Long Branch Misfit

[zouave]

Here's more info.
I would appreciate any help in identifying a long branch sporter [just wood cut, refinished] that I just purchased.Metal finish mint, bore mint, unissued? On left side of receiver the typical markings,No 4 Mk 1* long branch 1944.But has a four digit serial# 0###. No letter L in it.It is stamped on top of barrel by receiver and on bolt handle, Not stamped on butt socket. the long branch stamp is on the barrel and bolt handle by serial# and also on safety. Also on barrel by serial# are stamped assorted proof marks,44,X with a crown and other symbols in it, and others.Stamped on top of the chamber is a small crown over ?. Now on the left side of butt socket just under safety it's stamped 48, crown under that, K1 under that, upside down E under that. Near bottom H and a 7, by trigger screw JJ. On bottom in front of magazine a broad arrow. And finally stamped on top of pistol grip of butt stock are these,E with 30820 under that,large O with small c in center under that. It has a tight chamber and after installing a scope, with reloaded ammo first time out shot one and a half inch groups at one hundred yards. I'm satisfied with that. Thanks for any help.

 

[stencollector]

Quite the range of markings all right. The serial number should have been on the wrist of the receiver; the fact that it's not indicates it's likely not a factory rifle. The stamp with the upside down E would indicate that it was likely through Enfield at some point. The O with the little C sounds like the "competition" mark which is to be found on a number of Cdn rifles which were tuned up a bit for target shooting.
There were un-numbered receivers available, and as well, many receivers were recycled in the CF system by having the serial numbers filed off and the area re-blued. Usually some trace of the origional numbers can be seen. The lack of the serial number in it's usual spot is a strong indication of a non-factory assembled/repaired rifle.

The 44 with the X and what should be the letters DCP in the openings, is the regular proof marks for Cdn arms.

Without examining the rifle, or with the lack of good photos, it sounds like a bit of a locally assembled frankenstein.

 

[marks 36 hamon]

does it have bayonet lugs?if not check near the muzzle for a small CA with 7.62 your 4 digit number could be a 7.62 conversion contract number ,quite a few were converted at C.A.L. for DCRA members of coarse if you have shot some .303 ammo out of it ingnore above

 

[longbranch*]

DCRA converted No.4's Ive seen had the DCRA numbers followed by that crow foot symbol. Could be some other countries serial numbers, Greece, belgium etc.
Geoff in Victoria