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- Thread starter granite
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I wouldn't sell mine that low. They are to hard to find and minty ones are next to impossible to come across.
If you're looking for minty stuff, grab it when it shows up. They are few and far between.
Most people don't realize what the military EAL rifles are. I have seen maybe, 6-8 and all but the one I have were beat to hell. Same goes for the civvy EAL rifles. Most were handy hunting rifles and well used.
In Penticton, a minty Savage No4 MkI* sold for $750, less than an hour into the show.
In Kamloops, I saw several No4 MkI* rifles but only one that was minty and it had $850 on it.
The rest were reasonably priced. Some were very nice FTRs but they don't fetch as much as a NIG factory rifle.
The thing about EAL rifles is that they are few and far between.
Even many so called No4 collectors have no idea what they are.
Many don't even consider the military contract rifles to be milsurps. OH WELL.
There is a very small segment of the No 4 collectors of even the overall Lee Enfield collectors that look upon them as anything, other than curiosities.
I have one of each. I've shown them to other collectors and just get a blank stare. Most have no idea what they are or where they were assembled, or by whom.
An almost complete lack of records, doesn't help.
It's kind of like the "Old Webley Revolver Club." When you go looking for records, from anything that went through the "Army & Navy Collective Society," you run into a wall. The records exist but there is a very decent fellow in the USA that has them. The only way to find out about him is through chance. The CFC knows all about him and his records. They won't mention him though.
Somewhere, all of the records for the EALs that were sold to the RCAF and Rangers etc, are hiding in a dark vault or most likely cupboard/filing cabinet. The person that has them, likely hasn't a clue or could care less about what they are, other than a curiosity.
They are lovely rifles. Very well balanced and easy to handle. I suspect, that's why they made the civilian models at cut rate prices.
I've never seen two alike as far as milsurps go. There is always something different about them. Tiny differences that don't make any differences to function and are normally cosmetic. Things like fore end straps being covered with glued in wood inserts or being bare. No EAL prefix stamp on two of the six I've seen, including mine. One even had a striated trigger.
Some with gloss finishes that rival sporting rifles of the period and some that have matte finishes. Some are drilled and tapped for side mount Weaver bases and scopes. Most aren't.
That's the biggest problem with these lovely rifles. So many differences that they are each a custom rifle. I don't know and can't find anyone that does but all of the military contract rifles I've seen, have been meticulously bedded. Mine is a work of art in the ways. The other one I saw that was stripped down for cleaning, was every bit as well done.
The same can't be said for the civvy models. They seem to have been put together with fore ends as they came and no other attempts at fitting.
I really like the EAL rifles. The couple I've shot, one milsurp and one civilian were good shooters. The milsurp, was by far the best and considering the condition was the same on both rifles, no visible reason for the accuracy difference, other than the quality of the bedding.
If you run across a decent EAL, buy it, if you can afford it. They are a piece of the No 4 history that is unique to Canada. They are as unique to Canadian military history as the Long Branch No 4 rifles or P35 Inglis pistols. No Lee Enfield collection, especially Canadian directed collections, is complete without an EAL in milsurp guise. Not a thing wrong with the civilian model either.
I guess I've gotten my point across that I really like EALs. Now, I'm on the lookout for a scoped model, with the proper base, mounts, rings and scope. One will do fine. I'm sure there are more than a few varieties kicking around out there.
Collecting Lee Enfields is interesting and fun. The EAL is just another aspect with a twist of intrigue.
Even many so called No4 collectors have no idea what they are.
Many don't even consider the military contract rifles to be milsurps. OH WELL.
There is a very small segment of the No 4 collectors of even the overall Lee Enfield collectors that look upon them as anything, other than curiosities.
I have one of each. I've shown them to other collectors and just get a blank stare. Most have no idea what they are or where they were assembled, or by whom.
An almost complete lack of records, doesn't help.
It's kind of like the "Old Webley Revolver Club." When you go looking for records, from anything that went through the "Army & Navy Collective Society," you run into a wall. The records exist but there is a very decent fellow in the USA that has them. The only way to find out about him is through chance. The CFC knows all about him and his records. They won't mention him though.
Somewhere, all of the records for the EALs that were sold to the RCAF and Rangers etc, are hiding in a dark vault or most likely cupboard/filing cabinet. The person that has them, likely hasn't a clue or could care less about what they are, other than a curiosity.
They are lovely rifles. Very well balanced and easy to handle. I suspect, that's why they made the civilian models at cut rate prices.
I've never seen two alike as far as milsurps go. There is always something different about them. Tiny differences that don't make any differences to function and are normally cosmetic. Things like fore end straps being covered with glued in wood inserts or being bare. No EAL prefix stamp on two of the six I've seen, including mine. One even had a striated trigger.
Some with gloss finishes that rival sporting rifles of the period and some that have matte finishes. Some are drilled and tapped for side mount Weaver bases and scopes. Most aren't.
That's the biggest problem with these lovely rifles. So many differences that they are each a custom rifle. I don't know and can't find anyone that does but all of the military contract rifles I've seen, have been meticulously bedded. Mine is a work of art in the ways. The other one I saw that was stripped down for cleaning, was every bit as well done.
The same can't be said for the civvy models. They seem to have been put together with fore ends as they came and no other attempts at fitting.
I really like the EAL rifles. The couple I've shot, one milsurp and one civilian were good shooters. The milsurp, was by far the best and considering the condition was the same on both rifles, no visible reason for the accuracy difference, other than the quality of the bedding.
If you run across a decent EAL, buy it, if you can afford it. They are a piece of the No 4 history that is unique to Canada. They are as unique to Canadian military history as the Long Branch No 4 rifles or P35 Inglis pistols. No Lee Enfield collection, especially Canadian directed collections, is complete without an EAL in milsurp guise. Not a thing wrong with the civilian model either.
I guess I've gotten my point across that I really like EALs. Now, I'm on the lookout for a scoped model, with the proper base, mounts, rings and scope. One will do fine. I'm sure there are more than a few varieties kicking around out there.
Collecting Lee Enfields is interesting and fun. The EAL is just another aspect with a twist of intrigue.
