Definitely issued and kicked the %$%^ out of 1941 Long Branch No.4 Mk.1/2

[spinecracker]

Picked this up a few days ago, have spent a little while cleaning up the layers of crud, but not removing any paint, except where it flaked off with a cloth. The rifle is a 1941 Long branch No.4 Mk.1/2, modified at Fazakerley in 1952, per the very faint receiver markings and barrel markings. I think the forend is original to the 1952 refurbishment, if only due to the amount, distribution and level of crud and patina (someone fitting a new forend after the rifle left service would have surely removed all the crap I found between forend and barrel). There is a serial number on the forend, but it is too faint to see (although it might have an L as the 2nd digit). While the prior owner swears that all he did was switch out the upper band, the cocking piece and rear sight are also LB-marked and, while it is possible that the rifle could have come through Fazakerley with an LB rear sight and early LB cocking piece, it is highly freaking unlikely. The buttstock is a definite recent replacement, being an almost brand new LB buttstock and black buttplate.The prior owner bought the rifle from AIM Surplus in 2004. The rifle was imported by TG Knox. As can be seen, any Suncorite is well long gone. There are hints of the crappy paint paint put on by India (no idea what might be put in other countries), but there is no Ishey screw. I have no idea where this rifle has been since 1952, but it does have that "been there, done that, has had living s$%^ kicked out of it" look. Ironically, the bore is gorgeously shiny and new-looking.

Information

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[superbee]

Interesting.
What is the significance of the 46 stamp above the serial #?
My 41 has the same stamp.

[spinecracker]

No idea, but I am sure someone here knows, and I would love an answer.

[Claven2]

If I were a betting man, that '46 likely corresponds to a trip to the armoury spa when it was still a No.4MkI, prior to it getting later converted to 1/2.

Cool rifle. I'm certainly not one to look down upon the 1950's rebuilds - the 1/2 rifles, in particular, are great. They shoot like a Mk2, but have the history of a MkI.

[browningautorifle]

Nothing wrong with that rifle. Providing the bore is good as said, I'd get'er refinished right after finishing the repairs if needed.

[spinecracker]

Well, if anyone has a well-worn buttstock, buttplate, bands and cocking piece that would be correct for a 1952 refurb, then I am listening, and have parts to trade

The extra nice part about the rifle is that it came with a Canadian-marked sling, an LB-marked bayonet and scabbard with Canadian-marked frog, a pull through and a DCP-marked plastic oiler. Not too shabby.

[browningautorifle]

Post an ad in the WTB area and ye shall find!

[Peter Laidler]

Or just speak to that nice Brian at BDL Ltd in SC. See what he's got!

[Brian Dick]

I think I have F52 marked bands and cocking pieces. I just used one to build a bolt for a customer restoration.

[spinecracker]

Brian, I will email you at your business website later. If you have F52 bands and a cocking piece that have the same kind of "beaten the hell out of" look, then I will definitely get them.