1945 Long Branch No4 (T). Found my 'Holy Grail'! -----PIC HEAVY
- Thread starter DiverDriver
- Start date
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Congrats, it's a fairly small club...
- Location
- Onterrible
Good to know about the scope case. I'm not too worried about it, but sure would like to have a correct one! Imagine pretty hard to find. The case has 3 screws on the hinges (both ends). Also looks repainted, so I'm guessing not original. And these are pretty hard to find also!
Your wife's rifle numbers are extremely close! I'm sure they met during manufacture! I have added mine to stencollector's list, just yesterday.
Thanks for the information, appreciate all I can get! Cheers
Your wife's rifle numbers are extremely close! I'm sure they met during manufacture! I have added mine to stencollector's list, just yesterday.
Thanks for the information, appreciate all I can get! Cheers
Lee_Enfield_Lover
Member
- Location
- Portage La Prairie MB
Wow. Just wow. Good on ya.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
The list is now about 70 rifles long. The 90L batch of rifles is thought to be only 350 or 375 rifles. So they had a very high survival rate. There will still be plenty of them hiding in gunrooms and collections around the world. I am willing to bet over half of them are still out there...but it will take time for them all to surface. Maybe when the worldwide UN gun registry falls into place and has 100% compliance will we know for sure. But hopefully I won't live long enough to see that day.
I know one fellow who has a couple of them but has no interest in sharing his numbers. There will be others out there who keep things private, or who have little or no use for the internet.
Nice rifle by the way. As was mentioned, a rifle like that would run between 10 to 13K these days. When you find the Cdn chest, Hugh Carson leather sling and Cdn scope pouch, you will easily bring it a few thousand higher.
Hmmm, that's really interesting as with just 3 screws on the hinges it might be a British chest, although the leather handle construct seems to be consistent with the Long Branch transit chests. Maybe a half and half...
To ensure it's the original Canadian version, not the British "CHEST.S.A.No.15.MK.1", here's some information extracted from the Knowledge Library article ...
"REAR VIEW" - Canadian built "CHEST.S.A.No.15.MK.1" transit case for No.4(T) Long Branch sniper rifle.
Differs from standard British No.15 transit chest. The Canadian version uses stitched leather carry handles versus double folded ones, plus it has hinge sets with 4 screws instead of 3. (refer to picture virtual tour in the article for more detail)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
"REAR VIEW" - Typical British built "CHEST.S.A.No.15.MK.1" transit case for No.4(T) sniper rifle.
Note the double folded leather carry handles, plus it has hinge sets with 3 screws instead of 4 in the Canadian version for the Long Branch sniper rifle. (refer to picture virtual tour in the article for more detail)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Also, Wheaty pointed out that Canadian No.15 chests will have the initials HCF stamped on the edge of the bottom at one end. This is HILL CLARK FRANCIS of New Liskeard, Ontario. The company still has an office there but unfortunately all the pieces that were still in the warehouse went to the dump in the early 70's. They also made the cases for the Browning AC Mk. II and Mk. II* machine gun, and the Bren. They also made several other arms and munitions shipping cases.
Hope that helps too ...
Regards,
Doug
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Canadian chests "may have" HCF on the end. There were others. The number of screw holes on the hinges is probably the best and easiest indicator of Canadian, although there would be other indicators.
I have a 4T transit Case with HSCL 1942 stamped on the case. Is this the same company?
Cheers!
B
Mine is HCF, looks like 1946 ( Rifle is 1945 ), and 4 screws, here are pics if anybody needs. Box and rifle are HQ marked.
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- Location
- Onterrible
I'll bet the box, sling and scope pouch will also cost a few thousand!? That being said, if anyone reading this has any of those items they'd be willing to sell I'll send you an instant EMT!
I have to thank everyone for the feedback and compliments on my new baby! I can assure you it's just as gorgeous in real life! No real flaws except a few minor handling marks on the furniture.
Mostly I'd like to thank all of you for the education! Fascinating and much appreciated! Exactly what I had hoped to hear from those of you who in-the-know! But while I have your attention, what about the rifles themselves? What difference in markings and production techniques are there between Canadian and British sniper rifles?
Cheers!
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stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
That was my first Long Branch sniper. Neat that you found the original chest for it.
Mine is HCF, looks like 1946 ( Rifle is 1945 ), and 4 screws, here are pics if anybody needs. Box and rifle are HQ marked.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
I sold a Cdn chest to another collector for $600 a few years back. I should think they would be in the $600-800 range when you can find it. Of course, you can then sell your brit chest off and recoup half or better of that.
The Cdn slings show up when you least expect them. I have seen them at gun shows for $15 or $20. But at worst you may pay$200.
The Cdn scope pouches have shown up on ebay. They will usually sell between $300-$600. Again, you can sell yours for the $300 mark.
Finding the rifle is the easy part of the challenge. Finding the Cdn accessories is a little more challenging. Finding the matching case like twincamharley did is the real challenge.
The Cdn slings show up when you least expect them. I have seen them at gun shows for $15 or $20. But at worst you may pay$200.
The Cdn scope pouches have shown up on ebay. They will usually sell between $300-$600. Again, you can sell yours for the $300 mark.
Finding the rifle is the easy part of the challenge. Finding the Cdn accessories is a little more challenging. Finding the matching case like twincamharley did is the real challenge.
- Location
- Onterrible
Okay, but I won't give out the gentleman's name or details without his permission.
I had met the man many times before I really got to know him. He was always lurking the local gunshows and would occasionally drop into the Gunshop I worked at part time (hobby job). It was quickly apparent that he had a vast knowledge of firearms, and turns out his career was firearms related. Also, turns out he knew my Father and Uncle back in the late 60's! So we tended to talk a lot.
He knew I loved Enfields, especially Long Branch and he had a collection of mostly DCRA rifles, one C No7 and LB Sniper. I talked him into selling me the 1944 C No7 which showed up with the original transit chest, in mint condition and... Serial Number 0L0124!!! Making it a very early one. I'll do pictures of that one if anyone is interested.
During the sale of the CNo7 he started to tease me about the LB No4T. He told me that he was considering putting a 7.62 barrel in it to use for competitive shooting! Of course he was kidding, but it worked because it put me in a stir! Kept thinking about it and wanted it bad! Just couldn't afford it at the time.
A year or two later I'm working in China, making great money and figured it was time to treat myself. So I set up the meeting through a mutual friend. Flew from Beijing to Toronto, drove home and met him on 30 hours no sleep. I knew what his price range was and figured that I'd wait to see if the rifle was correct, matching and it's condition before I made an offer. When I saw it, it blew my mind! Not only correct and matching, but mint! I was ready to pay his top end, and I knew he liked to haggle so I started at the bottom by laying out new $100 notes. Asking "will you take $$$$?" He thought a second, and said yes! Then chuckled and asked "I surprised you?" Absolutely he did! Then he explained that after having it, and taking care of it for about 50 years he wanted it to go to someone that would keep it and appreciate it. Not flip it. I assured him that in about 40 years I'll be teasing some younger guy about swapping barrels in it too!
I'll keep the sale price between me and my friend. But I will just say this, I got a very good deal!!! - Considering the numbers being thrown around here... But I'm sure sites like this have a little to do with bringing prices up. So I guess the value is what ever someone wants to sell or buy something for. The next rifle I buy from him will go for his 'Top-end' and I won't argue with him!
- Location
- Onterrible
Wow! That's Is nice! Love the spotter scope!
I should have kept my T model all matching. A guy from NZ called me back in the day at (3:00 AM) and asked me about the one I had for sale.
He collected them said the T models didn't have a smooth butt stock, you should be able to see the up and down saw marks on the stock to prevent any glossy look. My British T model had the saw marks on the stocks and the sheet of paper on the lid with the list of items included in the box. I still have a spare lens cleaning can with a cloth kicking around here. A really nice pair of T models congratulations.
He collected them said the T models didn't have a smooth butt stock, you should be able to see the up and down saw marks on the stock to prevent any glossy look. My British T model had the saw marks on the stocks and the sheet of paper on the lid with the list of items included in the box. I still have a spare lens cleaning can with a cloth kicking around here. A really nice pair of T models congratulations.
