Long Branch factory location ?

I hope you saw the .50 Cal range on the SW side of water tower. There are some / and some \ in the photos and these are sand filled 'splash-back retainer walls when CAL was doing the .50 cal upgrade. They are at least three feet thick and the butts have been removed. There was a range in the 'Marie Curtis' Park that was to the NE of the plant. This was primarily a DND range and was used sometimes by CAL. I have been at this site many times. There is a small river that runs to the SW of the water tower and if one looks hard enough on the river banks, one can find short .50 cal belts loaded with dummy rounds as well as some Arsenal tooling. Looks like some things were just thrown over the fence.
 
One can get a good view of the water tower in the street view option at the intersection of Deta and Lakshore.

I wonder how long until that site has condos on it? :(

Further East you can see what looks like someone walking their dog on the land via an opening in the fence. :D

I wonder how many artifacts are still in that land.
 
Does anyone know how many residents around the factory were employed at peak?

What happened to all of the tooling and items that would today be worth decent money when it shut down?

When did the plant close exactly?
 
Adjacent to Marie Curtis Park West is the former site of the Small Arms Limited factory. The Ordnance Branch of the Department of National Defense authorized the construction of the factory in 1940. After transfer to the Department of Munitions and Supply, a Crown Corporation, Small Arms Ltd. was formed to operate the facility. By June 1941, the first five rifles had been produced. Huge quantities of British-pattern military small arms were manufactured there during the Second World War, including such weapons as the Bren light machine-gun, the Sten submachine-gun or machine-carbine, and the Short-magazine Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle.
Small Arms Ltd. ceased operations at the end of December 1945. Beginning January 1, 1946, operations continued as the Small Arms Division, Canadian Arsenals Limited. The factory was closed June 30, 1976.
There are plans to incorporate the former grounds into the Marie Curtis Park West park extension. It must be noted that Marie Curtis Park West is located in Toronto, while the 'Arsenal Lands' are in Mississauga, Peel Region.
 
"...the intersection of Deta and Lakshore..." That'd be Dixie Rd and Lakeshore Rd, Mississauga. Nothing there now.
"...how long until that site has condos..." Designated as park land.
"...What happened to all of the tooling and items...When did the plant close exactly?..." Everything was sold off in the mid to late 70's. Most of the machinery went to India. Trudeau closed it in 1975, as soon as the C1A1 contract ended. The SOB couldn't close it fast enough.
Several years later, some bright light looked into the cost of buying rifles from FN, should the need arise. Close to a grand each in 1970's dollars. Canadian Arsenals was making 'em for around $400 each.
 
sunray said:
"...the intersection of Deta and Lakshore..." That'd be Dixie Rd and Lakeshore Rd, Mississauga. Nothing there now.
"...how long until that site has condos..." Designated as park land.
"...What happened to all of the tooling and items...When did the plant close exactly?..." Everything was sold off in the mid to late 70's. Most of the machinery went to India. Trudeau closed it in 1975, as soon as the C1A1 contract ended. The SOB couldn't close it fast enough.
Several years later, some bright light looked into the cost of buying rifles from FN, should the need arise. Close to a grand each in 1970's dollars. Canadian Arsenals was making 'em for around $400 each.
Click to expand...

And making the best FN version in the world!w:h:
 
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