the end wind up with nothing more than an expensive restored fake. The parts to make up fake No.4T have been around long enough now until it wouldn't surprise me to learn that they are as numerous as the originals.

[Roger Payne]

Of course more & clearer photo's would be nice, when you get the rifle. I have looked at the comments evolving about this piece with interest. It's only my HO but I have restored several butchered LB 4T's over the years (still have two of 'em), & the rather variable finish under the pad, together with a lack of the 'window' milling seen on UK rifles, is absolutely typical.

I would entirely agree with Simon (with no disrespect intended to anyone of a different opinion) that the serial is indeed entirely stamped, though I would admit that the '71L' looks rather deeper than the rest of the number. This may be the case - the numbers were hand stamped - or it could be an effect of the angle of the photo/lighting etc.

We can't see the remaining rear pad at all well, but of what we can see the edges are very well demarcated & do not look like it was put there yesterday.

If someone faked it they would surely have mentioned it being a sniper in the description - or maybe it has changed hands a few times down the line.......but I don't think it's fake. I wonder if the sling has always been with it?

Be aware though, that there are some subtle differences between UK & LB front pads, let alone the various repro pieces on offer, some of which are frankly atrocious. If you need any help or advice when you get round to the restoration process please do let me know. I may even have a spare Canadian cheekpiece somewhere (I have seen three different variations in shape of these, to date).

ATB

[limpetmine]

Nice rifle. I agree you should made this a long term project, and don't scrimp or do something undoable without much thought.
The scope number on the butt matches the style on my 1943 sniper. It's right as rain.
Limpetmine

Just purchased this from gunbroker .British Enfield MK1 no 4 Long Branch 303 : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com
.

[jmoore]

Having viewed (and re-viewed) the photos, my only real concern was how the aftermarket scope mount was attached. Hence the lack of elaboration in my first post. Hopefully it's one of those "no-gunsmithing" jobs! Otherwise, it looks like a good long term project. Finding a rear sight with the Maltese cross marking will be one challenge not previously mentioned.

If you observe Long Branch front pads you will soon note that they generally don't fit as well as the British version and the solder jobs are generally fairly sloppy. (Little blobs at the edges, incomplete fill, etc.)

Be aware though, that there are some subtle differences between UK & LB front pads...

Has anyone ever photographed for internet sharing the back side of the Canadian pad?



ETA: yet another "C" prefix wrist marking:

[tower06]

Just purchased this from gunbroker .British Enfield MK1 no 4 Long Branch 303 : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com
.

Great snag. Too bad bubba butchered it with a aftermarket mount. Best of luck with the resto. Do you plan on filling the top screw mount holes?

[bigduke6]

paul87buick , only thing I,d be concerned about is what tower06 points out regarding the top mount screw holes if it does have them ? have seen many sporters were the tapped hole has gone through to the barrel.

Nice find, looking for something like that myself to rebuild.

[jmoore]

Nice find, looking for something like that myself to rebuild.

I think paul87buick ought to get a prize for getting past the first few photos in that auction! Oh, wait...he did!

[PrinzEugen]

Yep definitely a great price for a rare rifle seemingly the real deal - £170 for a cosher 4t can't be bad! Still with original butt at least, and as Roger suggests, it seems distinctly possible that it might have the original sling.