I remember some years ago, i saw a ad in the "GunRunner" newspaper for Post War manufactured NO.4's ,the ad said that some of the rifles were dated 1949 manufacture date.In Ian Skennerton's book " The British Service Lee , he states that the Long Branch machinery that had been idle since 1945, but in the early 50's {"Korean War"} about a 1000 No.4 rifles were produced. I am curious if CGN have or have seen a 1949 production No.4. Looking forward to your input.:
1949 production Long Branch NO.4 rifles ???
- Thread starter x westie
- Start date
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
Greece had some also. It's the only year I've yet to own. Lot's of 50's around. Any dated higher into 19050'2 are actually rebuilds although I'm sure some will argue.
Geoff
Geoff
MapleSugar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- On the loose from NIMH
I just picked up a near mint, 1950 C No.4 Mk.1 Long Branch, a month ago....for $300.00
It looks as though it has hardly been shot, and the bolt head is #0.
I'm thanking my lucky stars that the gent who sold it to me let me have it at such a good price!
It looks as though it has hardly been shot, and the bolt head is #0.
I'm thanking my lucky stars that the gent who sold it to me let me have it at such a good price!
My family had a gunshop from 1990 to 2004, and back around 1991/92 (?) we were buying quite a few "unissued" Longbranch No 4s. I believe they came from Districorp. We went through about 30 of these rifles, the majority dated 1950. There was one dated 1949 that I had set aside for myself, and it was accidentally sold. While we were bringing these in, some consecutive numbered sets became available, so we brought 3 sets in and couldn't get anymore. The pair I grabbed still have the Department of National Defence inspection tags tied onto the front sling swivel. Bayonets and slings came with the rifles, and many of the bayonets were in a green paper wrapper. From what I recall reading, Long Branch produced around 5000 rifles in late 1949 and 1950. These rifles all had 5 (I think?) groove barrels instead of the 2 groove barrels. I understand that when the plant was shut down in 1945, the rifling equipment was sold off and when they reopened, Bren gun equipment was used for rifling.
The rifles were in almost new condition, all with dark stocks. The wood had various bangs and dings, and some came through with minor repairs. I believe the stamped out CMk III rear sights came on these rifles.
Some of the floorplates/trigger guards were stamped and some were machined. This makes me think that many of these rifles were made from both new and left over parts inventory that happened to still be sitting around. Many of our customers shot these rifles and they were all very happy with the accuracy.
I still have my consecutive numbered pair and a single rifle. I plan on keeping them, too.
The rifles were in almost new condition, all with dark stocks. The wood had various bangs and dings, and some came through with minor repairs. I believe the stamped out CMk III rear sights came on these rifles.
Some of the floorplates/trigger guards were stamped and some were machined. This makes me think that many of these rifles were made from both new and left over parts inventory that happened to still be sitting around. Many of our customers shot these rifles and they were all very happy with the accuracy.
I still have my consecutive numbered pair and a single rifle. I plan on keeping them, too.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
1949s are rare as only a few thousand (2-3,000) were built. The production continued into 1950, with some 50,000 guns being built. A small number of receivers have been reported dated as late as 1956.
2-groove barrels have been reported in 1950 receivers, I have never observed one personally. All but one of the 1949 & 1950 dated C.No4s I have observed have 5-groove MkI barrels. I am aware of a 1949 with a C.Mk4 6-groove barrel dated '49. My 1949 has a 5-groove '49 dated MkI barrel & my 1950 has a '51 dated 5-groove MkI barrel. Most of the C.Mk4 barrels I've observed have been late 1950s dated (ie. '58).
If you look at a 1949 dated receiver, the "C." has been hand stamped & the "9" from the date has also been handstamped, leading some to conclude that they were finished actions which were just waiting for assembly for final markings.
On 1950 actions the markings are complete. C.No4MkI* has been centered in the markings. Early in 1950 production the switch was made to Parkerizing from the previous (Dulite??) blueing. 1950 dated C.No4s will often be found with '51 dated barrels.
Large numbers of C.No4MkI* rifles dated 1949 & 1950 were reimported to Canada in the early 1990s, allegedly from Belgian war reserve stocks. Greece is also reported to be a source of the guns in the American market.
Some receivers are reported dated as late as 1955. The last digit of the date is reported to be "handstamped". Skennerton ect. suggest that CAL produced (a few thousand) No4s in 1954-55 to "prove" the production lines for FN-C1 production. This also happened in Australia with a small number of No1MkIIIs being produced at Lithgow in '54-55.
Regards
D
2-groove barrels have been reported in 1950 receivers, I have never observed one personally. All but one of the 1949 & 1950 dated C.No4s I have observed have 5-groove MkI barrels. I am aware of a 1949 with a C.Mk4 6-groove barrel dated '49. My 1949 has a 5-groove '49 dated MkI barrel & my 1950 has a '51 dated 5-groove MkI barrel. Most of the C.Mk4 barrels I've observed have been late 1950s dated (ie. '58).
If you look at a 1949 dated receiver, the "C." has been hand stamped & the "9" from the date has also been handstamped, leading some to conclude that they were finished actions which were just waiting for assembly for final markings.
On 1950 actions the markings are complete. C.No4MkI* has been centered in the markings. Early in 1950 production the switch was made to Parkerizing from the previous (Dulite??) blueing. 1950 dated C.No4s will often be found with '51 dated barrels.
Large numbers of C.No4MkI* rifles dated 1949 & 1950 were reimported to Canada in the early 1990s, allegedly from Belgian war reserve stocks. Greece is also reported to be a source of the guns in the American market.
Some receivers are reported dated as late as 1955. The last digit of the date is reported to be "handstamped". Skennerton ect. suggest that CAL produced (a few thousand) No4s in 1954-55 to "prove" the production lines for FN-C1 production. This also happened in Australia with a small number of No1MkIIIs being produced at Lithgow in '54-55.
Regards
D
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Yes the Districorp rifles came out of Belgium, they were basically unissued. Most of the dings the story goes were caused when a 11th rifle that was added to the 10 rifle storage chest by Belgian ordnance to save space in the storage facility. The 11th rifle rolled around in the chest during transit causing all the dings.
I had a consecutive pair of 1949's and a 1955 and a 1956 sold them years ago to a guy at the Ancaster show who then got busted for something and the rifles were seized .I've never seen the guy again but he was quite a regular so I figured he was doing some time I only hope the guns didn't get destroyed
