1945 longbranch ID ***PIC HEAVY***

[JRoche]

Hello everyone, I've recently picked up a 1945 Longbranch and I'm wondering where it's been. I'm not sure of all the different marks on the parts so I was hoping for some help.

The underside of the bolt handle also has 3 punch marks

The stock has the ishy screw

I'm pretty sure the front sight protector is from the POF, the mark on the right (2nd pic) is a p inside a circle

Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[RedRabbits]

The rear sight is not correct, the No4* is supposed to have a stamped rear sight not a milled piece. I believe the "F" on the sight is the makers mark of ROF Fazakerley not Longbranch armoury

 

[tiriaq]

The rifle was refurbed somewhere. Some parts are obviously not Canadian. There appears to be traces of Suncorite, and there is the green paint on the barrel. The buttplate is interesting, with the CA marks; newer than the rifle. By any chance is it a restored sporter?

 

[JRoche]

I got the rifle from P&S it was described as "Canadian Issue Long Branch No.4 MKI* Rifle, dated 1945, cal. .303 Brit., used in India (Forestock has the Ishapore screw), 5 groove barrel, MKI rear sight". So I knew that not all the parts were/are correct for a LB, just wondering what all the marks etc mean. I'd also like to find out where the rifle has been(other than India).

 

[Lee Enfield]

I got the rifle from P&S it was described as "Canadian Issue Long Branch No.4 MKI* Rifle, dated 1945, cal. .303 Brit., used in India (Forestock has the Ishapore screw), 5 groove barrel, MKI rear sight". So I knew that not all the parts were/are correct for a LB, just wondering what all the marks etc mean. I'd also like to find out where the rifle has been(other than India).

90L5 is very close to the end of war-time production. The 1949 restart at Long Branch appears to have started at serial 91L0000.

Your barrel is Long Branch 1945 manufactured. The green/kahki paint is indicative of commonwealth tropical service. The various markings on the knox form are typical LB & Canadian military war-time inspection markings.

The * on the top of the receiver ring is an indication that rust was found in the bore at some point.

Your butt plate, butt stock and forend are CAL (Long Branch) post 1946 marked, probably 1950s manufactured.

Your rear sight is Fazakerly (UK) manufactured and the CR403 drawing number indicates probably 1950s or early '60s manufacture.

The striker is either Poole (UK) or Pakistan Ordinance Factory (POF) manufactured in 1955. The date probably indicates POF. The bolt head is also "P" marked.

The front sight guard (I can't really see the manufacturers marking but...) is war-time British contractor.

The bolt body is probably Long Branch manufactured, but appears to have been renumbered (font very large).

The number under the receiver serial number is a "steel batch" type marking applied at the factory.

 

[JRoche]

I had assumed that a stock made in the 50's would have been for mk2's only, the set looks amazing though.
I'm assuming that the "rust found in bore" mark isn't something to be overly concerned about?

Thanks for the replies gents!!!!!

 

[Lee Enfield]

Canada did not manufacture a Mk2 action, and never made the stocks.

The rust marking was marked as an indication that the present user shouldn't be charged for damaging the King's property, and a signal that the armourer should monitor it.

Serious bore damage would result in a barrel replacement.