Custom order C1A1?

[boltaction]

Good morning everyone:
I've been looking for a nice C1A1 to round out my Canadian collection for a few years now; I had had one of the 1968 OPP contract ones several years ago and sold it when I foolishly downsized my collection, and of course have regretted that since. Anyway, I recently picked up this C1A1. The fellow I bought it from obtained it in the 1970's from the original owner, who had apparently ordered it custom from CAL back in about 1960 or 1961. It is a C1A1, but has the C2 barrel on it and bipod. It's a nice piece, needs cleaning from sitting for a couple of decades.

Does anyone know the history of these? I was born in 1968, so grew up in the Trudeau era when these were banned, and the only reality of C1A1 and FN's in general I have ever known is that of a "prohibited" weapon and government mistrust of its citizens. I know the Canadian military reportedly destroyed their stocks when they changed to the C7, and it supposedly was only a few of the OPP which are on the market (still like to find one). Was it really possible to special order one of these from CAL back in the day? If so, I find it really depressing to realize how much we as gun owners have lost in Canada.

Ed

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[browningautorifle]

I know Warren will know for sure, but I'm pretty sure that at one time the DCRA could use the military rifles and own them outright for their competition purposes. That would explain the originator. As for the rest of your suspicions, they're just about right. Yes, the OPP had the 8L series and the RCMP had some as well. The ones we had in stores when the C7 took over were put into war reserve as part of the C7 contract and when sufficcient stocks of C7s had been produced, they were mostly destroyed. They were still there for some time though, because the JTF was able to draw some for Afghanistan. The mags were depleted however and there was a shortage of them. They were never released and contrary to rumor were never sold to a banana republic. Now...where's Warren?

[Lee Enfield]

C1 SMGs, C1 & C2 rifles were sold to the public thru the auspices of the DCRA to DCRA and the various provincial rifle association members from the late 1950s thru the closing of the CAL plant in the early 1970s.

They were also auctioned off as/after the factory closed.

[enbloc8]

The "FAL Bible" compilation of R. Blake Stevens' three FAL books includes a reprint of a bill of sale for several C1A1s that were sold to members of a rifle club in 1972.

Looking at the pictures of the OP's C1A1, I notice the upper receiver appears to have the 8L-series lightening cuts on the mag well. Was this common among pre-8L rifles?

[browningautorifle]

If you mean on the flat side of the receiver lower right where it supports the mag, I remember all C1's having that lightening cut.

[enbloc8]

If you mean on the flat side of the receiver lower right where it supports the mag, I remember all C1's having that lightening cut.

Really? It seems to be a common belief among SLR fans down in the States that only the 8L-series rifles had that kind of lightening cut. Everybody I've talked to seems to think that the pre-8L rifles had the bigger four-sided cut akin to the Belgian FALs.

(Of course, the primary reference for C1s down here seems to be the FAL books by Stevens, and the photo coverage of as-issued C1s is sorely lacking.)

[browningautorifle]

I was only ever issued a couple of 8L series. Not much really because they were held for the rifle team use. Just because they were new. Not extraordinarily accurate. Most of my rifles were much earlier series. I'm sure they had the lightening cut. It was right under the carry handle when it folded. Some things changed like the charger cutout inside the receiver for the thumb, but the cut we're discussing was there. I'm sure of it. I understand the earlier version had a bit different cut but are you only concerned about the simple cutout? Or the presence of a cutout period?

[boltaction]

I don't know anything much about variations of the C1 as there is little info out about them, but this one was originally built in 1960, with no modifications certainly since the late 1960's. So, I think the receiver is as it was built, FWIW. Does anyone want me to take photos of the internals or the receiver when cracked open?

Ed

[browningautorifle]

More detailed photos are always welcome. We use them for later comparisons and admiring your prize...

[enbloc8]

I was only ever issued a couple of 8L series. Not much really because they were held for the rifle team use. Just because they were new. Not extraordinarily accurate. Most of my rifles were much earlier series. I'm sure they had the lightening cut. It was right under the carry handle when it folded. Some things changed like the charger cutout inside the receiver for the thumb, but the cut we're discussing was there. I'm sure of it. I understand the earlier version had a bit different cut but are you only concerned about the simple cutout? Or the presence of a cutout period?

The shape of the cutout. I've never heard of an inch-pattern SLR that didn't have a lightening cut of some sort on the magazine well.

How would you say the accuracy and/or quality of the 8Ls was, compared to the run-of-the-mill rifles in service? Given how few 8Ls were produced, I can see opportunity to produce either a really good product, or a mediocre product...especially given how CAL was having trouble staying afloat in later years.