Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this bolt-action rifle today for auction, this is the Small Arms Limited Long Branch No. 4 Mk I*.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Small Arms Limited at Long Branch, Ontario, Canada
Model: No. 4 Mk I*
Serial: 94L8583
Date of Manufacture: 1950
Caliber: .303 British
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Winged Protected Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is marked “C No. 4 Mk I* / Long Branch / 1950.” The left side plate -above the trigger- is marked with the serial number “94L8583." The rear sight is marked “C Mk3.” The top of the bolt is marked with a British proof mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “.303 Cal.” The top of the barrel is marked “C.D.I. Swan, VT.”
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
By the late 1930s, the need for new rifles grew, and the Rifle, No. 4 Mk I was officially adopted in November 1939, with mass production commencing in 1941 as new factories were brought online in Britain, Canada, and the United States to meet wartime demand. Its action was based on the earlier No. 1 Mk VI trials rifle, which was strengthened and simplified for large-scale manufacturing, incorporating heavier steel components and revised machining methods to improve durability and output. Unlike the SMLE, which had a flush-fitting barrel and a rounded nose cap, the No. 4 featured a protruding barrel and a squared-off charger bridge to ease machining and reduce production time. The sight system was updated with a receiver-mounted aperture battle sight calibrated for 300 yards and a flip-up ladder sight adjustable from 200 to 1,300 yards, offering greater speed and accuracy than older open or tangent-style sights and reflecting lessons learned from earlier interwar trials and rifles like the Pattern 1914. Heavier than the No. 1 Mk III due to its thicker barrel, the No. 4 delivered improved accuracy and better heat resistance during sustained fire, particularly under combat conditions where rapid fire was common. A new cruciform spike bayonet, nicknamed the “pigsticker,” was introduced for wartime simplicity, designed to be faster and cheaper to produce than earlier patterns, and was manufactured by a wide range of contractors. Later, bladed bayonets like the No. 5, No. 7, and No. 9 were developed—the latter two compatible with the No. 4 rifle and used through the postwar years. In 1942, the simplified No. 4 Mk I* was introduced, replacing the complex bolt-release catch with a machined notch in the bolt track, and was produced exclusively by Canada’s Long Branch factory and the U.S.-based Stevens-Savage Arms under the Lend-Lease agreement, with many rifles marked “U.S. PROPERTY” as part of that program.
Model: No. 4 Mk I*
Serial: 94L8583
Date of Manufacture: 1950
Caliber: .303 British
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 25 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Winged Protected Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is marked “C No. 4 Mk I* / Long Branch / 1950.” The left side plate -above the trigger- is marked with the serial number “94L8583." The rear sight is marked “C Mk3.” The top of the bolt is marked with a British proof mark. The bottom of the barrel is marked “.303 Cal.” The top of the barrel is marked “C.D.I. Swan, VT.”
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
By the late 1930s, the need for new rifles grew, and the Rifle, No. 4 Mk I was officially adopted in November 1939, with mass production commencing in 1941 as new factories were brought online in Britain, Canada, and the United States to meet wartime demand. Its action was based on the earlier No. 1 Mk VI trials rifle, which was strengthened and simplified for large-scale manufacturing, incorporating heavier steel components and revised machining methods to improve durability and output. Unlike the SMLE, which had a flush-fitting barrel and a rounded nose cap, the No. 4 featured a protruding barrel and a squared-off charger bridge to ease machining and reduce production time. The sight system was updated with a receiver-mounted aperture battle sight calibrated for 300 yards and a flip-up ladder sight adjustable from 200 to 1,300 yards, offering greater speed and accuracy than older open or tangent-style sights and reflecting lessons learned from earlier interwar trials and rifles like the Pattern 1914. Heavier than the No. 1 Mk III due to its thicker barrel, the No. 4 delivered improved accuracy and better heat resistance during sustained fire, particularly under combat conditions where rapid fire was common. A new cruciform spike bayonet, nicknamed the “pigsticker,” was introduced for wartime simplicity, designed to be faster and cheaper to produce than earlier patterns, and was manufactured by a wide range of contractors. Later, bladed bayonets like the No. 5, No. 7, and No. 9 were developed—the latter two compatible with the No. 4 rifle and used through the postwar years. In 1942, the simplified No. 4 Mk I* was introduced, replacing the complex bolt-release catch with a machined notch in the bolt track, and was produced exclusively by Canada’s Long Branch factory and the U.S.-based Stevens-Savage Arms under the Lend-Lease agreement, with many rifles marked “U.S. PROPERTY” as part of that program.
As the war progressed, further expedient changes—including simplified sights, stamped components, and variations in barrel rifling—were introduced to accelerate production, resulting in significant variation among rifles produced between 1941 and 1944. The No. 4 rifle saw widespread service among British, Canadian, and other Commonwealth forces during WWII, eventually becoming the standard frontline rifle by the mid-war period and equipping not only British troops but also allied forces across Europe and beyond. After the war, existing rifles were overhauled to a new standard—the No. 4 Mk 2, adopted in 1949, which incorporated improvements such as a redesigned trigger mounting system and served as the basis for continued postwar service and refurbishment programs into the 1950s.
Contents:
This example will ship with one magazine.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1165938015 |
BidPrice: |
684.99 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-05-17 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0 |
