1950 Long Branch Mk 1*. what does the star mean?

It simply means that the bolt extraction was simplified compared to the Mk1 without the star.

On your rifle, the bolt head lifts from its guiding "groove" about one inch before the chamber. The Mk1 doesn't have this quick shortcut, you have to slide the bolt fully opened while pressing down on a sort of safety latch.

Sorry my explanation doesn't sound that clear!

Louis
 
I am going to hijack your thread. lol.

Does anyone know if a Long Branch MK1 (without the star) is rarer then one that has the *?
 
Lol...Thanks for the info louthepou, and as for the hijacking lol I think the #4 mk1* is harder to find, I found mine just by luck, or maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.
 
I would suspect that Long Branch No 4 MK I (Without the star) would be very rare indeed!!! Canadians invented the "*" idea for bolt removal and used it from the first production of the No4's we made.

Scott
 
Without the "*" is the rarest....1941...first year of production. The Star indicated elimination of the bolt realease and the forward cut in the guide rail for bolt removal. All to save machining time and get more guns in the hands of our troops. Was a good move!
 
m39a2 said:
I would suspect that Long Branch No 4 MK I (Without the star) would be very rare indeed!!! Canadians invented the "*" idea for bolt removal and used it from the first production of the No4's we made.

Scott
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I guess I am lucky to have one :D

It was only $175
 
The * indicates a minor change in the design that isn't big enough to warrant another 'mark'. Mark I *'s are definitely more common.
 
cantom said:
Nate- Good grab that...any chance you could post some pics???:)
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Sure man. I didn't notice this before, but it appears that the rifle confused the armorer, he electro-penciled a "*" in. This is the nicest Enfield I have ever seen, except for the Irish contract ones.
 
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OMG Nate, did you ever steal that rifle! A rare and desirable beastie indeed!

I have two, one is also FTR'd and has the same marks but with no year. S/N is not too far off. I paid a hell of a lot more than you did without blinking.

Wood looks to be Brit Beech? What markings does it have on the bottom of the wood, on the butt and near the nose cap? C Broad Arrows or Brit marks? The forend is wrong btw, it should be low cut on the right...see pic of mine. Also, the cocking piece is wrong, should be an early LB marked one.(see pic)

Do the bolt and receiver numbers match? Does it have thick milled LB marked barrel bands? C Broad Arrow and LB marked rear sight?

41LB25.jpg
 
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The wood is definitely British. I know the bolt is electro penciled to have the correct number, as is the magazine. I think it's also stamped, but not 100% sure. Some parts on the rifle are British, which must have been replaced during the FTR. The sight was made at Fazakerly. What do you guys think it's worth? The barrel is in very nice shape, and is rather accurate.

My dad and I had a collection of ~12 Lee-enfields until last year, when we sold them. This was the only one I kept, we even had an Iraqi marked Lee-enfield!
 
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m39a2 said:
I would suspect that Long Branch No 4 MK I (Without the star) would be very rare indeed!!! Canadians invented the "*" idea for bolt removal and used it from the first production of the No4's we made.

Scott
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1. Yes, rare @10-20,000 produced
2. No, the trials * rifles are British No4 MkIs with an extra cut in the rail
3. No, see #1

A 1941 Long Branch No4MkI with a 1941 dated barrel is uncommon.

Does anyone have a 2groove 1941 LB dated barrel?

Or a 1942 dated LB No4MkI rifle?
 
NateC said:
The wood is definitely British. I know the bolt is electro penciled to have the correct number, as is the magazine. I think it's also stamped, but not 100% sure. Some parts on the rifle are British, which must have been replaced during the FTR. The sight was made at Fazakerly. What do you guys think it's worth? The barrel is in very nice shape, and is rather accurate.

My dad and I had a collection of ~12 Lee-enfields until last year, when we sold them. This was the only one I kept, we even had an Iraqi marked Lee-enfield!
Click to expand...

Is it a Long Branch barrel? most of the Brit FTRs I've seen have post war Brit barrels installed during the FTR.
 
NateC said:
I remember it having a 2 groover. But I'm not sure who made it.
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You'd have to remove the handguards to see the marks. Unless you are able to remove the bands without scratching everything up or gouging screw heads...don't worry about it.

The sequence I do (with well fitted screwdrivers)...

Remove the front sight guard screw, slide guard off. Push hard on the screw and squeeze the guard together as you undo it or you'll ##### the slot.
Remove upper band, slide it off over the front sight, not scratching the forend metal.(spread it a bit with a screwdriver at the bottom to make it come off easy)
Remove mid band screw, wiggle the upper handguard out, then remove the rear handguard.

A Canadian barrel will have LB, and the year and rifle serial number, plus many other proofs visible. Best guess is it's still there.
 
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