Early EAL Rifle value

Fred24

Fred24

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Hi ! I'd like to know the approximate value of an early EAL 303 rifle in original condition with low 3 digits serial number. I'd rate the gun at 80-85% condition.

The stock is in very good condition with minimal wear. The blueing is a bit faded but equal on the whole rifle. The bore is good. Every parts are correct and original to the gun.

It's the civilian model with the battle sight and an early military buttstock that's been lightened. It also has the original red buttpad.



Let me know what you think.


Thanks !
 
Based on the description alone, maybe $500 ish. Could be +/- $200. Good detailed pics would be most helpful.

I know you said every part is correct, but to be clear, that includes the correct 200/400 marked peep?
 
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Sounds like someone was thing to add value by making it into a military verson which ironically may have decreased its value as a civilian model. The leaf rear sight has to be dovetailed in and I am venturing to guess that someone cropped the magazine to 5 rounds also? Pics would really determine the value but if I was buying I would shell out 450 for a civi at 85% which is a bit more than I would pay for a Parker Hale or BSA sporter of the same condition. Military verson I would pay 550 for one at 85%. EALs a difficult market though and those in the know wouldn't pay nearly that for one that has been touched by a file, drill or tap.
 
nomad 68 said:
Friend of mine sold one on EE a couple of years ago for $600 and it was gone in minutes.
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$600 ($500-$600) would be for a real nice military style model. A civilian model, even a real nice one would be considerably less.

Pics would be needed to give a better idea. Does it have the 200/400 rear sight? CA markings, proper marked mag, etc.
 
Here is what I sent the guy. Asked for but never received any pics. He did mention that the fore end had "two easily repairable cracks at the tip of the forend"...

What is the serial number of it?

The values of the EAL are arguable all over the place and they are a bit of a collector's niche market.

There are three major variants not including the RCAF version which precedes them all.

Type A - the one you speak of with a military butt affixed with Jostam pad.
Type B - the one with a rear battle sight in 200/400
Type C - the ones with the two position express sight on barrel

The general price point in around $450-550 for a Type A or B

The Type C is generally a bit higher as many see these as military issued therefore the military collector market drives their value up a bit. The reality is that only very high serial number Type C rifles were issued....approx. #5000 to #6200 or so were actually just civilian sold. This all said, if it is a #5000-#6200 range they go for anywhere from $450-750. If they are higher than 6200 and have any military provenance/issue marks then up to $1,000

Some recent values I have seen for Type A are:

Switzer Auction Aug 2018 -Hammer on #450 was $450
Switzer Auction Aug 2018 -Hammer on #175 was $525
Wards Auction Aug 2018 - Hammer on #743 was $200
 
CMichaud said:
Here is what I sent the guy. Asked for but never received any pics. He did mention that the fore end had "two easily repairable cracks at the tip of the forend"...

What is the serial number of it?

The values of the EAL are arguable all over the place and they are a bit of a collector's niche market.

There are three major variants not including the RCAF version which precedes them all.

Type A - the one you speak of with a military butt affixed with Jostam pad.
Type B - the one with a rear battle sight in 200/400
Type C - the ones with the two position express sight on barrel

The general price point in around $450-550 for a Type A or B

The Type C is generally a bit higher as many see these as military issued therefore the military collector market drives their value up a bit. The reality is that only very high serial number Type C rifles were issued....approx. #5000 to #6200 or so were actually just civilian sold. This all said, if it is a #5000-#6200 range they go for anywhere from $450-750. If they are higher than 6200 and have any military provenance/issue marks then up to $1,000

Some recent values I have seen for Type A are:

Switzer Auction Aug 2018 -Hammer on #450 was $450
Switzer Auction Aug 2018 -Hammer on #175 was $525
Wards Auction Aug 2018 - Hammer on #743 was $200
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Of course... they always ask for advice but never chime back in lol....

Cracks in the fore end certainly changes things. That would certainly place it at the far lower end of the scale. Not sure I've ever seen an EAL with a cracked fore end actually.

I'm confused about your description about the type A - does that mean they should have the 3/600 sight?

For a minty civilian EAL I could certainly be motivated to shell out $700. It would have to be like new minty though. For an average specimen, yeah, $500 ish range. Maybe bizarrely the military versions are less attractive to me.

Neat rifles in any case, have fond memories of moose hunting with one as a teenager. Not mine, but hopefully I can get my mitts on it again.
 
flashman2 said:
I'm confused about your description about the type A - does that mean they should have the 3/600 sight?
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An interesting question. I suspect that both Type A and B should have the 200/400.

From the limited knowledge I have on the RCAF survival rifles that precede the EAL, they also had a 200/400 flip sight so it follows that the Type A also would.

Having said all this, I have seen many EAL that still have a 300/600 rear battle sight.

I do not know if these 300/600 were replacements for 200/400 sights that were removed/lost but IMHO it seems odd that there are so many rifles out there with a 300/600.

On some specimens the battle sights seem to be stamped 200/400. I have also seen others where the 200/400 is overstamped.
 
CMichaud said:
An interesting question. I suspect that both Type A and B should have the 200/400.

From the limited knowledge I have on the RCAF survival rifles that precede the EAL, they also had a 200/400 flip sight so it follows that the Type A also would.

Having said all this, I have seen many EAL that still have a 300/600 rear battle sight.

I do not know if these 300/600 were replacements for 200/400 sights that were removed/lost but IMHO it seems odd that there are so many rifles out there with a 300/600.

On some specimens the battle sights seem to be stamped 200/400. I have also seen others where the 200/400 is overstamped.
Click to expand...

Hm. Interesting. I have noticed the same thing about the 3/6 marked sights and just assumed they were replacements as I've also seen plenty with the earlier vernier type sights.

Be interesting to put together a database of features by serial #...
 
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