I just purchased a #4 LE sporter but the serial number didn't jive so it got sent to the CFC for checking. Apparently the number started with the serial number "EAL" !. The top of the knox form has a large "C" with a smaller "A" inside of it, right side of the barrel says LB and '46, Left side of receiver is stamped EAL and a 3 digit number. Based on the rear sight being at the stock placement with the battle-type two positions, and the 10 round magazine, I guess it is the civilian version. Bore is excellent, stock finish is very good, the no-flinch recoil pad is on it and the proper sling swivels. I couldn't take it home for pics until the registration gets sorted, but I was wondering what is the stock finish supposed to be? Is it a dull oil-type finish or a shellac-type finish? Needless to say I am pretty happy - I guess diamonds in the rough turn up daily! I saw one at a show for $375 and it had been drilled on the left side of the receiver, fortunately mine isn't. Not to upset the masses with a "what's it worth" question, but what kind of ranges for prices do these bring?
Just found an odd Lee Enfield LB "Sporter"
- Thread starter 3screwsloose
- Start date
re: EAL
Sounds like an EAL to me. They were based on a #4 but with a few differences. Sporter stock was original, no charger bridge, recoil pad, etc. There were two versions, one with military front sights, etc., and a civilian version w/sporting type front sight etc.
EAL rifles were issued to and are still in service with the Canadian Rangers.
I'd like to find one at a reasonable price in decent shape.
Enjoy yours.
Bill
Sounds like an EAL to me. They were based on a #4 but with a few differences. Sporter stock was original, no charger bridge, recoil pad, etc. There were two versions, one with military front sights, etc., and a civilian version w/sporting type front sight etc.
EAL rifles were issued to and are still in service with the Canadian Rangers.
I'd like to find one at a reasonable price in decent shape.
Enjoy yours.
Bill
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I doubt you will find any EAL's still in service with the Rangers. They are issued No 4 Mk1's, I believe. I have seen EAL's for sale for 200.00 -600.00. Whether they sold or not is the question. This price gap seems to stem from the fact that some EAL's were just cut up #4's sold commercially and some were made for the Canadian military. Air force survival rifles, I believe. Some of those were issued to the Rangers for a time. There appears to be some disagreement about how to identify the particular rifles. Use the search for EAL and you'll find quite a bit.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A three-digit EAL, that is interesting. As Firestick describes, there were two serial number ranges, depending on military or civilian production runs.
Strictly speaking the EAL is not a Lee Enfield modification or a sporterized No. 4. The receivers were never delivered as finished Long Branches. If you compare a genuine EAL to a genuine late war LB, you will see there are some machining cuts around the back sight (the spring plunger hole as I recall) is not present on the EAL. Nor are the typical Long Branch markings present. These are places where steel was removed or disturbed for military rifles, and there is no way of undoing that kind of work. So, EAL rifles were new production Canadian rifles built with partially completed Long Branch parts. There are a few websites that will help you understand the EAL, but the definitive book has not been written. I would suggest you send a description to Warren W on this forum. He wrote one of the articles you'll find.
I am not surprised the 1-800-we-know-guns ladies at the CFC didn't recognize an EAL, but you did the right thing to get it authenticated. At least you now know it isn't a Bubba conversion.
As for a valuation, any unmodified EAL is a desirable rifle. They are unknown and unappreciated by many gun nuts, and consequently get overlooked, misidentified or bludgeoned as 'just an old three-oh-three'. A price under $400 is a good deal - provided the butt plate isn't crumbly, the right sights are there, the wood is good, the flush 5-shot magazine is there, the markings are clean, etc.
Strictly speaking the EAL is not a Lee Enfield modification or a sporterized No. 4. The receivers were never delivered as finished Long Branches. If you compare a genuine EAL to a genuine late war LB, you will see there are some machining cuts around the back sight (the spring plunger hole as I recall) is not present on the EAL. Nor are the typical Long Branch markings present. These are places where steel was removed or disturbed for military rifles, and there is no way of undoing that kind of work. So, EAL rifles were new production Canadian rifles built with partially completed Long Branch parts. There are a few websites that will help you understand the EAL, but the definitive book has not been written. I would suggest you send a description to Warren W on this forum. He wrote one of the articles you'll find.
I am not surprised the 1-800-we-know-guns ladies at the CFC didn't recognize an EAL, but you did the right thing to get it authenticated. At least you now know it isn't a Bubba conversion.
As for a valuation, any unmodified EAL is a desirable rifle. They are unknown and unappreciated by many gun nuts, and consequently get overlooked, misidentified or bludgeoned as 'just an old three-oh-three'. A price under $400 is a good deal - provided the butt plate isn't crumbly, the right sights are there, the wood is good, the flush 5-shot magazine is there, the markings are clean, etc.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
nice...
Now post pictures
Now post pictures
The finish should be a dull oil type finish, although who knows for an early 3 digit EAL as they were for civilian sales. Love to see pics.
BTW, when I registered mine properly as an EAL, their system went tilt when I gave them the 3 digit number, it had to go to the registry when I bought it and when I sold it.
Nice find, glad you realize what it is. If in nice shape with original parts it's about a $475-$500 or so rifle.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
If you check on the gun registry database provided for by the Ottawa cit, it will give many EAL serial numbers from guys who registered the rifles as whatever appeared on the side of the receiver. There are many 2 and 3 digit serial numbers. I would suggest that perhaps the serial numbers available when Warren wrote the EAL articles may not have covered the complete spectrum.
Perhaps a $5 access to info to the CFC could provide the serial numbers of all the registered EALs in Canada for academic purposes.
I am sure EALs will continue to show up for years to come as unknown 303 sporters. After all, many of the old boys who bought these things some 40 years back may not be on the internet.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Have one of each.
From what friends have told me, issuing the EAL to the Rangers was an idiots idea in the first place, as they were not up to the harsh condition the rangers operate in. So the Gubmint had to go out to the surplus dealers and buy back the No4's they had disposed of.
God forbid that they issue them SLR's, cause "we can't have a civillian organization with an "assault rifle" (even though the rangers are tasked with assisting the military.)
From what friends have told me, issuing the EAL to the Rangers was an idiots idea in the first place, as they were not up to the harsh condition the rangers operate in. So the Gubmint had to go out to the surplus dealers and buy back the No4's they had disposed of.
God forbid that they issue them SLR's, cause "we can't have a civillian organization with an "assault rifle" (even though the rangers are tasked with assisting the military.)
Have one of each.
From what friends have told me, issuing the EAL to the Rangers was an idiots idea in the first place, as they were not up to the harsh condition the rangers operate in. So the Gubmint had to go out to the surplus dealers and buy back the No4's they had disposed of.
God forbid that they issue them SLR's, cause "we can't have a civillian organization with an "assault rifle" (even though the rangers are tasked with assisting the military.)
In the early years the Rangers did get some full autos - on the cover of one of the issues of Ranger Magazine a guy was holding a Sten. Not sure for how long they had them or in what quantity though
The years I'm looking into (46-50) don't cover the issue of arms much though
Pics of this rifle are up. It appears characteristic of the earlier EAL pattern, buttstock profile is different than the later ones. Also, as on my latest (early) one, the trigger guard does have the loop on it.
Nice rifle btw, if I didn't already have two of them...
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