I've seen reference in different threads to the 1949 Long Branch made No.4's as being somewhat scarcer than other years of manufacture. Would one of you gurus please chime in and let me know if they are indeed more collectable or desireable than the other production years? And if so, why? The one I have is walnut stocked with the stamped Mk.III rear sight. At some point, it was tapped for scope mounts, but when it came into my hands the holes had been beautifully filled in and reblued. That's the only thing that keeps it from being 100%. I wouldn't mind a current idea of the market value either, if you have a pretty good idea. I do know that the ones I see at local gun shows seem to be pretty pricey considering their condition.
Long Branch 1949 No.4 Lee Enfield
- Thread starter LawrenceN
- Start date
I haven't seen that many myself ....
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
1949 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Riflehttp://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=151-1949-C-No.4-Mk1*-Long-Branch-Rifle
All Matching Serial Numbers (Early DCRA Rifle)
Regards,
Doug
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
1949 C No.4 Mk1* Long Branch Riflehttp://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=151-1949-C-No.4-Mk1*-Long-Branch-Rifle
All Matching Serial Numbers (Early DCRA Rifle)
Regards,
Doug
That was mine...
Beautiful rifle but you can still see the slight bluing change where the scope mount screw holes were welded over.
It has to be worth $500 anyway, it's basically like new. It was one of the Greek rifles, you can tell as the s/n stamped into the magazine doesn't have the L in it. I bought it from Collectors Source. It had a little tag hanging from the trigger guard with Greek writing on it as I recall.
Not many 1949's were made so they are a rare year. There are tons of 1950's around but very few 49's.
However, having seen a few 49's come up for sale...they're not as hot an item as wartime ones as some people really only want the 41-45 versions.
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Yeah...there was no war on then. I think we were just making the 49's to keep the plant busy.
Then Canada got involved in the Korean War in 1950 and needed some more rifles.
We must have had millions after WWII, maybe started clearing them out and then needed some more.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
restartinf the production line. Approxamatly 5000 were manufactured in 1949.
I started a thread along these lines a few months ago. The consensus seemed to be that 3000 LB's were manufactured in '49 and 20,000 were made in '41. These were supposed to be the least common years. The '41 is scarce because most saw action in WW2 and many didn't survive the experience.
Never seen a Long Branch with any of those years on it, with the exception of Cno7 .22 trainers, with 1944, 1945, or 1946 on them.
Not sure what the factory was doing then. I know there was a certain amount of civilian manufacturing for various makers in and around the post war years.
longbranch*
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria,BC.
I've a had a couple 49's over the years including a DCRA 7.62 conversion. They were the last year with the lovely satin blue which changed to park finish into the '50 production year. I believe many of the 1949 production went to foreign contracts ie: Greece etc. My DCRA '49 had a nice C-broad arrow on receiver however.
I recall only approx. 7,500 LB's were produced in first year 1941. Not 20,000.
Cheers
Geoff
Personally, I think Canada should have gotten with the times post war and developed or procured a semi automatic rifle for the troops. I can't imagine the troops in Korea were very happy holding a bolt action rifle with human wave attacks coming in.
As far as I've heard, we often used M1 Garands and Thompson SMG's and the like in Korea.
As far as I've heard, we often used M1 Garands and Thompson SMG's and the like in Korea.
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I think you're probably right Geoff and that aligns with Ian's data …
Regards,
Doug
I'd truly love to see pics of it, showing the markings and year etc.. If you don't know how to post em please email them to me and I'll do it.
Sure it doesn't say CNo7 on it?
Is it Long Branch or British?
I don't think they produced them in those years. I always thought that production ended in 1945, and then resumed again in the later months of '49 and the last complete rifles were made in '50. They did make receivers only past '50 but no complete rifles, so receivers could have been made in-between.
Thanks to you all for your input. I may let this one go as I have a shot at a 1950 LB. I have a bias toward that particular year for several reasons. One, it's the year I was born, and two, I had a lovely 1950 manufacture that I'd bought when they hit the market. Hard times forced me let it go, and now that things are stable again, I plan to replace it.
