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Thread: Mystery of the Missing Wartime Long Branch Snipers

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  1. #21
    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    I recall seeing one of the 74L 32TP scopes with its rings at an ORA shoot at Base Borden. This was from one of the scrapped Netherlands rifles.
    It has been a long time since the CF sold any weapons off as surplus. Any No. 4Ts that were held in stores have likely been scrapped.
    I do recall that there were 3 LB 4Ts w/32TP scopes that were made available for issue to the Canadianicon Rangers. As far as I know they went to the Yukon. This would have been in the late '80s, early '90s, just do not recall exactly when.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by boltaction View Post
    They were cheap, used hard, and abused much. I worked at a sporting goods store
    I remember those days. I was 12 years old in 1959. My father bought me a new baseball glove (outgrew the old one) for $12.95 USD. He saw a barrel with guns in it, poked around and pulled out a full wood Enfield for the same price as the baseball glove. I didn't know any better at the time, but I knew my father -- if the barrel had sporterized versions, he would have rejected every one of them and only selected the original military version. I have ads from gun magazines of the time with the old Enfields being peddled on the cheap.

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  6. #23
    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    I recall reading a story about the surplus business after WW2. One US dealer purchased 1.1 million guns from the Britishicon Government for 1 million dollars, as is, where is. Even had to have the lift in a coal mine repaired to get the guns out. After hauling, shipping, sorting, importing, the rifles retailed for under $10 each.
    I bought an unissued LB 4T from Hercules Sales on Yonge Street in Toronto in the late 60s for $79.95. One of the 90L series that had gone to the UK. With an $80 retail price, I shudder to think what the UK received for these.

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  8. #24
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    I started a thread a couple years ago asking a related question specific to the 71L block snipers
    https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=39421
    BSN from the Republic of Alberta

    http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/

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  10. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Enfield View Post
    asking a related question specific to the 71L block snipers
    LE - your question of whether anyone has seen " any 71L block serial numbers below x200?" is a very intriguing one.

    I have been running a spread sheet linking Marshall's Production report (1944-46) against the serial numbers for blocks 71L, 74L, 80L & 90L.
    .
    Bottom Line: The Production report is off by ~200 Snipers unless the 71L block starts with 71L000. IOW, there are 200 rifles that are missing in action that belong to the 71L000 - 71L200 range. The Mystery continues......

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    A MATCH HAS BEEN MADE as a result of this forum's discussion! :-)

    mike1967 in Australiaicon has rifle 74L0303 stamped 4407S on the wrist.
    Colin Stevens seaforth72 in Canadaicon has No. 32 TP MK. I scope 4407S

    As with other matches, finding them is one thing (e.g. Valleysniper has the rifle for my REL C No. 32 MK. 3 scope in Wales.) Mating them up again is a whole other matter!

    Another member has the scope case for one of my Long Branch sniper rifles. It is numbered to my rifle and to the as yet to be found scope 690C. He is willing to trade but my only REL scope case went in a recent trade that was just too good to resist.

    Colin Stevens
    Colin MacGregor Stevens https://www.captainstevens.com [B]Model 1918 scope ideally w P14 rings; LB Scout Sniper Rifle windmill sight & furniture; No. 4 Mk. I* 28L0844; any rifle with S/N ASE-xxxx ; No.32 Mk. I SN 1042.

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  15. #28
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    I have also mated up 10 or so No32 telescopes to rifle/can owners. And regularly go through the matchmakers part of the forum. Tell them how it happened Brian.......

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    Coal Mine Storage?

    Quote Originally Posted by tiriaq View Post
    One US dealer purchased 1.1 million guns from the Britishicon Government for 1 million dollars, as is, where is. Even had to have the lift in a coal mine repaired to get the guns out
    This is a very intriguing insight I had not heard before. Was the UK storing guns in abandoned coal mines after (or during) the war? A coal mine can fill with water. Perhaps many were damaged and scrapped. Does anyone have any more info on the coal mine storage?
    Last edited by Seaspriter; 02-27-2016 at 08:21 AM.

  18. #30
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    You're right Seaspriter. Not only that, compressed air, at any pressure/depth creates condensation = water. Urban myth I'd suggest. There were hundreds of Ordnance storeage depots used for storing weapons together with necessary security.

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