My First Lee Enfield

S

Skallywag

New member
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Fredericton, NB
Picked this up on Friday. Seems to be in great shape, but hey, I'm just a newbie, what do I know!? :)

It's a Long Branch 1941 Mark 4 no1.

Here are some pics...

http://s619.photobucket.com/albums/tt272/skallywag123/Lee Enfield/

looks like the bolt and receiver match. Wood seems to be in excellent condition.

Bolt action is very smooth.

Lee%20Enfield
 
A 1941 Longbranch, nice!!!

The serial number, with a "C" in it - I'm curious about that, thought they all had a "L".

And the target sling swivel on the tigger guard... ?

Lou
 
Ya. I've been researching, but have yet to come across any info on the odd S/N. It's stamped "Longbranch", so I assume it's legit.



louthepou said:
A 1941 Longbranch, nice!!!

The serial number, with a "C" in it - I'm curious about that, thought they all had a "L".

And the target sling swivel on the tigger guard... ?

Lou
Click to expand...
 
Pls don't take this the wrong way...you have a very nice looking Enfield. It started out as a 1941 Long Branch however has been modified. The butt sockett is scrubbed of its original serial number and replaced with a 91C3376 number to match the bolt. This is a Savage 1944 serial number (reference Charles Straton Lee Enfield p168). The bolt is Savage and should have the early button head cocking piece. Also the safety has been replaced with a 1943/44 style. The forend has been replaced as well with a stained birch rather than low cut walnut.

Lou ...target swivel was most likely an add on as it does not belong on a 1941 LB.

Seeing a lot more of these conversion rifles are surfacing as the value of Enfields escalate. 1941 is very rare...up to 15000 manufactured.

If you remove the rear hand guard is there a date and serial number on the barrel knox (fat part of the barrel just ahead of the receiver)?

Ron
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys! I knew it wasn't completely original, but I can't complain. Paid $450, so maybe a little on the high side. My intent is to keep it though, it's not about the money, it's the history and a new hobby I enjoy (wife doesn't get it though :) )

Now I just need to keep hunting for that elusive "unmodified" 1941 LB :)
 
Check or have the headspace checked before you shoot it. Even if the serial numbers match. That's no guarantee that the bolt head hasn't been changed.
 
If you take the rear handguard off you might find the original serial number stamped in the barrel.

Real shame someone filed out the original number.

Only about 15,000 of the MkI made from what I've read.
 
"Original" is not applicable. Armourers were NOT interested in installing all original parts, they wanted to turn out a serviceable rifle. So it was original while the government owned it.

This gets really funny when some folks want "Original" parts in a M1 Garand. When unserviceable rifles were put back into service they picked the next part out of the bin regardless of who made it.
 
I read somewhere that if a Savage rifle went in for a refurb at Long Branch, they would renumber all the parts to the savage number, even if everything except the bolt or whatever was replaced, it was numbered as a savage. Could this have happened with this one? A spare 1941 receiver was used on a Savage refurb so they renumbered it to the original Savage number?
 
Removed the rear handguard. No markings at all.

I must say, I love this rifle. My Great Grandfather would have been issued one in WWI and WW2, my Grandfathers were each issued one in WWII, and my dad was "nearly" issued one in the 60's, but ended up trialing the AR instead. HE said he would have prefered the Lee Enfield :)

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Maybe an M1 next?
 
Skallywag said:
Removed the rear handguard. No markings at all.

I must say, I love this rifle. My Great Grandfather would have been issued one in WWI and WW2, my Grandfathers were each issued one in WWII, and my dad was "nearly" issued one in the 60's, but ended up trialing the AR instead. HE said he would have prefered the Lee Enfield :)

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Maybe an M1 next?
Click to expand...

Don't mean to criticize, but in the 1960's your dad would have been issued a C1A1 FAL Variant, Canada Did not adopt the C7 until the late 1980's.

Overall your rifle is a fine example of IMHO the best Make and Model of the Lee Enfield. You just need to tell us how she shoots. I recommend the Winchester 180g SP ammo, its pretty common (Canadian tire sells it, as does walmart) and is priced cheaper the the Remington and Federal stuff, and it shoots pretty damn good.

As for what you should buy next, an M1 is a good choice, but to really get a feel fo Canada's Enfields, you will need a Canadain Stamped No.1 Mk3 (SMLE) Lee Enfield, the No.4 was not issed until the early 1940's.

And welcome to the addiction. You will also eventually find restoring Milsurps is almost as fun as collecting and shooting them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom