In the mid- to late 1950s, an interesting rifle was produced in Canada by the firm of Essential Agencies Limited (E.A.L.) of Toronto.
It was not a Lee Enfield but parts from a Lee Enfield were used.
This was a .303 British rifle with shortened wood and an exposed barrel, similar to a sporterized hunting Enfield but purpose built this way, not modified.
The major distinguishing features of the E.A.L. Rifle is a full-pistol-grip buttstock with a "Jostam" rubber recoil pad, a shortened and slimmed down fore-end, a barrel shortened to 21-3/8", and a heavily modified action body.The charger bridge and most of the top portions of the action body were milled away, leaving only the base with either rear battle sights or folding barrel mounted sights installed.
Some E.A.L. Rifle are also distinguished by its action body markings.
There is not much known about these rifles and I am not going to add to the confusion. You can read all the speculations of what an EAL Rifle is on the Internet.
It appears there were Military and Civilian models which have been divided into 4 broad variations of the E.A.L. distinguished as "types" by collectors for ease of recognition and classifying the variants of these rifles.
Predecessors - RCAF Survival rifles and presentation rifles.
Type A - Military butt, modified military fore end, and battle sight. Approx. 1,000 (estimated serial number 0001-999)
Type B - Sporter butt, modified military fore end, and battle sight. Approx. 1600 (estimated serial number 1000-2600)
Type B (with caliber marking) - Approx. 2400 (estimated serial number 2600-4999)
Type C - Sporter butt, non-military fore end, 5- shot magazine and express sight. Approx. 1700 (estimated serial number 5000-6700).
As noted the RCAF survival rifles are in a class of there own and are not marked E.A.L.
Some "Type C" rifles were issued to the Northern Rangers which brings us to this rifle.
This rifle was obtained from a member of the "Northern Rangers" and it is a typical "Type C" with 2- position folding express sight
It had a tough life and was not maintained very well as shown. What you can not see is the bore which is corroded from Military issued cartridges and from lack of cleaning.
It still shoots well and everything functions properly and is a correct "Type C". This rifle has been drilled for a Weaver mount which it appears may be military.
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