A cheap rifle and a cool hunting story

JSosbe · 11-16-2007, 12:36 AM

I picked up a sporterized 1943 Longbranch No4. Mk 1. about six months ago for 50 bucks at a local gunshop, because it was missing a magazine. I found a replacement at Midway USA and also a no gunsmith mount from ATI. I topped this off with a $19 scope and a set of $3 rings. The mount ran me about $40 and the mag about $30. Now lets add this up, right about $140 in this gun, and some pride in doing some work on it myself. I took my little pal out on opening morning to go hunting. My hunting partners are volunteer firemen who had a training session scheduled opening day, so I ended up staying home opening day watching an alfalfa field that still hadn't been mowed. I saw three deer moving pretty briskly across an open field about 175-200 yards away. My assumption was that they were all does, and were running from (A the hunters on the neighbor's place, or (B a rutting buck. I picked them up in the scope, and sure enough no antlers. I was more interested in meat than points, so I decided if they came a little closer I would try to take one. They move toward the point of a wooded area about 150 yards away and I figured that would be my best chance, so going for the smallest in order to get the tenderest meat, I aimed and the deer stopped. I fired and watched as the other two bounded away and the deer I fired at had dropped stone dead. This was my first deer, and as such I was alittle excited. I went back to the house to get my father and the truck. When I pointed out where the deer lay, he asked "What was it a 2 for 1 sale?" I looked in absolute shock at a second deer 100 feet away laying still, and dead. She had started to spook as I aimed at the other deer and I can only guess that her running brought her right in line behind the first deer. I was firing Federal Powershocks, and my bullet went through the first deer, which sadly turned out to be a button buck, (still a legal deer in KY) and into the left lung of the second deer, a good sized doe. I filled my deer tag with a single shot from a 140 dollar rifle. My explanation, I caught them and I shot them under Rule .303.

rckymtnboy · 11-16-2007, 01:04 AM

What a great story!!! I also picked up a Longbranch No4. at a pawn shop for $50, and fell in love with it. I couldn't believe the accuracy of that gun, especially for the $$$. Your gun is worth even more though, because you have a very special connection to it...your first deer, or should I say your first TWO deer! Sadly, I lost that gun in a house fire, but I'm always on the lookout for another one like it. Congratulations on a great find in a gun, and a great hunting experience.

FutureMarine9 · 11-16-2007, 09:39 PM

wow...great story and shot...Ive heard good things about Enfields if i ever find a good deal on one id get it, but haven't really so far, a couple weeks ago though AIM had em for $100 but i wasn't quick enough nor did i have the cash...maybe next time

LKermit · 11-17-2007, 06:47 AM

I have an Enfield that I picked up at a pawn shop for $80. It had no magazine, and someone had cobbled up the scope mount, but the action is the smoothest I have ever cycled, so, there it is! I have since repaired the scope mount, and fired it a few times. Kicks like a Missouri mule, and the BOOM really is startling. Haven't tried to hunt anything with it, and ammo is nearly a buck/shot.

Question: Can anyone here help with dating and/or ID'ing the rifle?

JSosbe · 11-22-2007, 07:57 AM

LKermit, Mine is a No 4. Mk I made at the Longbranch Arsenal in Canada in 1943. I found the info on the left side of the receiver. My other Enfield was made at Enfield arsenal in 1915. This is stamped on the metal band below the bolt. If it's not there, I'm not sure, there are other arsenals who may put their mark on another part of the rifle. Post some pictures if you can, and we can take a look and try to help.

LKermit · 11-22-2007, 08:50 AM

Jsosbe:

This old rifle has been severely cobbled and even painted!

I looked where you indicated, and sure enough, after using some cleaner, I uncovered this data:

No4MK1 F(FTR)48 (This was apparently double marked farther toward the butt and slightly above the first set, but the second set is now mostly illegible)

Parts of it look to have been hand-engraved, or at least pretty shakily done.

Then, below those markings is: PB 26789

Don't know if that is enough data, but it seems to be all that there is!

LK

ArkansasHunter · 11-22-2007, 09:06 AM

Hey feller congrats on your first and second deer(s) and a nice story too.
Who said you need a 900 to 1400 rigged out rifle to take a deer.

two-70 · 11-22-2007, 09:25 AM

thats a awesome story

JSosbe · 11-25-2007, 12:22 PM

LK, I would say that with a no. 4 Mk I you have a weapon made sometime in the 1940s, and the 48 may well be a date code, signifying it was made in 1948. As for the arsenal, not real sure.

11-16-2007, 12:36 AM	#1
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 83	A cheap rifle and a cool hunting story I picked up a sporterized 1943 Longbranch No4. Mk 1. about six months ago for 50 bucks at a local gunshop, because it was missing a magazine. I found a replacement at Midway USA and also a no gunsmith mount from ATI. I topped this off with a $19 scope and a set of $3 rings. The mount ran me about $40 and the mag about $30. Now lets add this up, right about $140 in this gun, and some pride in doing some work on it myself. I took my little pal out on opening morning to go hunting. My hunting partners are volunteer firemen who had a training session scheduled opening day, so I ended up staying home opening day watching an alfalfa field that still hadn't been mowed. I saw three deer moving pretty briskly across an open field about 175-200 yards away. My assumption was that they were all does, and were running from (A the hunters on the neighbor's place, or (B a rutting buck. I picked them up in the scope, and sure enough no antlers. I was more interested in meat than points, so I decided if they came a little closer I would try to take one. They move toward the point of a wooded area about 150 yards away and I figured that would be my best chance, so going for the smallest in order to get the tenderest meat, I aimed and the deer stopped. I fired and watched as the other two bounded away and the deer I fired at had dropped stone dead. This was my first deer, and as such I was alittle excited. I went back to the house to get my father and the truck. When I pointed out where the deer lay, he asked "What was it a 2 for 1 sale?" I looked in absolute shock at a second deer 100 feet away laying still, and dead. She had started to spook as I aimed at the other deer and I can only guess that her running brought her right in line behind the first deer. I was firing Federal Powershocks, and my bullet went through the first deer, which sadly turned out to be a button buck, (still a legal deer in KY) and into the left lung of the second deer, a good sized doe. I filled my deer tag with a single shot from a 140 dollar rifle. My explanation, I caught them and I shot them under Rule .303.

11-16-2007, 01:04 AM	#2
rckymtnboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: I am a dual resident. Posts: 340 Images: 20	What a great story!!! I also picked up a Longbranch No4. at a pawn shop for $50, and fell in love with it. I couldn't believe the accuracy of that gun, especially for the $$$. Your gun is worth even more though, because you have a very special connection to it...your first deer, or should I say your first TWO deer! Sadly, I lost that gun in a house fire, but I'm always on the lookout for another one like it. Congratulations on a great find in a gun, and a great hunting experience. __________________ When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!

11-16-2007, 09:39 PM	#3
FutureMarine9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: connecticut Posts: 177	wow...great story and shot...Ive heard good things about Enfields if i ever find a good deal on one id get it, but haven't really so far, a couple weeks ago though AIM had em for $100 but i wasn't quick enough nor did i have the cash...maybe next time __________________ Semper Fi Anti gun is anti fun

11-17-2007, 06:47 AM	#4
LKermit Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southwest Posts: 24	Enfield ID I have an Enfield that I picked up at a pawn shop for $80. It had no magazine, and someone had cobbled up the scope mount, but the action is the smoothest I have ever cycled, so, there it is! I have since repaired the scope mount, and fired it a few times. Kicks like a Missouri mule, and the BOOM really is startling. Haven't tried to hunt anything with it, and ammo is nearly a buck/shot. Question: Can anyone here help with dating and/or ID'ing the rifle?

11-22-2007, 08:50 AM	#6
LKermit Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southwest Posts: 24	Enfiled Markings Jsosbe: This old rifle has been severely cobbled and even painted! I looked where you indicated, and sure enough, after using some cleaner, I uncovered this data: No4MK1 F(FTR)48 (This was apparently double marked farther toward the butt and slightly above the first set, but the second set is now mostly illegible) Parts of it look to have been hand-engraved, or at least pretty shakily done. Then, below those markings is: PB 26789 Don't know if that is enough data, but it seems to be all that there is! LK

11-22-2007, 07:57 AM	#5
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 83	LKermit, Mine is a No 4. Mk I made at the Longbranch Arsenal in Canada in 1943. I found the info on the left side of the receiver. My other Enfield was made at Enfield arsenal in 1915. This is stamped on the metal band below the bolt. If it's not there, I'm not sure, there are other arsenals who may put their mark on another part of the rifle. Post some pictures if you can, and we can take a look and try to help.

11-22-2007, 09:06 AM	#7
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,727	Hey feller congrats on your first and second deer(s) and a nice story too. Who said you need a 900 to 1400 rigged out rifle to take a deer.

11-22-2007, 09:25 AM	#8
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	thats a awesome story __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

11-25-2007, 12:22 PM	#9
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 83	LK, I would say that with a no. 4 Mk I you have a weapon made sometime in the 1940s, and the 48 may well be a date code, signifying it was made in 1948. As for the arsenal, not real sure.