Lee Enfield C No4 MK1* Long Branch

IronCanadian

IronCanadian

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I'm heading to an auction on Aug. 28th where they'll be selling a Lee Enfield C No4 MK1* Long Branch.

They have the SN listed as 1710253, but I believe that should be 17L0253.

The full woods look to be in good shape and I'll check the barrel when I get there. What else should I be checking out to make sure I don't pick up a lemon?

I currently have a No4 MK1 with a sporterized stock that I use for hunting, but I want a Long Branch (Canadian Pride thing).

I'm wondering what a top end price on this rifle in good, usable condition would be.

Any input is much appreciated.

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Rear sight looks to be the C Mk 3: wartime and correct for this rifle. There are better sights, but this one will do the job. FAST to set, too!

Bit of discolouration at the wrist: check to see if any water damage on the butt, elsewhere.

Check the bolt-head number. Bolt-heads higher than a 3 are REALLY hard to find. A 0 bolthead is ideal, a 1, or 2 acceptable and a 3 if you really want the rifle. Depends on how many times you intend to FTR the thing yourself! I have spare boltheads up to and including 3, as do a lot of other guys.

I would go a high as 350, I think. Just remember that people don't go to auctions in order to pay top dollar.

I think I know what auction you are going to, so I won't bid on this one if you don't bid on the Bubba Mouser! I REALLY need that Mouser rear sight and buttplate to copy!

Enjoy!
 
Decide early, what you are willing to pay. It is too easy to get caught up in a bidding war and wonder what happened, when they present you with the bill. My dos centavos.
 
So the auction is over and I came home empty handed.

She was in good shape, with nice woods and hardware. Unfortunately it was a post war 1956 model, not what I was hoping for.
 
IronCanadian said:
So the auction is over and I came home empty handed.

She was in good shape, with nice woods and hardware. Unfortunately it was a post war 1956 model, not what I was hoping for.
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A 56 Long Branch is a fearsomely rare and desirable rifle...you missed out on something pretty special.

You never mentioned it being a 56 LB...I know who got it and have pics of it!
 
It would appear that the receiver was replaced with a 56 dated one at some point. The 42 era serial number was moved onto the 56 receiver, and the wood was replaced with the Cdn Arsenals wood. Barrel is reported to me as being a 42 date.

The rear sight most likely should have been the L type flip sight at the late 1942 time period I believe.

I almost headed up to the auction this morning, but decided to do yard work instead. If I had known it was a 56 I would have bought it to go alongside my 55 LB.
 
stencollector said:
It would appear that the receiver was replaced with a 56 dated one at some point. The 42 era serial number was moved onto the 56 receiver, and the wood was replaced with the Cdn Arsenals wood. Barrel is reported to me as being a 42 date.

The rear sight most likely should have been the L type flip sight at the late 1942 time period I believe.

I almost headed up to the auction this morning, but decided to do yard work instead. If I had known it was a 56 I would have bought it to go alongside my 55 LB.
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I'm still waiting to see your 55 with that laminated wood and assembled with normal LB parts. You owe it to your public...;)
 
Auction Lee Enfield

That C-No.4Mk.1* at the Auction went for $400. It was in excellent shape. Although the serial number was in the 17L###x range, it was a Canadian Arsenals rebuild, with a 1956 C-No.4Mk.1* receiver, and the proper markings for a FTR/replacement at the time. Maple Leaf stamp on the wrist.

No, I didn't buy it, but I got a good look at it before the Auction.
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It also had the prettiest damn curly-maple butt you EVER laid eyes on!

And no, I didn't buy it either: I was saving all my hoard of nickels and dimes for when the REAL treasure came up: super-Bubba Kar '71. It followed me home for a mere 60 bucks and now has a friend to talk to on the rack. They are now planning to take over the world, which is going to be a real job, considering that I only have 32 empties for them to do this with.

As to the Number 4, it is a Class Act all the way. It is ALMOST too pretty to shoot. That said, I'm pretty certain that it WILL be shot..... but it also will be looked after properly. This is one that we can breathe easy about.
 
Nice

granite said:
Here are a few pics for your perusal.

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As SMELLIE said, look at that butt stock! By the way, GRANITE, if you were the buyer, I was the old guy behind you when you were waiting to transfer it, and SMELLIE was the guy with the beard when you two were looking at it after the end of the auction.
 
4play

I didn't even know really what I had there until after, I knew SC had one and that they were somewhat rare, so it turned out to be a happy day. :p
 
A 'happy day', Granite?

Good!

You got possibly the rarest single item at the sale, and for a very decent price.

Sounds like a 'happy day' to me, too!

Enjoy!

See you at the next shoot!
 
It is certainly a beautiful firearm. Congrats on the purchase granite. It was a good time for my first auction. Sorry I didn't get to meet you smellie, maybe at the next one.

Speaking of which, smellie, have you attended the Firearm auction in Stonewall before?
 
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