Is my Lee Enfield with scope any good?

[John Sukey]

Nice of you folks to offer him so much for his rifle!
So what are my three worth? One being a 1931 Trials T with a Mk1 scope
Only the other two have transit cases.

 

[terryinvictoria]

Jay they did not give away or build private rifles in 1943

Jay thanks for posting the pictures of the T rifle.

But part of your story is just that --a story with not a shred to back it up.

Think about these facts Jay.

a) in 1943 there was a little war on

b) in 1943 this little, small, tiny war was at it's little peak

c) in 1943 believe it or not -every rifle -was required for the war effort. What does that mean. It means Jay that the story ("story") of having the rifle built for him or given to him in 1943 is just in so many words-- bunk.

d) in 1943 you could not buy tires for your car

e) in 43 there was gas rationing

f) in 43 there was food rationing -have to feed millions of soldiers in the commonwealth around the world after all.

g) in 43 steels, non-ferrous metals all were in short supply

h) in 43 all firearms were rushed to the fronts for service

So what do we think is the possability that this rifle was built for this man--NOT
What is the possability that this rifle was given as a private rifle to this man--NOT

stories are just that Jay--STORIES.

Remember the old adage made up by no doubt more intelligent people than any of us-- BUY THE RIFLE NOT THE STORY.

One thing I can assure you of is that this rifle has been in battle.

[IMG]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid51/p625f1f021d1750312c8b49ee27ec3dc8/fc9e572c.jpg[/IMG]

Regards
Terry in Victoria

 

[louthepou]

Ah, but Terry, the story behind your rifle (the one in the picture who's address appears in a cryptic way at the bottom of your post) is quite a story... worth every word!

Lou

 

[shortandlong]

So what are my three worth? One being a 1931 Trials T with a Mk1 scope
Only the other two have transit cases.

good god ! we need a green with envy smilie.........we really do

 

[Ganderite]

Terry inVictoria – What you say is true. The rifle should not have been taken home. But I think it was.

The owner said he worked at the arsenal and took it home as a lunch box special. Taking a rifle home in pieces seems possible.

The rifle has no serial numbers. There are no stamped marks on the stock. The wood is unmarked. The metal work is absolutely pristine. There are no marks on the feed ramp and there is no brass wash on the bolt face.

If it was stolen as pieces, it would never have been proofed. Were 100% of LongBranch rifles proofed? At what point in the manufacturing process did the military “accept” a rifle and add some kind of mark. The only stamps on this rifle are some inspector marks on parts and some parts have a B on them.
I could wipe out the barrel and examine under a 20X borescope. If a barrel has never been fired or lapped, it will have a virgin look that cannot be faked.
The barrel has been shortened along with the bottom forestock. The front sight has been installed backwards. Accidently or on purpose I cannot tell. I assume this was all done after the rifle left the factory.

I would like to cut down a piece of top wood for it and install the front sight ears. I think this would make it a better looking rifle. But Jason won’t let me touch it. It came to him with the canvas action cover on and he does not even like me taking it off to look at it. He wants to keep it the way he first got it.

By the way, is that canvas cover correct for the rifle? It is dated October 1941

 

[jaygt]

well i got a chance to take some more pictures. again thank you for the help understanding what the history behind my rifles.
the first one shows some other stuff that was in the box. the yellow bag does not seam to have the right serial numbers on it.

these pictures now are of my lee enfield the man that came in my store sold me. from what i remember a man that worked with the rifles made it at the factory than gave it to him. he was doing the drafting or drawings and was not involed with making them. im not sure why the barrel seams short. he definetly had nothing to do with it as all he did was numbers and drawings.

thank you in advance for any ideas about the rifle.

 

[John Sukey]

You REALLY need to talk him into installing the front sight guard, the front handguard and the barrel band.
Oh by the way, those notches on the pins on the nosecap will need to be turned so they ae facing each other or the barrel band will not fit.

 

[Ganderite]

Is there any way to tell a parts gun from a lunchbox special?

 

[Beater]

whats the date and markings on the sling on that short rifle?

 

[Ganderite]

Jay's dad here. The stampinging on the sling is blurred. Looks like the first name is WOGES, then the rest cannot be read. I assume it came with this sling.

 

[Beater]

no big C broadarrow? should have been if it came with the rifle