So I am getting use to having my new 1943 LB No.4 Mk1* I bought from Beater a few weeks ago. I noticed that the magazine does not have a Serial Number. I am thinking I confused Beater saying the rifle is "All Correct" with him meaning it is all Matching. Don't get me wrong, I love the rifle a lot and Beater was excellent to deal with, a class act from first PM to having the rifle in my hands. Just wondering if all LB magazines would normally have a serial on it. Also, Is it common for the stock to not have a number as well?
Long Branch Magazine Serials.
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
Long Branch magazines didn't leave the factory with a number on them. Some units or armourers or countries added them later. It's quite correct to have a rifle with an unnumbered magazine.
The early rifles (41 and 42) had numbered forends, I believe that ended around 43 although someone may correct me.
Basically, on a Long Branch, if the receiver and bolt match, you have a matching rifle.
The bolt and receiver match, I am not sure if the barrel has a serial. But whatever, I am very happy with the rifle, I just saw a thread a while back about how their LB magazine had a serial crossed out or something, and that got me thinking "why doesn't mine have a serial".
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Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Early barrels were. My 41's all had numbered barrels.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
So the question begs? - A 41 dated rifle is found to have no serial on the barrel. Is the rifle considered to be original/collectable?
OneBarfly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My 1950 Long Branch had a matching magazine - I believe this was done in Greece. (not grease, what I mean to say is that the magazine had the serial number stamped on it by the the armory in Greece) .....oh... never mind.
Easy to tell...as 6167 mentioned, Greece stamped the number minus the L. I went and checked my Greek 49 LB...no L on the mag!
With thanks to Advisory Panel member Lance, check out the entry in the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=10
1941 No.4 Mk1 Long Branch Rifle (click here) ..... http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3447
Barrel, receiver, bolt and wood were all match serial numbered on 1941 LB's ...
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
For additional comparisons by collectors, Lance has added pics of "waisted" front sight protectors mounted on a SMLE Mk VI Trials rifle and a No4. Mk1 Trials rifle.
Regards,
Badger
1941 No.4 Mk1 Long Branch Rifle (click here) ..... http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3447
Barrel, receiver, bolt and wood were all match serial numbered on 1941 LB's ...
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
For additional comparisons by collectors, Lance has added pics of "waisted" front sight protectors mounted on a SMLE Mk VI Trials rifle and a No4. Mk1 Trials rifle.
Regards,
Badger
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
What is the barrel date?
A high number '41 with a '42 dated LB barrel may not be serialed.
I have one I haven't taken apart yet to look at.
Most of the (Greek or Italian? bring back) '41s I looked at @7-10 years ago had a mix of original through mid 1952ish (British mfg) barrels.
