Is it worth restoring?? Cant decide!!

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greyman441

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I picked up a stripped 1944 Longbranch No4mrk1* receiver but it has the matching bolt and I was planning on making some project out of it but im not sure if I should restore it instead.
First question, how many 1944 longbranches were made, I dont see them very often or im not looking very hard. Which one is it?
I have a 5 groove full length longbranch barrel in excellent shape as well as all of the parts,bands and sights. Would it be better to restore it or make a single shot 308 project out of it?

Whats it worth if I bring it back?
 
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If you're into history, restoring can be worth it as a personal project. If not, you may find yourself spending more on parts to restore it than it's resale value would become (assuming that was the original intent). Sounds like you've got most of the bits already, so if you're into DIY and appreciate the look of a milsurp, go for it.
 
If you're looking to make money on the restoration, don't bother.

If you're looking for some valuable experience, go for it.

I can remember my first put togethers about 45 years ago. Everything from small pistols and everything in between, all the way up to M2 50BMGs.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Mind you after the first couple of thousand, the experience wasn't nearly as exhilarating as it was a few months before.

They were mostly assembled from bins of parts.

In many cases, the parts were new or as new. Sometimes they done up on partially completed rifles or take downs. The numbers never matched unless assemblies came in as partials.

I can remember my employer, would buy it all by lots or by the ton at scrap metal prices.

Luckily, I had a very good fellow to show me how to get started on such large lots. That's the biggest problem. Knowing where to start. Once that's out of the way, just go from there.

Whatever you decide, doing a complete restoration is one of the best ways I know of to become knowledgeable on any particular model of firearm. It's even a good way to learn how to troubleshoot that model.
 
Is it a 1944 No.4 Mk1* or Mk1 action?:confused:

I used to have a 1944 No.4 Mk1 that had been sporterized at some point in it's life. The front of the barrel had been cut to just behind the bayonet lugs, but the original sight base had been left in place.

I kick myself now for trading it, as I didn't now how rare it was to get a 1944 Long Branch action without that damn bolt release notch cut into the receiver.

Irregardless of what type of receiver it has, if it was me I'd just put the .303 British barrel on it and restore it when I had the time and money.
 
MapleSugar said:
Is it a 1944 No.4 Mk1* or Mk1 action?:confused:

I used to have a 1944 No.4 Mk1 that had been sporterized at some point in it's life. The front of the barrel had been cut to just behind the bayonet lugs, but the original sight base had been left in place.

I kick myself now for trading it, as I didn't now how rare it was to get a 1944 Long Branch action without that damn bolt release notch cut into the receiver.

Irregardless of what type of receiver it has, if it was me I'd just put the .303 British barrel on it and restore it when I had the time and money.
Click to expand...

Ya sorry its a Mk1* longbranch. I just finished building up my Cno7 now Im working on another project. I think im going to restore it instead. Im not worried about the cost and when I restore no4's I never sell them anyways. I keep them for my collection. I have a few forstocks but I think im going to track down a set of unissued walnut. I am all out of unissued stuff.
 
bearhunter said:
... Snip... Whatever you decide, doing a complete restoration is one of the best ways I know of to become knowledgeable on any particular model of firearm. It's even a good way to learn how to troubleshoot that model.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with this. It has been my experience as well and I was able to make parts for a buddy's gun using my parts as templates. You work at about $1 per hour but the satisfaction is priceless.
 
It's worth restoring simply for the satisfaction of knowing that it was possible and that YOU did it.

Bearhunter said everything else that need be said.

And he's right.
.
 
MapleSugar said:
Is it a 1944 No.4 Mk1* or Mk1 action?:confused:

I used to have a 1944 No.4 Mk1 that had been sporterized at some point in it's life. The front of the barrel had been cut to just behind the bayonet lugs, but the original sight base had been left in place.

I kick myself now for trading it, as I didn't now how rare it was to get a 1944 Long Branch action without that damn bolt release notch cut into the receiver.

Irregardless of what type of receiver it has, if it was me I'd just put the .303 British barrel on it and restore it when I had the time and money.
Click to expand...

Whoa....a 1944 LB with the button bolt head release as in No 4 Mk I?

Sorry...no such animal.
 
cantom said:
Whoa....a 1944 LB with the button bolt head release as in No 4 Mk I?

Sorry...no such animal.
Click to expand...

Yes there is, I used to own one.:rolleyes:

It was very definitely a Long Branch, it clearly had 1944 stamped underneath Long Branch on the receiver, and it definitely had the button release.

It I had kept it, I would be able to post pictures of it.

As it is, I don't even know how to get ahold of the guy I traded it to.

Otherwise, I would have bought it back years ago if he still had it.
 
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