The EAL Enfield

[bwingpilot]

I've decided to take a few pics this weekend of my EAL. I bought it a few years ago, and didn't really know what it was until I did some research. Its serial# places it as military gun, although it has been drilled & tapped for a scope & mount. I've been told that this procedure is quite common among these rifles, but it is unknown if this is standard modification done by armorers, or just a few gunsmiths thinking alike. One thing that I found interesting is that I picked up a Compac Super Scope in an Echo mount from Ellwood Epps and it almost fits right on my EAL, which had a Weaver 60-B scope in an Echo mount when I bought it. One main difference between the mounts was that mine used roll pins, while the other used rivets. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy the pics.

Information

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[Badger]

Nice piece ...

Thanks for posting the pics ...

Regards,
Badger

[buffdog]

The E.A.L. rifle was made by Long Branch during the mid-1950's for ESSENTIAL AGENCIES LIMITED, a Toronto Ontario firm. They were made to the same specifications as the C#4Mk.1 except there were no serial numbers on the butt socket of the receiver. The receivers were not ground down to eliminate the usual markings, but were simply not marked. Barrel is correct with the CA markings, and the open sight on the barrel is a MILITARY contract piece. The CIVILIAN pieces had a Mark 2 flip sight mounted on the receiver but was marked for 200 and 400 yards instead of 300 and 600. All pieces were made by CA (Longbranch). The trigger guard is correct, as the loop has been machined off. The receivers were lightened by machining, and marked on the left side with 303 Cal., Serial Number and EAL. There were supposed to be about 7000 of them made, the serial numbers may have started at 1000 as I have never seen one lower than that.

The butt stock is correct, as it is a pistol grip type similar to the #67 Sniper Rifle, and the Jostams recoil pad is correct. The magazine should be a 5 shot, instead of the 10 round one. If you look inside the forestock channel, it should be SOLID, with no lightening cuts as a military forestock. It is a sporter type rifle, but was originally manufactured as such, not as a cut-down sporter. Front sight is correct with the LB stamp. A No.4Mk.1 rear sling swivel is inletted into the forearm. Also check the barrel, it probably is a SIX groove barrel. Safety is correct Canadian type.

These were originally part of a Royal Canadian Air Force specification for survival rifles, but many were issued to the Artic Rangers. There is a NATO stock number for this rifle.

As for the scope and mounting ----BUBBA strikes again.

[Warren]

EAL rifles were NOT made by Long Branch. They were made by a private firm in Toronto from parts purchased from Canadian Arsenals. The entire machining procedure was done in downtown TO... The correct scope mount is a Parker Hale 29A mount and PH rings. Scopes were TASCO and purchased by the Canadian government: best price and warranty in the business at the time. "Break, bugger or otherwise render unserviceable and we give you a new one". Beat them apples....
Cheers,

[buffdog]

Sorry. I was a bit unclear in my post. Yes, the parts were manufactured by Canadian Arsenals, Long Branch, FOR E.A.L., and then assembled in Toronto, using these Long Branch parts. The receivers were lightened by a machine shop in TO. I never meant to imply that EAL MADE the parts, or that CAL made the complete rifle.

[stencollector]

Warren, here is a question for you. If the rifles were made by an outside company from unissued parts, who proofed the barrels? Pretty much every EAL I have seen has the crossed flags with the DCP marks, which I have always understood to mean it was proof fired. Would it have been the barrels only that were proofed, perhaps on a test receiver before leaving the CAL factory?

[Cantom]

Warren, here is a question for you. If the rifles were made by an outside company from unissued parts, who proofed the barrels? Pretty much every EAL I have seen has the crossed flags with the DCP marks, which I have always understood to mean it was proof fired. Would it have been the barrels only that were proofed, perhaps on a test receiver before leaving the CAL factory?

I finally found this thread. Thanks for the pics Bwingpilot!

Warren- Do you have any pics of an EAL with the correct scope and mount? I've never seen any.

[Warren]

I finally found this thread. Thanks for the pics Bwingpilot!

Warren- Do you have any pics of an EAL with the correct scope and mount? I've never seen any.

Yes, I'll try and post them today. The Canadian government purchased TASCO scopes for the EAL (yes, I know I also questioned that also) but they had the best warranty in the business at the time, and the "price was right".

[Cantom]

There were supposed to be about 7000 of them made, the serial numbers may have started at 1000 as I have never seen one lower than that.

I personally had one with a 3 digit serial number, which was sold to a member on here. I have spoken to people that have seen them with 2 digit serial numbers.

Also, I have and my friend has, a military pattern one with no proof mark on the right side of the barrel.

[Oatmeal Savage]

Any E.A.L.'s show up with a straight wristed stock? Please and thank you.

Kevin