Another lee enfield question

pfalz2 · 05-19-2006, 02:40 PM

I have acquired a Savage build, Mk4 No.1. It is NOT marked Us property, and the serial # does not contain the letter C. No import marks. Mfg code: AS The magazine which is serialed to rifle has the Longbranch stamp on the magazine feed ramp. Nothing else on the mag. but serial #14303. Mfg. date is 1943. It has the same style receiver with bolt head catch release as a typical British Enfield.
Any know one which factory made it ?

5knives · 05-19-2006, 02:49 PM

Not certain and I cannot get at any of my books, but as a GUESS;

Might be a Savage mfg, shipped to Longbranch for completion, as the Savage contract ended.

The U.S. property mark was just the "lend lease" ploy, and wasn't necessary once we entered the war.

Probably aren't too many like it, if that's the case.

I'm asssuming no other marks to indicate upgrade or refurbish, could be one that never left Canada, or was issued to Canadian troops, if it's in especially good shape.

Pure Guess and my memory aint for Sh*t anymore, maybe someone who knows something will enlighten both of us.

Regards,

pfalz2 · 05-19-2006, 03:04 PM

The rifle is in excellent condition, no ware in the camber or barrel. The finish on the metal is 99%. The wood has been replaced with Longbranch( I think). Or according to your statment maybe done a Longbranch. Forearm does carry not serial # just Longbrach marks. No rearsenal marks. Trying to get info from a (Rifle's) family member who had owned the rifle. From what I have so far, it may have been owned by a member of RCMP. It's a shame about the wood (if relpaced), but it still may have an interesting history, if I can tract it down.

AKWARRIOR · 05-19-2006, 04:14 PM

Id concur with 5kinives on this.

pfalz2 · 05-19-2006, 04:21 PM

Have some more info, most of the acceptance marks are very light or incomplete. One stamp at the forword part of the receiver, let side, is a circle with 14 in it.
The top of the barrel has a small but clear stamp, British crown( stamp of), with BNP under neath.

pfalz2 · 05-19-2006, 04:33 PM

I did find this,

Import Markings
BNP
Birmingham Nitro Proof - Required by British law, any firearm offered for commercial sale (regardless of military proofing) has to undergo a pressure test. Passed firearms were stamped, usually on the barrel and receiver. These letters will have a crown stamped directly above them.

so this rifle was released for sale, And passed the required proof test. One more piece of the puzzle.

5knives · 05-19-2006, 05:55 PM

Couldn't remember where I put the bookmark, but this site is an outstanding source for trying to reserch the enfields;

http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~stratton/en-page.html

Links to other good sources too.

Truth is, with the millions of enfields out there, (and the abundance of fakes) you may have found a new hobby!

You will waant to note and recoed everything that even looks like it might have been a mark, once upon a time.

Good luck,

pfalz2 · 05-19-2006, 07:46 PM

Guess I'll have to get some of the enfield books. I got the rifle through a antique dealer/ gun shop on my C&R. Heard about it through a friend that lives near the Canada border part of the year and part down here. The rifle was placed with the dealer by friends of my friend. Some of the family members, are living in the U.S. The rest of the family is in canada. Waiting on a few letters, from them. That will give me a lot of info, hopefully. Anyway as you said it is another hobby!!! And besides it is a very very nice Lee Enfield. It was sold to me as nothing else, with no claims as to anything.

05-19-2006, 03:04 PM	#3
pfalz2 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 23,435	The rifle is in excellent condition, no ware in the camber or barrel. The finish on the metal is 99%. The wood has been replaced with Longbranch( I think). Or according to your statment maybe done a Longbranch. Forearm does carry not serial # just Longbrach marks. No rearsenal marks. Trying to get info from a (Rifle's) family member who had owned the rifle. From what I have so far, it may have been owned by a member of RCMP. It's a shame about the wood (if relpaced), but it still may have an interesting history, if I can tract it down. Last edited by pfalz2; 05-19-2006 at 05:08 PM.

05-19-2006, 04:14 PM	#4
AKWARRIOR Gone Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Here and Now Posts: 13,454	Id concur with 5kinives on this. __________________ WOLVERINES!!! "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined"-Patrick Henry

05-19-2006, 02:40 PM	#1
pfalz2 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 23,435	Another lee enfield question I have acquired a Savage build, Mk4 No.1. It is NOT marked Us property, and the serial # does not contain the letter C. No import marks. Mfg code: AS The magazine which is serialed to rifle has the Longbranch stamp on the magazine feed ramp. Nothing else on the mag. but serial #14303. Mfg. date is 1943. It has the same style receiver with bolt head catch release as a typical British Enfield. Any know one which factory made it ?

05-19-2006, 02:49 PM	#2
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	Not certain and I cannot get at any of my books, but as a GUESS; Might be a Savage mfg, shipped to Longbranch for completion, as the Savage contract ended. The U.S. property mark was just the "lend lease" ploy, and wasn't necessary once we entered the war. Probably aren't too many like it, if that's the case. I'm asssuming no other marks to indicate upgrade or refurbish, could be one that never left Canada, or was issued to Canadian troops, if it's in especially good shape. Pure Guess and my memory aint for Sh*t anymore, maybe someone who knows something will enlighten both of us. Regards,

05-19-2006, 04:21 PM	#5
pfalz2 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 23,435	Have some more info, most of the acceptance marks are very light or incomplete. One stamp at the forword part of the receiver, let side, is a circle with 14 in it. The top of the barrel has a small but clear stamp, British crown( stamp of), with BNP under neath.

05-19-2006, 04:33 PM	#6
pfalz2 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 23,435	I did find this, Import Markings BNP Birmingham Nitro Proof - Required by British law, any firearm offered for commercial sale (regardless of military proofing) has to undergo a pressure test. Passed firearms were stamped, usually on the barrel and receiver. These letters will have a crown stamped directly above them. so this rifle was released for sale, And passed the required proof test. One more piece of the puzzle.

05-19-2006, 05:55 PM	#7
5knives KaBoom Kontrol Modulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Colorado, Western Slope Posts: 16,229	Couldn't remember where I put the bookmark, but this site is an outstanding source for trying to reserch the enfields; http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~stratton/en-page.html Links to other good sources too. Truth is, with the millions of enfields out there, (and the abundance of fakes) you may have found a new hobby! You will waant to note and recoed everything that even looks like it might have been a mark, once upon a time. Good luck,

05-19-2006, 07:46 PM	#8
pfalz2 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 23,435	Guess I'll have to get some of the enfield books. I got the rifle through a antique dealer/ gun shop on my C&R. Heard about it through a friend that lives near the Canada border part of the year and part down here. The rifle was placed with the dealer by friends of my friend. Some of the family members, are living in the U.S. The rest of the family is in canada. Waiting on a few letters, from them. That will give me a lot of info, hopefully. Anyway as you said it is another hobby!!! And besides it is a very very nice Lee Enfield. It was sold to me as nothing else, with no claims as to anything.