Longbranch serial survey ?
- Thread starter Timberlord
- Start date
The only one I've seen is that do you have a 50 LB thread.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Long Branch's are basically a known quantity on the surface because all of the actions are dated.
Breeching dates however do make for some interesting surprises....
Savage's stopped being receiver dated c.1943, but production didn't wind up until well into 1944.
Breeching dates however do make for some interesting surprises....
Savage's stopped being receiver dated c.1943, but production didn't wind up until well into 1944.
yes breaching dates are a only indicater when the rifle was accutally assembled the best example is IMHO the 1941 LB there are supposed to be 20,000ish built 1941 that in itself is a low number considering how many were made BUT consider that MOST of the rifles with reciever dates that are 1941 have barrel dates 1942 because barrel production fell way behind so if you have a 41 with a 1941 barrel date you really have a really rare beast .
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I thought there were only 7555 or similar made in 41. BTW, my sporter 41 has a 41 dated bbl.
the 20,000 range is the sn range for the 1941 dated "receiver only" but because barrel production was way behind total number of 1941 complete rifles with 1941 barrels is very low and could be as low a 5000 units ,this was the number I was told years ago by a huge collector .in any event a 41 receiver with a 41 barrel is extreamly rare .the first ones out the gate were pretty much production set up rifles with quite a few flaws but all were shipped to England asap they weren't too fussy at this stage of the game .
my rifle is a 0L with a 41 barrel the hinged barrel band idea was scrapped very early in production and I doubt that you will find a rifle with that style of band after all the FTR's these rifles went through now I know the bands turn up and some guys I know have installed them but don't think your rifle isn't correct if they are missing same is true with the wasted foresight protector .even the early type wood with the cutout for the cutoff was deleted in the later 41's (which also normally have 1942 barrels).the only thing I personally think when your looking for a 1941 is your going to be spending more cash then for a normal LB the rifle will look like it's been through hell as it did if the rifle is mint be very leary those rifles pretty much went right to the front and were well used and make sure the barrel date is 41 otherwise and this is just MHO it is just a 1941 with a 42 barrel and not worth the extra money these rare rifles demand .maybe some day there might be a demand for 1941 receivers with 1942 barrels for really they are unique in there own way and there aren't very many .I used to work close the LB and new a few peaple that worked there ,boy some of the stuff they did there was truely interesting it is sad the way it ended I'm glad I got to walk around inside the place before it was torn down .whatever LB rifle you own use it well .
my rifle is a 0L with a 41 barrel the hinged barrel band idea was scrapped very early in production and I doubt that you will find a rifle with that style of band after all the FTR's these rifles went through now I know the bands turn up and some guys I know have installed them but don't think your rifle isn't correct if they are missing same is true with the wasted foresight protector .even the early type wood with the cutout for the cutoff was deleted in the later 41's (which also normally have 1942 barrels).the only thing I personally think when your looking for a 1941 is your going to be spending more cash then for a normal LB the rifle will look like it's been through hell as it did if the rifle is mint be very leary those rifles pretty much went right to the front and were well used and make sure the barrel date is 41 otherwise and this is just MHO it is just a 1941 with a 42 barrel and not worth the extra money these rare rifles demand .maybe some day there might be a demand for 1941 receivers with 1942 barrels for really they are unique in there own way and there aren't very many .I used to work close the LB and new a few peaple that worked there ,boy some of the stuff they did there was truely interesting it is sad the way it ended I'm glad I got to walk around inside the place before it was torn down .whatever LB rifle you own use it well .
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Since this rifle is apparently worthless and unsellable since it's a sporter, does anyone think I should go the route of having the muzzle end of a scrap barrel grafted on to it and restoring it to full military configuration, despite the Long Branch 1941 stamping being next to polished right off? The barrel is like new, very perfect and tons of nice proofs, plus I have the right wood and bands...
Is anyone on here aware of anyone who can restore the Long Branch No 4 Mk I 1941 stamping?
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That is a barrel on a No 4 Mk I, not a No 1.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
I do have a MkIII with what I believe to be a Canadian manufactured barrel.
I haven't pulled it out of the wood to see what kind of markings may be there...
I believe I have read that Long Branch did work on Canadian No 1 Mk III's since we were using them. Not sure about that at all though. Here's the stampings on the rifle I got at the gun show Sunday. This rifle is like new!
Does anyone know for sure if Long Branch made No 1 barrels? I will look carefully at the proofs and stamps on this barrel.
I basically just started building up my collection of Enfields one year ago...it's amazing what nice pieces are out there to be found. With the millions of Enfields in this country something is out there for every taste and budget!
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
No, I don't think that Long Branch worked on No1MkIII's. You have to remember that Small Arms Limited (aka Long Branch) was a factory, not a military arsenal or repair depot.
They were busy building new rifles and machine carbines for Canadian and Allied forces contracts.
Having Cooey, Small Arms Limited, Inglis, or some other manufacturer spool up to manufacture replacement parts before or during the war for the 128k ish No1 MkIII or 100k ish Ross rifles in stores & use however is not out of the question.
Contracting with Enfield, BSA, Lithgow, Colt or Winchester during the inter-war period would also be a possibility.
Perhaps the army REME itself put the machines from the expropriated Ross Rifle Factory into use during the inter-war period.....
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sorry I beg to differ i had a no1mk3 with a brand new barrel on it, it had all the LB inspector marks and a 43 dated barrel sold it to a canadian collector who also had never seen the like I wish i still had it but if I ever see Mike again I ask to take pics .
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
NRF mfg action, but no butt socket arms, date or other markings. Removed during it's service life or after?
Typical Canadian property C^ on receiver ring.
Ok, the barrel is Long Branch manufactured (standard LB cartouche). 5 grooves, small C^ appears 2x, a large LB inspection mark (not a standard size and no oval), appears to be dated 42. It also has the DCP proof.
The rear sight & sight bed were salvaged off another gun's barrel. The original serial was not cancelled. I don't think there was an HV behind the sight bed (will confirm).
So it does appear that Long Branch tooled up to make SMLE barrels for Canadian Army rifles...does this appear in the literature?
