1944 Long Branch No.4 MK1* T

[AngusMcRat]

Hi,

I have a 1944 Long Branch No.4 MK1* (T) which is a matching number rifle however in trying to ascertain it's history a number of anomalies have come up which has left me confused. The first relates to the serial number. According to Clive Law's book Without Warning blocks of serial numbers were set aside for the sniper rifles "71Lxxxx consisting of mostly No.32 Mark2 scopes; 74L0001 to 74L0350 set-up with the Lyman Alaskan; 80L8xxx with the No.67 Mark 1 scope and 90L8xxx mounted mostly with theNo.32 Mark 3 scope". The serial number on my rifle is 80L0259.

Having read the article “Is my Lee Enfield sniper rifle a fake?” there is a comment regarding scopes which says "a Long Branch rifle with a British scope should be approached skeptically". My rifle has a No32 Mk1 scope dated 1943 made by William Watson & Sons.

As I said in my opening sentence the rifle is a matching example. The serial number of the scope has been stamped on the front edge of the butt and the rifle serial number has been stamped just in front of the scope number. The rifle number is also stamped onto the scope bracket along with a Canadian manufacturing mark. Please see attached photo's.

So my question is were British scopes used on Long Branch rifles in late 1943/44 and was the block of serial numbers set aside for sniper rifles 80Lxxxx as opposed to 80L8xxx?

Many thanks

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