Lee Enfield 1943 Long Branch No. 4 Mk I* – Unique Post-War Markings

For sale is a 1943 Canadian-made Long Branch Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I* rifle with an interesting, overlapping military history. While the receiver and socket markings document a clear path through post-war European service, the painted insignia on the buttstock adds a unique layer of history.

Meaning of the Paint:

The vertical red, yellow, and green stripes with three stacked black symbols on the stock serve as a tactical or regimental flash used for quick unit identification in a military arms rack.

Top 4 Historical Options for this Mark:

1 Commonwealth Unit Flash: The colors align with the official regimental colors of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) and British RASC from the wartime or immediate post-war era.

2 Greek Gendarmerie/Training Issue: The butt socket features the textbook post-war Greek military inventory stamp (⁠AA 30831⁠) under the original Canadian serial (⁠28L8310⁠); the paint may indicate a specialized Greek internal security or training command.

3 West African / Ghanaian Service: The specific color palette is often associated with mid-century British colonial or post-independence West African military issue (such as Ghana or the Gold Coast).

4 Post-War Depot Rebuild: The rifle likely features a Greek-serviced receiver that was paired with a historically marked stock from a different Commonwealth contract during large-scale commercial surplus refurbishments.

Specs & Condition:

 Receiver: Legible roll-stamping: ⁠No 4 Mk I* / LONG BRANCH / 1943⁠.

 Barrel: Traditional 5-groove barrel (not the common 2-groove) with a bright, reflective bore and sharp lands.

 Serials: Mismatched, which is standard for rifles processed through post-war military depot systems.

 Condition: Honest military service wear on wood and metal, rich patina, and a smooth Mk I* notch-release action.

Price $1200 

Shipping available