Long Branch tooling???

[x westie]

Would anyone have info on the tooling machinery that the Long Branch factory had to make the No.4 rifle, that is the barrel turning, making stocks, etc. Was the equipment bought from the U.K or U.S. also was some of the equipment used from the Ross Rifle Factory???

 

[tiriaq]

Small Arms Limited was a brand new plant when built, and was primarily tooled with new American made machinery, some of which had originally been intended for sale in Europe. Most tools were individually motorized, unlike Enfield, or the old Ross factory which used overhead shafting. Don't know what happened to the Ross machinery, no doubt it was liquidated when the faxctory closed, and the building demolished. I suppose that the original SAL machinery continued in use through the CAL period and the FN program, and was sold off when the plant closed.

 

[green]

"Lee Enfield Story" Skennerton states that some machinery from the Ross plant that was expropriated in 1917 was installed at Longbranch.

 

[myenfield]

A friend of mine has one of the old Liong Branch barrel boring machines in his shop. The next time I get a chance, I will try to get some pictures if you like. If I recall correctly, it still has a spec plate riveted on the side of it.

 

[buckbrush]

I have seen some measuring tools on E bay with Longbranches stamps on them. I have been told that Alberta barrel maker Ron Smith has some equipment from the Longbranch EAL factory.

 

[Claven2]

EAL was not a longbranch factory. EAL remanufactured Longbranch parts on their own machinery to make the EAL rifles.

The Ross equipment was likely installed at the LB factory back before they even made rifles when they were just refurbing SMLE's prior to 1941.

 

[x westie]

Long Branch SMLE????

EAL was not a longbranch factory. EAL remanufactured Longbranch parts on their own machinery to make the EAL rifles.

The Ross equipment was likely installed at the LB factory back before they even made rifles when they were just refurbing SMLE's prior to 1941.

It is my understanding that SMLE rifles were refurbised at Canadian Army Ordenance depots, and that the LB factory produced No.4 rifles and sten guns

 

[green]

Longbranch made some NoI barrels in 1941.

 

[x westie]

LB No.1 barrels

Longbranch made some NoI barrels in 1941.

thanks for this update, i had no idea that LB made any SMLE parts

 

[terryinvictoria]

The EAl rifle was made from new leftover longbranch receivers.
The receivers were shipped to Toronto where they were machined to the EAl receiver specs and then assembled.

Nice rifle
Terry

 

[longbranch*]

LB SMLE barrels

Have two C-broad arrow marked SMLE's with '42 LB replacement barrels.

Geoff