Lee enfield 1954

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Curtbrookes

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Hey guys quick question for ya's I have a lee enfield mark 3 that has never been shot still in the grease. But it has 1954 scribed in the side near the bolt. What does that date mean. Thanks in advance you guys are the best.
 
Gotta be an an FTR 1953 rifle, but of course we'll need pics to be sure.

These were refurbed for British War Reserve (six years after they were declared obsolete, which I always found interesting...), probably in case the Korean War escalated...
 
War Stocks were very large. The British Army was stilled manned by large scale conscription in the 1950s and still had a lot of commitments around the world in the remaining empire and former colonies and a very large British Army On the Rhine in Germany. The strategy in case another great war in Europe broke out would have been for a general mobilisation of the vast number of men with military experience. They would have needed a lot of rifles.

If 1954 is the date of new manufacture rather than a FTR I suppose it must be Indian from Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI) or perhaps an Australian from Lithgow Arsenal? Those two never switched over to the No.4 rifles and I am sure RFI was still making them then.
 
Here are some pictures of my Canadian 1950 Long Branch Lee Enfield in 303 British . I was present when the crate was delivered and opened < I had second pick .

Please enjoy responsibly :) :cheers:

1950longbranch001_zps4c057f44.jpg


1950longbranch010_zpsbab67871.jpg


1950longbranch012_zpsecec7bef.jpg


1950longbranch023_zps4c67f17d.jpg
 
those 1950's are really nice, have a couple, have been using i with ph5c sites in the military matches with cast loads. great shooter
 
Thank you , I bought it about 15 years ago . I still don't have the heart to shot it yet . I know ,,, I'm bad ,,,

Quiet right , that bayonet is a copy of the British No. 9 MK 1 , this is a copy made in Pakistan in the early 50's , I am still looking for an original Long Branch Mk II spike bayonet.

The No 9 MK1 bayonet does fit all of the Mk 4 's and looks very impressive when it's attached ..This model was also made / copied in many other countries.
 
Hightrailtracker said:
Thank you , I bought it about 15 years ago . I still don't have the heart to shot it yet . I know ,,, I'm bad ,,,

Quiet right , that bayonet is a copy of the British No. 9 MK 1 , this is a copy made in Pakistan in the early 50's , I am still looking for an original Long Branch Mk II spike bayonet.

The No 9 MK1 bayonet does fit all of the Mk 4 's and looks very impressive when it's attached ..This model was also made / copied in many other countries.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't shoot it either. I'd keep it just the way it is. Many people don't subscribe to this way of thinking but I am steadfast on this particular topic. One day there won't be any mint ones left if they all get shot. The reason nice old guns are around today is because people like you have preserved them.
 
Nice rifle... congratulations.... :)

There's a detailed 94 pic photo montage in the Knowledge Library if you want to compare production serial numbers and other markings...

1950 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Riflehttp://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=148-1950-C-No.4-Mk1*-Long-Branch-Rifle
"All Matching Serial Numbers (unissued rifle)"

Although rifle production at Longbranch had ceased in 1945, in 1949 the No.4 rifle went back into production. Many of the rifles built during the war had been damaged beyond economical repair or given to foreign countries as military aid. In truth, a large portion of Longbranch production had been slated for Canada's allies and so the number of rifles made does not reflect the number of rifles available to the Canadian Forces after 1945. Production in 1949 was comparatively low, but picked up in 1950. 1950 is the last year of series production, though replacement receivers dated into the mid-1950's can sometimes be located. These replacement receivers would all originally have been manufactured in 1950.
Click to expand...

Regards,
Doug
 
Thank you Doug , I notice that LB Enfield you have on that web site has the ruff black finish , the mag and receiver really stands out , my has a blued finish .....?

I picked up a Pattern 14 ( P14 ) at an estate sale , it was disassembled in a junk box , it was a factory make over to a sport model ( rear sights had been cut off ect ) and in pretty ruff shape , I did buy the box and rifle parts as the receiver ring had a " W " stamped , indicating it was a Winchester manufacture . The Winchester's were considered by some to be the best of the British contract P14's made in North America . So that has been an on going project gun and a very accurate shooter , I have settled on a reduced hand load that gives great performance and accuracy . I'm still fussing with from time to time . I have cleaned her up and customized it a bit , the action is hand lapped and trigger has been polished up but original and the list goes one . It was to far gone to try to restore it back to original condition , so just make her pretty and useful again . :)

oldbuilds001_zpsc7395ed2.jpg


http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums...rn 14 winchester/oldbuilds006_zps3e9fe9e8.jpg

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums...rn 14 winchester/oldbuilds007_zps69d7f405.jpg

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums...rn 14 winchester/oldbuilds009_zps10c63e3f.jpg
 
Hightrailtracker said:
Thank you Doug , I notice that LB Enfield you have on that web site has the ruff black finish , the mag and receiver really stands out , my has a blued finish .....?

I picked up a Pattern 14 ( P14 ) at an estate sale , it was disassembled in a junk box , it was a factory make over to a sport model ( rear sights had been cut off ect ) and in pretty ruff shape , I did buy the box and rifle parts as the receiver ring had a " W " stamped , indicating it was a Winchester manufacture . The Winchester's were considered by some to be the best of the British contract P14's made in North America .
Click to expand...


Yes, Winchesters are a good find and they were selected for sniper conversions...

Introduced in 1918, this rifle is more commonly referred to as the "Patt. '14 sniper" and was also on issue in Australia and India. The designation was changed to Rifle No.3 MkI*(T) in 1926. Only Winchester made rifles were used for this conversion and the Winchester rifles can be identified by the "W" prefix to the serial number.

Regards,
Doug
 
Hi Doug

Thanks for the sniper info on my p14 , I did not know that , I had read that they were popular at one time with guys who would build rifles in wild cat calibers as the steel was first rate .
 
BSA converted only 79 of these to sniper rifles ....

No.3 MkI* (T) Rifle - (Pattern 1914 Mk1* W (T) Sniper Rifle)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php
(Manufactured by Winchester - Serial #W226763)
c/w Model 1918 (3x) Scope Serial #226763 (Mfg by B.S.A Guns)
c/w 1907 Pattern leather sling

Periscopic Prism Co. Ltd. also converted 2,001 of them to sniper rifles…

No.3 MkI* (T) Rifle - (Pattern 1914 Mk1* W (T) Sniper Rifle)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php...Scope)-(Pattern-1914-Mk1*-W-(T)-Sniper-Rifle)
(Manufactured by Winchester - Serial #W196128)
c/w Model 1918 (3x) Scope (Mfg by Periscopic Prism Co. Ltd.)
c/w 1908 Web Pattern sling (Mfg in 1913 by M.E. Co.)

Regards,
Doug
 
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