Enfield long branch 1944 ???
- Thread starter Brianma65
- Start date
It's missing more than that. To restore it to original you would need a handguard ring, upper AND lower hanguard, rear band, with swivel and screw, front band with screw (and stacking swivel if you want one) and a new fore-stock.
If he doesnt have the bands the sling swivels may not be original, can't be sure.
Your best bet is sarco. Ive had good results with them shipping here. They have the stock hardware and stock hardware sets. Easy Peasy
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/4enfieldstockandhgsetused.aspx
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/completesetof4enfieldstockhardware.aspx
Your best bet is sarco. Ive had good results with them shipping here. They have the stock hardware and stock hardware sets. Easy Peasy
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/4enfieldstockandhgsetused.aspx
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/completesetof4enfieldstockhardware.aspx
What you have is a "sporterized" No4 Mk1. In other words, the forend has been chopped and reshaped and the hand guards done away with. Your LB should look like this in the original condition:
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Fortunately, the barrel is still in the original condition. A lot had their barrels cut shorter to eliminate the bayonet lugs when Bubba got their hands on them. As mentioned, to restore your rifle, you have to find a new forend, the upper handguard, the bands and the sling swivels.
Fortunately, the barrel is still in the original condition. A lot had their barrels cut shorter to eliminate the bayonet lugs when Bubba got their hands on them. As mentioned, to restore your rifle, you have to find a new forend, the upper handguard, the bands and the sling swivels.
Cheapest way is to order those two sets I showed you. That rifles original butt swivel/screws are missing and the front swivel drilled into the forearm is not original. The stock set and hardware set from sarco has everything you need right down tot he screws.
Missed that. Jeans right.
Here's the stock set you need, along with the hardware set
http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/no4mkiistockset.aspx
Ah, but a No4Mk2 stock set will have mostly or all British parts. He has a 44 LB.
The LB's that have been Brit FTR'd and had the frame mounted trigger conversion are a bit of a conundrum....it's always nice to find Canadian parts to restore a LB if one can. Since we never really got into the Mk2 conversions (I've seen exceptions) finding correct Canadian wood might be more than an issue.
The LB's that have been Brit FTR'd and had the frame mounted trigger conversion are a bit of a conundrum....it's always nice to find Canadian parts to restore a LB if one can. Since we never really got into the Mk2 conversions (I've seen exceptions) finding correct Canadian wood might be more than an issue.
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As Cantom said, finding Long Branch parts and wood will be a trial, but a labour of love. You can buy British parts and the rifle will LOOK correct, but to do a proper restoration, you need Canadian wood and metal. Advertise on the Equipment Exchange asking for the parts you need. I did a restore on a 1943 LB not too long ago. I like black walnut stocks if I can get them though the birch are period correct as well. At a rough guess, my restoration cost me $300. One thing before you get too involved in the restoration, does the bolt have the same serial number as the receiver?
I didn't notice a number on the bolt but I'll check again when I get home. Also there appears to be a couple of sets of numbers on the receiver and 2 crowns. Also the barrel is stamped surry. I have no idea what any of this means as it's all virgin ground to me 
I have a lot to learn. Lol. I want to do a complete restore , so the parts kit from Sarco is correct ? Should I refinish the stock? Redo the barrel? I'll check the bolt for matching serial numbers first ,been you say sporterized , do you mean chopping off the stock?
Yes, woodwork cut back. Almost all the barrel will be covered by the wood, don't bother refinishing it. The buttstock has been varnished, strip it and apply linseed oil. Just place a WTB ad in the EE for the parts. If that doesn't work, you could go the import route.
Exactly! I don't know who did the sporterizing, but I have a non-restorable sporter that's stamped "Sussex". From what I've seen thus far, on a "Surrey" stamped sporter, all they did was cut the wood. On a "Sussex" sporter, they cut the wood, shortened the barrel, and installed a blade-on-ramp front sight. As both the names are English counties, I'm assuming the work was done in England with rifles left over at the end of hostilities. Parker Hale and Churchill did high end re-works on Lee Enfields and made them into beautiful hunting rifles. If you look up any of those on Google, you'll see what I mean. I haven't seen the products that Sarco sells, but as was mentioned earlier, they're English origin. It wouldn't hurt to look at EBay as well. All the Canadian parts I have left over are the rear stock sling swivel and a no.1 Long Branch bolt head (complete). Don't redo the barrel! Leave it as it is. If you get the new stock parts you'll have to oil them to refinish them to military standard. There are lots of posts and good restoration information in the Lee Enfield section of the firearms boards.
