EAL serial number ranges cannot be for sure
One word of caution on trlying on the published serial number ranges of the eal rifles is that -- it is not accurate.
EAL's out of that range have come to light recently and the data is now being worked on. civilian rifles with serial numbers below 2,000 have been found. Warren is working on another article chronicling these new finds.
As Warren Wheatfields article says------+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The E.A.L. Rifle is found in both civilian and military models. The civilian models are serial numbered in the range of 2000 to 5000, while the military models are numbered in the 6000 to 6999 range. The civilian models have 10-round magazines and military Mk II (two-position flip-type) rear sights (Figure 4), while the military models have 5-round magazines and an express-type rear sight with two folding blades. Also, the civilian models have ramp-type front sights with bead-type blades, while the military models have standard military front sights. Military models have been observed with holes drilled and tapped for Parker Hale scope mounts, and at least one military model exists mounted with a Tasco 4x scope. The wrists of the military model buttstocks bear military acceptance proofs.
Various Canadian government documents refer to the E.A.L. Rifle military model as NATO stock number 1005-21-8-8-9499 and RCAF number EO.30-65FE. Other RCAF documents list the E.A.L. Rifle as ".303 cal rifle sports model". Rifles in the range of 6280 to 6999 appear to have been issued to Ranger units.
Essential Agencies Limited was founded in 1945 as a sporting goods importer/distributor. In 1950s, E.A.L. apparently purchased surplus action bodies, barrels, and small parts from Canadian Arsenals Ltd. (C.A.L.) of Long Branch, Ontario. Records indicate that E.A.L. contracted with the firm of S.T. Francis and Sons at 166A York Street, Toronto to do the machining on the action bodies.
The action bodies are not stamped with the usual "No. 4 Mk I*" model identification or the "Long Branch" factory designation, nor were they dated or serial numbered by C.A.L. They do bear Canadian proof marks and C.A.L. inspector's marks, however, these being from the time period of 1953 to 1960. In addition, bolts, cocking pieces, trigger guards, and safety locking levers bear "CA" markings (Figure 5). No sign of thinning is apparent on the portions of the action body where model and factory identifying marks are normally found. Also, high magnification reveals no signs of Long Branch serial numbers having been removed.
The furniture as well is newly manufactured. The buttstocks (Figure 6) are thinner in cross section and deeper at the toe than are No. 4 rifle buttstocks and have full pistol grips; hence, they cannot be modified military buttstocks. The recoil pads (Figure 7) are JOSTAM "Anti-Flinch" pads of the same type found on No. 67 sniper rifles. The fore-ends bear a resemblance to standard No. 4 fore-ends but they lack the lightening cuts in the barrel channel.
The barrels appear to be No. 4 military rifle barrels shortened to 21-3/8 inches and re-crowned. The barrels have "CA" markings on the knox form and "crown and lance" proof marks on the right side.
On E.A.L. Rifles observed, the breech cover loop has been removed from the trigger guard (Figure 8). The sling swivels are late variants of No. 4 rifle swivels. The butt swivel bracket is standard military, and the front swivel is a standard military butt swivel bracket inletted into the bottom of the fore-end (Figure 9).
[Additional photos from Mr. Wheatfield will be added at a later date.]
Any reader who owns an E.A.L. Rifle is urged to contact Enfield Research Associates via e-mail. It is through the efforts of Enfield owners and collectors as well as Enfield historians that we are able to learn more about these historically interesting rifles.
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I have two.
One is a normal civilian model within the accepted -published range- the other was sold to me because it seemed to be a sported EAL but now it seems that it is in fact an original civilian EAL below the accepted serial range of 2000 and has different sights.
At least one other EAL with these sights has been found so I was told by a fellow with one.
Warren has found others so I have speculated that these may have been production models before the standardized civilian and military models were finalized as far as specifications of production.
At any rate -- if your EAl has the two flip sights on the barrel it is a military model even if the serial range does not match.
By the way I believe that someone posted that the (CA) stamp is a Canadian gvmnt approval stamp? I am not so sure I thought it was the Canadian Arsenal acceptance stamp meaning that it passed proof?
The picture is --
a) the first receiver is a civilian EAL
b) the second is a Parker Hale No4 in a No5 butt and a sported foreend.
c) the last four rifles are--
1) in no particular order--BSA early model--BSA late model--Faz early model--Faz late model---
Regards
Terry in VIctoria
