< Previous It was not long before the aforementioned trials had taken place, and further testing was approved. Some fortunate Home Guard units had already been issued with the U.S. Mossberg 42M-b rifle, but these were few and far between.8T H E R I F L E M A NSociety of Miniature Rifle ClubsR E P O R T F O R T H E Y E A R 1 9 4 5(To be presented with the Audited Accounts at the 43rd Annual General Meeting to be held at the Royal United ServiceInstitution, Whitehall, London, S.W.I, at 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 22nd May, 1946).The Council of the Society present the 43rd Annual Report andS t a t e m e n t o f A c c o u n t s .OBITUAR Y .The Council have to record with deep regret the loss of manymembers during the past year amongst whom was its President,Lieut.-General Sir Alfred Codrington, G.C.V.O., K.C.B.PRESIDENT .At the unanimous invitation of the Council, Field-MarshalLord Milne, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., D.S.O., D.C.L., LL.D., has honouredus by booming our President.VICE-PRESIDENTS.During the year the following gentlemen were elected Vice-Presidents of the Society ;—Field-Marshal Viscoimt Alexander, G.C.B., C.S.I., D.S.O.,M.C., A.D.C.In accepting he wrote ;—" No one is more aware than I am of theimportant part played by good marksmanship in the campaignwhich has just finished so victoriously ; I feel that everything possibleought to be done to maintain the present high standard of shooting,and I hope that the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will continue tofloimish."Field-Marshal Lord Birdwood of Anzac, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.,G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., LL.D., D.C.L.Mr. G. H. Nicholls, High Commissioner for South Africa.Dr. C. Heygate Vernon, of Hampshire.COUTSCILLORS.The following new Coimcillors have been elected :—Sir Harold Scott, K.C.B., K.B.E., Commissioner of Police,London.Capt. F. R. Bacon, Dorset.EX-OFFICIO COUNCILLORS.Mrs. G. O. Salter, Women's Rifle Association.Col. J. G. Sandie, D.S.O., M.C., War Office ; Chairman, ArmyRifle Association.CHAIRMAN.At the Council Meeting held in June, Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcherwas unanimously re-elected Chairman, and Lt.-Col. T. Sutton,M.B.E., F.S.A., and Mr. Cecil Mack as Vice-Chairmen.HON. TREASURER.After eleven j'ears' service as Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Edwin L.Bell intimated his desire to retire. With much regret the Council accepted his resignation and accorded him a unanimous vote of thanks for his long and valuable service to the Society. Messrs. G. F. Booth, M.B.E., and P. G. Richardson were appointed Joint Hon. T reasurers. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS. Individual memberships of the Society (apart from ordinary rifle club members) are 823 Life and 702 Annu^. AFFILIA TED UNITS. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1945, the number of newly-formed, or revived, rifle clubs to become affiliated was 1593, whilst 2426 renewed their affiliations in that period, making a total of 4,019 units to form the Society at the above-mentioned date. Analysis of clubs affiliated ;— O r d i n a r y R i fl e C l u b s Home Guard Jimior Units (see further analysis below) Police Regular Service Units Ladies Civil Defence Leagues and Local Associations ... County Associations 1,799 1,012 639 273 122 45 49 28 52 Analysis of Jtmior UnitsA.C.FA.T .CJ.T .CSchoolsN.L. Sea CadetsS c h o o l C a d e t U n i t s . . .Church Lads BrigadeB o y S c o u t sBoys ClubsGirls Training CorpsS c h o o l s ( M i x e d u n i t s o f a .Boys Brigadeb, c)212188389038231613106306394,019 Amongst the above we were glad to welcome new life memberunits, viz. : Beaconsfield H.G. R.C., Cafferata R.C., Harrow R.C.,Middlesex S.B.R.A., Perth City and County R.C., S.T.C., Woolwich,Stowe School R.C. and Wokingham R.C.From the above figtires it will be seen that the year 1945 providedevidence of public goodwill towards shooting as a recreation to agreater extent than ever before.Public recognition of the value of rifle clubs given in the Houseof Commons was followed by the decision of the War Office to assistin maintaining the comradeship of the H.G. through the formationof rifle clubs, in itself a tribute to the social value of the rifle-shootingmovement.The unfortunate handicaps of insufficient ranges and rifles andthe seriously increasing cost of ammunition is already telling its talc,as just over 800 rifle clubs ceased to exist in 1945. Unless the producers of arms, ammunition and targets are enabled to provideadequate supplies at reasonable prices there will, inevitably, be ac o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h i s a t t e n u a t i o n .M I N I A T U R E R I F L E R A N G E S .Drill hall ranges are usually controlled by the local T.A. andA.F. Association and priority in use is generally accorded first tothe Junior Services, then to H.G. Clubs and finally to dyilian rifleclubs should there be any available time. In many places the T.A.charge 5s. per night to cover out-of-pocket expenses, against the pre-warcharge of 2s. 6d. for civilian clubs. Accommodation is often so limitedthat the club's profit on sales of ammunition is insufficient to cover therental, cost of targets and incidental expenses. Such a club, if itis to pay its way, must seek accommodation elsewhere, get as manyhours' use as possible, and endeavour to make the club attractive by adding social amenities. It is for this type of club, particularly, that the Society hope to be able to provide a Loan Fund. The following ranges were inspected and Safety Certificates issued during 1945 :— (a) By War Office Area Commands on plans sub m i t t e d b y t h e S . M . R . C 2 3 1 (b) By S.M.R.C. acting for the War OflBce in the Metropolitan area 32 L a t e i n 1 9 4 5 t h e Wa r O f fi c e t o o k o v e r t h e w o r k i n t h e M e t r o politan area and wrote to the Society : " We are most grateful for the valuable help you have given us in this respect during the war years, and the part you have played in easing the work which the examina tion of ranges entails has "been considerable." Unfortunately, a number of rifle clubs who lent their ranges and equipment to the Services have not yet had them released. The Society has intervened in cases in which it has been desired so to do and will continue its endeavours on behalf of clubs wishing to re possess their ranges. .22 RIFLES. By October the experimental work on the design of the mihtary pattern .22 rifle had been completed and a suminarised report of the opinions of the experts to whom we sent pilot rifles for tests was sent to the authorities. In the main these opinions were favoinable, and certain recommendations are being embodied in these rifles and f u r t h e r t e s t s a r e a w a i t e d . H.G. clubs have had the use of imported " Mossberg " rifles, but most civilian dubs have had to "mend and make do" withSpring, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 9 pre-war weapons well worn by constant use, not only by club mernbers, but also by pre-service training units. The Society has continued its efforts in the direction of the making available of surplus service rifles to .22 clubs, but the main difficulties still remain to be sur mounted. The only hope for early supplies is quick production of new and satisfactory .22 weapons by British manufacturers. Impor tation of weapons of foreign manufacture is likely to remain difficult. .22 AMMUNITION. The monthly allocation of ammunition from W.O. stocks enabled the Society to continue to function and a further valuable concession was the issue of a limited quantity of an improved brand for rifle clubs. Unfortunately the manufacturers were unable to supply the whole quantity allocated to the Society and our turnover shortage was, consequently, about four million rounds. TA R G E T ^ . There was a welcome, although small, improvement in supplies in the latter part of the year, but demand for targets by new clubs prevented any noticeable increase in general supplies. Unfortunately, there were times in some places when shooting had to be stopi^d for lack of targets. This aspect of the supplies' position is receiving the continuous and close attention of the Council. COUNTY ASSOCL\TIONS. As reported in the Spring issue of The Rifleman, the Advisory Committee to the Council consisting of representatives from each County Association met, for the first time since the War, at Leeds in February, 1945, with Major R. W. Gleadow of the Council and Yorkshire in the chair. Representatives of 18 Counties were present in addition to members of the Council. Messrs. W. J. Artis, T. J. Gibson, C. Laywood and P. G. Richardson were re-appointed to f o r m t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a t c h e s S e l e c t i o n C o m m i t t e e . T h e r e c o m mendations of the Advisory Committee were taken into close con sideration by the Council and in the main adopted and put into practice. The deliberations and recommendations of the Committee upon practical aspects of the Society's work are of the utmost value t o t h e C o u n c i l . The Society has suggested rules for the revival of other County Associations, and has given financial aid. There are now 32 County Associations in existence. Again the Council desire most cordially to thank those who have given their time and work to Associations and Clubs. COMPETITIONS. Satisfactory entries were received for team and individual con tests (some being record numbers) and a high standard of marksman ship achieved. The following are the figures :— Colonial Team Matches (1944/5). Aperture sights, 10 teams, open sights, 1 2 t e a m s : — T e a m e v e n t s B P News of the World, 1944-45 (three sections), 491 teams. A Section 183, B Section 179, Home Guard Section 129. National Team Handicap, 647 teams. Scottish Cup, 82 teams. Browne Martin (London only), concurrent with News of the World, 105 teams. S.M.R.C. Home Guard Competition (1944-45), 226 teams of ten. Leagues : War-time Summer League, 960 teams, 80 Divisions (record), 1945. Winter League, 569 teams, 48 Divisions, 1945-46. National League, 145 teams, 24 Divisions. Pistol League, 34 teams, 6 divisions. Industrial League, 219 teams, 19 divisions. J u n i o r T e a m E v e n t s : The Army Cadet Force Competition, 393 teams of ten boys. The News of the World proprietors kindly presented a handsome new trophy and 12 small silver cups for the event. Army Cadet Force County Competition for a cup presented by the proprietors of the News of the World. Junior Training Corps, 59 teams (shot in Michaelmas term). Spring (Major and Minor), 135 teanis. Summer „ „ „ 195 teams (including Boy Scouts), W i n t e r „ „ „ 1 5 1 t e a m s . Individuals : News of the World Short Range Championships, 2,376 entries. Incorporating the Daily Record Senior and " Sir Harry Lauder " Junior for Scotland, the St. George Trophies, Senior and Junior, for England, the Welsh Championship, Senior and Junior, the Northern Ireland Senior Championship, the Veterans and the " All Britain." The winners of leading events were :— Colonial Matches, 1943-4. .Aperture Sights, Kenya, 1580 (record). Open Sights. Northern Rhodesia 1494. S.M.R.C. Home Guard 4th Competition. 226 teams of ten Winners, 3 Plat. A Coy. 1st Caithness Bn. Club Championship (National League), Kvmoch .A team. Scottish League Shield, Falkirk Lord Roberts .A team. Engineers' League Shield No. 2, Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. A Engineers' League Shield No. 3, Daimler A. Engineers' League Cup No. 4, B.T.H., London, A. Industrial League I.C.I. Challenge Cup, .Ardeer Recreation. S.M.R.C. Winter War-time League, Twickenham A. Summer League, Mountain Ash Constitutional .A. National Team Handicap, I.C.I. Challenge Cup, Alexandra Palace A team. News of the IForW National Team, Falkirk Lord Roberts .A team Browne Martin Cup, Hamiltons A team. Scottish Cup, Falkirk Lord Roberts A team. St. George's (English Championship Cup), L. S. Hughes, Twicken ham. St. George's (Junior English Championship Cup), R. C. Jacklin, Lytham St. Anne's. Daily Record (Scottish Short Range Championship), A. Wright, Falkirk Lord Roberts. " Sir H.arry Lauder" Cup (Scottish Junior Championship) K. K. Peddie, Watson's College A.T.C. News of the World (British Short Range Championship), L. S. Hughes, Twickenham. Webber Cup (AVelsh Short Range Championship), T. J. Powell, Mountain Ash Constitutional. Amertex Cup (Northern Ireland Championship), A. Holland, Royal Ulster Constabulary. Junior Training Corps, Glenalmond (Trinity College) A team. Individual J.T.C. Championship for Sir Lionel Fletcher's prizes, F. A. M. Riddell (Glenalmond Trinity College), A. M. Stirling (Eton College). Junior Spring, Major Section, Perth City and County Juniors. Minor Section, B Coy., 5th C.B. Surrey Regt. Junior Summer, Major Section, Perth City and County Juniors. Minor Section, Sedbergh School D team. Junior Winter, Major Section, Dundee High School A. Minor Section, Magdalen College C. Army Cadet Force Cup, B Coy., 5th C.B. The Queen's Royal Regt. Army Cadet Force County Cup, Surrey. Lord Derby Rose Bowl, Dover Sea Cadet Corps. The Veteran's Championship, P. G. Richardson, Wimbledon Park. Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 1 Shield, City of Cardiff" A t e a m . Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 2 Shield, City of Cardiff B t e a m . Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 3 Shield, Swansea A. Pistol League, Victory Cup, Ashgate A team. Pistol Individual Championship, The Allied Cup, M. Bergson, Bradford. Standing and Kneeling League, Leicester and District. Marksman Shield A, Lewisham R.C. Marksntan Shield B, Leeds R.C. Marksman Shield C, Lytham St. Anne's R.C. Junior Marksman Shield, R.A.F., Halton, A. S TA N D A R D S O F M A R K S M A N S H I P. Badges (Marksman). M a s t e r S h o t B a d g e 1 0 3 A C l a s s 1,035 B C l a s s 2 2 5 C C l a s s 51 Juniors. A C l a s s . . . 2 2 5 B C l a s s . . . 1 3 C C l a s s13 Efficiency Badges (Aperture Sights). A C l a s s . . . 5 0 9 B C l a s s . . . 2 2 5 C C l a s s 85 Juniors. A C l a s s . . . 1 1 5 B C l a s s . . . 2 8 C C l a s s11 Eflficieney Badges (Open Sights). 15 A C l a s s 5 B C l a s s . . . 9 • C C l a s s Juniors. A C l a s s 0 B C l a s s . . . 1 C C l a s s 1 The shortage of .22 rifles continued throughout 1945, and it was realised that it would be mid 1946 before the new No.6 rifle would be likely to appear in any numbers.T H E R I F L E M A N Summer, 1946. Whilst the Annual Report and Balance Sheet epitomise factual , results of the Society's activities, it leaves to the imagination the immense amoimt of voluntary enterprise and labour which has been applied for the expansion and betterment of small-bore rifle shooting. TTie self-sacrificing efforts of Club and Association officials in every part of Great Britain is beyond praise, and our words are inadequate to express the warm thanks»we feel for them in their maintenance o f t h e m o v e m e n t . T h i s h a s b e e n a c h i e v e d i n t h e w o r s t y e a r y e t known for obtaining .22 shooting requisites. We are proud of presenting a record membership of 4,019 affiliated emits. Our fundamental urgent need is the supply of .22 rifles. One club with over 100 members has only two borrowed rifles to use, ' whilst some are quite unable to start until they get at least one rifle. Whilst priding ourselves on helping the authorities in the build-up of a prototype .22 service rifle which we were hoping would ^ put into production in large quantities in 1945 to provide a universal prototyp)e for clubs as well as the Services, it was October last before the first models were issued for experimental purposes, and it will be at the Society's Victory Prize Meeting at Edinburgh, from 17th to 22nd June next, when refinements suggested by our experts will be incorporated in the new models which will be available on the ' ranges for all to see and handle. In fact, prizes will be awarded | in a competition open to all in which only these rifles may be used. Whether these models will be still further developed and put into production, or whether the design will be kept only as a pattern in case of need, it is hard to say. But in any case there are sure indica tions that the manufacturers will be producing improVed models this year, although the prices are bound to be high. With the aid of our good friends. Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, the supply of .22 long rifle " Rifle Club " ammunition is ; likely to be much improved in the near future. Unfortunately, two additions to the price were made during 1945 and a further increase during 1946. Naturally, we sought the reason, and the manufacturers s t a t e d ; — " The position is that during the war years increases in costs of labour and raw materials were offset partly by economies which result from the plant being operated at full capacity on a standarised single product—.22in. Mark 1—and partly by reduced incidence ; of overhead charges due to the greatly increased turnover of the 1 factory as a whole, due to the requirements of the Government for war material. It has been the policy of the I.C.I, to give the i public the full benefit of these factors in the prices fixed for such I commercial products as we were permitted to make, with the result that these prices were maintained at a lower level than would otherwise have been possible. Now that Government contracts have been cancelled and night shifts discontinued, activity has been reduced to a normal level and all commercial products must bear their proper share of overhead charges. " In addition, manufacturing costs are necessarily increased by reason of the more recent wage increases and by. the fact that a variety of types is required for commercial purposes, instead of the one standard type produced during the war period. " The present prices, for .22 ammunition represent an increase of approximately 70 per cent on pre-war prices, which figure, we suggest, compares very favourably with the general trend of prices f o r a l l m a n u f a c t u r e d c o m m o d i t i e s . " , The actual increases of the manufacturers were 3s. and 2s. in 1945, to which the Society added 6d. to cover increases in insurances, trans port, packing, wages, etc. In 1946, the manufacturers' increase was a further 7s. 6d., to which the Society found it necessary to add 2s., as the original addition of 6d. was found insufficient to meet the extra obligations enumerated above. The prospect of imports of wood pulp from Northern Europe is likely to result in more and better card material being available for o u r t a r g e t s . Whilst we may anticipate improvements in these three funda mentals, a little more patience is necessary. Meanwhile, we can only urge all small-bore rifle clubs to carry on. That 1,593 new clubs were formed and affiliated during 1945 should indicate to the manu facturers that we have created potential customers in their thousands, but unless an increase in production is quickly forthcoming the tide will flow so far only to ebb away and not return. During the same twelve months no fewer than 800 clubs gave up, the main decline being due to lack of supplies, thus depriving their members of the stimulus of competition and practice shooting. Whilst 263 new miniature ranges were built by the Society's clubs and certified as safe by the competent military authority on our recommendations, this extra accommodation is insufficient to meet the increasing demand. The question of ranges still under military control has ^eatly exercised your committee, and we have taken this up fully with the authorities and hope by this time next year the matter will be clarified. As the Society's affiliated units include over 1,(X)0 Home Guard clubs and some of their personnel have merged with ordinary clubs, it was decided to continue the competition for the teams of ten Home Guards. No fewer than 418 such teams took part for the Kent- Phillips Challenge Trophy kindly handed over for this event by the Richmond (Surrey) Companies. In the two stages close on 5,000 competitors took part. From the first it was, and still is, our opinion that all British rifle clubs should be open to all of our members. We are glad to say that many Home Guard clubs are adopting this open membership. Amongst the categories of affiliated units it will be understandable that we are much concerned in the progress of the Juniors. There was an increase of 47 units to a total of 639 in 1945, but we cannot feel satisfied. Undoubtedly there has been the handicap of a shortage of .22 rifles, but as we learn that these will soon become issuable and t h e r e f o r e m o r e n u m e r o u s f o r b o t h t h e A . T. C . a n d t h e S e a C a d e t s , these Corps should be more comparable with the A.C.F., who have had an issue of .22 rifles from their inception. Without doubt, the increased cost of .22 ammunition will have a most adverse effect on the amount of shooting these boys can obtain, and we knqw that first-rate .22 marksmen can only be made by regular and sietained practice. For the boys, as well as for the general membership of the Society, the most generous newspaper support comes from the News of the World, and the Challenge Cup for the A.C.F. best Company team competition was again won by the " B " Coy., 5th C.B., The Queen's Royal Regt. This cup and the new County Cadet Cup won by Surrey was presented by your Chairman at the Odeon Cinema at Guildford before a large and influential audience on 11th January of this year. Whilst the first winners of the Lord Derby Challenge Cup for the Sea Cadet Team Championship was won by Unit 281 of Reigate, and was duly presented by Lord Bruntisfield, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on the 31st January, 1946, the 1945 winners were Dover Sea Cadets and the trophy was presented by Vice-Admiral C. E. Morgan, Admiral Commanding Reserves and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, at the Dover Town Hall in April, 1946. The Staniforth Challenge Cup presented for the J.T.C. Match was presented to the Glenalmond School Eight by Lt.-General Sir Neil Ritchie, Commander-in-Chief, Scottish Command, at Glenal mond, on 21st February, 1946, the team having won with a record score of 775. As a basis of efficient rifle shooting the General stressed the value and importance of small-bore practice. We are much indebted to Mr. A. V. Staniforth for the gift of this trophy, and to Col. A. A. E. Chitty, the Inspector of Training Corps, for the inspiring help he has given to this and other schools' shooting events. The " Battle of Britain " Trophy for the A.T.C. teams of Eight Championship, so kindly given by Major John H. Smith of Lincoln, attracted 144 teams. It was won by the Keighley Flight and was presented to the winners by the Director-General, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Alan Lees at their headquarters on Sunday, 19th May, before a large gathering. In 1945 plans were made for the revival of the Universities League, for which your Chairman has presented the trophy, and 17 University teams will take part. The Oxford and Cambridge match for the Heslop trophy duly took place on 9th March, when General Sir Alan C. B. Bourne presented the cup and gave an inspiring address. T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e C o l o n i a l M a t c h e s w e r e s e n t t o t h e P r i v a t e Secretary of H.M. The King, who is, as you know, the Society's Patron. That Kenya won the Aperture Sight Section and Northern Rhodesia the Open Sight Section with record scores calls for our warm congratulations at this meeting. (Hear, hear.) The general competitions of the Society were well supported by entries, in some cases record numbers being attained and record scores achieved. Most warmly we congratulate the Kynoch A team on winning the Club Championship of Britain, and Mr. L. S. Hughes, of Twickenham, on winning the individual short range Postal Cham pionship. The innovation event of the year was the league for standing, kneeling or sitting team shoot, for which 36 teams competed, Leicester winning the first division. We shall gradually revert to the pre-war programme, plus any desirable new events, although prize awards are not easy to obtain. Alternatives to ordinary medals are being considered. In 1946 we shall be shooting again in the Dewar Postal Inter national Match. The revival of the Advisory Committee, consisting of representa tives from County Associations and the Council, made a commendable start with a meeting in Leeds imder Major R. W. Gleadow, who is thanked for the inspiring lead he gave this Committee in the capacity of chairman. The County Associations continue to grow in number. In the event, even the Summer of 1946 did not see the arrival of the hoped for rifles. The continuing conflict in the Pacific theatre, and restoring normality in the newly liberated continental countries, were still adding to the shortages of materials and manpower within Europe and the U.K.T H E R I F L E M A N Summer, 1946. Whilst the Annual Report and Balance Sheet epitomise factual , results of the Society's activities, it leaves to the imagination the immense amoimt of voluntary enterprise and labour which has been applied for the expansion and betterment of small-bore rifle shooting. TTie self-sacrificing efforts of Club and Association officials in every part of Great Britain is beyond praise, and our words are inadequate to express the warm thanks»we feel for them in their maintenance o f t h e m o v e m e n t . T h i s h a s b e e n a c h i e v e d i n t h e w o r s t y e a r y e t known for obtaining .22 shooting requisites. We are proud of presenting a record membership of 4,019 affiliated emits. Our fundamental urgent need is the supply of .22 rifles. One club with over 100 members has only two borrowed rifles to use, ' whilst some are quite unable to start until they get at least one rifle. Whilst priding ourselves on helping the authorities in the build-up of a prototype .22 service rifle which we were hoping would ^ put into production in large quantities in 1945 to provide a universal prototyp)e for clubs as well as the Services, it was October last before the first models were issued for experimental purposes, and it will be at the Society's Victory Prize Meeting at Edinburgh, from 17th to 22nd June next, when refinements suggested by our experts will be incorporated in the new models which will be available on the ' ranges for all to see and handle. In fact, prizes will be awarded | in a competition open to all in which only these rifles may be used. Whether these models will be still further developed and put into production, or whether the design will be kept only as a pattern in case of need, it is hard to say. But in any case there are sure indica tions that the manufacturers will be producing improVed models this year, although the prices are bound to be high. With the aid of our good friends. Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, the supply of .22 long rifle " Rifle Club " ammunition is ; likely to be much improved in the near future. Unfortunately, two additions to the price were made during 1945 and a further increase during 1946. Naturally, we sought the reason, and the manufacturers s t a t e d ; — " The position is that during the war years increases in costs of labour and raw materials were offset partly by economies which result from the plant being operated at full capacity on a standarised single product—.22in. Mark 1—and partly by reduced incidence ; of overhead charges due to the greatly increased turnover of the 1 factory as a whole, due to the requirements of the Government for war material. It has been the policy of the I.C.I, to give the i public the full benefit of these factors in the prices fixed for such I commercial products as we were permitted to make, with the result that these prices were maintained at a lower level than would otherwise have been possible. Now that Government contracts have been cancelled and night shifts discontinued, activity has been reduced to a normal level and all commercial products must bear their proper share of overhead charges. " In addition, manufacturing costs are necessarily increased by reason of the more recent wage increases and by. the fact that a variety of types is required for commercial purposes, instead of the one standard type produced during the war period. " The present prices, for .22 ammunition represent an increase of approximately 70 per cent on pre-war prices, which figure, we suggest, compares very favourably with the general trend of prices f o r a l l m a n u f a c t u r e d c o m m o d i t i e s . " , The actual increases of the manufacturers were 3s. and 2s. in 1945, to which the Society added 6d. to cover increases in insurances, trans port, packing, wages, etc. In 1946, the manufacturers' increase was a further 7s. 6d., to which the Society found it necessary to add 2s., as the original addition of 6d. was found insufficient to meet the extra obligations enumerated above. The prospect of imports of wood pulp from Northern Europe is likely to result in more and better card material being available for o u r t a r g e t s . Whilst we may anticipate improvements in these three funda mentals, a little more patience is necessary. Meanwhile, we can only urge all small-bore rifle clubs to carry on. That 1,593 new clubs were formed and affiliated during 1945 should indicate to the manu facturers that we have created potential customers in their thousands, but unless an increase in production is quickly forthcoming the tide will flow so far only to ebb away and not return. During the same twelve months no fewer than 800 clubs gave up, the main decline being due to lack of supplies, thus depriving their members of the stimulus of competition and practice shooting. Whilst 263 new miniature ranges were built by the Society's clubs and certified as safe by the competent military authority on our recommendations, this extra accommodation is insufficient to meet the increasing demand. The question of ranges still under military control has ^eatly exercised your committee, and we have taken this up fully with the authorities and hope by this time next year the matter will be clarified. As the Society's affiliated units include over 1,(X)0 Home Guard clubs and some of their personnel have merged with ordinary clubs, it was decided to continue the competition for the teams of ten Home Guards. No fewer than 418 such teams took part for the Kent- Phillips Challenge Trophy kindly handed over for this event by the Richmond (Surrey) Companies. In the two stages close on 5,000 competitors took part. From the first it was, and still is, our opinion that all British rifle clubs should be open to all of our members. We are glad to say that many Home Guard clubs are adopting this open membership. Amongst the categories of affiliated units it will be understandable that we are much concerned in the progress of the Juniors. There was an increase of 47 units to a total of 639 in 1945, but we cannot feel satisfied. Undoubtedly there has been the handicap of a shortage of .22 rifles, but as we learn that these will soon become issuable and t h e r e f o r e m o r e n u m e r o u s f o r b o t h t h e A . T. C . a n d t h e S e a C a d e t s , these Corps should be more comparable with the A.C.F., who have had an issue of .22 rifles from their inception. Without doubt, the increased cost of .22 ammunition will have a most adverse effect on the amount of shooting these boys can obtain, and we knqw that first-rate .22 marksmen can only be made by regular and sietained practice. For the boys, as well as for the general membership of the Society, the most generous newspaper support comes from the News of the World, and the Challenge Cup for the A.C.F. best Company team competition was again won by the " B " Coy., 5th C.B., The Queen's Royal Regt. This cup and the new County Cadet Cup won by Surrey was presented by your Chairman at the Odeon Cinema at Guildford before a large and influential audience on 11th January of this year. Whilst the first winners of the Lord Derby Challenge Cup for the Sea Cadet Team Championship was won by Unit 281 of Reigate, and was duly presented by Lord Bruntisfield, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on the 31st January, 1946, the 1945 winners were Dover Sea Cadets and the trophy was presented by Vice-Admiral C. E. Morgan, Admiral Commanding Reserves and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, at the Dover Town Hall in April, 1946. The Staniforth Challenge Cup presented for the J.T.C. Match was presented to the Glenalmond School Eight by Lt.-General Sir Neil Ritchie, Commander-in-Chief, Scottish Command, at Glenal mond, on 21st February, 1946, the team having won with a record score of 775. As a basis of efficient rifle shooting the General stressed the value and importance of small-bore practice. We are much indebted to Mr. A. V. Staniforth for the gift of this trophy, and to Col. A. A. E. Chitty, the Inspector of Training Corps, for the inspiring help he has given to this and other schools' shooting events. The " Battle of Britain " Trophy for the A.T.C. teams of Eight Championship, so kindly given by Major John H. Smith of Lincoln, attracted 144 teams. It was won by the Keighley Flight and was presented to the winners by the Director-General, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Alan Lees at their headquarters on Sunday, 19th May, before a large gathering. In 1945 plans were made for the revival of the Universities League, for which your Chairman has presented the trophy, and 17 University teams will take part. The Oxford and Cambridge match for the Heslop trophy duly took place on 9th March, when General Sir Alan C. B. Bourne presented the cup and gave an inspiring address. T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e C o l o n i a l M a t c h e s w e r e s e n t t o t h e P r i v a t e Secretary of H.M. The King, who is, as you know, the Society's Patron. That Kenya won the Aperture Sight Section and Northern Rhodesia the Open Sight Section with record scores calls for our warm congratulations at this meeting. (Hear, hear.) The general competitions of the Society were well supported by entries, in some cases record numbers being attained and record scores achieved. Most warmly we congratulate the Kynoch A team on winning the Club Championship of Britain, and Mr. L. S. Hughes, of Twickenham, on winning the individual short range Postal Cham pionship. The innovation event of the year was the league for standing, kneeling or sitting team shoot, for which 36 teams competed, Leicester winning the first division. We shall gradually revert to the pre-war programme, plus any desirable new events, although prize awards are not easy to obtain. Alternatives to ordinary medals are being considered. In 1946 we shall be shooting again in the Dewar Postal Inter national Match. The revival of the Advisory Committee, consisting of representa tives from County Associations and the Council, made a commendable start with a meeting in Leeds imder Major R. W. Gleadow, who is thanked for the inspiring lead he gave this Committee in the capacity of chairman. The County Associations continue to grow in number. The appearance of a small number of trials rifles in July 1946 was only as a result of Brigadier Barlow bringing them to the two main small-bore meetings for selected entrants to try out. The events were the National S.M.R.C. open meeting held at the ranges of the Ham & Petersham Rifle Club, and the Scottish Meeting in Edinburgh. The actual number of rifles present is not reported and, although they were described as No.6 rifles, so few of identifiable examples of these have been seen over the ensuing years, and indeed only as prototypes, that there is a justifiable suspicion that the rifles were in fact perhaps those now generally known as the .22 No.5 rifles - of which there were just one hundred produced. These are known to have been at some point lent out to selected specialist testers, some chosen rifle clubs, and a small number of military units, such as the Small Arms School, (and this was in fact mentioned in the Autumn 1945 report shown earlier in this document). Indeed, only one example of the confirmed No.6 Rifle exists in the National Firearms Collection at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, originally transferred from the Enfield Pattern Room Collection.2T H E R I F L E M A NAutumn, 1946.thou hast and their adoption tried, grapple them to thySoul with hooks of steel." The great but ill-fated SirWalter Raleigh wrote the following in his poignant English :" Thou mayest be sure that he that will in private tell theeof thy faults is thy friend, for he adventures thy dislike,and doth hazard thy hatred ; there are. few men that canendure it, every man for the most part delighting in selfpraise, which is one of the most universal Tollies thatbewitcheth mankind."That there are a great many friendships lying dormantin Britain is proved by the replies to a letter from a lonelysoldier in Palestine, who recently wrote to six newspapersfor friendly correspondence to cheer him up, and he received1,200 mail-bags full of letters !We maintain that our small-bore rifle-shooting fraternitycontains all the necessary essentials in its constant friendlyrivalry to shoot the best target on miniature ranges as aleisure-time recreation.It is our firm opinion that rifle clubs can make manylonely people happier and the world a better place to livein if they will first send to their local newspapers an invitationto the' public to come and find friends on the miniaturerifle ranges and hold open evenings for disc shooting pairsas an introduction, one of the members pairing up with anewcomer .As leisure time available becomes extended, make itclear that social life need not be limited to visiting thepublic house, but can be enhanced and extended by theobjectives of a rifle club, which can be as rich as any othercause in reciprocal benevolence, and solicitous for welfareof aU concerned. Increased leisure without adequaterecreation to occupy the hours of freedom will pall, andwe urge the officials of our affiliated units to do their utmostto take advantage of the situation as above-mentioned.At the S.M.R.C. Council meeting held on 11thSeptember, it was reported that at 31st July the memberships t o o d a s f o l l o w s : —Ordinary affiliated units whose subscriptionshave been paid ... ... 3,356 L i f e M e m b e r C l u b s ... ... 48 County Associations ... ... 50 C o m p o s i t e A f fi l i a t i o n s ... ... 7 E n B l o c A f f i l i a t i o n s : — Air Training Corps 78 Army Cadet Force ... 138 Boy Scouts' Association 12 Church Lads' Brigade ... 21 Sea Cadet Corps 28 277 Total (with unpaid subscriptions not included) 3,738 Both the open meetings, the Scottish in Edinburgh and the British National at Ham and Petersham, have been most successful, the former with over 300 and the latter with over 600 competitors. In each case the range accom modation was insufficient, as 60 and 85 targets respectively failed to completely satisfy the competitors. It is evident that much more commodious ranges must be provided in the future if the A and B classes and the C and D classes are to shoot under one programme during the same period. In Edinburgh the attendance of English competitors was larger than ever before, with the result that a very strong team for England was available, and in scoring2,931 against Scotland the former won the Ian HamiltonTrophy by 27 points, the top score of the whole match,298, being made by young R. H. Johnson, of Darlington.The Grand Aggregate of the A Classification, which carrieswith it the championship of the meeting, was handsomelywon by a newcomer, Mr. J. F. Chandler, of Twickenham,with the score of 1,382 ex 1,400. The Scottish Open MeetingChampionship for the Earl Haig Trophy resulted in asplendid effort by J. D. Young, of Portlethen, with a totalscore of 789 ex 800. The Ladies' Championship of themeeting was won by Miss M. F. Millar, of Perth, with a scoreof 584, her sister being second,one point less, besides winningthe B Classification Aggregate with the score of 1,368,which was tied by Messrs. W. Campbell, of Dundee Police,and J. S. Young, of Ardeer. The Pullar Targe for theOpen Meeting Team Championship of Scotland was wonby Perth City and County with the score of 798.5 ex 800.The full prize list appears elsewhere.The National Meeting at Ham and Petersham receiveda record entry and each day over 500 competitors andfriends were present. It was an occasion for many old andnew friends to come together again, the former to celebratea revival of assemblies on pre-war lines. At the meetingthe outstanding team match was, of course, the International,England again being successful, this time with a score of2,927, four points lower than thgir score in Scotland andonly beating the Scottish team by 12 points. Again the topscore of the match was 298, this time by " The man of themeeting," V. H. Gilbert, of Ham and Petersham. ForCounty Sextettes the Middlesex team brought off a double,as they not only won in Scotland with the score of 1,172to beat Stirlingshire 1,169, but also won at Ham thistime with 1,181, and Yorkshire runners-up with 1,167.Another representative match revived was that of theInter-Railways, the Great Western and the Southern,being the only two of the four main line groups represented,the former wirming by nine points with a total of 1,944.The announcement that the Manager of the SouthernRailway will replace the challenge shield destroyed byenemy action in 1941 was received With acclamation. Other trophies promised for replacement were the Daily Telegraph by Lord Camrose on behalf of the directors, and the News of the World Cup by the proprietors ; the pro prietors of the Daily Mail kindly revived their gift of prizes for the free entry competition for their trophy. The respective trophies were won by A. S. Wffitaker, Ham and Petersham ; W. J. Smith, G.P.O., and J. Cooke, Worplesdon. The A Classification Grand Aggregate for the Nobel Statuette and the Open Meeting Championsffip of Britain with the English Championship for the St. George's Trophy was won by V. H. Gilbert, of Ham and Petersham, with the grand total score of 1,387, five points better than the Scottish Meeting Aggregate and three points ahead of the runners-up on this occasion. The C ass B Aggregate resulted in a tiq with the equal scores of 1,382, the application of the tie rules allocating the first place to R. F. Lightfoot, of Witan, and H. J. Hawkes, of West Ham, to the second place. That this aggregate should equal the A Class winning aggregate in Scotland under more strenuous conditions and that the winning score in Scotland only took 11th place in England indicated the keen and better shooting necessary at this all National Meeting. The Ladies' British Championship for H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent Challenge Cup was a popular winT H E R I F L E M A N3for Mrs. N. Wilson, of Heston and Hounslow, with scoreof 590 ex 600, she being closely followed by Mrs. A. B.Culf, of Manchester, 588, and Miss D. 1. Nash, of Aylesbury, 587. The Women's Rifle Association Championshipof Great Britain for the Flowers Trophy was anotherpopular win, this going to Mrs. Culf with the spore of ,295 ex 300. The Junior Championship for the Rhodes Chal lenge Cup was won by A. Williams, a boy of 16, of the City of Cardiff R.C., who had recently won the Open Championship of Glamorganshire. He also put up numerous consecutive possible scores at this meeting. Whilst a full list of prizes and winners will not appear in this issue a list of all who won trophies and prizes in kind are printed elsewhere. Col. G. R. Codrington attended to present the prizes on the invitation of the Chairman, Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher. At both meetings Brigadier Barlow authorised the loan of the W.O. new .22 prototype rifles, known as the No. 6. These were used only fbr competitions at 100 yards range. At Edinburgh the best single shoot was a 99 by D. Harkness, whilst at Ham a more serious single entry triple 100 yards shoot was staged with a £20 prize list. This resulted in a top score of 294 being duplicated by Messrs. M. Bergson of Bradford and D. McGillivray of Glasgow to divide the first and second prizes. Following these there were two scores of 293, two scores of 292, and five scores of 291 to take prizes. The rifle was generally admired and the criticism was constructive. The main question was how soon can we hope for production ! The Chairman and the Council with its subsidiary committees have been most active during the past three months. Unfortunately we have had the retirement of Mr. Edwin L. Bell after many years of invaluable service, whilst Capt. J. R. Hemstead, C.B., ex-officio member of the Council for the R.N.V.R., has also resigned after his retirement from active service. He is succeeded by Capt. R. K. Spencer, V.D. L t . - G e n e r a l S i r N e i l R i t c h i e , G . C . C . S c o t l a n d , a s announced elsewhere at the Scottish prize distribution, was invited and has accepted the office of a vice-president of the Society. Since the destruction by enemy action of the S.M.R.C. Headquarters Library in May, 1941, efforts have been continuous to build another collection of shooting books. In these efforts a constant searcher after shooting books has been Mr. W. T. Thurbon, of Cambridge, who has contributed many volumes. Quite recently, however, we have received three large consignments of valuable volumes from Lt.-Col. T. Sutton, a Vice-Chairman of the Society. Some of these are out of print and he must have denuded his own library to stock ours. We are deeply grateful to both these gentlemen and to a number of others who have contributed single volumes. The interesting news that the War Office intend to extend their assistance to rifle clubs via the operations of the County T.A. and A.F.. Associations and the N.R.A. and the S.M.R.C. is given in more detail elsewhere in the next column. That rifle clubs have proved themselves effective in cementing comradeship amongst Home Guards men was a foregone conclusion in our opinion as the result of so many years' experience with rifle clubs. Our only regret is the limitations in personnel and numbers' which the W.O. think it necessary to apply. It is our objective to encourage every British citizen to shoot. The date of the Extraordinary General Meeting to re\'isethe Memorandum and Articles of Association, which haveoperated so successfully since 1903, but now need bringingup to date on a more democratic basis, was fixed forSaturday, 7th December, 1946, in London.The promise made by the Chairman at the last annual general meeting to prepare a revised memorandum and Articles of Association has been implemented by the Council in June, who appointed a Special Committee to consider this matter in all its aspects and report. It has taken longer than expected. Rifle Qubs and the War Department (Official) 1. It has been decided that assistance shall be given by the War Department to rifle clubs, the National Rifle Association and the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs on the lines described below. A . H O M E G U A R D R I F L E C L U B S (a) Home Guard Rifle Clubs may, if they so wish, open their membership to civilians who arc, or have been, members of: (i) The Armed Forces of the Crown. (ii) The Police. (iii) The Civil Defence Ser\'ices. (iv) Sea, Army and Air Cadet units, who have qualified to fire under the regulations in force from time to time in their own organisations. (b) Membership of each club will be limited, as an interim measure, to not more than the total membership authorised f o r t h e H o m e G u a r d m e m b e r s h i p . (c) In order that information may be readily available in the future, should it be decided that membership can be further enlarged, clubs may maintain a waiting list oficligible persons wishing to join. B . C I V I L I A N R I F L E C L U B S (a) Civilian rifle clubs which wish to obtain the same facilities as are enjoyed by Home Guard Rifle Clubs must be spon sored by Territorial Army Associations. (b) Territorial Aimy Associations must .obtain approval from the War OfiBce before sponsoring in order that the overall total membership of rifle clubs can be restricted to 250,000. The restriction on membership has been introduced to test the effectiveness of the scheme and to enable possible lia b i l i t i e s t o b e l i m i t e d . C. W AR DEPAR TMENT RANGES (a) Approved Rifle Clubs may use W.D. ranges which are m military use. Application should be made to the Command H e a d q u a r t e r s c o n c e r n e d . . (b) A charge of Is. per member, per year, m accordance with R.E. Services 1940, Part I, para. 182, will be made to cover " wear and tear " ; any unfair wear and tear will be charged to and paid in full by the club causing the damage. (c) Whilst using W.D. ranges rifle clubs will strictly comply with War Office orders regarding use and safety precautions. The annual shoot for the Col. DanieU ChaUenge Cup (Special Constabulary) and the Chief Constable's Challenge Mugs (Re^l^ Police V. Special Constabulary) was held in August on the Pakefield Range. In spite of rainy conditions in the morning a high st^dard of shooting was seen, Halesworth Division wmnmg the Col. Darnell Cup with a total of 541 points, Ipswich Division being runners-up with 528 points. Eye and Lowestoft Divisions scoring 524 and 515 respectively. (Possible, 600). This was a popular win by Halesworth, who had gone all out to break a series of wins by the Ipswich Division, the latter being happy to congratulate the new holders. The six best shots from the Special Constabulary then enpged the^ opposite numbers in the Regular Police, defeating them by 413 pomp agamst 399 (possible, 450). The Chief Constable, in presenhng tte prizes, congratulated all concerned, and expressed thanks to Capt. H. St. G. Maxwell of the Suftblk County R.A., for takmg charge of the shoot and to the various persons responsible for the orgamsation. The day concluded in sunshine with an excellent tea, arrangements for which had been made by the Lowestoft Division, who also were responsible A for the range.Next >