Restored 1941 Long Branch Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

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spinecracker

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Finally...

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Album is here -

http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/af290/spinecracker/New%20Long%20Branch%201941/Restored%20Long%20Branch%201941/

It was the best I could do. I now need a new project....
 
I took her out in a blizzard just before Christmas (I had fitted everything together by then except for the buttstock, which didn't turn up until the New Year). Shooting 1969 surplus Mk.VIIz in 25 degrees F at 100 yards from sitting and using a sandbag rest - and not being able to clearly see the target because of snow (thankfully it was blowing up the range, not down) - I managed to get a 2" grouping of 5 shots - then got the heck out of there! The only reason I went to the gun range on that day is because I had an appointment to meet with someone who had some Lee-Enfield spares, and I managed to get an early unserialed drawn-type LB magazine with a beautiful hint of plum to the bluing (I do not know it that clearly shows up in the photos).
 
Nice job! It's always nice to see another rifle brought back from bubba's hands.

We'll need to see more pics. ;)

Did the 41's have a 'waisted' front site guard?
 
You know, if you cut down the barrel & had it re-crowned, cut down the stock and drilled and tapped the receiver for a scope, you could make a nice hunting rifle out of that.
OK, just kidding!!! You've done a lovely restoration job on that, and it's a delight to see. Kudos to you!
 
Tyler said:
Nice job! It's always nice to see another rifle brought back from bubba's hands.

We'll need to see more pics. ;)

Did the 41's have a 'waisted' front site guard?
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The very early 41's did have the waisted sight guard, but they were discarded long ago. Very very rare to see one of them.

Spinecracker's rifle wasn't Bubbaed. It was full wood, but everything was swapped and wrong. He put it back together with all correct LB parts.
 
cantom said:
Spinecracker's rifle wasn't Bubbaed. It was full wood, but everything was swapped and wrong. He put it back together with all correct LB parts.
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And Cantom helped :)

I was very fortunate finding some of the rarer parts (again, partly helped by Cantom), such as the rear sight and cocking pice, and I stumbled on the hinger upper band by accident. One individual I talked with while I was looking for parts said that he had been looking for 5 years for the hinged upper band - yikes!

Now, the big question - keep or sell and get a new restoration project? There's an Enfield Enforcer out there that needs some TLC and is calling to me.....
 
Looks like my hand is being forced...busted a molar a few days ago and, after paying for the root canal and extraction (tooth was too far gone), I now have a nice big dental bill to cover - grrrrr. Still, at least I had fun doing the restoration, and I seem to be lucky at finding 1941 Long Branches lol.
 
LawrenceN said:
You know, if you cut down the barrel & had it re-crowned, cut down the stock and drilled and tapped the receiver for a scope, you could make a nice hunting rifle out of that.
OK, just kidding!!! You've done a lovely restoration job on that, and it's a delight to see. Kudos to you!
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I was thinking the same thing... nice gun but that long wood has to go, and for goodness sake, shorten that barrel
Sheesh, how can you hit anything without a nice 4x16x50 scope sitting on top!
 
LawrenceN said:
You know, if you cut down the barrel & had it re-crowned, cut down the stock and drilled and tapped the receiver for a scope, you could make a nice hunting rifle out of that.
OK, just kidding!!! You've done a lovely restoration job on that, and it's a delight to see. Kudos to you!
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........:p........

But it is a lovely looking rifle: kudos, spinecracker ! ..:cheers:
 
Thanks all. Strange that a Brit living in the US would end up liking Canadian-made firearms, but it takes all sorts. What is there not to love about a Long Branch?
 
Quick question - any idea how much a restored 1941 Long Branch just like mine (ok, exactly like mine) would sell at the moment in Canada or the US? I still have the rifle, and I am trying to find out what a reasonable value would be.
 
granite said:
Well,

I have been offered $800 for mine which is not in as good a condition as yours appearance wise so I have to say that you have at least that or $1000 maybe? There are others here who know better than I - SC? Cantom?
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Yes, but he's in the USA. How can we know what it would be worth there? A very different market, indeed.
 
granite said:
Well,

I have been offered $800 for mine which is not in as good a condition as yours appearance wise so I have to say that you have at least that or $1000 maybe? There are others here who know better than I - SC? Cantom?
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:onCrack:.....War year rifles were made with the utmost of expediency,and although LongBranch had a reputation for close tolerances and quality control,they're still war time production $300 is fair perhaps $400 if it's all matching. Post war rifles were much a better manufactured firearm and they're still only $300-$400cnd depending on condition {that price is also all matching}....Give me the name of the guy who will part with $1000 for an Enfield full dress....I love mine but for that price I'll sell....And buy 3 more:p
 
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