Long Branch Restoration

[jaycee]

Guys,

I need some advice here.

I recently aquired a 1942 Long Branch No.4 Mk I* with a two-groove barrel, Ser. # 5L1###. The magazine doesn't match, but the rest of the numbers do.

The bore is excellent, bordering on mint.

Folding "L" rear sight.

The parkerizing(?) still covers approx 98% of the rifle, and is a dark graphite colour. Can anyone confirm whether or not LB used either Zinc Oxide or Manganese Oxide Parkerizing? (From the colour, I would suspect Manganese Oxide)

Now for the bad news....

1. The stock has been Bubba'd. There's no top wood, the forestock has been cut at about mid point, and the butt was sanded down at some point, removing all markings. The wood appears almost a honey colour - Birch? I know a lot of LB's had Walnut stocks, but seem to remember reading somewhere that LB Arsenal also used Birch as well - can someone confirm this? Also, was LB wood serialized to the rifle? Would a 1942 dated rifle have come with grooved top wood, or smooth?

2. The metal is uniformly spotted with slight surface rust that appears to be pushing up through the parkerizing - it does scrape off quite readily with a finger nail, though, and doesn't remove the parkerizing at the same time. I think I'll try soaking it in oil, and see if the spot rust rubs out a little easier. Also, the bare steel working surfaces of the bolt and bolt head (No.2) are covered about 40% with slight surface rust. Hopefully a little oil and a either a plastic scouring pad or bronze brush will take care of it.

I'd like to turn this old girl back into as original condition as I can. I'm wondering if reparkerizing would be worth it - as it is I really don't think it has much collector value , even if I am able to find original LB wood.

What do you LB afficionados think?

 

[sunray]

Check the headspace before you do anything. Matching serial numbers do not guarantee the bolt head hasn't been changed at some time.

 

[rgg_7]

Your serial number is correct for a Long Branch No4 MK1*. The 1942 production run ranged from 1L ###x to 20L###x. Correct metal finish was "Oil Blackened" , although there are exceptions. I have seen and worked on guns that have grey/black parkerized barrels. If either finish is worn, it can be touched up with Birchwood Casey's deep lustre cold blue and a light application of oil. I would not reblue unless its completely gone. "oooo" steel wool and WD40 will take care of the rust and linseed oil residue on the metal. Wood for the 1942 was walnut or walnut-stained birch. The rear top guard was generally grooved. No serial numbers were stamped on the wood or magazines at time of manufacture. If present, they were put on by the unit armourer for control purposes. There is wood out there....be care what you buy. A good set is worth $200.00 and I've seen unissued go for more. Yes it's worth restoring! The stock makes the Enfield so don't skimp on the investment. and look for walnut as it holds the linseed seed oil finish the best. A 2 groove is just as accurate as a 4, 5 or 6 groove barrel. It is the easiest to clean and maintain. Good luck with your project. If you need further info PM me. Ron

 

[Claven2]

Correct metal finish was "Oil Blackened" , although there are exceptions. I have seen and worked on guns that have grey/black parkerized barrels.

??? some SMLE's were oil blackened (mostly just small parts though), but no No.4's ever were??? LB used caustic hot dip blue on all production until the end of 1945. Post-war they switched the manganese parkerizing. Park on a wartime LB indicates it's been rearsenalled at some point as LB never marked FTR's.

 

[SteyrSSG]

No 4

Just a small note, FWIW, I have seen '42 LBs with smooth top wood. My own '44 has smooth wood but as was stated earlier, the wood is stamped with the Long Branch markings but no date to confirm if it came with the rifle that it is currently mounted on.