1950 Long Branch No4 Mk I* |
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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i do not think the retooling costs to return to the mkI would have been worth it - they converted right away , very early 1941 production of the mkI was about 10-15K rifles in the 0L to 1L range of the 900,000+ made through 45 ,
i have one that was converted to mkI/2 , i consider it special as there can't be many of the early mkI rifles that survived to be converted , would love to find a longbranch mkI in original nick to go with her but i don't think it in the cards ,
FYI 1950 saw the first use of the 'Cno4 mkI*' inscription , |
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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At some point in the 1950s, LB started making the C Mk 4 barrel, six groove RH twist. There is one of these on my Dads No. 4(T).
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SteelFlint
Senior Member Joined: November 03 2018 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Talked the seller down a few, so another Lee soon to be added to the collection. So, if indeed unfired... what's the opinion - would you fine people break in a virgin rife? I'm on the fence; thinking I do my share of novel molestation and forget about her in the back of the safe for awhile lol
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hoadie
Moderator Group Joined: March 16 2006 Location: Niagara/Canada Status: Offline Points: 9003 |
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It has been fired...at least once. When it was born
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Loose wimmen tightened here
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Bear43
Special Member Donating Member Joined: August 11 2010 Location: Doland, SD Status: Offline Points: 3059 |
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I would fire it once in a while but not on a regular basis. Super nice examples are something to be pampered and there are lots of mismatched and rough examples available for regular range time. I myself have a very nice No 1 Mk III* that I no longer fire. It's a beautiful all matching rifle and I have several mismatched ex-sporters I can plink with so there is no sense in putting more wear and tear on the nice one. Just my thoughts, anyway.
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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I know what I would do. Clean bore with boretech eliminator before you shoot.
Break in bore by shooting:
Now you have a barrel that will not foul copper. It has worked for me on new barrels very well. Get a good coated one piece cleaning rod. If you get boretech eliminator, you will need their cleaning implements (jag and nylon brush), eliminator will eat brass and bronze. This is the best bore cleaner I have used. Just don’t get it on the stock, it will remove the finish. I also suggest you get the Possum Hollow breach cleaning rod guide and solvent port adapter. Use a cloth over the butt stock so the solvent does not get on the wood. Enjoy the new rifle! Let us know what the rifling is, 2, 5 or 6 groove? |
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SteelFlint
Senior Member Joined: November 03 2018 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Right.. lap the barrel and preserve for perpetuity, sounds good gents. I am indeed still shooting the first faux Lee Speed that I picked up and will likely run out of ammo before I run out of interest on that one lol. Solid advice!
I went to snakes vs rods some time ago - but that’s likely a different thread lol. Yes will confirm rifling when I have her in my hands and share. Cheers
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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it has been fired - there are no virgins here , these were made to be shot , take care of it and shoot it - enjoy what you bought or some other bloke will do so after your death ,
forgot to mention - if that is a photo of your new girl pay her lots of attention - she is gorgeous
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SteelFlint
Senior Member Joined: November 03 2018 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Thanks A Square. Yeah I've not seen one so clean...
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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yup - no bayonet mount scratches - never had one fitted or only maybe once , you need to bereak her in easy , treat her good , but personally if it has no wear marks at all the hair on the back of my neck stands tall and reminds me we were not always such a gental species on this globe ,
it is a prime example of that eras production from what little i see
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SteelFlint
Senior Member Joined: November 03 2018 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Will post full close ups when she arrives...
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SteelFlint
Senior Member Joined: November 03 2018 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 100 |
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Canada Post came through today and this fine example of a pristine 1950 Long Branch arrived in my hands safe and sound! Looks like some handling marks and a safe kiss here and there, but otherwise this rifle indeed looks unfired since it left the factory. The barrel is still full of packing grease - I venture to opine that this was done when it left the production floor - so I will lap this through, count grooves and report back. Some pictures below - please so share any insights you might have, let me know if you gents want more angles! Cheers!
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britrifles
Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Offline Points: 6539 |
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Outstanding!
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Stanforth
Senior Member Joined: January 08 2017 Location: Oxford England Status: Offline Points: 773 |
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After the war money was tight. We were demobbing lots of troops and the Mk2 was being produced. Within 5 years we were involved in Korea and then busy adopting the L1A1 in 7.62 NATO. Regarding your question (in another post) here in the UK the L42A1 is usually advertised as 7.62 NATO whereas in America it is usually shown as .308. I suppose it depends on which is the most recognised calibre in the particular market.
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Life.. a sexually transmitted condition that is invariably fatal.
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A square 10
Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Offline Points: 14452 |
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true that but i did once have a nice charnwood conversion of the no4 to 162x51 and its chamber and action hated the commercial 308
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Whitjr
Senior Member Joined: September 09 2018 Location: Piedmont, NC Status: Offline Points: 426 |
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I’m learning a lot from you gents.
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