No4 MkI* Enfield by Longbranch of Canada……(f 575) SOLD

WW2  No4 Mk I* Enfield by Longbranch of Canada 

 Chambered in .303 British with a ten shot detachable box magazine.  Of standard specification; 44.1/4″ overall length.  The round barrel is 25″ long.  The trigger pull 13.1/4.”  The classic No4 that took back most of Europe from the Nazis.  The distinctive walnut full stock and the easily recognisable protective front sight ears.  Enfield bolt system with rectangular cocking piece.   The action and barrel originally blued and the magazine looking like it could have been parkerised.

The outside wall of the action being marked as follows; ” No 4 Mk I*  / LONGBRANCH / 1944.”  The wrist on the LHS is marked with the serial number “60L1721”  All Longbranch No 4s contain an “L” within the number.  The matching serial number is repeated on the rearward facing flat of the bolt arm.  The interchangeable bolt head is a No 2 fitting.  The knob on the end of the arm is solid.  The rifle has a safety catch fitted to the rear LHS of the action which acts in the normal way where pushed forward it will fire, drawn to the rear it will not allow the trigger to release the firing pin.

One of the differences which this rifle to a regular British number four is the fitment of the pressed steel ladder sight fitted to the rear of the action.  It is a MK III fitment with a battle sight and a ladder aperture graduated from 200 to 1300 yards.  There is no windage adjustment to the rear sight, this can be affected by drifting the front sight for zeroing.  The butt-plate is devoid of all finish and has a trap in the center for cleaning equipment.  Contained in the butt is a black plastic oil bottle. On the top tang is a War Department arrow.  The rear sling swivel is the type poached for the number four T, which is larger and allows the easy removal of the leather double clawed sling.

Another difference denoting the star in the rifles designation is the method employed in removal of the bolt.  Unlike other No4s and the No5 Jungle carbine the Longbranch number four uses a slot cut in the side rail of the bolt guide which is positioned just at a point which the bolt will not naturally sit.  It requires a minor degree of pressure to be applied to the bolt, as if starting to cock the bolt on closing.  This will allow the bolt head to move into exactly the correct position to allow it to be turned upwards and come free of the guide rail.  The bolt complete can then be withdrawn reward and out of the action.

In summary this rifle is in good condition for a weapon used in anger some seventy-two years ago, but the real surprise is the condition of the bore.  It has a very very good two grove bore with no pitting, misting or problems visible to the eye.  The wood does show signs of a life in the military but not an unduly hard one.  Freshly proofed in 2016.

Ask for   Stock No’  F 575

£ 680. …….SOLD

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