Long Branch #4Mk1*

[ftrpilot]

I was at the Moose Jaw gun show this weekend and was looking at the various dealer's tables. One of the dealers had a Long Branch #4Mk1* 1945 almost pristine with a 2 groove barrel, but it did not have a serial number on the rifle. It should be in the 92L###X range, but there is nothing on the butt socket or on the bolt. It also has a #7 sized bolt head. Has anybody heard or seen a Long Branch like this before and what would it be worth?

There was also a Siamese contract Mark 111 on one of the tables. Wow!!

 

[kawicrash]

#7 bolt head?? Maybe it was a #1??
Was the rifle in .303??

 

[Lee Enfield]

Un serial numbered 1945 dated receivers are/were very common.

They were in the military system as replacement actions into the 1970s.

 

[plinker 777]

^ From Long Branch? English ones yes, but Canadian? (I realize it's a Lee Enfield so everything goes )

 

[ftrpilot]

Yes it is .303 and yes the bolt head is a #7 not a #2.

 

[stencollector]

Sure it wasn't a stylized number 1 on the bolt head? Bolts went to #3 semi-commonly, and #4 was a rarity. Requirement for anything beyond that indicates a rifle worn beyond safe tolerance.

I don't think I would pay any more than the price of a factory no4 for the oddity of no serial number. The lack of serial number may indicate the lack of some of the quality controls that would have been available at the factory.

 

[rgg_7]

Serial number range for a 1945 Long Branch is 84L###x to 90L###x. A 92L###x would be correct for 1950. Suspect what you saw on the bolt head was a "1" which has the appearance of a "7"....its on a slant and has a hook on it....easy to confuse. There a few unserialized LB's out there. These were available to Armorers for repairs and a few made it outside the system.

 

[ftrpilot]

Hopefully this works, here are a couple of pics of the Long Branch #4Mk1*.

 

[cantom]

The pics didn't work.

 

[ftrpilot]

Still trying to figure that one out here????

 

[stencollector]

You have to save then onto a server like photobucket and then post the link here. If you can't post them, shoot me a PM, I'll give you my email address, and you can send them to me for posting.

LongBranch Addicts are awaiting.

 

[cantom]

Indeed...people are drooling waiting to see the pics.

 

[woodchopper]

the links are to facebook pictures, may be the settings on facebook.

 

[ftrpilot]

Okay guys, I think I've got it now.

 

[ftrpilot]

Okay, here is another pic of the bolt head. You tell me what bolt head # is on this rifle. If it is a #1, it is really stylized.

 

[cantom]

You need to put the HTML code line for each pic on it's own line. So they don't all end up run together. Hit edit, then ensure each IMG to IMG is on it's own line. (personally I put a space between each line to put a bit of space between)

That rifle looks like new!

I wish the bolt head pic was clearer and closer up. But it does kind of look like a 7, doesn't it?

I'd make sure that's not a Cno7 .22 bolt head personally. Is the firing pin offset?

 

[ben777lemay]

I think its a badly stamped *2*

 

[ftrpilot]

I've now tried to get a detailed pic of the bolt head. It is centered, so it is .303, not a .22.

 

[ben777lemay]

I had a No7 Mk1 and the bolt heads with offset firing pins are numbered like the .303's... 0-1-2-3

I don't think there is a seven...

Like I said, I'm pretty sure its a badly stamped *2*

BTW, the rifle looks good !

 

[stencollector]

#### your head 30° to the right and it becomes a one. Definitely a 1.