Yep, we did have a couple of Canadianicon C1's at Warminster. Thje odd thing is that of the thousands and thousands that I saw, I could recognise the Australianicon one of course that'd come from the large pooled stores stockpiles in the Far East, but don't think I saw a Canadian on in service even thoug we had pooled Ordnance stocks in Germanyicon (or was that just pooled ammo supplies) but the weapon stocks were pooled for UN duties in Cyprus (?BAR, comment). Those handguard dates certainly equate to when I started to see them but KtK will come on stream and tell us the exact date!

They were certainly more robust than the solid wood versions that were nothing but trouble. They used to split forwards from the screw holes which was a reasonably simple cut-out and patch repair or just a slip patch. But if the threaded insert started to rotate with the screw, that meant the handguard was scrap. What a waste and dues-out (the wait for stores) was months ahead due to the backlog! The rear used to split along the thin part alongside the rear end of the gas tube/carrying handle nut. You COULD repair this bit if you were bored witless but I don't know anyone who did it except as apprentices. I did do one on a nice looking deact for someone recently but under duress followed by a nice bottle........