Question for Riflechair re Long Branch Lee-Enfield No. 4 full wood

A

albertacowboy

CGN Regular
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I have long enjoyed your posts on the forum, and I know that you are very knowledgeable on these rifles. Here is my question, which I thought others might enjoy as well:

I have a mint 1950 Long Branch No. 4, but I want to find a wartime example as well. I want a mint rifle, but I enjoy the search so I expect to spend some time and money finding the example desired. Given the same level of condition re barrel, matching bolt, sights (Singer-style LB vernier sight will be used eventually), and wood, have you found that the mint 1941 LB No. 4 Mk. 1 rifles are better made than the later mint No. 4 Mk. 1* models, or vice versa?

I realize that a question like this is a difficult general one rather than comparing specific examples, but I value your expertise and opinion to arrive at a starting point for my search. I also understand that the 1941 rifles are rare, but the search for me is half the fun.

Many thanks for any info you care to supply, and thanks again for your posts and your service to all Canadians via the Canadian Rangers.

Albertacowboy
 
You are correct. The search is most of the fun.

I have been fortunate to have four '41 dated Long Branch No4 MkI rifles pass through my hands.

Now as most were put to use immediately and sent oversees the survival rate is low.

Like two of the examples I had, many went through FTR.

However there are correct examples out there. Every part stamped LB or with a C^.

You may even want to check the EE as they do appear from time to time in various states.

Best of luck.

1-IMG_1593_zpsikmibdmg.jpg
 
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Howdy partner. Just seeing this for the first time.
I have played with about three 1941 longbranch no4 rifles that are still in service today. That has to count for something. Anyhow I don't think you will find the over-all quality of the 41 rifles any better than any other long branch. It's just different. I will however say that I prefer the bolt release location on the No4Mk1 rifles than any of the Mk1* derivatives from a shooters perspective. I have seen a few rifles fail to feed because of a bur development on the Mk1* bolt head guide rail essentially taking that rifle out of the fight. These were well worn rifles though.

however I have also had Mk1 bolt release plungers fail on me as well however I see it as the lesser of two evils. Watch the 1950 rifles for excessive milling marks over the rifle lands. The grooves seem fine but the lands quite often looks like they used dull tooling during the first pass. I've seen a lot of this in the 50 rifles but not the other years. I don't know why but 1950 seems to be a year where you will experience really bad copper fouling.

These are my opinions based on shooting lots of these rifles.
Hope that helps and thanks for the vote of confidence.
RC

Editted to add
I REALLY like the round cocking piece on the 41's though. Especially when its wet or wearing gloves. I'd really like to get my hands on one of those parts so I could install it on my own No4.
 
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I have three 1941 LB's that I got with a bunch of LBs . They are nice and not FTR'd. But they have been around the block. I don't know if there are mint ones around like say, m1 garands.
I have early m1 garands that look better.
 
I just get a Mk 3 cocking piece and tap it out to a No 4 firing pin thread. Do this to all my hunting No4's when I can find a cocking piece laying around
 
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