The Long Branch Lightened and Shortened No4 (Canada’s would-be Jungle Carbine)

Images courtesy of Robert Knox

 

Canadian Long Branch Lightweight No4 Serial Number J5550-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By 1944, as the war in Europe began to move in favor of the allies, thoughts began to turn to the ongoing conflict in the Pacific. It was apparent that, do to the climate and terrain, a shorter and lighter rifle would be required. Following RSAF Enfield in England and Lithgow in Australia, Canada at the Long Branch Small Arms Factory began trials and tests on a weight reduced version of the No4 rifle.

 

Each factory designed its own unique concept of a modified rifle. RSAF Enfield proceeded with a new rifle similar to the No4 which in the end became known as the No5 Rifle. Lithgow followed a path that would convert No1 Rifles into a shortened version, eventually known as the No6 Rifle. Longbranch moved to convert No4 rifles.

 

When examining Long Branch’s version of the Jungle Carbine it is plainly obvious that little of the basic No4 rifle was left untouched in the drawing room. The result incorporated several desirable modifications to the basic No4 and also included several desirable features of the almost forgotten P-14 rifle.

 

Lightening modifications included shortening and lightening of the barrel, milling of the receiver, lightening the bolt and trigger guard. The stock was lightened by including finger grooves to both the fore-end and rear hand guard, while the butt was deeply milled out.

 

The front sight was redesigned to resemble that which is found on the P-14; while the rear sight was to be a stamped steel 100-800 yard flip sight similar to the MkIII sight designed for the No4 Rifle (the images provided on this page illustrate a T model micrometer sight).

 

Other modifications included bending the bolt handle slightly forward and the removal of the buttsocket. This change facilitated the incorporation of a one piece fore-end (like the P-14) and the hanging of the trigger from the receiver as opposed to the trigger guard (this modification would eventually become the basis for the No4 MkI/2 and I/3 conversions and the No4 Mk2 rifle). To compensate for the removal of the buttsocket a large stock bolt was added to the fore-end in the same location. Finally for the magnified recoil a commercial style rubber kick pad was added to the butt.

 

Though the Canadian Lightened and Shortened No4 appeared to have the makings of a very capable rifle, the war in the Pacific ended. Further trials and production was ordered halted by the government, in the end only about 50 of these rifles were ever built certainly putting them just about on top of the rare list for “collectability”.

 

As these rifles were only ever in the test trials stages of development, markings are very minimal. Each rifle should display on its receiver ring the drawing number J5550 followed by the rifles serial number 1 thru 50, this number will be also found on the bolt. These markings will be the only ones specific to the trials rifle, though other stamps may be found on them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image details the slightly turned bolt handle, the absent buttsocket and the modified trigger guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this image the P-14 style front sight arrangement can be seen, also the milling for the standard No4 spike bayonet. Note the absence of a flash hider, this was never incorporated into the design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good look at the lightened buttstock and the recoil pad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The JOSTAM anti-flinch pad which was far superior to the one designed for the British No5 Rifle. This pad would later re-surface on the Canadian made EAL rifle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen here is the stock bolt in place of the buttsocket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image illustrates the radically lowered left receiver wall with a thumb groove for charger loading, the milled portion under the rear sight reminiscent of the No1 MkVI. Also seen is the stock bolt and the Long Branch style (foot) safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture shows the finger grooves in the fore-end and handguard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another shot of the front sight and bayonet lugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The receiver marking identifying this rifle as a Canadian Lightened and Shortened No4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The matching bolt J5550-12. Notice the rear sight which has no battle sight aperture, No4 MkI “T” style.

 

 

 

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