Odd Long Branch serial number

[kjohn]

I just posted the following on Gunboards Lee Enfields forum. They are asking for LB serial numbers. Both of mine seem a bit odd. The DCRA serial number seems out of whack:

Hello. I have a 1945 Long Branch Mk1* sn 82L9164. Bolt matches. Where what might be the original sn stamping on the wrist, a hole was drilled, obliterating the "2L 9" part, with a new stamping above. Where the original # was, it also appears that some activity occurred, possibly peening or?? Where the sn appears on the bolt handle, it appears to have been ground and sn stamped after.

I also have a DCRA 1950 Long Branch that appears to have sn 73L6811 stamped both on wrist and bolt. It is DCRA sn 268. On the receiver is stamped CNo4 Mk1*. The sn seems somewhat odd for the year, doesn't it?

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[scott585]

i once heard that when rifles were lost or otherwise removed from military register the serial numbers returned to the pool, sometimes getting put on refurbs etc but i have no source for this so until someone else chimes in, treat it as hearsay

 

[buffdog]

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Replacement receiver is a likely possibility for the 1950 rifle.

 

[tiriaq]

The hole through the butt socket which obliterates part of the serial number was likely put there to allow a PH5A sight to be mounted.

Agree with the replacement receiver explanation.

 

[Lee Enfield]

.
Replacement receiver is a likely possibility for the 1950 rifle.

Possibly true, but I would like to see a picture of it, looking for a flat area....