1950 No 4 MkI* Long Branch

AB.boy

AB.boy

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Hey all.

I bought an Enfield rifle 'sight unseen' from an estate sale. I've always wanted one and thought this was a good opportunity to get one. I don't know anything about them really and thought I'd post some pics and possibly learn something about it from those with more knowledge than I have. The bolt and rifle have matching serial numbers, there appears to be a 'L' imposed over 'B' (Long Branch?) stamps and some 'A' within a 'C' (Canadian Arsenals?) stamps. It looks like it was a target rifle as it has a Parker Hale rear sight and a 'central' front sight with protector. It is missing the extractor, extractor spring and screw. The wood is in good shape with some shallow scratches and the metal looks excellent and the bore is shiny and bright.

I have some questions:

1. Where can I find a extractor, extractor spring and screw?
2. Is there any way to determine if the bolt head is original to the rifle?
3. What type of rear site would have been originally on this rifle?
4. What would be a fair value of this rifle?
5. Is the PH rear sight worth anything to a collector?

And now the pics...

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ABboy
 
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Oh man...that is a very nice rifle just as it sits! Please consider leaving it alone. Someone built a nice target rifle there with great parts and there is no reason to downgrade it to a rack grade rifle.

No way to know if the bolt head is original. Some changed them to make the headspace tighter for target shooting.

It may well have been bedded too.

The rifle originally had a Cmk3 stamped rear sight. Not anything to get excited over, and the PH5C sight you have is the cat's pajamas.



BTW, anything with LB on it may have been added later. The 1950's had all CA parts originally.
 
cantom said:
Oh man...that is a very nice rifle just as it sits! Please consider leaving it alone. Someone built a nice target rifle there with great parts and there is no reason to downgrade it to a rack grade rifle.

No way to know if the bolt head is original. Some changed them to make the headspace tighter for target shooting.

It may well have been bedded too.

The rifle originally had a Cmk3 stamped rear sight. Not anything to get excited over, and the PH5C sight you have is the cat's pajamas.



BTW, anything with LB on it may have been added later. The 1950's had all CA parts originally.
Click to expand...

So I shouldn't drill and tap it and get an great big NCStar scope and cover the wood in bedliner? LOL

Actually the 'L' and 'B' is only on the Bolt head I think, but its not that clear.

Thanks for the info.
 
Wow. I have had 2 offers on the rear sight and one on the rifle itself. Just looking for info and comments right now guys. I won't be selling anything until I at least get the chance to shoot it. Thanks anyways.
 
Most gun shops should have the 3 little parts you need. Likely, you can score all 3 for about $25, possibly less. Less trouble would be sourcing another bolt-had with the same NUMBER on it, with the small parts already in place. Likely cost the same r less. Putting the spring in can be a nuisance.

The "CA" marks are actually "C" with a Broad Arrow in the middle: Canadian Government ownership marking, used from WWI up until the late 1950s.

You have a FINE Toy, friend.

Get yourself a copy of "Shoot to Live!"; it's on free download from the Military Knowledge Library Stickie at the head of this Forum. It is also the best book ever written on shooting your rifle; the whole book is written AROUND your rifle.

Once you learn to get the most from those PH sights, prepare for an awful shock. I have shot repeated 1.1 MOA groups with the PH5C sights on a Number 4 Rifle.... and I'm not that good. There are lots of guys who can outshoot me. You have the BEST equipment made.

VERY nice! Just about as nice as they come!
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AB.boy said:
So I shouldn't drill and tap it and get an great big NCStar scope and cover the wood in bedliner? LOL

Actually the 'L' and 'B' is only on the Bolt head I think, but its not that clear.

Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

The buttstock at least is LB and C Broad Arrow marked, which means it's from an earlier year.

So what...it's a beautiful rifle!

It appears to still be in .303, many of those target rifles were converted to 7.62 Nato by Canadian Arsenals.
 
You have a real prize there. My advice would be to hang on to it. You will never lose money on it. Plus, it represents "the most fun you can have with your clothes on" as one of my friends says.
 
Oh I do plan on keeping it a while. Just asking the questions to see if what i paid is what its worth, and to learn a little more about it.

I have been getting quite a few PM's offering to purchase. I'll post it in the EE if I am going to sell it LOL... that is unless I get a ridiculous offer I cant refuse ;).
 
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