Rare Long Branch .22 prototype pre-cno7
- Thread starter Biloba
- Start date
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The rifle is nestled comfortably in the back of the locker. When I get it out next time, I'll post them up. Bob Robinson worked at Torrington (if I remember correctly).
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The stock has some very Remington Model 30 lines.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Robinson, and no I doubt it. He'd be in his 90s if he is still alive.
Was searching the memory banks last night - I recalled that CAL manufactured some very unique items in an attempt to stay alive. The one piece Enfield was amongst the rifles produced for commercial sale. I had a copy of the brochure however it was lost in a computer crash. If anybody had a copy pls PM and I'll arrange to post it.
Here's a picture of the 2 piece from the Canadian War Museum. It's interesting as it's cataloged "Bolt Action Rifle - EAL/CAL". It may also be know as the "RCAF Survival Rifle" however research has shown that this title belongs to the EAL mid 5000 + serial numbers. Definitely "early" as noted by the stock. Anybody know the approx serial numbers of these?
My point - CAL was involved in both the one piece and 2 pc "survival" rifles.
Check out the CWM site - they also have a prototype No5 Mk1 (1943 - same year as the Light Weight) - that's another story and maybe a separate thread.
Here's a picture of the 2 piece from the Canadian War Museum. It's interesting as it's cataloged "Bolt Action Rifle - EAL/CAL". It may also be know as the "RCAF Survival Rifle" however research has shown that this title belongs to the EAL mid 5000 + serial numbers. Definitely "early" as noted by the stock. Anybody know the approx serial numbers of these?
My point - CAL was involved in both the one piece and 2 pc "survival" rifles.
Check out the CWM site - they also have a prototype No5 Mk1 (1943 - same year as the Light Weight) - that's another story and maybe a separate thread.
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Not sure what research you are referring to. Mid 5000+ EAL rifles are believed to be a Canadian Ranger buy.
It is further believed that the RCAF also had EAL rifles in their inventory which augmented existing RCAF survival rifles.
Re the sales brochure, are you referring to the pic found in the Defence Material Catalogues of 1967 and 1968? If so, here is the pic. Note that the rifle has no front sight protectors.
CMichaud - the info you posted is great however I've recall see something earlier which showed a one piece Enfield as well as the CWM "Bolt Action Rifle" with the sight protector plates. See CAL is listing item 4 "Sporter 303" - appears to be an EAL with a 5 shot mag. Where is Warren Wheatfield when you need him? Anybody got what I'm talking about?
I have two of the rcaf pre eal rifles. There is no eal numbers on these. I believe they where made before the eal production. They are easily recognizable by the front sight protector.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Not sure what research you are referring to. Mid 5000+ EAL rifles are believed to be a Canadian Ranger buy.
It is further believed that the RCAF also had EAL rifles in their inventory which augmented existing RCAF survival rifles.
Re the sales brochure, are you referring to the pic found in the Defence Material Catalogues of 1967 and 1968? If so, here is the pic. Note that the rifle has no front sight protectors.
A few dozen properly sporterized No.4s exist in the inventory as Survival Rifles. I know because I have seen lists of SNs which were once issued to Mapping and Charting Establishment as part of the standard Arctic camp gear. The DND Life Cycle Materials Manager assured me that they were cut down rifles, but were a handy package. The interesting thing for me is several serial numbers were sequential and all were single digit-before the L serial numbers.
Must...resist....derail!!! Forgive me Biloba....
Yes. There is a photo of PM Harper shooting what appears to be a sporterized LE up North when he visited the Rangers. There were also at least one Parker Hale's in use by the Rangers according to a buddy that worked with them.
Serial numbers I am aware of for NSN: 1005-21-808-9499 included EAL and Long Branch serials.
The description stated:
Rifle, .303 Calibre, Lee Enfield, No 4, Mk 1 *
Modified to sporting model for survival kit in
accordance W/RCAF EO 30-65FE, 106.68 cm
(42.000 in) O/A lg, W/5 shot magazine, stock fitted
W/recoil pad.
The LB numbers were spread across the years but the earliest I saw was is in the 7L range (June 42 or so?) EAL rifles held at the end of life were almost exclusively serial number 6000+ EALs.
The pic above of the armourer shows several of the RCAF survival rifles - at least one I have seen retained the LB serial number #24L9740.
The issue of EAL rifles pre-6000 (and more specifically pre 5,000) is thus far anecdotal based on what I have been able to determine. The pic above does seem to show a tie down loop on the one 6th from the left however this could simply be a replaced trigger guard?
It would be very interesting to find a copy of RCAF EO 30-65FE.
As cantom said, a very interesting thread indeed.
Is there anyone left from Small Arms, Canadian Arsenals or EAL, or have they all passed away??
This would be a great subject for a separate thread, but I figured anyone that would have a deep interest concerning Long Branch would already have their nose here.
It is kind of sad for the Canadian firearms community that more extensive research into the above three was not undertaken years ago.
The last fellows I knew who had a vast knowledge passed away a few years ago.
They never worked there, but they sure had a deep interesting knowledge about Long Branch.
Does Ganderite know of anyone left from old school ORA - DCRA crowd that would have any insight??
CFB Borden Museum?
CFB Borden Weapons School? (there were few people with connections to the older crowd, but that was a few years back though)
Just thinking outside the box here!
Is there anyone left from Small Arms, Canadian Arsenals or EAL, or have they all passed away??
This would be a great subject for a separate thread, but I figured anyone that would have a deep interest concerning Long Branch would already have their nose here.
It is kind of sad for the Canadian firearms community that more extensive research into the above three was not undertaken years ago.
The last fellows I knew who had a vast knowledge passed away a few years ago.
They never worked there, but they sure had a deep interesting knowledge about Long Branch.
Does Ganderite know of anyone left from old school ORA - DCRA crowd that would have any insight??
CFB Borden Museum?
CFB Borden Weapons School? (there were few people with connections to the older crowd, but that was a few years back though)
Just thinking outside the box here!
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
OK! I found my copy of the survival rifles issued to Mapping and Charting Establishment as of Oct 1998. There were 18 rifles, 1x 2L, 1x 4L, and 16x5L serial numbers. The NSN is 1005-21-808-9499, "RIFLE, CALIBER .303".
All were returned to Stores when the unit effectively completed mapping the High Arctic, when the storage hangar they were occupying at Uplands had to be given back to the Base, and when the mission of MCE turned 90-deg from surveying mountain peak spot heights and making maps, to terrain analysis with mountains of Geographic Information System electronic data.
These would be the same rifles then although my list was from 2019. It showed 76 LB serials associated with the NSN 1005-21-808-9499 that were still held in the system at the time.
I dug out my list and took another look. The earliest number they showed was 2L0527
