Long Branch sniper (lots of pics)

[smle addict]

good evening, all

I just picked up a rifle a purchased on GB. Paid a lot, and had to move (sell) four other firearms out of the safe to pay for this. It's a 1945 Long Branch No. 4(T); almost all matching, with a UK piece here and there. No maltese cross on either the forearm nor the rear sight. No serial number of forearm either. Rear sight is a savage produced piece. Removed (very carefully) the cheek-piece and found the small arrow within a C marking. Almost everything Long Branch marked, with the exception of the mag spring follower, front sling swivel, and course, the rear sight. I suspect the magazine, while a correct LB mag body, has had the serial number added later. I have owned a few LB No 4's and handled a few dozen others, and the ones with numbered magazines always had the full serial number, not just the last four, stamped into them. Perhaps a member with more experience can elaborate...
I found a very small and discreet importer mark under the barrel near the muzzle. The importer was Brian Dick, and he has it recorded as being imported from Canada in 2000, and sold to customer in Colorado in 2002. I purchased from a seller in Colorado, who said the owner was clearing out his collection.
As a side note, the rifle did ship in a correct Canadian chest, with the proper 4-screw hinges, although the leather handles are the folded UK type, not the sewn Canadian ones.

Hope you all enjoy the pics; any critiques and criticism are welcome.

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.