1942 Long Branch Training Rifle
Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 5:15 pm
Mosins and their cousins are at the front of my collection followed by Enfield service rifles and revolvers. I recently ran in to a rare and unique model. A 1943 Long Branch Training Rifle, the Enfield rifle model made in Canada.
Before I go any further I need to thank our Canadian member Sonny who put me on the right path to getting the history and some missing parts for this rifle. I also need to thank Allan and Sharon Kerr of The Canadian Militaria Preservation Society for their help in the research and parts for this rifle. Please check out their website at, http://canadianmilitaria.pastperfectonline.com.
This is not your Enfield Long Branch rifle in .303 caliber. This Long Branch Training Rifle was produced at the Long Branch Arsenal near Toronto, Canada in 1943-44. They were used for preliminary rifle training of all ground forces training. There was only one model and they were marked either 1943 or 1944 depending on the production year with about 4000 training rifles manufactured. Patterned after the SMLE service rifle they used a SMLE bolt body and was a close replica of the SMLE service rifle. I did not have a caliber as such. This trainer was attached to a target stand with the front of the unit no further than ¼' from the target. When the trigger was activated it released two needles, ( they used phonograph needles ), that struck the paper target. A perfect score would be the top needle 180 degrees above the bottom needle. Any “shot” that was to the right or left of 180 degrees resulted in a lower score. Not only does the shooter strive to be accurate he needs to have the rifle butt against shoulder with correct pressure or it will not fire. This rifle is missing the additional butt plate for this action but it is in the works coming from Allan Kerr.
One unusual thing about this rifle is its weight, eight and 1/2 lbs. Almost the same as my real Long Branch Enfield. Taking it apart solved this riddle. The stock bed is lined with lead to match the actual weight the real rifle itself.
The British had a similar rifle, the Swift Rifle. It worked on the same principal but as usual they made eight models making small improvements as they went along.
Before I go any further I need to thank our Canadian member Sonny who put me on the right path to getting the history and some missing parts for this rifle. I also need to thank Allan and Sharon Kerr of The Canadian Militaria Preservation Society for their help in the research and parts for this rifle. Please check out their website at, http://canadianmilitaria.pastperfectonline.com.
This is not your Enfield Long Branch rifle in .303 caliber. This Long Branch Training Rifle was produced at the Long Branch Arsenal near Toronto, Canada in 1943-44. They were used for preliminary rifle training of all ground forces training. There was only one model and they were marked either 1943 or 1944 depending on the production year with about 4000 training rifles manufactured. Patterned after the SMLE service rifle they used a SMLE bolt body and was a close replica of the SMLE service rifle. I did not have a caliber as such. This trainer was attached to a target stand with the front of the unit no further than ¼' from the target. When the trigger was activated it released two needles, ( they used phonograph needles ), that struck the paper target. A perfect score would be the top needle 180 degrees above the bottom needle. Any “shot” that was to the right or left of 180 degrees resulted in a lower score. Not only does the shooter strive to be accurate he needs to have the rifle butt against shoulder with correct pressure or it will not fire. This rifle is missing the additional butt plate for this action but it is in the works coming from Allan Kerr.
One unusual thing about this rifle is its weight, eight and 1/2 lbs. Almost the same as my real Long Branch Enfield. Taking it apart solved this riddle. The stock bed is lined with lead to match the actual weight the real rifle itself.
The British had a similar rifle, the Swift Rifle. It worked on the same principal but as usual they made eight models making small improvements as they went along.
Very cool for sure. Always thought they were a neat item.