SWWBO doesn't always understand why I have, oh, say, 6 No.4 Mk1 rifles. Of course those of you out there who share my obsession hobby understand - because they're all *different*! That one has the early model safety, that one the Mark 2* sight, or, I needed one to put under this bayonet...
This is one of those rifles. A mid-production (1943) Long Branch No 4, that mixes older and newer features. For my money, the Long Branch No 4's are overall the best-built for fit and finish - with the caveat that the Brit-made rifles were every bit as serviceable, if not as nicely finished, but hey, the Germans *were* bombing the factories and towns, and just across the Channel, so I'll cut the Brit gunmakers some slack there.
No, this one is in the collection for the history of it. A Brit-designed rifle, made in Canada, with New Zealand property marks, that somehow found it's way to the United States before the laws mandated the importers marks be added to the weapons when they arrived in the US. Now, if I can find a South African and Greek marked rifles, I'll have a full set of "user marked" rifles....
Here's a full-view foldout for you Gun Pr0n aficionados...
This is one of those rifles. A mid-production (1943) Long Branch No 4, that mixes older and newer features. For my money, the Long Branch No 4's are overall the best-built for fit and finish - with the caveat that the Brit-made rifles were every bit as serviceable, if not as nicely finished, but hey, the Germans *were* bombing the factories and towns, and just across the Channel, so I'll cut the Brit gunmakers some slack there.
No, this one is in the collection for the history of it. A Brit-designed rifle, made in Canada, with New Zealand property marks, that somehow found it's way to the United States before the laws mandated the importers marks be added to the weapons when they arrived in the US. Now, if I can find a South African and Greek marked rifles, I'll have a full set of "user marked" rifles....
Here's a full-view foldout for you Gun Pr0n aficionados...
You're learning.
(Pictures to follow)
P.s. I'll divulge an opinion about The Donovan: He has two brains in that huge head, one a normal one which allowed him to be an Army Officer and Battery Commander, the other an autistic co-processor which drove him to collect the Arsenal of Argghhh! and acquire all of those kitties and doggies and other strays, such as those who leave comments here.
The Donovan seems to have the priceless ability to switch back and forth between "strange" and "normal" voluntarily, according to which one amuses him the most at the moment.
Did you you that the Canadian Forces still issues the .303 No.4? They are given to our Canadian Rangers who patrol our North.
http://www.rangers.dnd.ca/pho/index-eng.asp?gallery=ig-ri&image=cr-rc-08