No4 Longbranch Ceremonial (chrome plated) value

koesdibyo

koesdibyo

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First time I've ever come across one... and have the opportunity to purchase it.
At first, it threw me off as tacky; but the more I looked at it, the more I wanted it lol.

It is a full wood, number matching with white (yellow stained/faded) sling. Of course, thread is useless without pics... so I will attempt to get some.

No bayonet with it, but all metal is chrome plated. Looks to be original, and not a replica of someone trying to make a ceremonial/parade one.

From my research, the info on them is few and far between, let alone finding a value. I have a couple other Enfields it would be great looking beside; hell, might be a great true display Enfield.

Another tid-bit of info I'd be interested in is if ones that have been chromed are shootable? I saw now DP markings, and as mentioned, the info is scarce, so finding if they chose something that was worn/broken/etc couldnt be sourced. Everything looks like it checks out on it, even passes the headspace gauge test.

Cheers!
 
It would have had to be a very special purpose to remove a functional rifle from stores for such a specific irreversable treatment. I've seen chrome bayonets and scabbards, but not a whole rifle. If you are interested in a second opinion, there is a parallel collector's forum milsurp dot com (or ca?) and there is a Lee Enfield group there who might have an inkling.
 
have a hard time believing this is original, considering no Common wealth nation Chromed parade weapons, we use ours to shoot stuff not look like Commie jokes.

And since it has DP (drill purpose) parts on it, it would not be original. I say a bubba gun
 
I've seen chromed Lee Enfields before. A buddy had one but it was not for military purposes at all. He was in a university marching band and he was part of the colour guard. These were the flashy rifles they twirled around and threw up in the air, etc. like a precision rifle team. I never saw fully chromed firearms when I was in the military. Perhaps yours was re-purposed for civilian use.
 
Probably a presentation rifle or personal project.

The Edmonton Officers mess has at least 2x Chrome plated Enfields, and a M16 and AK from Vietnam.
 
Legion or some marching band, not Cadets. Having an issue rifle, even the current parade rifles, chromed on his own say so would get the CO fired.
Highly unlikely to be safe to shoot, but rifles were DP'd for multiple reasons. Not just being unsafe or beyond reasonably cost to repair.
The Edmonton Officer's Mess stuff was very likely gifts from visitors.
 
When I used to go to some of the EME branch curling Bonspeils in Edmonton, I saw these lotteried out annually as fund raising prizes. One of our weapons techs won it one year, and I bought it form him for $200. Someone from Edmonton commented that the gun cost more than that to chrome. It was a LongBranch, however, it was not directly from Canadian stock or anything illegal like that, but rather had been aquired from the regular Canadian market. The weapons techs may have been involved in sprucing it up a bit though.
 
sunray said:
Legion or some marching band, not Cadets. Having an issue rifle, even the current parade rifles, chromed on his own say so would get the CO fired.
Highly unlikely to be safe to shoot, but rifles were DP'd for multiple reasons. Not just being unsafe or beyond reasonably cost to repair.
The Edmonton Officer's Mess stuff was very likely gifts from visitors.
Click to expand...

Interesting but not quite right about the Cadets having them. An ISSUED rifle would have caused problems, but along with three other people, I was involved in getting six Number 4 Lee Enfield rifles for the local Army Cadets. The CO was one of the three, and he had acquired a large stock of .303 in trade for 7.62x51 with a Militia Regiment that had nothing a .303 would fit. They actually ended up with NINE rifles, two of the worst ones were made DP and chrome plated for the Colour Guard, six for shooters and one spare. During many Annual Inspections after that, not a word was mentioned about the PRIVATELY OWNED chrome plated rifles or the regular ones. By the way, we bought them on the open market and nothing came from Military stock.
 
The way I read the OP's comments, the rifle has now (presumably no) DP markings. DP stamps, if there were any, would likely show through the plating. Can't say I have ever seen a fully plated LE. I would think it is probably safe to shoot so long as the bore and chamber have not been plated, the bolthead and other moving parts function properly and the headspace is within spec. Plating would likely decrease headspace.
 
B_noser said:
The way I read the OP's comments, the rifle has now (presumably no) DP markings. DP stamps, if there were any, would likely show through the plating. Can't say I have ever seen a fully plated LE. I would think it is probably safe to shoot so long as the bore and chamber have not been plated, the bolthead and other moving parts function properly and the headspace is within spec. Plating would likely decrease headspace.
Click to expand...

You are correct. No DP markings found, all matching Longbranch with everything *looking* like 100% functional from the eye. Headspace passes the go/no-go headspace test.
I find it interesting to say the least, and it would be a great addition to the family. Fullwood LB's seem to be going for between $500-900 from a quick search - was wondering if the chroming decreased, or increased the value as it is a rarity, but also "technically" a bubba as it was likely done not from factory direct (dont think the owner of the gun did it himself - seems most of the ones that are out there come from various Regiments/etc that had them done up).
 
To me, chrome plating drops the value by a large amount. Worth maybe $250.
But that's just me.
 
Thanks for everyones input, with the asking price on it I think I will end up passing it up.
It is nice, and hopefully one day I can get one for my collection, but I know a little more on them now that I can make a proper decision down the line.
 
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