Long Branch EAL Variant....

[Bojangles]

Hi Guys!

A number of years ago I aguired a very interesting Lee Enfield rifle with an very interesting providence. This rifle was owned by Fred Kearsey and I obtained it through Fred's nephew who was handling some of Fred's affairs. Fred Kearsey was one of the "founding fathers" of Long Branch" (Small Arms of the World, Pg. 290) during WWII and continued there after the war until it eventually closed. This rifle was made in the Long Branch shop and was presented to Fred as a token of appreciation by the employees. Fred later moved to sales in Winchester.

It is certainly unique and has a number of interesting features. It is not oftens that you aquire a piece such as this where you know the history,

Cheers,

Bill

 

[wheaty]

NOT an EAL !!!!!

NOT an EAL, as those were made by St. Francis and Son of Toronto from LB parts. What you have is one of the trials rifles LB was working with and many were made into "sporting rifles" at the end. Notice the milling behind the safety. The front sight and receiver lines are consistent with others I have seen. I'll drop you a private email... Does it have a number on the front left hand side of the receiver ?????
Cheers,

 

[marks 36 hamon]

I wondered how quik you would notice Warren ..... very rare and very nice great peice of Canadian history

 

[cantom]

I wondered how quik you would notice Warren ..... very rare and very nice great peice of Canadian history

Fascinating rifle!

Interesting...no crossbolt like on the Lightened and Shortened Rifle...??

Notice they have both LB and CA (I?) on the knox form...and the C has the little tail on it like C Broad Arrows have...this thing is like finding the missing link...

 

[woodchopper]

yes very rare, there should be a stamp JJ-1??? on all the main parts, check the back of the bolt handle. IIRC less than 500 trial rifles made

 

[cantom]

bump to top

 

[Lee Enfield]

Fascinating rifle!

Interesting...no crossbolt like on the Lightened and Shortened Rifle...??

Notice they have both LB and CA (I?) on the knox form...and the C has the little tail on it like C Broad Arrows have...this thing is like finding the missing link...

What you think is the Canadian Arsenals "CA" cartouche is actually the War Assets disposal mark, combining "WA" within a "C".

Found most commonly (almost universally) on the 2nd pattern Inglis HP holster.

 

[Lee Enfield]

yes very rare, there should be a stamp JJ-1??? on all the main parts, check the back of the bolt handle. IIRC less than 500 trial rifles made

I believe the "accepted" number to be under 50 completed "light weight" trials rifles...

 

[woodchopper]

I believe the "accepted" number to be under 50 completed "light weight" trials rifles...

This custom LongBranch sporter may have been put together at the factory using parts of some of the uncompleted ones.

Hard to know.

 

[Vimy Ridge]

Very neat rifle at any rate. Thanks for posting it.

 

[louthepou]

I like it!!!

 

[rgg_7]

Very interesting rifle. Might have started out as a RCAF survival rifle as the lighting cuts on the receiver are the same as is the stock profile. From there it has been sporterized....charger bridge removed, front sight modified, swivels lightened, stock checkered. It's got the sold out of service mark on it..unusual to see it on the barrel knox as it generally is on the right side wall. I've seen a few of these and wondering if somebody was customizing back in the 50's.

Does the bolt sweep forward? Does it have a ligthening hole drilled in the knob? Is there a serial number on the receiver and or bolt? What is the barrel length?

 

[cantom]

Very interesting rifle. Might have started out as a RCAF survival rifle as the lighting cuts on the receiver are the same as is the stock profile. From there it has been sporterized....charger bridge removed, front sight modified, swivels lightened, stock checkered. It's got the sold out of service mark on it..unusual to see it on the barrel knox as it generally is on the right side wall. I've seen a few of these and wondering if somebody was customizing back in the 50's.

Does the bolt sweep forward? Does it have a ligthening hole drilled in the knob? Is there a serial number on the receiver and or bolt? What is the barrel length?

Have a look at the first post. It was from one of the founding fathers of Small Arms Limited...probably a one off made for him...although I know a gent who has it's twin.