NOS No1 barrel

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Further to the nos LB no4 barrel/action what would a new in wrapper Longbranch 1941 No 1 Mk3 barrel be worth?
 
I am not sure that Long Branch made No 1's?? Australia (Lithgow), UK (BSA Shirley) and India (Ishapore) made No. 1's during WWII, but no easy-to-find source showing No 1's made by Long Branch at any time, let alone during WWII. Please let me know reference if I am incorrect.
 
I've seen a number of SMLE's in pictures with LB made barrels. I suppose since our guys used SMLE's for a good portion of WWII, we needed to be able to rebuild them.

I thought I had a pic or two but can't find any sadly.
 
This is my CDN SMLE with a Long Branch barrel dated 1942

Canadian acceptance mark WWI

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1917 SMLE Enfield

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cantom said:
I've seen a number of SMLE's in pictures with LB made barrels. I suppose since our guys used SMLE's for a good portion of WWII, we needed to be able to rebuild them.

I thought I had a pic or two but can't find any sadly.
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Canada had close to 130,000 no1mk3 rifles on issue in 1927.

Until the no4 rifles came into issue in 1943 all the Canadian troops in the UK. And first line troops in Canada were issued SMLE rifles. And we would have been repairing all of the available service rifles in Canada to serviceable condition.

All of the Long Branch No1 barrels which I've observed have been dated 1942. It would make sense that they produced spares for stores.
 
Lee Enfield said:
Canada had close to 130,000 no1mk3 rifles on issue in 1927.

Until the no4 rifles came into issue in 1943 all the Canadian troops in the UK. And first line troops in Canada were issued SMLE rifles. And we would have been repairing all of the available service rifles in Canada to serviceable condition.

All of the Long Branch No1 barrels which I've observed have been dated 1942. It would make sense that they produced spares for stores.
Click to expand...

It's funny that there's nothing in print about the LB No1MkIII barrel mfg and refurb done at Small Arms Limited. If you look at Pblatzz's pics...note the colour of the bluing, the C Broad Arrow stampings. Looks like a refurb to me.

But is there anything in any book about this? We were so secretive about everything....not that that is a bad idea in wartime but in terms of history, things tend to disappear.
 
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cantom said:
It's funny that there's nothing in print about the LB No1MkIII barrel mfg and refurb done at Small Arms Limited. If you look at Pblatzz's pics...note the colour of the bluing, the C Broad Arrow stampings. Looks like a refurb to me.

But is there anything in any book about this? We were so secretive about everything....not that that is a bad idea in wartime but in terms of history, things tend to disappear.
Click to expand...

It's not that there's secrecy, the large problem is that unless a lb part was installed on an smle, Canada didn't typically apply refurb markings the way other Commonwealth nations did.

When I evaluate a lb no 4 for originality, for example, I look for period-correct finish and features. Many presumed "unissued" longbranch rifles are, in fact, refurbished guns.
 
I've read that those trained on SMLE's and used to them did not wish to trade them in on the new rifles. Not sure how universal that was. I guess it's what you're used to. Also of course what the army tells you you're doing.

For one thing...which bayonet would you rather have, that frightening looking long sword, or a sharpened nail?
 
cantom said:
I've read that those trained on SMLE's and used to them did not wish to trade them in on the new rifles. Not sure how universal that was. I guess it's what you're used to. Also of course what the army tells you you're doing.

For one thing...which bayonet would you rather have, that frightening looking long sword, or a sharpened nail?
Click to expand...

I've always found the SMLE to balance and point much more naturally than a No4.

I believe them to be much better naturally balanced.
 
Apart from sights, most the the "improvements" of the No.4 were to cheapen manufacturing costs. I've always found the SMLE quicker to cycle.
 
Wow, back in the early 1980's, Hercules Surplus if I have the name right, Young St, Toronto had wooden barrels full of these.

$35 buck a roo's out the door.
 
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