How common? NZ-marked No.4 Mk.1*s

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spinecracker

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Quick question - How often do NZ-marked Long Branch No.4 Mk.1*s turn up? I have my eye on one down here in the US, but I do not know how many New Zealand had, differences in markings, etc. The one I am looking at in very good condition, is all matching and only has one slight ding on the forend that should respond to being steamed out (no markings would be affected by the steaming). The current owner bought it years ago and put it in his gun safe - and forgot about it (this is a concept I just don't understand...). It looks like it was bought, send to New Zealand, then put in storage.

Camtom - I know you don't like the NZ markings, but it's my birthday, and I wants it, my precious...
 
I saw a sporterized one some yrs ago with an electro-pencilled NZ and arrow, on the butt socket as I recall. I have several NZ marked Long Branch bayonets. Each has an inventory number electro-pencilled on it as well.
 
Hi. The assorted markings are here. Country acceptance markings are under Part One. Rumoured to have been roughly 25,000 rifles sent to New Zealand. The acceptance markings were either stamped or electro-penciled on depending on the RNZEME workshop that did it.
http://www.enfieldrifles.ca/main.htm
 
Well, I went and bought it - photos will be forthcoming when it turns up. It would be interesting to get a comparison of the different variations in NZ markings as these were done at diffrerent workshop locations - maybe some of the forum members could post photos? I wonder if anyone knows the serial number ranges for No.4s sent to New Zealand (I have officially become a nerd....)
 
Rifle still not here - the FFL will be shipping it on Monday (my FFL flaked on me and I had to find another one, and there are too many FFL idiots in my home town). I might have the rifle on Wednesday and will be shooting it on Thursday, so I might be able to get some photos and a range report posted before I have surgery on Friday (then I won't be shooting for about 2 months - waaahhhh!!!!!).
 
It got here and I am very happy. I buy the rifle, not the story, but I have reason to believe the story matches the rifle - bought from a crate of similiar marked rifles decades ago (before US import marks were mandated in 1968(?)), then put in a gun safe without being shot (I do not understand that mentality...) until now. There is some cosmoline gunk in the action that will have to be cleaned out, and the seller stated that the barrel with full of cosmoline when he bought it and he didn't clean it out until he put it up for sale. Who cares? It is a beauty with or without a story.

1942LBNZ1.jpg


http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/af290/spinecracker/1942%20NZ%20Long%20Branch/
 
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Another update - The moving surfaces (bolts lugs, sear, cocking piece, underside of rear sight, etc) show minimal to no wear. The bore, chamber and bolt head are mirror-like, and the rifle has a "0" numbered bolthead. If this rifle was in the hands of a squaddie, they must have taken it away from him within 5 minutes lol. There are no marks on the finish inside the magazine that would indicate any contact with rounds. There is also no indication that the front sight blade has been tinkered with. This rifle is in original condition, is matching throughout, and has not been FTRed in any way. I am a happy camper. Even Cantom will have to agree that it is one gorgeous rifle lol.
 
Range report will be forthcoming as soon as I have healed and can get to the range - I currently have a hole in my back you could put your thumb in (please don't) and am on Vicodin, so messing with firearms is not a very good idea at the moment lol. The rifle also needs to be given a good drink of linseed oil before I will shoot it.

On an aside, the rifle does not have any import marks on it at all. Strange that a rifle made in Canada, sent to New Zealand and sold off to the US should end up in the hands of a Brit. It is as well travelled as I am, and in heck of a better shape lol.
 
New Zealand also got some 22,000 of the early 1942 production Remington M1903 Springfields and they do turn up with NZ marked stocks. NZ had no small arms manufacturing capability so they were happy to take from any available source.
 
New Zealand received 30-40,000 Canadian No.4s from Canada in 1943, but they ALL stayed in NZ for the duration of the war, and were never sent overseas. 2nd, and 3rd NZ Division were issued SMLEs while serving in the Mediterranean and the Solomons.

There are a few photos of NZ troops in Italy of units with both No.1s and No.4s, but it is generally accepted here that they were battlefield pick ups from other Commonwealth forces, or more likely stolen - NZ troops in Nth Africa were known as 'Freyberg and his 40,000 thieves'.

For any other Kiwi CGN members there was a great article in the NZAHAA Gazette a few years ago detailing NZ use of the No. 4 rifle....
 
purple said:
New Zealand also got some 22,000 of the early 1942 production Remington M1903 Springfields and they do turn up with NZ marked stocks. NZ had no small arms manufacturing capability so they were happy to take from any available source.
Click to expand...

These were 'Lend Lease', and were issued to the NZ Police at Home and RNZAF units in the Solomons.

Very few of these remain here - some went back to the USA, but most are at the bottom the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Auckland and Fiji - dumped in the 1960s....
 
Perhaps I should also mention that the Longbranch No.4s NZ received were not built to a specific contract, but pulled from Canadian Army stores.
 
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