Longbranch Enfield “Bible”
- Thread starter Slug870
- Start date
The Lee Enfield - A Century of Lee-Metford & Lee-Enfield Rifles & Carbines by Skennerton. Covers all models/years/manufacturers, etc etc.
Hardcover
Pretty much the Enfield Bible,
Pricey if you can find one. out of print.
British Enfield Rifles Vol 2 by Stratton.
Softcover
Also out of print but easier to find and less $$. Can find on Amazon for less than $50.
Very useful for parts ID by year and series
Hardcover
Pretty much the Enfield Bible,
Pricey if you can find one. out of print.
British Enfield Rifles Vol 2 by Stratton.
Softcover
Also out of print but easier to find and less $$. Can find on Amazon for less than $50.
Very useful for parts ID by year and series
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- Location
- Western Manitoba
First off, Long Branch, in Ontario during WWII, never made "Enfield" rifles - they made "Lee Enfield" rifles - very different machines. The "Enfield" rifles here were designated P14 (in 303 British) and Model of 1917 (in 30-06) at the time - they were made in three factories in USA - Eddystone, Remington and Winchester. I have a receiver and bolt only for a P13, which I think was an earlier Enfield rifle that was made in Great Britain. Generally, books by Ian Skinnerton about various Lee Enfield rifles are somewhat authorative, although there were other authors like Charles Stratton, etc. As far as a reference specifically about Long Branch production - I do not know - but I am sure someone on here will give you a lead. The No. 4 Mk.1* was also made by Savage during WWII, in USA - there are some stories that various parts were swapped among the two North American factories - although NO Mk. 1* versions were made by the various Armouries in Great Britain. The Savage made Lee Enfields will often have "US Property" stamped on the left side receiver rail, if the rifle was made after probably 1942 - although those rifles were never used by USA military - they were loaned or given to Allies - most commonly to Great Britain. The Charles Stratton book here lists 7 factory names used by rifle makers around the world that made No. 4 rifles, and 9 variations of action bodies that were made - the Long Branch factory made 2 action body variations - a Mk.1 and a Mk.1*. Canadian Arsenal Ltd. was a successor company to Long Branch.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
This is the book that I use the most for Lee Enfield information:
These are some of the books that are here for Lee Enfield and Enfield rifles:
These are some of the books that are here for Lee Enfield and Enfield rifles:
Small Arms Limited was the factory established at Long Branch Ontario, just west of Toronto. Production of the No. 4 Mk. I rifle began there in 1941. Most of the machine tools were new, although the machinery from the defunct Ross Rifle Company was also available. The Government had taken over the Ross facility in Quebec City and the machinery had been stored away after WWI.
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there are quite a few books out there on lee Enfield's, i dont have any books on the no4 it self but lots of books contain info on them. i was never interested in the newer rifles, my interest lies in the pre SMLE rifles
but here a pic of what i have for reading about lee enfield rifles.
the book "the lee enfield" has over 600 pages and lots of interesting things
but here a pic of what i have for reading about lee enfield rifles.
the book "the lee enfield" has over 600 pages and lots of interesting things
The big Skennerton book is far and away the best reference. Haven't had mine off the shelf in a while but I think it has a chapter on Canadian production. It's a very detailed history of the Lee Enfield rifles but even it won't answer all collector questions. For that you need to join a good forum like "Gunboards." Post photos or questions there and you'll get lots of discussion.
milsurpo
milsurpo
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
If you want to get snippy about ‘Enfields’ and ‘Lee Enfields’ a Enfield can refer to a lot of different rifles and patterns. Such as a P53 Enfield rifle musket, a Enfield revolver, a P14, a Snider Enfield, etc. it was simply the arms manufacturer which established many of the patterns for the British military. As such it became part of the name of many of the arms produced there.
We all know the context OP was attempting to convey.
Skennerton still sells the book. Bought another copy direct from him last month for MSRP. He even autographed it. The online places have crazy prices.
Milsurps.com enfield forum > Gunboards.
Thank you all for the replies, I have gone ahead and ordered Skennerton‘s “The Lee Enfield” as well as Stratton’s “British Enfield Rifles” Vol 2.
My ‘44 Longbranch should be here Wednesday and I’m looking forward to referencing the books and researching all that I can about my new to me rifle.
My ‘44 Longbranch should be here Wednesday and I’m looking forward to referencing the books and researching all that I can about my new to me rifle.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Skennerton also has some glaring blunders. He wrote that pre-interweb and could not confirm all the statements he had in front of him. For example, No.4 Mk I* (T) and No.32 scopes were never made in or assembled or anything'ed in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you have a Long Branch, learn the differences between the Mk I and the Mk I*. The Canadian rifles get slagged by Brit' writers for all sorts of reasons, not necessarily always well founded.
If you want a definitive document, I recommend doing some internet sleuthing for the last issue Canadian Forces CNo.4 rifle manuals. My 78-page digital example is dated 1991. Search for a Word document C-71-111-000/MM-000, "FIRST LINE MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS .... ", and the title continues with all the applicable marks. It even has a section on tuning competition rifles, with diagrams for the concealed improvements, and No.4(T) telescope adjustments with a diagram of the reticle movement at scale distances.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There is a Lee Enfield knowledge forum on milsurps.com, and I think that is where I downloaded a 181-page 1950s British Army on the Rhine, Armourer's Wing Precis. There are many brief statements on what and where to inspect on the spread of available British small arms, from the No.1 to No.5, to Vicker's, Sten, bayonets, flare guns, and the Pistol, FN, 9mm, Browning (sic. High Pressure), mortars, ammunition, and bicycles. Worth getting, if only to read another perspective on how to achieve something.
I've got the following DND docs from 2002
C-71-111-000/MA-000
Slug870 send me a PM with your email and I'll send them to you
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Since most No.4 rifles don't have unit or national ownership markings, the main thing to investigate about a new rifle is its "originality" and suitability for shooting. While I think it's advisable to fully strip and examine any surplus rifle prior to shooting, don't rush into this with your new rifle until you've studied some technical manuals and advice on forums. Some of the main issues you run into with LEs are ill-fitting forends, loose butts, and presence of mismatched, non-original parts. Hopefully yours will have its original, matching bolt and nice, snug fit at the draws. If learning the mechanics of the rifle in detail is your thing, the Canadian Armourers manuals mentioned are must haves. Skennerton's book will give you the detailed evolution of the type from Remington-Lee to L42A1. For questions about originality (like what original LB "bluing" looks like) submit photos on one of the better forums.
milsurpo
milsurpo
If all else fails here, consult the book of armaments, and see what brother Maynard has to say?. Remember to count to three, not five. If you cannot shoot your foe, you can always ".....blow it to Tiny Bits, in thy mercy" says Michael Palin 
); "who being not in my sight, shall snuff it!"
On a somewhat more serious note, if only briefly, does anyone know of the existence of a Canadian manual at any level for a Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) manual for the Browning 50 cal M-3AC basic machine gun as used on the CF-86 Sabre or CF-100 Clunk, even if it is only getting a copy of one? Does anyone know of the presence of any C.A.L. manuals such as this?
Any ideas, suggestions or referrals would be appreciated
); "who being not in my sight, shall snuff it!"On a somewhat more serious note, if only briefly, does anyone know of the existence of a Canadian manual at any level for a Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) manual for the Browning 50 cal M-3AC basic machine gun as used on the CF-86 Sabre or CF-100 Clunk, even if it is only getting a copy of one? Does anyone know of the presence of any C.A.L. manuals such as this?
Any ideas, suggestions or referrals would be appreciated
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