for the Enfield experts

[woodchopper]

I've been digging a little trying to find serial number ranges for Longbranch snipers. Here is what I've found so far

32L
71L
76L
90L

Now I'm not too convinced that there was a batch of 32L rifles but thats why I'm asking.

Also I think there is another 9xL range of serial numbered rifle used, 95L seems to pop into my head but that too is just a guess.

 

[Sgt Striker]

As I understand it, there is no particular Ser. No. range for LB snipers. I was told, that during production test firing, they would put aside any rifles that were more accurate that the rest of the herd, and these were turned into No4T's are required....

 

[woodchopper]

Now that was true for the british manufacture No4's but It was my understanding that the Longbranch rifles were in certain serial number ranges, not consecutive numbers but the better shooters as described above but still in certain identifiable ranges.

 

[tiriaq]

There are rifles 74L with 32TP scopes.

 

[wheaty]

LB snipers....

Also noted have been, in addition to the 32L series is a 36L. This one came from a museum store room and was placed there in 1949. Long before the days of the 'humpers".....

 

[Calum]

Any 75L's?

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

This link will give you some clues to answer your question.

It was my understanding that after a while Long Branch gave up trying to set the really accurate rifles aside. Too much trouble trying to drill and tap into hardened steel. Instead certain serial number ranges were held up for production runs of sniper rifles. Clive Law discusses this in his book, "Without Warning".

dud dub dub enfields.freestarthost.com/ri10c.htm

 

[leelad]

(no solicitation in Milsurp)

 

[stencollector]

Also I think there is another 9xL range of serial numbered rifle used, 95L seems to pop into my head but that too is just a guess.

I have a LB no4T in the 90L8### series of numbers. These are actually considered post war. I've never heard of one in a higher range, and the 95L serial range would be in the early to mid 50s production.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

I have a LB no4T in the 90L8### series of numbers. These are actually considered post war. I've never heard of one in a higher range, and the 95L serial range would be in the early to mid 50s production.

I have seen a 1950 LB with a 93L serial, so your 95L idea would almost be among the last possible LB rifles. Which is impossible because the R.E.L. plant appears to have slammed its doors as fast as possible after 1945.

On a related note, what happened to R.E.L. AFTER 1945? Not many of the wartime military Crown Corporations seem to have survived. Polymer Industries in Sarnia hung on into the 1970's.