Longbranch factory sniper prototype????? With pictures

[bros]

Here is something interesting!
An older fellow I knew was in Florida on vacation a number of years ago and happened to be at a flea market, he came upon this rifle for sale.

It sparked his interest but at the time he told me he was not really into Lee Enfields and although intrigued by the rifle and mount decided against the purchase, the seller also indicated he would not sell it to a Canadian. We all know if the proper channels were followed it would have been no problem to bring the rifle back to Canada and it's really too bad that this was not purchased, the fellow now regrets not being more motivated at the time.

Anyhow as I said he was intrigued enough so that with his camera he took some photos. I took photos of the pictures he provided me with, these are the ones that are posted. I asked the fellow if there was any way to get in contact somehow with the seller as I would love to acquire the rifle but that avenue no longer exists so all we have are these pictures and no other information.

I'll let the experts chime in to see what they think. It's completely possible this could be something that was completed at Long Branch for testing purposes, at this point we can only probably make assumptions but I know that in their tool room there were different mounts made and being tested for various purposes and also for the testing of new optics, this could have been one of those rifles to test! I see the "Weaver" marked rings, I'm not sure what area they came out in.

Maybe all it is, is the result of some gunsmith and his milling machine!

You be the judge.........at the very least I'm sure this will be of interest to the Long Branch guru's.

Enjoy!!!

 

[bearhunter]

I've seen several very similar to the one in your pics, which I've made up in my shop from angle iron.

I've seen others, also very similar made up by other folks, looking for a very cheap but stable scope base for a #4

The hex head button screw used to hold it in place, going through the ejector screw hole is modern, as is the dovetail base.

Whoever did it, took their time to do it right.

Looks very good to me.

If you can get that rifle for the price on the tag, snap it up without any procrastination

 

[stencollector]

I am not so sure this had anything to do with the factory. As bearhunter mentioned, the allen head screw will be modern. And I don't think there was any reason to have the scope so high on the rifle. It would certainly hinder any cheek weld to the butt, even with the cheekpiece added.

 

[purple]

The Weaver rings came AFTER WW2 and the development of sniper rifles during the war.

 

[woodchopper]

I am not so sure this had anything to do with the factory. As bearhunter mentioned, the allen head screw will be modern. And I don't think there was any reason to have the scope so high on the rifle. It would certainly hinder any cheek weld to the butt, even with the cheekpiece added.

I would agree

but for the price I see on the tag its worth it.

 

[tiriaq]

And the rifle doesn't appear to have been altered to install the mount.

 

[jtaylor]

Hi bros. It is NOT an experimental LB sniping rifle. As Sten collector says the maker certainly put the scope up pretty high. Maybe he had a long neck. Also even if you put the scope as far forward as possible in the bracket the eye relief would be negative (i.e. shooter gets it in the eye).
The good news is that the rifle appears untouched otherwise so it can be salvaged as a 1942 service rifle not messed with once you remove all
of Bubba's stuff and restore with the original military. I suggest interested people buy the book "Without Warning" by Clive Law to get a better
view on LB snipers. Incidently LB did toy around with Weaver 330 scopes as alternatives to the Canadian production scopes. JOHN

 

[stencollector]

And the rifle doesn't appear to have been altered to install the mount.

Other than the threads for the ejector screw. But in my experience (and on a LB sniper no less) the soft screws will usually deform their threads as opposed to the hardened receiver.

 

[tiriaq]

Yes, there is a modern screw that can be twisted into the ejector hole. Close but not quite. I expect that the proper screw would still work.

 

[cantom]

Maybe he had a long neck

Hahaha...indeed.

 

[Lee Enfield]

It's not a sniper

 

[purple]

I remeber a gun show in Dauphin, MB where a fellow had a scoped M1917 on his table calling it a "possible sniper". He wasn't right, but he wasn't totally wrong.

 

[jtaylor]

Hi purple. Why wasn't he totally wrong? John

 

[wheaty]

###

 

[gunrunner100]

Hi purple. Why wasn't he totally wrong? John

"possible"?

 

[Light Infantry]

If anyone wants this mount let me know how many you want. Stampings and all just like in the op. Need a week or 2 to make them. $500 each for this rare collectable. Lol.

 

[bros]

Thanks for all your input fellows....sorry about the delay in responding, its been a busy time for me. Thanks for setting the record straight on this rifle.