The SMLE 1903-1989
+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst ... 2 3 4
Results 31 to 35 of 35

Thread: 1943 Longbranch value

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #31
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,681
    Local Date
    04-09-2024
    Local Time
    11:07 PM
    Make that three out of three...

    Enjoy your original rifle zh75. Fast service and a definitive answer.

    Hardness tester marks on underside of LB receiver - two different sizes no less.
    Last edited by Surpmil; 01-14-2021 at 04:08 AM.
    “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.

  2. Thank You to Surpmil For This Useful Post:


  3. # 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.
     

  4. #32
    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    04-07-2024 @ 05:55 PM
    Location
    Edgefield, SC USA
    Posts
    4,045
    Local Date
    04-10-2024
    Local Time
    02:07 AM
    I need to add that I was wrong about it being reblued. The finish appears original after a closer look. The heat discoloration on the bolt body was a concern but I see nothing that tells me it's been worked on by anyone other than real Armourers. Guessing the bolt left the factory that way and yes, I've seen it before on a few Canadianicon blued bolts. It just wasn't as prevalent looking.

    Rob, I've had several original ROF Maltby service rifles with the serial numbers stamped on the top of the wrist. I have a couple of 1941 and a 1942 in my collection that are so marked. I've had a very few marked post war Maltby FTR's. I think they were closed in 1946 if memory serves. This one isn't a full FTR as it sports original blue finish. Did ROF Maltby repair rifles post WW2 but not necessarily put them through a full blown FTR? Maybe someone else can elaborate. It could have been repaired at a European workshop too. I had Greek owned Long Branch rifles that certainly were. They were refinished with a deep dip blue finish, not Parkerizing and Suncorite paint. Either way, it just feels honest and I wouldn't change a thing. The stamped serials on this rifle are not done by a civilian but after it was restocked. It still has it's original LB buttstock but the forend is a Britishicon walnut replacement as is the front handguard. I didn't take the handguards off so not sure about the rear one. I took off his M1icon Rifle front sling swivel and Chicom M1 sling. I'll send them back in a ziplock bag. I can't bring myself to put them back on!

    ---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:18 PM ----------

    I have to correct myself again. The forend is original Canadian walnut. It was roughly block sanded before being numbered and if you look real hard, the original Canadian batch markings are still visible. Just a good, honest service rifle that's been legitimately worked on.

  5. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Brian Dick For This Useful Post:


  6. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  7. #33
    Legacy Member zh75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Last On
    03-27-2022 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    US
    Posts
    25
    Local Date
    04-10-2024
    Local Time
    02:07 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Dickicon View Post
    I need to add that I was wrong about it being reblued. The finish appears original after a closer look. The heat discoloration on the bolt body was a concern but I see nothing that tells me it's been worked on by anyone other than real Armourers. Guessing the bolt left the factory that way and yes, I've seen it before on a few Canadianicon blued bolts. It just wasn't as prevalent looking.

    Rob, I've had several original ROF Maltby service rifles with the serial numbers stamped on the top of the wrist. I have a couple of 1941 and a 1942 in my collection that are so marked. I've had a very few marked post war Maltby FTR's. I think they were closed in 1946 if memory serves. This one isn't a full FTR as it sports original blue finish. Did ROF Maltby repair rifles post WW2 but not necessarily put them through a full blown FTR? Maybe someone else can elaborate. It could have been repaired at a European workshop too. I had Greek owned Long Branch rifles that certainly were. They were refinished with a deep dip blue finish, not Parkerizing and Suncorite paint. Either way, it just feels honest and I wouldn't change a thing. The stamped serials on this rifle are not done by a civilian but after it was restocked. It still has it's original LB buttstock but the forend is a Britishicon walnut replacement as is the front handguard. I didn't take the handguards off so not sure about the rear one. I took off his M1icon Rifle front sling swivel and Chicom M1 sling. I'll send them back in a ziplock bag. I can't bring myself to put them back on!

    ---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:18 PM ----------

    I have to correct myself again. The forend is original Canadian walnut. It was roughly block sanded before being numbered and if you look real hard, the original Canadian batch markings are still visible. Just a good, honest service rifle that's been legitimately worked on.
    Thank you Brian, forgot to include the correction you sent last night, my apologies! And thank you for taking off the swivel and sling, they were going to come off at some point so saved me a little work. Can't say enough good things about your level of service & info that you provided me on the rifle.

  8. #34
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,681
    Local Date
    04-09-2024
    Local Time
    11:07 PM
    Interesting Brian; did those rifles with the SN added to the wrist have any indications of a common post-war service? How did that Greek refinish compare to Dulite blue?
    “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.

  9. #35
    Advisory Panel Brian Dick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Last On
    04-07-2024 @ 05:55 PM
    Location
    Edgefield, SC USA
    Posts
    4,045
    Local Date
    04-10-2024
    Local Time
    02:07 AM
    The three ROF Maltby rifles all have it. I know they've been inspected and cleaned prior to reserve storage but they strike me as pretty much factory original. I also have a ROF Fazakerley, ('43 date), that has been serviced, got a coat of paint and the stock cleaned in service post war. The matching serial number is present on the top of the wrist too but it's been scraped and sanded during post war servicing.

    The Greek bluing is kind of a flat but dark blue/black finish. I have some 1903 Springfields that were returned from Greece by the CMPicon and they sport the same dark blue/black finish. Dulite is a much lighter shade of blue or more of a blue-grey over a sand blasted surface like Savage No.4 bodies.

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


+ Reply to Thread
Page 4 of 4 FirstFirst ... 2 3 4

Similar Threads

  1. Longbranch 1943
    By billy67 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 12-31-2014, 12:20 PM
  2. Longbranch 1943 SN 56L3035?
    By bulletbob in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 03-25-2012, 01:41 AM
  3. Longbranch RCAF stamped 1943 Lee-Enfield
    By tfrosst in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-28-2009, 09:40 PM
  4. Restored 1943 Longbranch
    By santino34 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-29-2009, 08:47 AM
  5. No4 Mk1* Longbranch 1943 help ...
    By Stan Rideout in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-26-2008, 11:48 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