Curious scope mount No4 Mk1*

[Dr_Monocle]

Hello all!

Just bought a No4 Mk 1* Long branch today at a gun show. I didn't know much about it at the time other than the price was fair and it looked in good condition. I love the old rifles and fell in love with this one right away, should look good next to my Mosin 91/30.

After spending a few hours researching I've found very little out about this specific gun. Other than it being a 1942 No 4 Mk 1* Long Branch (I think its a *, I'll come to that shortly)

For the most part it has very few markings, and what it does have I can't seem to find the meaning behind. The bolt doesn't match the gun unfortunately, it faintly reads "43497" while the rife itself is 12L1123. I found it interesting in comparison to my 91/30, as it has a plethora (perhaps too many) of markings. Though it was made right before the war in '39, so they may have taken the time to stamp more.

The main thing I'm interested in, however, is whats going on with the scope mount? This one has 4 small black screws which doesn't seem to match any other photo I've seen. I'm mainly wondering if someone has decided to custom mount a scope. Additionally, it has all the signs of being a Mk1* but whoever drilled the holes decided to drill right into the spot where the * would be, if there was one.

I'd love any insight, as I've been hard pressed to figure out the history of this thing.

Information

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[limpetmine]

Picture 6 tells the tale, it is a No. 4 Mk 1*, as you can see the bolt head cut out in the track.
It appears a commercial side mount was installed at one time.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The bolt doesn't match the gun unfortunately, it faintly reads "43497" while the rife itself is 12L1123.

12L1123 is OK for Long Branch in 1942

43497 seems to be a BSA Shirley number.

All those little screws are for a commercial scope mounting, but the only screw you need is the one that is missing - to fit in the only open hole - the ejector screw! Murphy's Law strikes again!

[jimmieZ]

See e-Bay item as follows: 290448575196 looks similar to G&H mount common to Longbranch snipers

[Brit plumber]

I thought bubba at first but looking in the LES, but I think your right, the sealant or whatever it is on the rear mount and the screw holes show the shape of the mount to be like the Lyman or G&H. It could of course had a repro fitted. Is there a T on the side near the date? A serial number on top of the butt near the wrist?

[limpetmine]

And the rear sight has the peep milled off. That's another clue.
The serial number sure is low for one of those, if that's what it turns out to be.

[Brian Dick]

It's the same screw spacing as an REL "Trade Pattern" mount base for the Lyman Alskan except the hole where the "*" is should have a taper pin, not a screw in it. The other taper pin at the front appears to be there.

[Lee Enfield]

I think it may be the rifle that Reese Surplus (Springfields parent company) had for sale a few years ago mounted with a TP.

No I guess that was a 1943 dated 24LXxXx serialed Long Branch

Military Surplus Collectors Forums

[Brian B]

See e-Bay item as follows: 290448575196 looks similar to G&H mount common to Longbranch snipers

Link to auction above for jimmieZ

Enfield Sniper Mount Kit | eBay

[Dr_Monocle]

I thought bubba at first but looking in the LES, but I think your right, the sealant or whatever it is on the rear mount and the screw holes show the shape of the mount to be like the Lyman or G&H. It could of course had a repro fitted. Is there a T on the side near the date? A serial number on top of the butt near the wrist?

I posted a picture of every mark on the rifle save for the import mark on the barrel, and what looks like an 8 just in front of the middle strap mount that I missed. The only "T" I've found is under the trigger guard. Should be in a photo in the original post. And no, there is no serial on, or near the butt.

See e-Bay item as follows: 290448575196 looks similar to G&H mount common to Longbranch snipers

Looks like a similar mount, but what they have drilled for a pin seems to be milled for a screw on mine.

12L1123 is OK for Long Branch in 1942

43497 seems to be a BSA Shirley number.

All those little screws are for a commercial scope mounting, but the only screw you need is the one that is missing - to fit in the only open hole - the ejector screw! Murphy's Law strikes again!

That explains a little. I took it out shooting yesterday (a great gun, fun to shoot, very accurate) and had trouble with casings not ejecting every time, but I thought it was a problem with my Magazine.

Turns out I didn't inspect this thing close enough at the gun show. It seems that It came with the wrong magazine as the one it has with it will not lock in place. When I was looking at it, the magazine was fairly firm so I didn't notice it wasn't locked until much later. Now I see that there is a guide on the back going all the way down. It pushes against the trigger guard just enough that it wont lock. Did they make different magazines for the different models of the .303?