Type C

The Type C rifle was produced by EAL towards the end of the production run. Serial number ranges for this pattern are believed to lie approximately in the 5001-6999 range. To date the lowest confirmed serial number is 5005 and the highest confirmed serial number is 6993. The Type C rifle had a distinctly civilian sporting rifle feel with a high gloss blued finish and two-leaf express sights. Magazines were flush mounted as seen in use by other manufacturers such as Parker Hale.

Over the years it has become known as the "Military Pattern." While photographic evidence does shows members of Canada's Northern Rangers using the Type C rifle, this does not preclude the military using the Type A or B rifle in other applications eg. RCAF survival rifles. Furthermore, it is highly likely that the Type C rifle was also offered for civilian purchase (approx. 5000-6000 range).

Key attributes of the Type C are as follows:

Markings. Serial number marking on the Type C are in the format 303 cal E.A.L.-XXXX. Type C variants are marked in many locations with the Canadian Arsenals "CA" mark. These include the front sight, barrel knox, magazine, safety, bolt head, cocking piece, and magazine/trigger frame. Barrels are noted to have the DCP (Fig. 1) or CAL (Fig. 2) acceptance mark on the right side in front of the receiver.

Fig. 1 - Early barrel proof - DCP

Fig. 2 - Late barrel proof - CAL

Butt. Type C rifles are equipped with a sporter style butt affixed with the Jostam Anti-Flinch pad. These butts were purpose made and are not to be confused with the standard military profile butt found on the Lee-Enfield No 4 series. Military purchased rifles show a post-47 acceptance mark stamped in the underside of the wrist as shown in Fig. 7 - right.

Fig. 7 - Military acceptance mark found on wrist

Fore stock. Type C rifle fore stocks appear to have been newly manufactured. There are no lightening cuts and the tip has a slight "bevel". The tie strap (or tie plate) is normally not present in these fore stocks however concealed tie plates have been occasionally observed (Fig. 3 below). The Type C fore stock is of a slightly more slender appearance to the earlier Type A and Type B.

Interestingly, several modified military fore stocks with lightening cuts and a "Type C nose" profile have been observed on Type C rifles. These fore stocks seem to imply that there may have been a temporary supply interruption on Type C fore stock production. These stocks retain lightening cuts (albeit with the front one filled), have the tie trap removed, and the resulting hole filled and checkered over. (Fig. 4, 5, and 6 below).

Fig. 3 - Type C fore stock with hidden tie strap/plate

Fig. 4 - Type C fore stock with tie strap removed and filled.

Fig. 5 - Checkering to conceal filled tie strap

Fig. 6 - Type C fore stock with lightening cuts and tie strap filled and checkered per Fig. 4 and Fig. 5

Rear sight. The rear sight for the Type C was a two blade express style sight marked for ranges of 200 and 400. Receivers on the Tyjpe C have the peep sight "ears ground off.

Front Sight. The front sight of the Type C rifle was of the same pattern as the Lee-Enfield No 4 series. Sites have been seen with Canadian Arsenals markings (Letter C with a smaller A in center). The sight was mounted in a split dovetail which consisted of the main ramp and a small removable wedge attached via an allen screw. The overall shape of the ramp differed from the Type A and B rifle in being not as tall. This was required to address the lower height of the 2 blade express sight vs the Mk II rear sight found on the Type A and B pattern.




Magazine. The Type C rifle utilized a flush mounted 5 round magazine. Magazines were marked with Canadian Arsenals marking (Letter C with a smaller A in center).



Trigger Guard. Breech cover tie down loop removed.

Finish. Type C rifles were fished in a high gloss bluing similar to civilian sporting rifles.