Longbranch questions

jethunter

jethunter

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Have some questions for someone knowing about things Lee Enfield.

I bought a #4mk1 from "Things Military" back in the 80s. It appears to be unissued, in original dress, receiver marked "N04 Mk1*" and "Longbranch 1944" . Serial number ends in 77.

The bottom front stock has cartouche matching full serial number. Also a large "D", and "A" over a "2"

Buttstock has several different cartouche - none of which appear to be related to the rifle serial number-
"78" on 1 side.
"261" on the other (the 6 may be a 5).
arrow and "508" within a circle.

The bolt is stamped under the lever - "POI" and "60". Bolt also stamped L z D in the groove.

There are several other markings on the wood and metal.

Number on mag is different configuration and number than rifle serial number.

I'm guessing this is not a numbers matching rifle - or is it? Is there any relevant information contained in the markings? Anything else? Thanks in advance.
 
matching numbers on bolt, reciever and barrel are the important ones.

If the wood has matching serial number then thats better, as for the magazine not having the same number thats not really a big deal as mags were not seralized to the rifles (from the factory) and only done at the unit level.

Numbers on the butt may be rack numbers.

Pictures are best


oh and it sounds like a nice rifle
 
"...not a numbers matching rifle..." Matching serial numbers refers to the number on the bolt handle and the receiver. Check the headspace. Matching numbers does not guarrantee that the bolt head hasn't been changed in the last 63 years.
 
sunray said:
"...not a numbers matching rifle..." Matching serial numbers refers to the number on the bolt handle and the receiver. Check the headspace. Matching numbers does not guarrantee that the bolt head hasn't been changed in the last 63 years.
Click to expand...

I found the serial no on the bolt handle matching the receiver and the bottom forestock. There doesn't appear to be a number on the barrel.

Thanks for the information guys.
 
OLD RSM said:
Hi Guy's
My LB 3L 1942 forestock is not serial numberd.
Cheers
Click to expand...


A lot of stocks got sanded down unfortunately...the wood on my one 41 is sanded, no s/n visible either. The wood on the other one is 10L and is serial numbered(not matching to the rifle unfortunately). It might well be 42 wood but has the low cut forend so it'll have to do...;)
 
Rifles were rebuilt at Unit, Depot and finally Arsenal level all over the British Empire and even a few foreign countries. This explains the many variations we find in guns that survive today, not all markings we see on Long Branch rifles were done at the factory.
 
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