+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Long Branch MK I* qeustion

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    kpj53's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Last On
    10-03-2019 @ 10:09 PM
    Location
    SE US
    Posts
    52
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM

    Long Branch MK I* qeustion

    Picked this up a while back and finally git around to looking it over closer. Its a Long Branch 1944 No4 MK I* Bolt and receiver match (only two serial numbers I can find). Has a two groove barrel thats like new, has dark blued finish. I would think this has been rebuilt at one time or another. The stock has no markings except the ones pictured behind the trigger guard.

    The import mark says .303 CAN. All marked parts have the LB mark on them. I'm thinking this rifle may have never been in military service, or it was returned/rebuilt and never used. Is it common for a LB rebuild to not be marked at all? Its a great shooting and looking rifle, I dont think its a amateur restore but who knows.

    Few poor cell phone pics:
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 11:01 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,734
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 PM
    May want to move the front top wood back from the sight protector (Pic#6) what I did with mine was slivers (Very thin ones) each side of walnut between the bottom & front top wood so the front band compresses more onto the wood and stops it moving forward could use balsa but it will compress over time and lose tightness.
    There is another was suggested by the armourers here of a field mod, that you clamped it all up again after moving it back and then with say a thin cold chisel putting a dent in the top back side of the front band into the void in the top wood to stop it moving forward.

    Then again if the rifle is accurate as you say just leave it but it would be interesting to try it out without the front wood contacting the front sight protectors....!

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    kpj53's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Last On
    10-03-2019 @ 10:09 PM
    Location
    SE US
    Posts
    52
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by CINDERS View Post
    May want to move the front top wood back from the sight protector (Pic#6) what I did with mine was slivers (Very thin ones) each side of walnut between the bottom & front top wood so the front band compresses more onto the wood and stops it moving forward could use balsa but it will compress over time and lose tightness.
    There is another was suggested by the armourers here of a field mod, that you clamped it all up again after moving it back and then with say a thin cold chisel putting a dent in the top back side of the front band into the void in the top wood to stop it moving forward.

    Then again if the rifle is accurate as you say just leave it but it would be interesting to try it out without the front wood contacting the front sight protectors....!
    I see what your saying, but it shoots pretty well and I hate to fix what isnt broke. But next time out with it I may try some shims to tighten it up so it doesnt move forward against the sight protector.

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:17 AM
    What's interesting about it is the "C Broad Arrow" on the receiver or barrel ring which indicates use by the Canadianicon Army.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    kpj53's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Last On
    10-03-2019 @ 10:09 PM
    Location
    SE US
    Posts
    52
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Surpmil View Post
    What's interesting about it is the "C Broad Arrow" on the receiver or barrel ring which indicates use by the Canadianicon Army.
    Yea, but compared to others I have seen it does not have a lot of markings overall. I'm pretty sure it has been refurbished by someone. The stock has a couple arsenal repairs. The bore is pristine and I assume the original barrel. Magazine is pretty crusty and non matching but does have the C arrow on the follower and LB mark on the spine where it locks in.

    My guess is it was not heavily used wherever it saw service. I was wondering if LB did rebuilds and didnt mark them?

  8. #6
    Legacy Member SpikeDD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Last On
    08-07-2020 @ 06:05 AM
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    257
    Real Name
    David
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    [QUOTE\]My guess is it was not heavily used wherever it saw service. I was wondering if LB did rebuilds and didnt mark them?[/QUOTE]

    Short answer is...Yes, they did. But the finish would not look like yours. The finish on your rifle is what it should be for 1944 production.
    David

  9. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    kpj53's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Last On
    10-03-2019 @ 10:09 PM
    Location
    SE US
    Posts
    52
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by SpikeDD View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by kpj53 View Post
    My guess is it was not heavily used wherever it saw service. I was wondering if LB did rebuilds and didnt mark them?
    Short answer is...Yes, they did. But the finish would not look like yours. The finish on your rifle is what it should be for 1944 production.
    A bit of a mystery then with the repairs on the stock, the rear sight is a C Mk.3 with the A inside C mark so that was replaced at one time as well. All other parts are LB marked.
    I guess the wood and sight could have been swapped around anytime in the last 74 years.

    Either way its a nice rifle, only issue with it is the little adjusting lever on the sight is broken on the bottom - seems pretty common to break.
    Last edited by kpj53; 10-13-2018 at 01:04 AM.

  10. #8
    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    03-25-2024 @ 05:18 PM
    Location
    Edgefield, SC USA
    Posts
    4,038
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    No mystery at all. It's definitely been worked on over the course of it's service as about 90% of them have. The metal finish is still original and not FTR. It looks and reads like a very nice rifle. Canadianicon owned rifles aren't rare but not that common to find either.

    I just looked and unfortunately don't have a Mk.3 catch for your rear sight. I do have lots of spare springs for them. I'm scrambling like everyone else now to find spare Mk.1 and Mk.3 rear sights for shop restorations. The only complete sights i have available are Mk.2 of all different mfg, Britishicon, Canadian and US.

  11. Thank You to Brian Dick For This Useful Post:


  12. #9
    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-29-2021 @ 03:01 PM
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    A 1941 Long Branch '*' receiver is very early. That's when the "conversion" to the Mk I* began.
    However, that one was likely cobbled together out of parts bins with zero QC. The CAI ST A B VT stamped on the muzzle is Century Arms International, St. Albans, Vermont. It's not an import stamp. They are well known for assembling Lee-Enfields by the thousands straight out of parts bins and no QC to ensure they were safe to shoot.
    Really only means you must check the headspace before even thinking about shooting it. So do not shoot it again until you have done so.
    You can buy headspace gauges from Pacific Tool and Gauge or rent 'em from Reamer Rentals(this is the least expensive).
    It was possibly refinished and likely stocked at the same time. The "303 Can." is them too. Neither the rifle nor ammunition was ever called anything buy .303 Britishicon by anybody else.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  13. Thank You to Sunray For This Useful Post:


  14. #10
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:44 PM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    222
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:17 AM
    Rear Sight parts. Might want to try a friends company brp
    SMLE No.1 Mk.3 Receiver, Bolt, Sight Parts

    Later 42rocker

  15. Thank You to 42rocker For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Long Branch No.4 Mk.1/2
    By Rowner in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-03-2018, 01:10 PM
  2. Long Branch No#4 Mk I*
    By Pyros3 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-19-2015, 06:48 PM
  3. Long Branch TP???
    By granite in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-21-2014, 09:40 AM
  4. Long Branch
    By enfield303t in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-09-2010, 12:01 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks