Long Branch butt plate

gerardjohnson said:
Could a 1949 Long Branch Lee Enfield have a brass butt plate, or were they all steel?
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Definitely all steel, should be black finished, usuallly a bit worn. The parkerized steel plates started after 93L or so on the late 50 production.

Long Branch never used brass, to the best of my knowledge. Zamac, black steel, parked steel.
 
I am always learning new stuff on this site. I had never heard of zamac until now. My 1945 Longbranch has a zamac butt plate. Does anyone know why they would have used this zinc aluminum magnesium and copper alloy instead of steel? I assume it would be more expensive than steel, and I don't see what advantage it would have over steel for a butt plate.
 
"Zamac" was modern technology in 1944. It was cast near net shape ....light weight.....did not rust...leesened the demand on steel...saved $$$$$$ for the war effort.
 
Grey colour. Zamac is a die casting alloy. Very rapid, easy production. Still used. LB went to pressed steel buttplates, no doubt stronger.
 
berger said:
What does Zamac look like?
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41LBZamacButtplate002.jpg

Sniper004.jpg

ZamacButtplate.jpg
 
Thanks!

I thought the brass was more original. I was thinking of swapping my Sportered brass plate with the grey on the LB.
 
If the LB went through FTR in 1949 or subsequent years, then a brass butplate is correct. The Brit's replaced any part that did not meet specifications.....this often included furniture and fittings like butt plates. A pic would help however check the left receiver wall for these markings. May be correct.......I'd not alter a thing on the rifle.

If the rifle is not FTR'd then indeed I would put it back to original......most were steel as mine is.....very desireable year if it has not been buggerred. As "tiriaq" commented "brass buttplate on an LB is just about a guarantee that the rifle is non-original".

Ron
 
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