Canadian Army Rilfes

[wickit]

Anyone know the history of what rifles the Canadian Army used and when they were in service? When did the army switch to automatics?

 

[Nyles]

Well, in short:

1867 - 1900: Snider-Enfield
1900 - 1905: Lee-Enfield Mk.I
1905 - 1910: Ross Mk.I / Mk.II
1910 - 1916: Ross Mk.III
1916 - 1942: SMLE Mk.III (Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III)
1942 - 1954: Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
1954 - 1984: FN C1 / C1A1
1984 - 1990: Diemaco C7
1990 - 2004: Diemaco C7A1
2004 - Current: Colt Canada C7A2

The FN was the first automatic. This is of course fairly simplified, there were other weapons used in limited numbers. Go to http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/rifles.htm for more details about those used in the 20th Century.

 

[cantom]

Well, in short:

1867 - 1900: Snider-Enfield
1900 - 1905: Lee-Enfield Mk.I
1905 - 1910: Ross Mk.I / Mk.II
1910 - 1916: Ross Mk.III
1916 - 1942: SMLE Mk.III (Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III)
1942 - 1954: Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
1954 - 1984: FN C1 / C1A1
1984 - 1990: Diemaco C7
1990 - 2004: Diemaco C7A1
2004 - Current: Colt Canada C7A2

The FN was the first automatic. This is of course fairly simplified, there were other weapons used in limited numbers. Go to http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/rifles.htm for more details about those used in the 20th Century.

There were Canadian machinegunners in WWI. We made and used the Sten machine carbine in WWII, plus afterward made and issued the Sterling SMG. The FNC2 was a light automatic rifle that came out with the C1.

We did stick with the bolt action Lee Enfield long after the Americans had used the M1 Garand but there were other weapons in the mix.

 

[lone-wolf]

I know my grandfather was a Bren gunner in WW2, so throw the Bren on there.

 

[bdft]

Upper Canadians used the Brown Bess. I think Canada ordered some Martini-Henrys for the Riel Rebellion that didn't show up on time. Canadian soldiers in the Boer war carried the Lee-metford, didn't they?

 

[BadgerDog]

Very good book ...

"DEFENDING THE DOMINION CANADIAN MILITARY RIFLES 1855-1955" by David Edgecombe.
http://www.milsurps.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=208

Regards,
Badger

 

[Stevo]

And don't forget, the No4 is still in service.

 

[Unsub]

There were Martini Henrys at the Reil rebellion. They were used by some of the more elite troops to good effect. The Museum at Batoche has some great old rifles and even a small cannon. I believe most soldiers had the Snider though.
The soldiers with the Martini Henrys had the green coats like the riflemen in the Sharpe novels.

 

[cantom]

There were Martini Henrys at the Reil rebellion. They were used by some of the more elite troops to good effect. The Museum at Batoche has some great old rifles and even a small cannon. I believe most soldiers had the Snider though.
The soldiers with the Martini Henrys had the green coats like the riflemen in the Sharpe novels.

Let's not forget the Gatling Gun used to good effect against the rebels in the Riel Rebellion!

 

[Nyles]

That would be the Royal Winnipeg Rifles - dumb mistake on my part, there's one in their museum.

 

[JacquesT]

.....and the thompson, M1 carbine, garand etc...Canadian troops in the
1st Special Service Force (1 SSF) used US made weaponnery....

 

[lone-wolf]

Is the L1A1 aka the FN FAL?

 

[Stevo]

We used the C1 and C1A1.The L1A1 is the British service rifle. Both the C1 and L1 are "inch" version of the FAL.

 

[banskopivo]

Well, in short:

1867 - 1900: Snider-Enfield
1900 - 1905: Lee-Enfield Mk.I
1905 - 1910: Ross Mk.I / Mk.II
1910 - 1916: Ross Mk.III
1916 - 1942: SMLE Mk.III (Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III)
1942 - 1954: Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
1954 - 1984: FN C1 / C1A1
1984 - 1990: Diemaco C7
1990 - 2004: Diemaco C7A1
2004 - Current: Colt Canada C7A2

The FN was the first automatic. This is of course fairly simplified, there were other weapons used in limited numbers. Go to http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/rifles.htm for more details about those used in the 20th Century.

Just a personal observation/testimonial, I was still carrying the FN C1A1, and C1 SMG up till early '91. FN C2 was swapped out for us (out west anyway) in '89-'90 for the C9.

 

[Nyles]

Just a personal observation/testimonial, I was still carrying the FN C1A1, and C1 SMG up till early '91. FN C2 was swapped out for us (out west anyway) in '89-'90 for the C9.

Before my time, to be sure. I'll be the first to admit that's a grossly over-simplified list. We're still using the C7A1 in the reserves (again, at least out west) and likely to continue to do so for a long time yet.

 

[shazam*]

First C7's were issued in 88.
3PPCLI got the first batch to carry in Cyprus, IIRC.

 

[OLD RSM]

Hi Nyles
Drop in some night.
Cheers

 

[Curtton]

the FN C1 was officially adopted in 1956 but did experiment with the FN EX models for 2 years prior .

 

[cantom]

the FN C1 was officially adopted in 1956 but did experiment with the FN EX models for 2 years prior .

I wonder why Canada went with a semi auto main battle rifle when many other countries (particularly our adversaries) already had full auto assault rifles and burp guns? A bit of a disadvantage or no?
I'm aware there was pressure from the Americans to adopt the Nato standard calibre which didn't lend itself to effective full auto fire in a hand held weapon.

 

[x westie]

We used the C1 and C1A1.The L1A1 is the British service rifle. Both the C1 and L1 are "inch" version of the FAL.

The Canadian version of the FN rifle is easily recognized by the cut in the body cover so that the mag could be topped up with stripper clips....the Aussie and the Brit rifles didn't have this feature..also the Canadian rear sight was very unique .