1942 Long Branch No4 MkI*

[flying pig]

My wife bought me this rifle in 2011 from P&S Militaria in Quebec. It is probably my most honest and original rifle. Recently I have decided to try and pursue its history a little more. I have a number of new questions about it.

The rifle retains some of its original Long Branch markings. It has its barrel date of '42 present. It also has the LB mark on the left side of the chamber. It was rebuilt at Long Branch in 11/'46, so it must have served Canada in WWII. The entire rifle is numbers matching including the bolt , fore end, receiver and forced matched mag. The bore is pretty good with a little rounding to the lands at the lead. The rifle shoots marvelously, as good as any Lee-Enfield I've ever shot. This was also my first as issued military rifle. It wears an Ishaphore screw as well.

I've taken a number of photos showing markings to post. I have some questions about its history. There are no C^ markings except for on the butt plate door. The knox has been scrubbed, as well as the rear sight and area around the bolt way at the rear of the receiver and not very neatly. It looks to have been done with an angle grinder. Why would the Indians do this? To remove the rifle's Commonwealth history? Also the markings on the bottom of the wrist have been obliterated. There are a few marks on the wood sides of the butt that I have not seen on any other Lee rifles. I also took photos of the paint markings on the butt, but unfortunately when I received the rifle I was a bit new to collecting and I wanted a "Canadian" No4 so I got too aggressive when I first cleaned it. At least I was smart enough to photograph the marks before I cleaned it. I feel really bad about doing this now, I never thought of the consequences of doing this. At the time I had planned on 'correcting' the rifle but am really glad I mostly left it as was, besides the painted marks.

Another question I have is about the Star markings. There are two stars on the bolt head and one on the receiver ahead of the bolt. Does anyone know what they mean?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

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