Interesting long Branch sniper

[superbee]

4 digit scope number?



Enfield, Lee No 4 T SNIPER .303 Rifle | Second Hand Guns for Sale | guntrader

[Alan de Enfield]

LEE ENFIELD NR MINT No 4 T SNIPER RIFLE (LONG BRANCH CANADA) 100% GENUINE
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GENUINE No 4 T IN PERFECT ORIGINAL CONDITION WHICH HAS HAD HARDLY ANY USE AT ALL (ONLY A FEW HUNDRED ROUNDS) AND WITH A PERFECT ORIGINAL SPEC BORE THIS IS IT!
ALL MATCHING NUMBERS, UNRESTORED AND TOTALLY UNMOLESTED.



So, this 100% genuine sniper rifle is in fact a 'put together' (bitsa)

An 'original' Long Branch No4 rifle,
An 'original' scope (but purchased many years later and not matched to the rifle).
Reproduction leather goods
Reproduction (Roger Payne) scope mounts.
Reproduction scope adjusting tool
Reproduction front sight adjusting tool

[browningautorifle]

So, this 100% genuine sniper rifle is in fact a 'put together' (bitsa)

He even admits that. What a waste of money that would be. What a disappointment. Also, we weren't selling off #4 "T" rifles in '95/'96.

[tiriaq]

It is one of the batch sold off surplus in England in the 60s.

[Roy W]

Are you implying that there is an issue with a 4 digit REL scope number?

[desperatedan]

IIRC the "ENGLAND" mark says that it was imported to the USA at some point in its life, I think pre'68 imports had to have the country of origin stamped on them.


This rifle was sold by a dealer in the UK early last year. In fact Superbee you posted about it in Feb last year!

The four digit scope number has been discussed before (double stamping..etc).

And that scope and bracket combo was previously on a 1944 BSA rifle sold in the UK.

[Roger Payne]

Ok, the seller has got some of his facts wrong, but has admitted the main points; that the rifle has a mis-matched (but REL) scope on it, & that it has one of my brackets on it. But it is still a nice (in so far as we can tell from the photographs) original 90L rifle with a nice original Canadian scope. I wouldn't want to pay 6k for it, but then again I don't need one. It's no fake, it's an honest mis-match with a repro bracket & a few ancillary trinkets that are repro., but of no great consequence in the big scheme of things.

Incidentally, although the seller is located geographically close to me I have no idea who he is, nor do I have any financial or other interest in this sale.

[Roy W]

It's a nice looking rifle. I'd give it a home at the right price.

Not sure it's a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' that the seller suggests

[Seaforth72]

For the record, since the ad will eventually disappear:

Rifle is a No. 4 Mk. I* (T) made at Long Branch in Canada. Serial number 90L8159
Originally mated with R.E.L. C No. 32 Mk. 3 telescope serial number as shown on the wrist of the butt as "201C". Telescope 201-C has has not turned up yet as far as I know.

Now MISMATCHED with an R.E.L. C No. 32 Mk. I telescope serial number 2647-C made in 1944. Correct manufacturer, but wrong scope model.

As stated by others: replica bracket, sling, scope caps and scope tool.

This rifle was made for the British Army, delivered to them, and later sold surplus by them, probably with its scope, about the late 1960s or early 1970s. This one appears to have been used in service as the bolt head is "2" and mint, or near mint, examples like the one I have from this same contract, usually have a bolt head of "0." Under the butt is a circle mark with"HS" and a six pointed star suggesting the it saw fairly extensive use and an overhaul.

The seller's "facts" are way off, and its condition is exagerated, but that being said, it is a lovely rifle, lovely scope, and the best replica bracket on the market.

[Buccaneer]

This rifle is now marked up as "Sold"