You are apparently mostly correct. It was not done as a fleet-wide rule, however some cases were indeed marked with the Scope's Serial Number. It was done at individual discretion, as it were. Most will apparently be "clean", but a few will have a serial number on them
What Would an Investment Grade Long Branch No 4 Mk 1 T Sniper Rifle Set Me Back?
- Thread starter Bartok5
- Start date
You are apparently mostly correct. It was not done as a fleet-wide rule, however some cases were indeed marked with the Scope's Serial Number. It was done at individual discretion, as it were. Most will apparently be "clean", but a few will have a serial number on them
Found a book on amazon that might be appropriate. 
https://www.amazon.ca/MATCHLESS-ENF...d=1682036591&sprefix=enfield+,aps,253&sr=8-17
https://www.amazon.ca/MATCHLESS-ENF...d=1682036591&sprefix=enfield+,aps,253&sr=8-17
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Cool story, but we're talking about snipers - they guys who took enemy lives, not the ones who gave last rites to the dying. Respect to your grandfather for being a chaplain and performing his ministrations on the battlefield without the comfort of a personal weapon. He didn't get the "free" rifle that you earlier contended, as Chaplains were unarmed. In any case, kudos to him, but this thread is about WW II Canadian/British snipers and their principal tool. Let's keep it on-topic if we can.
Found a book on amazon that might be appropriate.
https://www.amazon.ca/MATCHLESS-ENF...d=1682036591&sprefix=enfield+,aps,253&sr=8-17
View attachment 674427
LOL, it just arrived today via Prime. Looks pretty decent for what it is. This and "A Guide to the Lee Enfield .303 No 4 (T) Sniper Rifle are both booklets rather than full-blown books, but they nonetheless contain a great deal of very useful and interesting information. I also have used copies of Peter Laider and Ian Skennerton's "The Lee Enfield No 4 Mk 1 (T) - An Armourer's Perspective" and Clive Law's "Without Warning - Canadian Sniper Equipment in the 20th Century", books enroute, both of which are seminal and authoritative works which delve into great detail on the subject matter. Not cheap, but essential reading for any student of the Long Branch Snipers, among others.
Complete Gun Repairs in St.John's Nl had a Sniper T with accessories about 3 months ago. I don't know the brand or if everything was there, or numbers matching, but it's worth a look, ask for Jason, the owner. They also had a Garand Sniper that came from the same collector as far as I know, don't know the details on that either. You should check those out if that is something that interests you.
Congratulations Bartok! Looks like a gorgeous rifle! The scope matching the rifle is the bonus in my opinion, and what most pay a premium for. Looks like this example was in British service because those usually have the ENGLAND stamped somewhere when UK MOD surplused them. I think an export requirement? Is this rifle also stamped with the 24 Ton proof charge stamp at the barrel muzzle? Your example also has the rifle serial number engraved on the scope mount, and this was done post war. The example I mentioned selling for $25K likely never left Canada because it wasn't stamped ENGLAND anywhere and didn't have the serial numbered scope bracket. The price reflected an example straight out of the LB factory in 1945.If you have not done so already, I recommend picking up the book The British Sniper by Steve Houghton, he covers the T very well. Of course the numerous Skennerton books are always good to have.
thanks for the info regardng the 1945 Long Branch No 4 Mk1* (T)s that were returned to Canada as Surplus following the war. All of those rifles apparently hail from the 90L8### Serial Number range, which mine obviously belongs to. i was aware that the rifle Scoe Brackets were stamped with the rifle serial number after 1950. The lack of surplus markings no doubt helped to drive up the price on that rifle that you saw sell for $25K...
I have most of the books that have been recommended to me, including Houghton's "The British Sniper". The one that I am still missing is Skennerton's "The British Sniper - British and Commonwealth Sniper Equipment", which I just ordered up tonight. Thanks for the tips nonetheless!
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seaforth72
Regular
- Location
- Richmond, BC, CANADA
The "ENGLAND" stamped marking found on so many No. 4 rifles was an old American import requirement to show the country of origin, and was applied to No. 4 rifles, F-S Fighting Knives etc. coming as surplus to North America, even if the rifles were made in the USA or Canada.
The book shown above by Jeff John is about his BSA Shirley made No. 4 Mk. I (T).
"The British Sniper" (1984) by Skennerton is excellent.
"The British Sniper" by Steve Houghton is a newer and totally different book. Superb photos throughout and incredible coverage of modern kit. He sticks to the title quite litterally, so Stevens-Savage and Long Branch are basically one liners, even when made for Britain as the 90L8### batch were.
The best book about Canadian sniper rifles is WITHOUT WARNING by the late Clive Law. These may often be found for sale in hobby stores in Canada where they have books about military vehicles etc.
The book shown above by Jeff John is about his BSA Shirley made No. 4 Mk. I (T).
"The British Sniper" (1984) by Skennerton is excellent.
"The British Sniper" by Steve Houghton is a newer and totally different book. Superb photos throughout and incredible coverage of modern kit. He sticks to the title quite litterally, so Stevens-Savage and Long Branch are basically one liners, even when made for Britain as the 90L8### batch were.
The best book about Canadian sniper rifles is WITHOUT WARNING by the late Clive Law. These may often be found for sale in hobby stores in Canada where they have books about military vehicles etc.
Speaking of books / info, anyone have manual or instructions for exactly how to adjust the No32 scope turrets? I found a Red Star document that talks about the inner and outer portions of the turret but never mentions unlocking the turret, but I have found descriptions that mention unlocking the turret.
I don't have the scope in hand to play with it. Jut hoping to have some instructions on how the scope turrets are adjusted so I don't screw the thing up when I go to zero the scope.
I don't have the scope in hand to play with it. Jut hoping to have some instructions on how the scope turrets are adjusted so I don't screw the thing up when I go to zero the scope.
You want the booklet: ""A Guide To The Lee Enfield .303 No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle" by Terence J. Evans. Publshed by Shiremilitaria.com, available on Amazon Prime for $24.84 CAD. It goes into great detail concerrning adjustment of the No 32 Scope. Basically, for Mk I and II Scopes, you use the larger outer Tool on the Scope Adjustment Tool to unlock the outer Locking Ring of the Turret. You then use the smaller-diameter inner tool to adjust the inner Lead Screw on the Turret, which moves the Graticle L/R or U/D depending on the Turret. The Lock Ring unscrews counter-clockwise as you face the Turret and you only want to loosen it slightly such that there is still tension on the Lead Screw as you adjust it. There are other tips and tricks to centering up the Graticle in the Scope before beginning adjustment (useful if the scope is collminated to the rifle - eg. "Matching"). Same with making adjustments, which can be tricky requiring 3 hands!
The technique for adjusting Mk 3 scopes is much simpler, as the turrets can "slip the scales". You adjust the scope until it is zeroed using the Elevation and Deflection Drums/Turrets. Once the scope is zeroed, you push in on a button on the Ring of the Drum with the tip of a bullet or another pointed object and then spin the scale on the Turret Ring until it reads zeroed. It is just that simple.
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There's a rumour locally of a complete Brit sniper coming on to the market - I'm currently looking at the economics of selling everything I own that goes bang (that hasn't been rendered worthless by Justin) to purchase it. It's a big decision.
Yeah, having just made a similar decision (but with alternative financial arrangements in the form of an early inheritance), it is a whack of money to roll into a single investment. The truth of the matter is that while attractive to fellow collectors, not many have the financial wherewithall (or disciplined focus) to purchase their own genuine Brit or Canadian Lee Enfield sniper rifle. It is admittedly a lot of hobby money to park in one place at one time, and the associated funds certainly won't be as liquitable as they once were. This has to be taken into account with any such large purchase. I obviously believe that the WW2 Sniper Rifles are a worthy investment that will at least hold their value if not slowly accrue in value over time. With only approximately 1000 Long Branch rifles converted to "T" status, I think that they in particluar, will remain top of the heap for collectors for the foreseeable future. But that is not to say that even a Long Branch Sniper will necessarily be an easy nor quick sell when the time comes. This is the reason that I think we are beginning to see some WW2 Sniper sets coming to market - the first generation of post-war milsurp collectors, the guys with half a dozen (or more!) sniper kits squirrelled away, are now reaching the age where they realize that they need to start cashing out. The alternativve is to leave a large and difficult financial burden upon the executors of their estates, who will be forced to slowly liquidate such collections lest they upset the international market and temporarily deflate prices.
Best of luck with your new acquisition - if you decide to go for it!
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I ordered both of those books.
Both are definitely worth having. They are easily digested booklets rather than full-blown books, but still contain all of the essential information. You won't be disappointed, but you may be left wanting more!!
I'm not as "invested"
as you in the historical sniper rifles. Just want some more info on the history and more specifically how to operate that scope, cause I'm gonna shoot mine.I have considered a Nagant sniper as well. It'd look good next to my No4 T replica and the ammo is still pretty cheap. However people seem to want too much for old Russian rifles. I've also considered some kind of Mauser sniper replica but I don't find them as attractive .... and its weird that some rifles are just physically more appealing than others. Its a machine and how it looks shouldn't make a difference ... but it does.
I'm not as "invested"
I have considered a Nagant sniper as well. It'd look good next to my No4 T replica and the ammo is still pretty cheap. However people seem to want too much for old Russian rifles. I've also considered some kind of Mauser sniper replica but I don't find them as attractive .... and its weird that some rifles are just physically more appealing than others. Its a machine and how it looks shouldn't make a difference ... but it does.
Aesthetics matter!!! It is that intangible quality that makes certain guns "###y" and others just plain "fugly".... I strive to collect only "###y", but the occasional dog sneaks its way into the collection!
Speaking of aesthetics, I found a nicely made repro V42 knife at the Olds gunshow today. Price was totally reasonable, so it is now on display with my real Fairbain-Sykes knife, a repro D-Day Invasion Knife and the 80's vintage K-Bar that accompanied me throughout my military service.
The V42 is an interesting and rare piece of history with a strong tie to Canada.
The V42 is an interesting and rare piece of history with a strong tie to Canada.
Knife of the 1st SSF. I too have a repro in my collection of issued service blades. Along with a (Canadian) WW1 Clasp Knife, WW1 Ross Rifle Bayonet, WW1 M1907 Bayonet, WW2 Pocket Knife, No 4 Bayonet, C5 Pocket Knife, Gerber Multi-Tool, FN C1A1 Bayonet, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) Jump Knife, LIB SEAL Pup fixed-blade, Nella C7/C8 Bayonet, Solingen C7/C8 Bayonet. Probably some others that I am overlooking, but those are most of the Canadian-issue ones in my collection. The last 7 on the list were issued to me over a 34 year period from 1980-2014 ��
