New purchase - Long Branch No.4 Mk.1/2

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spinecracker

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I've posted these comments elsewhere, but where else to ask about a Long Branch than the Canadian gunnutz forum...

I took a chance on a gunbroker auction for a Long Branch 1941 No.4 Mk.1/2, which I have been looking for for 5 years. I don't have the rifle yet, but I was wondering if the Mk.1/2 version is as uncommon as I think it is. The prior owner bought the rifle from AIM in 2004, and has not monkeyed with it (I made a point to ask him), but the interesting thing is that it has an early button-type cocking piece, early micrometer Long Branch rear sight and hinged upper band. The rifle also comes with a Canadian sling, a plastic "DCP"-marked oiler and a Long Branch bayonet, scabbard and Canadian frog. Photos will be posted when the rifle turns up. Anyone else here have a Long Branch 1941 No.4 Mk.1/2? If so, then photos please!
 
Actually, it is fairly common. Britain did a very good job on converting most of their LB No.4 MKI to this MK2 pattern. The really rare ones at the un-modified No.4 MKI rifles still with all their original parts.
 
JP said:
Actually, it is fairly common. Britain did a very good job on converting most of their LB No.4 MKI to this MK2 pattern. The really rare ones at the un-modified No.4 MKI rifles still with all their original parts.
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Really? I had been looking for a Long Branch No.4 Mk.1/2 for about 5 years without success (and I bugged everyone I could find), and had seen comments on other forums and Lee Enfield websites that they were much more uncommon that unmodified LB 1941 No.4 MKIs. I know that LB No.4 Mk.1/3s are, although not rare, not that common, and I cannot think that LB No.4 Mk.1/2s are as common as LB No.4 Mk.1/3s.
 
Maybe, it a question of location, but I see No. 4 MKI/2 and No.4 MK1/3 on a regular basis, but I have only seen one original LB No. 4 MKI in the last two years and it was not for sale.
 
I am not sure how rare it is but it looks like a nice gun from the pics. Have to see if its all correct and has any import marks on it.
Please send more pics of it the ones on the auction are not the best.
 
Considering there weren't very many LB No 4 Mk I rifles made in the first place, it makes sense that there are even fewer of the converted rifles around. In any configuration, the LB No 4 Mk I is hard to find complete now, but I will admit I prefer having one that wasn't converted to the /2 status and left original.
 
myenfield, I'm doing my best to get an unmolested LB 1941 No.4 Mk.1 but, as you say, they aren't exactly common, and I have to get what I can :p
 
spinecracker said:
myenfield, I'm doing my best to get an unmolested LB 1941 No.4 Mk.1 but, as you say, they aren't exactly common, and I have to get what I can :p
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Sorry, after reading your original post I thought you were actively seeking a Mk1/2 instead of a Mk 1. I think we have all been in the position of grabbing what we can even if it isn't exactly what we wanted. When it comes to '41 Long Branch rifles, if you do come across a better one later you should have no problem moving this one along if you decide to. The first '41 I bought was cut down and drilled and tapped. Shortly afterwards I found a nice original '41, but I haven't been able to bring myself to sell the first one yet. In fact, I found an original set of wood for it and have brought it back to what it should look like.

This is a sickness, damn it....
 
Yes, it is a sickness, but it is way better than most other addictions I know about. I want every Long Branch I see but, fortunately or unfortunately, I only have so much money and the wife and kids need feeding lol.
 
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