Parts for FN C1-A1

Jon Skagfeld · #1 13-09-05, 04:14

This may be of interest to collectors in the GTA, since shipping costs might be prohibitive to other points.

I have the following furniture from Canadian FNs: (not Ishapore!)...

Buttstock, XL, qty 2
Buttstock, L, qty 1
Buttstock, N, qty 1
Buttstock, S, qty 1
Pistolgrip, qty 1
Forestock Set (2 pces), qty 3
Forestock, LHS piece only, qty 1

Will trade all or any for a dark wood (beech?) buttstock for a No 4 LE. Buyer and seller pay their own freight.

These are the items which I offered to Chris Vickery at CC4. He left them behind, so I guess he wasn't too interested in them.

Anyone?

chris vickery · #2 13-09-05, 05:15

Jon, you should've emailed me. I totally forgot about these in the back of your 15cwt!

Jon Skagfeld · #3 13-09-05, 06:01

I thought that post would get a buzz from you!

If someone replies with an offer to trade an LE dark wood buttstock for an FN one, then you can still have the rest.

PS: Fred vanSickle has no LE wood...already phoned him, no joy.

Tony Smith · #4 13-09-05, 07:45

Is the C1 the Canadian made version of the FN FAL? I wonder if the woodwork would also fit the Lithgow made L1A1 SLR?

Tony Smith · #5 13-09-05, 07:48

I'm pretty certain the forestock wouldn't fit the L2A1 7.62mm AR!

Keith Webb · #6 13-09-05, 10:40

When are you coming to visit, Tony?

We're having terrible trouble with crows (ravens, actually) not to mention the foxes!

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #7 13-09-05, 13:28

The woodwork on your FNs looks identical to that on ours, which incidentally, WILL fit the British L1A1s (of which we had quite a stock over here 20 years ago). I miss our FNs! They were proper rifles, not like the Mattel toys they call the C7 and family now.

I thought you lot weren't allowed to own playthings like those anymore?

chris vickery · #8 13-09-05, 14:10

FNC1 woodwork and other assorted parts will fit the Lithgow version.
I used to own a Lithgow L1A1 and converted it using Canadian parts so that it would look the part of its Canadian cousin.
I had to change the carry handle, breechblock carrier, top cover and sight and voila, one C1.
The Aussie version uses a serrated type handle and a breech block carrier that is grooved w/ sand grooves, apparently to aid in function in dirty environments.

Harry Moon · #9 13-09-05, 17:39

All ABC versions of the FN should interchange, "A"ustralia, "B"ritain "C"anada

Tony Smith · #10 13-09-05, 17:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
They were proper rifles, not like the Mattel toys they call the C7 and family now.
Tony: Ain't it the truth!

I thought you lot weren't allowed to own playthings like those anymore?

Note the mildew on the carrying handle. It hasn't seen much sunshine in the past few years!

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris vickery
I used to own a Lithgow L1A1 and converted it using Canadian parts so that it would look the part of its Canadian cousin.
I had to change the carry handle, breechblock carrier, top cover and sight and voila, one C1.
The Aussie version uses a serrated type handle and a breech block carrier that is grooved w/ sand grooves, apparently to aid in function in dirty environments. [/B]

See pic: As new condition 1963 Lithgow L1A1

Tony Smith · #11 13-09-05, 17:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
When are you coming to visit, Tony?

We're having terrible trouble with crows (ravens, actually) !

South Australian crows?

Lynn Eades · #12 14-09-05, 07:14

The FN fal and the L1a1 are not interchangeable parts wise a the Fal family are "metric" and the Lithgow made L1a1 and L2a1 are "imperial" (or so I am told) Yes Tony, a very nice SLR. The carrying handle is the rare bit here.

rob love · #13 14-09-05, 15:59

The story here in Canada was that some (or most) of the Australian L2 specific parts were out of Canadian Arsenals production. Not sure how much truth there is to that; can any of you southerners comment?

Tony Smith · #14 14-09-05, 21:51

The Aust L2A1 was manufactured wholly and solely in house at SAF Lithgow, and much of the tooling is still in storage to get production going again, if required, although many of the machines have been sold.

Gunner · #15 19-09-05, 21:48

Hi All:

ABC FALs were all made to the same specifications so parts were interchangeable. Few parts for the metric FALs could be interchanged with our ABC versions.

The furniture on Aussie rifles was made from the native ironwood tree, Canuck ones were native walnut if I remember correctly and I'd have to get into the book for the Brit ones. Plastic furniture came along a little later and I have examples of both green and pebbled black.

The definitive book is by R. Blake-Stevens:

North American FALs
NATO's Search for a Standard Rifle
By R Blake Stevens (1979)

The development of the now-defunct Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) inch-measurement C1 and C2 rifles (later modified to C1A1 and C2A1 configuration) and the short-lived US T48, as made by FN and two old-line US gun companies, (both also now defunct), High Standard and H&R. Notes on all models, accessories, ammunition.

UK & Commonwealth FALS
Volume Two of the FAL Series
by R Blake Stevens (1980)

The story of the L1A1, the "other" inch-measurement FAL, as developed jointly by Britian and Australia with Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) as overall Design Authority. Extensive coverage of UK/Belgian/Canadian intermediate cartridge developments. Illustrates and describes many interesting rifle variations and numerous accessories.

You can buy a copy at: http://www.collectorgrade.com/bookshelf4.html

Cheers! Mike

chris vickery · #16 21-09-05, 00:08

Fellows, contact me via PM for FN wood as described by Jon Skagfeld.
The Lithgow version will accept Canuck wood as did my Lithgow version did. As stated previous, Aussie, Brit and Canadian all parts interchange.