Long Branch T on GB

[smle addict]

Spotted this on GB yesterday. Looks to be an LB produced No 4T with a mismatched REL scope.

Long Branch Enfield No.4 Mk1 (T) Canadian Sniper .303 - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 867836666

Interesting in that mount appears to bear obliterated serial number 71L0360, with a differing (perhaps bubba?) serial number stamped below it. REL No32 Mk II scope, 477C.

Not my auction nor do I know the seller. Maybe a match is out here for either rifle or scope/mount?

[Lee Enfield]

Spotted this on GB yesterday. Looks to be an LB produced No 4T with a mismatched REL scope.

Long Branch Enfield No.4 Mk1 (T) Canadian Sniper .303 - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 867836666

Interesting in that mount appears to bear obliterated serial number 71L0360, with a differing (perhaps bubba?) serial number stamped below it. REL No32 Mk II scope, 477C.

Not my auction nor do I know the seller. Maybe a match is out here for either rifle or scope/mount?

It is a very interesting package - it is a bit of a composed set:

- British No15 transit chest (marked for a Mk3 scope)
- No8Mk2 from a LB 90L block Mk3
- the telescope appears to be an REL, but the markings look a little wonky (it looks like they may have just been covered with plastic or tape when repainting the scope)- which may explain why 477c was reported by Peter Laidler as being the highest serial numbered No32MkIA which he worked on...(this does not prove that this a "faked scope" by any means as I am fully aware of the possibility of typos in PL's notes, and when he reported the information).
- the butt stock is correctly marked for a 44L range sniper.
I would very much like to see clear photos of the pads...
- i do not like the screws in the front pad.
- from the existing photos, the front pad appears to be LB

[Lance]

I too am following the auction but I am scared off by the scope. The engravings look a little too shallow and are hand done. I would be bidding if it had a Mk I or IA, but I have a Mk II in the collection now so I will not be in anyone's way. Attached are pic's of the scope in question, my scope and a couple others for comparison no two are the same so it might be ok?? BTW as you can see Mk II's were as early as 471.

Lance

[pocketshaver]

is there a reason that the butt stock has two "serial" numbers on it,,, one being scratched out, Always thought these were made from virgin parts.

[Lee Enfield]

is there a reason that the butt stock has two "serial" numbers on it,,, one being scratched out, Always thought these were made from virgin parts.

I assume that you are looking at the 2 scope serial numbers on the top of the wrist?

[Brian Dick]

In British and Commonwealth service, barring out with a file or using a cancellation stamp was the norm when telescopes were swapped out or upgraded. That way, the history of the weapon was somewhat "readable". If you find one filed off and renumbered, be cautious. Later, in the L42A1 era, I've seen where an Armourer cut out and patched the wood before renumbering it but it was later in the game and many of the old timers were retired and a new crop of youngsters were running the show. I've also seen rifle serial numbers stamped where the telescope number should be on the L42A1. I guess the best explanation is that it was the end of an era.



I have a 1943 No.4T with four scope numbers on the wrist. You can read all four numbers, (some barred out with a file and the others stamped with the real cancellation stamp but still readable), and I actually found the first matching scope in a bucket of derelicts in DRP's garage with the help of Peter Laidler many years ago who found it listed in his data base so have the first and last matching scopes for that single rifle. Thanks to both Roger and Peter for their attention on that one!