Enfield No4 MkI* Long Branch Canada .303 British Bolt Action Rifle & Competition Parker Hale PH5C Sight, MFD 1950 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025
LSB#: 191108MD03
Make: Long Branch Arsenal, Canada.
Model: Enfield No4 Mk I*
Serial Number: 91L6033
Year of Manufacture: 1950
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Bolt Action, Detachable Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The left side of the stock collar is marked with the serial number. The left side of the receiver is marked “C No4 MKI* / LONG BRANCH / 1950”. Beginning in 1946 “C” was marked in front of the Long Branch Rifle designation (page 20 of Charles Stratton’s book, British Enfield Rifles Volume 2, 3rd Edition). The rear of the bolt handle is marked with the serial number. The left side of the stock collar, rear of the bolt handle, cocking indicator, safety, both barrel bands, bottom of the grip, and bottom of the forearm are each marked with an “A inside a C” which is a Canadian Arsenals (CA) stamping (formerly Canadian Small Arms Factory Ltd. Long Branch, Ontario). The bolt head is marked with a few overstamped markings. The rear sight is marked “Parker Hale / MADE IN ENGLAND” and “PH.5C”. The bottom of the magazine is marked with the serial number (engraved, not stamped). There are a few other small stampings on the metal parts. The bottom of the forearm is marked with the serial number. The grip is marked with a small inspection stamp. The left side of the butt is painted with a large “LT”. The top of the butt is marked “L”. The interior of the web sling is marked “”WOODS M’F’G. CO. LTD. 1941” and with a Canadian acceptance mark “arrow inside a C”. The soft case is marked “Can. Match Rifle”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 25 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between two protective ears. The rear sight is a Parker Hale PH5C fully adjustable aperture sight. The left side of the sight is marked “0 20 40 60”, “0 5”, “2 4 6 8 10 12” and with small lines. The top of the sight is marked “20 0 20 / 5 0 5” and with small lines. The adjustment knobs turn and the rear aperture housing can be unscrewed to remove or replace it.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a semi pistol grip, 2 nosecaps, 2 barrel bands, 2 sling loops, and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. The refinished buttplate, the nosecaps and front barrel band all show scrapes and light oxidation. The left side of the grip is missing a small chip of wood. The stock shows various scrapes and scratches. A few have damaged small portions of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 ½ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Oil Blackened Metal (page 163 of Charles Stratton’s book, British Enfield Rifles Volume 2, 3rd Edition)
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the grooves near the muzzle are grey. The rifling is deep. There is some fouling in the grooves near the muzzle. There is no visible erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The front of the barrel, the stock collar, the top of the receiver bridge (stripper clip guide), and the trigger guard have been treated with cold blue; they show areas of discoloration. Small scratches show through the cold blue. The metal shows small scrapes and handling marks. The screw heads are intact. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes in a custom navy blue soft case with beige accents. It has some sawdust on the exterior. It is in about Fine condition. Once you clean up the exterior it will rate higher. The rifle also comes with a magazine and a slng. The refinished 10 round magazine shows scrapes & light thinning. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition, as refinished. The tan web sling shows some soiling on the sling as well as oxidation & scrapes on the brass. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
Our Assessment: This Enfield No4 Mk1* was made at the Long Branch Arsenal in Canada back in 1950. It looks great and has nice markings. Its deep markings include the “LONG BRANCH” designation and matching numbers on the receiver, bolt handle, forearm, and magazine. This Enfield has a strong bore and now uses a Parker Hale PH5C target sight, so it should shoot nicely. The rifle comes with a custom soft case and a web sling. The Parker Hale PH5C target sight was used on No4 MkI Enfields for Military competition target matches in Canada. These matches were held by the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA).