No’4 MK I* Rifle by Long Branch……SOLD

A Very Good 1944 No’4 Mk I* made by the Canadian Arsenal  Long Branch

In short- You don’t see them like this very often !  This rifle is in “as issued condition”, it really appears to be unused.  The only defect / point I have to mention is a chip out of the semi pistol grip.  This is the only reason I can imagine the rifle was not issued ( see photo)  Apart from that, there are no other faults with the weapon.  Finish all over is completely intact with no wear, even the bolt body seems relatively unmarked.  The bore is, as far as I can tell, mint.  It has the regular 5-groove RH twist rifling, is bright with sharp lands and clean grooves.

The matching serial number is 83L2368 stamped into the LH wrist, below the safety catch.  This number is repeated on the bolt arm, and the numerics, on the underside of the ten shot detachable magazine.  The outside of the action wall is stamped with model designation and makers name; “No 4  MK I* / LONG BRANCH / 1944”.  “Long Branch” is the  arsenal which produced No4’s for the Canadians and the “L” in the serial number confirms that.  Blueing is excellent all over and the bolt is fitted with a number 1 component.  The bolt face is bright and shows no primer damage or ring.

Also immediately obvious on inspection are the Canadian government ownership marks on the underside of the forend and adjacent to the trigger guard on the butt-stock.  Alongside these marks are other initials which are inspectors stamps which were applied during the manufacturing process.

The rifle is fitted with the correct shaped safety for a Canadian rifle and the correct Mk III ladder sights on the back of the action.  The sights are graduated to 1300 yards.  Caliber is .303 British.  The weapon is 44.1/4″ in overall length.  It has a 25″ long barrel, and a trigger pull length of 13″.  The standard two sling swivels are fitted, the blade front sight is adjustable and guarded by two strong “ears”.  The butt-plate is of conventional type with one exception in that it is as nicely blued as the rest of the rifle.  Even the trap for cleaning bottle etc has a superb Canadian War Department “C” stamped into the center.

There is not much more to say about a near perfect rifle, apart from the fact that, it must look as good as those first No4’s that were ever issued to Allied troops in World War Two.

Stock No’  f 401

£ 800…..SOLD

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