Type B

The Type B rifle was produced as the second variant.  Serial number ranges for this pattern are believed to lie approximately  in the 1000-5000 range.  Currently the lowest serial number Type B rifle found is #1076 and the highest serial number found for a Type B rifle is 4675.    The earliest Type C observed at this time is 5005.  

The Type B rifle had a military finish and a two position Mk II peep sight as found on military Lee-Enfield rifles.  Magazines were predominantly of the 10 round variety although the CDC catalogues of 1967 and 1968 do show a Type B rifle with a 5 round magazine.  Rifles initially retained the breech cover tie down loop found on the front of the trigger guard although it appears that as production went forward these were removed.  

Over the years it has become known as the "Civilian Pattern" although this may in fact not be an accurate statement.  There are reports that these rifles were the pattern initially ordered by the RCAF as a survival rifle in the 1950s.  This has yet to be corroborated.  

Based on CAL catalogues, the Type B was available until at least 1968.

Key attributes of the Type B are as follows:

Markings.  As per Fig. 1 below, early Type B receiver lacked calibre markings.  eg:  EAL XXXX (NB:  note no dash and no periods between the EAL).  Per Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, later Type B rifles included the calibre designation, and generally included the periods and dash after the EAL mark  eg 303 CAL.  E.A.L.-XXXX.  

The transition from early to mid markings occurred somewhere between serial number 2590 and 2650.   

A final change was made to the font and style of stamping between #2680 and #2736.   For this last change: 

Fig. 1 - Early Type B receiver markings

Fig. 2 - Mid Type B receiver markings

Fig. 3 - Late B receiver markings



Butt.  Type B were equipped with a sporter style butt again affixed with the Jostam Anti-Flinch pad.  These were purpose made and are not to be confused with the standard military profile butt found on the Lee-Enfield No 4 and Type A series.  The sporter butt appear to have had the Jostam pad hand fitted.  While LOP seems to be consistent, not all butts are of the same size at the base. 



Fore stock.  No lightening cuts are found in Type B stock and the tip is a rounded pattern.  The tie strap (or tie plate) may or may not be present in these fore stocks however at this time all samples seen have retained it.  Pictures below by Gerry Kosoris 

Rear sight.   The rear sight is the Lee-Enfield No 4 series Mk II two position peep sight.  Many examples seem to retain the 300/600 range markings however some sights were stamped (or over-stamped  from their original 300/600 range) with a range of 200/400. 

Front Sight.  The front  sight of the was affixed via a dovetail onto a front ramp.  Unlike the Type C sight, these posts were drifted into the dove tail.   It appears that the front sight for the RCAF, Type A, and Type B were in fact military blade sights which have been narrowed.  Residual Long Branch and height markings may be observed.

"Narrowed" style blade sight as found on RCAF, Type A, and Type B rifles.



At Left:  Military style front site.  

Occasionally seen, it is unknown if these military style front sights were original to the Type A and/or B series or are simply replacements.    

Magazine.  For the most part seems to have utilized the standard 10 round magazine as per the Lee-Enfield No 4 family of military rifles.  The 10 round magazines bore the manufacturing stamp of Canadian Arsenals (Letter C with a smaller A in center) however Canadian Arsenals were also producing munitions following WW2 so it is possible that this is coincidental.   Earlier examples may also bear Long Branch markings vs Canadian Arsenals.  Towards the end of Type B production it seems that they may have also had a 5 round CA marked magazine. 




Trigger Guard.  Tie down loops were retained on early Type B rifles.  

Later Type B rifles seem to have transitioned to removing these whilst retaining the holes where the loop had been attached.  

On later Type B rifles these were removed as seen at bottom right.  

Finish.  Barrels have been seen with both a "military" finish as well as a gloss blue finish.  Type B receivers were high gloss blued.