Longbranch #4 "Lightweight" PICS UP!!

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
The war in the pacific ended, or was close to it so they ceased production and trials. This rifle was designed exclusively for the war in the Pacific.
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I don't think that was the case, for either the no4 lightened or the no5 Carbine. The intention for both was that it would be the standard rifle for everything, it just happened that the introduction of the no5 came about the same time that the war in Europe was ending.

Both rifles were simply an attempt at saving some weight from the regular model. At the same time the rifle would have to be as reliable as the original no4. I'm not so sure the LB lightened would have been.

Both the LB Lightened and the Jungle carbines were tested during operation Eskimo in Northern Saskatchewan. This was a multinational ex to test the men and equipment in arctic conditions. There were no jungles up there.

That rifle is truly one of the holy grails to a Cdn Enfield collector.
 
So guys, all bulls**t aside, how could you ever put an accurate value on this rifle... be it for insurance or sale?
Of course the standard applies that "...it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it". But without comparisons out there, who knows?
 
I would think in the $2K to 4K range maybe? Not the kind of thing you see everyday, or anyday for that matter. Likely the best place to find out what it's worth would be one of the big gun auction houses in the USA.If you only have one really serious collector have one bidding, you would do OK. If you have two or more bidding, you should do quite well

It is rarer than a LB sniper, but does not have the buying crowd a LB sniper has. It is strictly for the advanced Enfield collector.

Did I mention that it is the holy grail to an Cdn Enfield collector? Yes I did, two posts ago, and I envy you. Congrats. (I would never get something so unique, cause I never get that lucky).
 
Would look great with a scope mount and a wildlife carving on the stock, maybe cut the wood back to lighten it up even more!


































:p:p
 
burnt45 said:
So guys, all bulls**t aside, how could you ever put an accurate value on this rifle... be it for insurance or sale?
Of course the standard applies that "...it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it". But without comparisons out there, who knows?
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I'd think you'd be the person best equipped to answer that question no? How much did you pay for it??:):nest:;)

(wild guess- $200 from someone who didn't know what it was)

I think Stencollector analysed it's value pretty well.

And, I agree, this should never go south.
 
And it should also be considered a real museum piece - i.e. extreme care is required. Anyone can confirm how many were made? Skennerton mentions serial numbers from "1 to maybe 40"...
 
cantom said:
I'd think you'd be the person best equipped to answer that question no? How much did you pay for it??:):nest:;)

(wild guess- $200 from someone who didn't know what it was)

I think Stencollector analysed it's value pretty well.

And, I agree, this should never go south.
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I definitely paid north of 200 bucks... for what it's worth, it's the most expensive Lee Enfield I've ever bought!!;)
I'll do what I can to keep it up here.

Does anyone know if there is one displayed in a museum somewhere?
 
burnt45 said:
I definitely paid north of 200 bucks... for what it's worth, it's the most expensive Lee Enfield I've ever bought!!;)
I'll do what I can to keep it up here.

Does anyone know if there is one displayed in a museum somewhere?
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Museums do pay for some things...might be something to think about.

Glad you know what you have there.
 
ArtyMan said:
haha I was kidding! in all honesty that is a real piece of history, and eventually belongs in a Canadian museum!
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Personally, I would hate to see it go to a museum. Once artifacts go into museums, the majority never see the light of day again. And once a firearm is on the public inventory, the only path it will have will be the eventual destruction as they cannot be released to the public. Once it is into the museum system, that will reduce the chances of some of us ever getting to own such a great gun.

The one thing that will save this rifle from ending up in a museum is that Canadian museums generally don't have two nickles to rub together. If it isn't gifted to them, or bought by a tax receipt, then they can't afford it.

I might have to revise the estimate I made previously. A comparable rifle, in my opinion, would be the Australian no1mk3 shortened and lightened rifle. Production of these is also thought to be about 100 or less. One sold a couple years ago at auction for $7000 (Australian pesos). For insurance purposes, I would go with that.
(ref: http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3304 )
 
stencollector said:
A comparable rifle, in my opinion, would be the Australian no1mk3 shortened and lightened rifle. Production of these is also thought to be about 100 or less. One sold a couple years ago at auction for $7000 (Australian pesos). For insurance purposes, I would go with that.
(ref: http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3304 )
Click to expand...

I agree with Stencollector about museums and it's correct that the Australians went as far as building 100 test rifles. The one below is from my wife's Enfield collection. ;)

With thanks to Advisory Panel members Lance and Wheaty, check the Australia - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

1944 No.1 Intermediate Shortened & Lightened Rifle - Serial XP53 "Experimental" (click here) .....http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=3562

Regards,
Badger
 
Oh cool
A rear recoil lug on the receiver.
I had no idea they were this heavily modified....
Betcha there was no "Wandering Zero`with this rifle

I also find it very interested that they adopted the hanging trigger assembly.
Longbranch005.jpg
 
Ok, so even with all the procrastination, I finally made it out with the "Lightweight" to try it out.
I was shooting at about 100 feet or more, standing, leaning against a tree, and I was able to put 10 shots into about a 3 inch circle. Not so great maybe, but considering the big aperture rear sight I figure it's a good start.
Maybe I'll bring it to the EOHC this september and try the bench... and see if she has a wandering zero!
 
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