Rare and Experimental Long Branch Sniper Rifles

[BadgerDog]

For the very serious Enfield collectors out there who may not have read it yet ….

With thanks to Advisory Panel members Clive "servicepub" Law and Lee Enfield, we recently added a new article to the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=117-canada, along with a comprehensive additional 197 pic photo montage, of a fairly rare Long Branch sniper rifle.

1944 Enfield No.4 Mk1*(T) Long Branch TP Sniper Rifle Serial # 74L0318http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=430-1944-Enfield-No.4-Mk1*(T)-Long-Branch-TP-Sniper-Rifle
(Mfg by Long Branch Arsenal, Leaside, Ontario, Canada)
c/w matching Telescopic, Sighting C No.32, Mk.I(TP) (Trade Pattern) Scope Serial # 4392S (Mfg by Lyman-Alaskan), matching scope case and matching transit chest.

In looking forward to our next Knowledge Library article currently under development, it will be a detailed examination and extensive photo montage about an even rarer Long Branch "Experimental" Scout Sniper Rifle Serial # ASC-43-3.

For more information, there has been some excellent discussion and feedback surrounding non-standard Long Branch snipers in the The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forumhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

We hope the widespread Internet collector community continues to find the free Knowledge Library useful and interesting.

Regards,
Doug

 

[BadgerDog]

Just added to the CGN reference library Enfield sticky link .....

With thanks to Advisory Panel members Clive "servicepub" Law and Claven2, we have added a new article to the Canada - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=117-canada, along with an excellent additional 175 pic photo montage.

1943-44 Enfield No.4 Mk1* Experimental Long Branch "Scout" Sniper Rifle Serial # ASC-43-3 (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=30755
(Mfg by Long Branch Arsenal, Leaside, Ontario, Canada)
c/w No.32 Mk.4 (C No.67 Mk1) Scope Serial #57-C
C.G.B. 91 CGA Mfg by R.E.L (Research Enterprises Ltd.)

Article Extract .....

....... As REL experimented with different mounts and different sights, SAL (Small Arms Limited), at the behest of the Army, undertook to develop several new weapons during the war, one of which was an improved sniper rifle. The project was instigated by the War Office, in 1943, who felt that several weapons could benefit from new designs. These were identified as; a light rifle, a sniper rifle, a self loading rifle, a machine carbine and a light automatic rifle. When asked which of these projects Canada would wish to undertake the army replied that Canadian competence was in the light rifle, sniper rifle and machine carbine. Co-incidentally these were the style of firearms manufactured in the Crown-owned Small Arms Limited, and no mention was made of expertise developed by the John Inglis Company in the manufacture of light machine guns, pistols and anti-tank rifles. …. (article continues)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

 

[BadgerDog]

Amongst several others, responses from Ian Skennerton and Peter Laidler in the thread below, have prompted a general request for help from the broader Lee Enfield collector community. Additional pics of another example with serial number EX11 were also posted, so I was wondering how may others might be out there, that could contribute to a greater understanding and more information as to what these were and perhaps used for?

Long Branch Experimental Serial # EX2http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=31316

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

So, if you have one and could provide pics, either privately via email, or publicly in that thread (or here), it would be appreciated .

Regards,
Doug

 

[sunray]

"...Long Branch Arsenal, Leaside..." Not Long Branch Arsenal or in Leaside. Canadian Arsenals - Long Branch Plant. Dixie Rd and Lakeshore Rd in Mississauga, long gone now.