Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1*

[jcm011]

Hey guys,

I'm new here and have a question about my Enfield. I picked up the gun, probably about two years ago, in a pawn shop for only $175 dollars. I'm no gun expert nor do I claim to know a lot, but I love to shoot/hunt and WWII rifles have always been my favorites.
The markings on the rifle say No. 4 Mk. 1* Long Branch 1944. Above the trigger it says England (with what I assume is a product number) and in front of the bolt there is an insignia with a crown that says BNP.
Now I know what most Enfields look like but this one has a different foresight and the stock is a bit different as well.

Sorry for the long post, but my question is-- does this sound like a modified original or a fake with stamps that would trick someone like myself?
I'm sure my explanation of the rifle was obscure so I'll post pictures as soon as possible.

Thanks for any help, folks.

Jacob

[wily1]

I'm sure yours is original, Long Branch means that it was probably made at the Long Branch Arsenal here in Canada. My Enfield looks nothing like the original military rifle as it is sporterized, it has a Monte Carlo (wood) Stock, no sights just a scope. A brass plate was put where the magazine went in and has a five round internal magazine. Except for the action it looks nothing like the rifle carried into battle. They are so common I doubt that anyone would take the time or effort to "fake" one (unless its a Khyber Pass Copy). I believe the crown and BNP were stamped on Enfields that were to be sold as surplus. I think my info is accurate but if anyone knows different please correct me.

[nathangdad]

It is always a good idea to have the barrel swaged in this
gun. That is, have a soft metal slug pushed through the
barrel then perform exacting measurements on the swage.
Due to wartime mass production needs the British accepted
bores to .311 diameter. After swaging, you will know what
diameter is needed for optimal performance.

[Mooseman684]

Originally Posted by nathangdad

It is always a good idea to have the barrel swaged in this
gun. That is, have a soft metal slug pushed through the
barrel then perform exacting measurements on the swage.
Due to wartime mass production needs the British accepted
bores to .311 diameter. After swaging, you will know what
diameter is needed for optimal performance.

It sure as hell aint called "Swaging"...That is making something smaller by force and /or Heat...
It is called Slugging the Barrel with a lead slug for a measurement. Just what the heck does this have to do with the question of Markings ??? You need to leave whatever you are smoking alone...

[jcm011]

Originally Posted by wily1

I'm sure yours is original, Long Branch means that it was probably made at the Long Branch Arsenal here in Canada. My Enfield looks nothing like the original military rifle as it is sporterized, it has a Monte Carlo (wood) Stock, no sights just a scope. A brass plate was put where the magazine went in and has a five round internal magazine. Except for the action it looks nothing like the rifle carried into battle. They are so common I doubt that anyone would take the time or effort to "fake" one (unless its a Khyber Pass Copy). I believe the crown and BNP were stamped on Enfields that were to be sold as surplus. I think my info is accurate but if anyone knows different please correct me.

There's actually no brass plate. Mine has a detachable 10 round magazine. Don't know if that makes a difference, but it makes me happy! Box of 303 is a bit expensive here in Texas though.

[nick112207]

only thing close to Swage that i know of it SWAG which stands for Some wild ass guess

[wunhunglo]

The Crown with BNP below it is a British Proof mark which denotes it has been proof tested for Nitro powder cartridges, sometime after 1954.

This means that the rifle has been offered for sale at some time in the UK. Does it have any factory refurbishment stamps?

There will also be a pressure stamped on the receiver/barrel something like 20tons/sq "

proof.doc

[nathangdad]

Well, the term used in Amarillo, Texas is swaging not slugging
and it is not done with lead as that is a little on the
tough to push down the bore side of life. It is the
object pushed down the bore that is changed (reduced in
diameter and lengthened) by the bore thereby defining the
bore as the swage (Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary).

As to the reply, he did say he likes to shoot/hunt WW2 rifles.
Therefore, I gather he does not intend to mount this one over
the mantle and it is good to have all available info. I would
want it if I posted a question which as yet I have not.

I actually do not smoke anything as my father died from lung
cancer after years of cigarette smoking. Neither do I take
prescription nor non-prescription medication. Due to
a low level of T cells in my bloodstream I suffer from allergies
that preclude the intake of yeasts in beers and most
liquors.

I do not find the need to belittle others who post.
Why do you? Is it that in the act of attempting to humiliate
others you seek some type implied superiority?
Would it not be better to simply ask for a clarification?

[wily1]

Hey Wunhunglo were you a weapons tech, or in a maintenance unit. I was a weapons tech in the Canadian Military (Reserve) for a couple of years and noticed the badge was pretty much the same as ours. Power Under Control right? Our logo was arte et marte. Worked on quite a few surplus Enfields for the cadets one summer when I was stationed out at CFB Shilo but that was quite a few years ago.

Originally Posted by jcm011

There's actually no brass plate. Mine has a detachable 10 round magazine. Don't know if that makes a difference, but it makes me happy! Box of 303 is a bit expensive here in Texas though.

Whats expensive? I pay $20-$25 for Federal Power Shok 150's. As it is now relegated to the role of back-up or knock around rifle I probably won't bother reloading .303.

[wunhunglo]

Wily1

REME.........Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers............Whatever our Army had and could break, we fixed!!


This is the crown you serve under.

This is the chain you are tied with.

This is the horse you'll work like.

This is the lightning you will go like.

This is the bollock you drop if you don't

[timberlord]

Originally Posted by jcm011

There's actually no brass plate. Mine has a detachable 10 round magazine. Don't know if that makes a difference, but it makes me happy! Box of 303 is a bit expensive here in Texas though.

There's Remingtons UMC 174gr ball ammo which is abit cheaper to burn.
Most of my ammo comes from gunshow deals ( avg. 50cents a round ) but since I also deer hunt with the LB No4 , I'll usually have a box or 2 , of Winchester SP 180gr CXP3 on hand at $20 a box.
The ENGLAND and BNP stamps are for Brit regulations for sale to the public.
Enfields ( or any firearm for that matter) of any type/manufacture would have this stamp coming out of England.
Canada's firearm laws have accepted this practice just recently.
Got picts ?
Here's a photo of a '43 Longbranch , as issued , to compare.
Since this rifle never left Canadian hands , there's no BNP or such stamps.
There's gotta be a 100 different ways to sporter an Enfield with different sights , stocks and magazine configurations.

[squirrelbaster]

Originally Posted by nick112207

only thing close to Swage that i know of it SWAG which stands for Some wild ass guess

lol i like that. i mayhave to use that

[jcm011]

I could put up my pictures but the girlfriend took her digital camera out of town for the weekend (until Monday). Soo, it'll be a day or two until I can upload them.
I really appreciate all the answers, and I have another question :-P. What exactly does the asterisk denote? Or is it just something that stamped on all of the rifles?

[timberlord]

The * is particular to Longbranch ( Canada) or Savage/Stevens ( Chicopee Falls Mass. )made rifles.
It's the method as to how to take the bolt out . In your case the bolthead flips out through a slot on the boltrail just behind the chamber .
The rifles without the * ( Mk1) has a plunger type of bolt release which is found on the right side of the receiver under the rearsight.