Longbranch Dual Serial got me stumped
- Thread starter dannyd123
- Start date
Hey Smellie, No British proofs I can see. It looks like the handguard wasnt removed since manufacture in 1945. There was still green bedding compound and a piece of fabric or paper underneath the middle barrel band. Here are some pics. Ps. You owe me a nickle.
A Number 4 would not NEED an Ishapore Screw becuse of the steel STRAP at the back of the Forestock. The Ishapore Screw was installed to prevent the wood splitting on the SMLE, a problem for which the Number 4 was factory "pre-fixed" by design.
Nice original 1945 Long Branch barrel!
I think we can accept that this could have been Indian work or somewhere in that part of the world. Old girls really got around!
She shoots good, she's actually in great shape apart from the cosmetics of things. NICE rifle!
Treat her gentle; she's already had enough "rough service". She will appreciate it and stand up and do tricks for you like a happy pup. You can clean up the outside of the wood if you like, but don't mess with the bedding. This one is already the way she wants to be.
You are a Lucky Guy!
Nice original 1945 Long Branch barrel!
I think we can accept that this could have been Indian work or somewhere in that part of the world. Old girls really got around!
She shoots good, she's actually in great shape apart from the cosmetics of things. NICE rifle!
Treat her gentle; she's already had enough "rough service". She will appreciate it and stand up and do tricks for you like a happy pup. You can clean up the outside of the wood if you like, but don't mess with the bedding. This one is already the way she wants to be.
You are a Lucky Guy!
Thanks Smellie, your replies are always appreciated!
I already have cleaned her up since the pic was taken a year ago. The looks of the pic may be deceiving. tThe wood was all smooth from tip to tail and the buttstock was in mint condition with some pitting on the buttplate. I lightly Used some ###X steel wool on the forestock/handguard then applied some coats of blo since the pic a year ago.
You are insane. She is far from a parts rifle. She shoots better than my other 2 Enfields, being second to my FTR'd Faz rifle. Longbranch sporters are going for crazy prices these days, and this ones got matching wood which is still in fair condition. Its not green paint. Its green bedding compound. Its still kinda tacky.
BTW the bolt is a mismatch to itself. It has a longbranch cocking piece, Faz bolthead, and looks like Savage bolt body, but its hard to tell since its been scrubbed. It shoots great as is, and the lettering matches the other serial. I may take your suggestion. have an LB bolt on hand. Finding an LB bolthead #2 that this rifle needs may be a bit more difficult.
Plenty of No4s around with the Ishapore screw.
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=i...fliAeI7YCYCw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=827
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=i...fliAeI7YCYCw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=827
I have a No 4 Mk I sniper rifle that had a visit to India where they installed the screw. There were also a good number of No 5 rifles that came through India that had the screw installed. While they may not have "needed" it, they were certainly applied. I imagine it would be one of those situations where it was far easier to tell the people in the plants just to do it to everything rather than try to explain which ones got it and which ones didn't.
Its interesting to speculate just why the Indians thought it was a good idea to install the cross screw in the No4 forend. I have a really nice Savage No4 that is totally original with all Savage parts and in excellent condition in all respects, but for that offensive screw. Iv'e often though about removing it and replacing it with a hardwood plug. That would show as well, but might not be as rude as the screw.
I try to give "what I would do" advice, not feel-good advice.
Fitting a bolt properly involves lapping in the bolt recoil lugs after checking the contact with lay-out blue. This process is repeated until you get full, even contact on both lugs. It's not quick or easy and it's all done by hand, so only the best receivers justify the time IMO. Personally I wouldn't bother with a mismatching 1944 Long Branch that has seen long service and has a mismatching bolt, but if it's something special to you or you enjoy it, then great; that's all that matters. There are still plenty of matching Long Branches around with cut down wood, at least there are around these parts, and wood to restore them. Nice barrels are getting harder to find though, so if you have a really nice five groove there, it might be worth the trouble. You should be able to find a bolt that matches the finish on the receiver and a bolt with no number is better than one with a mismatching number.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
@5thBatt The issue was hotly debated circa 1997-98 on the old Fullbore list. It was an email digest that was sent out when the postings got over a certain number of lines. Were you on the internet back then?
Danny- I was just reading up ( http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=33307&page=1 ) on the AL serial numbers added to some Enfields. According to Peter Laidler, British armourer of repute, the AL s/n's were applied in service with the Indian Princely States. Warren has stated that Century Arms imported a bunch of AL marked Enfields from Israel, but the story is (well researched) that they came from the Indian Princely States. That is not the same as coming from the Indian Army, which did apply the dreaded Ishy screw to most if not all of their rifles.
Hi Smelie, Buffdog and the rest of the CGN community.
I have a bit of a stumper. I have had this Longbranch for a bit and have tried looking up the weird serial it has, but it doesnt seem to conform to any of the common numbering.
A bit of background:
1945 Longbranch No4 Mk1*
Full wood. Matching numbers on the stock, barrel, reciever (with the typical longbranch top serial number). LB stamped everywhere else. Even patina.
Bolt is mismatched but has the same number font as the atypical lower serial number.
What is the lower atypical serial number from? Renumbering from longbranch? If so when? I would like to know more if I can. This one got me stumped.
Here are some pics:
Not to much back then but was around.
The guy closed the range as it did not meet the regulations at the time, thing is it did not have too, the regs required were for a NEW range, as it was old it did not need to meet them, bit like failing a 1920's Dodge a warrent of fitness to go on the road because it didn't have ABS & airbags.
