Three new ones today.....

D

Dantforth

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I am just knocking many years of dust off of these. The first was described to me as a "sniper". No scope or mounts or any sign of them having been installed. No T ot TR. It is a 1945 Longbranch which is in excellent condition. It has a PH 5C sight installed and it appears to have a glass eyepiece. The receiver and the sight have a small mark consisting of what appears to be four arrow heads stamped in. Serial # is partially unreadable on the butt strap but is 8?16XX or something close to that. Stock is light in colour and is Longbranch marked as well as the broad arrow inside a large C. Bolt is most interesting as the rear cocking piece is unlike anyhting I have seen on a No.4...it has a perfectly round back-end on it. Bolt has no serial number but appears to have the LB stamped in it ...cocking piece has LB and also 123 in one spot and 45 in another. The receiver ring, what I can see at this point, had just one single line about 1/4 inch long. Anyone have any idea what I have? Front sight has a square metal protector which is blued. Forgot ...it has a wide sling (web) with a leather piece on both ends and a center swivel.
 
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#2 - a lovely '03 Springfield, Ser. No. - 3673XX. Receiver ring has only marks "U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903." The bore is mirror bright and bluing is 90%. There are no military issue marks on the stock. Nice bonus as when I checked the butt trap I found a brass oil bottle...marked on bottom with a broad arrow and a crown over 79. Dave
 
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Dantforth said:
#2 - a lovely '03 Springfield, Ser. No. - 3673XX. Receiver ring has only marks "U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903. The bore is mirror bright and bluing is 90%. There are no military issue marks on the stock. Nice bonus as when I checked the butt trap I found a brass oil bottle...marked on bottom with a broad arrow and a crown over 79. Dave
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nice, that is over the 285000 cutoff for low numbered (possibly unsafe) 1903's from rock island.
 
The No. 4 sounds like a DCRA type target rifle. Cocking piece is a Mk. I. These were phased out early in production. US Springfields like the one you described are few and far between in Canada.
 
I do hope these show up. This late in the day is not good for me. I'll try. This is the "sniper" but really a target model I guess.
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Hey guys...someone must have an idea about the target riflle. It has enough identifiers...sling, sight, butt stock, front sight cover. Tiriaq thought it may be one of a few DCRA models made. Also, the third rifle, another LB, has the very distinctive engraved numbers....I can't believe it's the only one set up that way...don't be stingy with your info. Dave
 
The extra hole in the left side of the butt socket is for a PH5A sight, intended for a SMLE. Sometimes these were fitted instead of a 5C or similar sight. With the serial situation, etc., I bet that the rifle was assembled from parts for target shooting. Armourers had access to all sorts of pieces. Look at the right abyonet lug - if there is a 6, its six groove barrel. Some PH eyepieces are designed to accept a lens or filter. The spring cover on the front sight is to protect the sight blackening which was regularly applied. The Dominion of Canada Rifle Association is an umbrella organization, the national body which governed and governs certain shooting disciplines. There are associated Provincial Rifle Associations, like the ORA. The term "DCRA rifle" is often used. Doesn't mean that the rifle had anything to do with the DCRA. It was a rifle set up for use in DCRA/PRA sponsored matches.
The Springfield and second LB Look like fine specimens. The forend number is likely a rack number, but who knows? It also has a king swivel, suggesting it too was used for target shooting. The wide PH sling should be rigged between the king and middle band swivels. Give the loop a half twist, run your arm through, catch the sling around your left arm, sling goes over the back of the left hand. The two point sling is still used occasionally.
I think that you have acquired a couple of fine LBs
 
A complete disassembly and cleaning today for the LB target rifle. All major parts are marked LB and have the C and broad arrow. Barrel appears to be park'd while the receiver is blued. Barrel has the number 44 on the knocksform. Bolt, while marked three times with the LB, is not and has never been serial numbered. Wood to metal fit is closer than any I have seen. Front sight protector is marked Alfred J. Parker. Interior of forestock has stamped 5--5 and rear handguard has some pencilled letter and numbers.
 
Finally got around to disasembly and cleaning of the Springfield '03. It really is nice with only blemish being a small sliver missing from the left side of the forestock at the muzzle end. Top, front handguard also has small crack. Metal all in A1 condition which leads me to wonder how much use it ever had. No stamps on the stock indicating it was issued. Interesting that the butt trap contained a British brass oil bottle.....wonder if any were ever issued to England or to Canada. Serial is 3673XX. Barrel has flaming bomb....SA....and the date code 9-42. Stock is straight gripped and has finger grooves in forestock. Can anyone hazard a guess as to which model it is and how it may have gotten to Canada....also would like an idea of value as it doesn't fit into my collection. Dave
 
With a 9-42 barrel date, it was refurbished during WW2. Odd that there is no inspector's stamp, or other ordnance marks on the stock. If you decide to sell it, you shouldn't have any difficulty. Its a nice rifle, and the bore condition is a real plus. Haven't seen enough Springfields sell to have a good fell for value. I suspect that if you take it out to the range, you may decide to keep it.
 
Nice Long Branches Dantforth!
Did you have these already for a long time or just got them?

Is the Target LB converted to 7.62 or is it in .303? Does it have DCRA numbers on the receiver ring and bolt handle?


Dantforth said:
These two pics are the second LB....all matching. Interesting number engraved on the forestock....why?
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Take it to the range....I was afraid of that...

I wondered if the date on the barrel was later than the manufacture of the rifle. I have had a good look and there aren't many inspectors stamps or other stuff that we get used to on British or Canadian rifles. I have an unissued Model 1917 and now this one has come my way. Maybe that's an omen. I will disassemble again and get my loupe to have a close look. Bore is amazing and the rifle just feels good...not like the M1917 which is clunky. I can't keep them all...can I? Maybe I should take it to Perth gun show this weekend. Dave
 
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