C1A1 serial numbers, how did they work?

I was able to handle a C1A1 with serial 0L0001 today, and was wondering what that meant. Seems like an awfully low number to me.

earlier than a C1A1 , its a C1 1956, second of the production line. 0L0000 would be the first. what condition is it in?
 
It was cosmetically in great shape. I didn't get a chance to check for matching receiver numbers though. The cocking handle fell off once, however! Not while I was shooting it! Thanks guys!


edit: Just to be clear, this was an army rifle and was used at Vokes Range.
 
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From R Blake Stevens North American FALs:

(Not counting the FN CDN EX-1 and 2 trials rifles and toolroom prototypes);

0L0000 - 0L5999 Rifle 7.62mm FNC1

0L6001 - 2L9659 FNC1 with modified magazine catch, bore reduced from 0.300 to 0.298, bore and chamber chrome plated.

2L9700 - 6L5374 FNC1, rifling groove diameter reduced from .310 to .307

6L5375 Production halted due to to pirced primer scare; 7,399 rifles remaining in the contract

6L5376 - 7L2775 contract completed with C1 rifles

NOTE: Many early C1s were handstamped "A1" when routinely overhauled and converted to C1A1 specifications, under maintenance contracts placed with Canadian Arsenals Ltd.

8L0001 on late productiom "C1A2" rifles. Highest number seen, 8L5018

[basically every 10,000 rifles, you add a number before the L, 0L5999 is the 5999th rifle produced, 8L0001 is the 80,001st rifle produced etc]

one C2 (0L0001) was produced with the same serial number as a C1, after that , C2 serial numbers were xLA###, highest C2 number seen was 3LA897

Hope this is what you are looking for.
 
It was cosmetically in great shape. I didn't get a chance to check for matching receiver numbers though. The cocking handle fell off once,

great shape ? ... good to hear .

i got a pin for the cocking handle , if they need it then give me a shout .
 
7L2612 at the Armoured Corps School in Camp Borden 1965. Also had SMG 0S7185 as the SMG was the personal weapon in the Armoured Corps.Rhyming off these s/ns is my very own personal check against the onset of Alzheimers.
 
Here is mine

DSC06100_edited.jpg
 
hey tony

what would an original C1 look like?

the C1 butt and carry handle is best illustrated in a book THE FAL RIFLE by r.blake stevens .

heres is a pic of the only C1 that was made before the one in your pic , its the 0L0000 and its in the canadian war museum .

C11956002.jpg


you will notice the C1 carry handle is made out of wood (C1A1 is brown plastic) and the front end of the butt has a different contour, the C1A1 has a cross grain inserts installed (see your pic). along with a new re-enforced butt came a beefy butt plate.
 
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