WTB: FN Cdn EX1 items

[rob love]

Both those photos are actually of the EX1. Here are some photos of my C1A1 and C2A1:





I have seen a number of the NZ marked Sterlings make it onto the Cdn market, along with NZ no8 rifles and, of course, NZ marked no4s. But for some reason the NZ FNs did not make it into our market. When were they phased out of service? It may well be that they got released after the FNs became prohibited in this country.

The Canadian and the Australian FNs are very similar. There are rumours that the Canadian Arsenals Limited made some of the barrels and parts for the Australian Heavy Barrel FN, although I think I saw somewhere that this was not true. Our early C2 top covers ended up going to Australia and (with some modification) used on the Australian HB FN.
I need one of those top covers for my collection, and of course, since they were almost all exported, they are very hard to find here.

[Rob Beale]

I think they were phased out about 1990 or so. We hardly ever saw the heavy barrelled version, as they seemed to be used by units like RNZE. We had GPMG as section auto till the mid 80's when there was a problem and they were withdrawn from Infantry sections, to be replaced by Bren LMG in .303! I used to haul the ammo crates out of the rubbish trailer after shoots.

When the SLR went, we used M16A1 exclusively for a while, till the trials for a replacement selected the Steyr AUG. Made in OZ, but different to theirs in the safety catch arrangement. I recall the NZ safety catch stuck out towards your belly while you walked, and would often get knocked from Safe to semi while you walked!

I exercised with a platoon from Townsville and looked at their steyrs, but don't recall the differences now.

Incidentally, we heard from School of Infantry staff who conducted the trialls that many preferred the Canadian M16A2, which had a longer barrel life than the US version they trialled. Politics ruled and they went with the Steyr.

Back to topic...I still prefer the feel of the SLR, so well done on your preservation of important history.
Rob
ex RNZIR

[rob love]

By GPMG, do you mean a M1919 Browning? Were they in the A4 configuration, or with the bipod/carry handle A6 style? Either way, that's one heavy gun to be hauling around.

The GPMG (Browning) was generally phased out in the early 90s here in Canada, and replaced with the FN MAG. Mind you, I was still being issued the Browning here in Shilo for the top of the M113A2 until 1997. I think we were one of the last units to still be using them.

[Rob Beale]

In NZ we used the FN MAG in L7A1 version, although our troops in Vietnam carried the M60. The FN has been reissued for many years since their temporary withdrawl I mentioned, but mainly for SFMG use in Infantry Support Companies. The 50 cal Browning has made a comeback here too

The replacement weapon for section use was the C9 or FN Minimi. I see that has many names too around the world. They are already talking about replacement though!

I feel priviliged to have used the Bren

Rob