< Previous59CorrespondenceOxford. 23nlMv , 1946. The Editor, The Rifle man. Dear Sir, Over 40 years' enthusiasm for shooting of all kinds—gun, rifle or pistol—is my excuse for witing once more. Even today gun and rifle catalogues are among my most prized possessions, and, inci dentally, sports catalogues should be on public reading room tables— an all-in endeavour to make everyone take an active interest in sport. Some people may consider this ridiculous, but, prior to the war, social welfare workers in the United States were perturbed at the young men, all day in a mass-production factory, then moving into a cinema. No fresh air activity at all. We are hoping to see the sport of shooting developed or any sport developed where gambling, or simply looking on, is not the predominant feature. We are told 1,000,000 people play bowls in this country ; I would suggest that we have not got 50,Ci00 shooting men, and I would say that~our per centage of men in that sport is greater than any other country. Mr. Newitt speaks of co-operative method to get more rifle ranges.' Each county should have an outdoor " all kinds " of shooting rifle range, a shooting headquarters for summer and autumn. This head quarters could have a three-distance service rifle range with .22 shooting at the usual distances plus 200 yards also and clay pigeon shooting for the shot-gun men. The Territorials and the club competition men could use it together. It may be said these ranges would use a lot of ground. How much ground is used by the golf courses in each county? Undoubtedly the great difficulty is to get accessible full ranges, but there should not be much difficulty up to 200 yards and 200 yards is one of the most difficult distances to shoot at. • Arguing with Mr. Newitt that .22 shooting makes a man fit to shoot with the service rifle, at the same time Lord Cottesloe is right in saying that practice with the .303 is the main object. It seemed strange to me that the average small-bore shot did not appear anxious to take up .303 shooting. I believe it was Capt. Robinson, who, from a small-bore shooting man graduated to win the King's prize at Bisley, said that .22 shooting was more of a strain than service rifle shooting, a statement with which I agree. Mr. Newitt says service rifle shooting is just as artificial as .22 shooting. Small-bore shooting has become too artificial, and I would say that the demand for the four positions in shooting is a definite sign that many members con sider it has all become too mechanical. I have read that even grouse shooting today, in some parts of the country, has become artificial ! Mr. Scott Russell's letter on his .22 Mauser rifle emphasises the arti ficiality of the small-bore ranges. This country is being defeated in most international sports contests. Lack of co-operation with consequent lack of method is the root cause of all that, not lack of ability in our men. Recently a sporting magazine commented, with astonishment, that a hunting club (hunting in this case being with gun or rifle) in Moscow had 30,000 members. Could the N.R.A. and the S.M.R.C. not get together to formulate a system of ffi-st-class " all purpose " county rifle ranges, a scheme broad-minded enough, worked by all classes of riflemen co-operatively,- to have the approval of the War Office. Yours faithfully, R. FORREST . Jersey. •28//; July, 1946. The Editor, The Rifleman: D e a r S i r , _ , ^ Mr. Scott Russell's account of the terrible/o;;x pas he committed in 1938, in taking a .22 German Mauser bolt action rifle to Ham and Petersham, and of the well merited scorn poured out upon his ignorant and presumptuous head, should make us all smile—and remember 1940 I Smile, or weep ! Because, at the time the Mauser was being despised as a club rifle in'England, all the little German boys, all the Hitler youth, all the young German soldiers, all the jolly, well-fed German Kerlub members, were all shooting their .22 Mauser magazine bolt action rifles, in preparation for the next Der Tag I They shot standing, they shot kneeling, they shot sitting, and they shot prone I I don't know if they ever learnt to shoot or not, but if they didn't, it wasn't for lack of official encouragement, it wasn't because they didn't try to learn how, and it wasn't becaySe they hadn't got the best .22 training rifle in the world, because that is just what they did have I The Kaiser's Germany left little to chance. Hitler's Germany left less still, some future day somebody else's Germany will leave nothing ! Which is something we should, all of us, constantly bear in mind ' However, the second Der Tag has come and gone, and while youth will be served, time must be paid, and autre temps, autre rifles or so let us hope I But revenge is sweet, and Mr. Scott Russell is now in the happy position of being able to heap coals of fire upon the Ham and Peters- hamites. He can take his Mauser along to the meeting to be held at Ham and Petersham 7th-14th September, 1946, and put the rifle on view- to be compared with the new No. 6 Projotype rifle, which is to be shot in Competitions Nos. 45 and 46. I dare wager the Mauser will not suffer by comparison. Yours faithfully, G. E. PIROUET. Sheffield. ^ . • 1 2 / / ; J u l y . 1 9 4 6 . The Editor, The Rifleman. I N T E R - C I T Y F R I E N D L Y M A T C H E S \ Dear Sir, In the recent inter-City sports meeting between Hull and Sheffield Works Sports Associations one of the sports included was rifle shoot ing. The Hull team included such skilled marksmen as W. McCloud C. Sonley, A. Johnson, W. Buttery and others. After a very close match, which was only decided on the last detail, Hull won by 11 points. Sheffield are most anxious for their revenge and althou^ the next match at Hull will not take place till 1948 an " unofficial" match is being arranged to be fired at Hull in September. Interesting points to observe about this inter-city meeting are it was between the two largest and the two oldest Works Sports Associations in the countr>'. The totals engaged numbered over a hundred per side and they engaged in friendly combat ranging from fire-fighting, cricket, bowls to tennis, table tennis, darts.and billiards. The trophy contested for is a broken Books on Rifle Shooting A . G . ' s B O O K OF THE RIFLE 7s. 6d. (by post 8s.) Second Edition ' By A. G. BANKS " Any would-be shot who digests the sound advice in these pages will be well on the road to success." —The Field RANDOM W R m N G S O N RIFLE SHOOTING 7s. 6d. (by post 8s.) By A. G. BANKS " Pre-eminently a book f o r a l l i n s t r u c t o r s a n d e n t h u s i a s t i c m a r k s men." —Defence Magazine' R I F L E S H O O T I N G Q U E S T I O N S ANSWERED By Brig.-Gen. A. F. U. GREEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., p.s.c. 2s. 6d. (by post 2s. 8d.) " This is a most excellent illustrated pocket-book and contains all that the newcomer to the sport reouires to know."—N.R.A. Journal. J O R D A N & S O N S , U M I T E D H6 CHANCERV LANE, LONDON, W.C. 159 Correspondence Oxford. 23nlMv , 1946. The Editor, The Rifle man. Dear Sir, Over 40 years' enthusiasm for shooting of all kinds—gun, rifle or pistol—is my excuse for witing once more. Even today gun and rifle catalogues are among my most prized possessions, and, inci dentally, sports catalogues should be on public reading room tables— an all-in endeavour to make everyone take an active interest in sport. Some people may consider this ridiculous, but, prior to the war, social welfare workers in the United States were perturbed at the young men, all day in a mass-production factory, then moving into a cinema. No fresh air activity at all. We are hoping to see the sport of shooting developed or any sport developed where gambling, or simply looking on, is not the predominant feature. We are told 1,000,000 people play bowls in this country ; I would suggest that we have not got 50,Ci00 shooting men, and I would say that~our per centage of men in that sport is greater than any other country. Mr. Newitt speaks of co-operative method to get more rifle ranges.' Each county should have an outdoor " all kinds " of shooting rifle range, a shooting headquarters for summer and autumn. This head quarters could have a three-distance service rifle range with .22 shooting at the usual distances plus 200 yards also and clay pigeon shooting for the shot-gun men. The Territorials and the club competition men could use it together. It may be said these ranges would use a lot of ground. How much ground is used by the golf courses in each county? Undoubtedly the great difficulty is to get accessible full ranges, but there should not be much difficulty up to 200 yards and 200 yards is one of the most difficult distances to shoot at. • Arguing with Mr. Newitt that .22 shooting makes a man fit to shoot with the service rifle, at the same time Lord Cottesloe is right in saying that practice with the .303 is the main object. It seemed strange to me that the average small-bore shot did not appear anxious to take up .303 shooting. I believe it was Capt. Robinson, who, from a small-bore shooting man graduated to win the King's prize at Bisley, said that .22 shooting was more of a strain than service rifle shooting, a statement with which I agree. Mr. Newitt says service rifle shooting is just as artificial as .22 shooting. Small-bore shooting has become too artificial, and I would say that the demand for the four positions in shooting is a definite sign that many members con sider it has all become too mechanical. I have read that even grouse shooting today, in some parts of the country, has become artificial ! Mr. Scott Russell's letter on his .22 Mauser rifle emphasises the arti ficiality of the small-bore ranges. This country is being defeated in most international sports contests. Lack of co-operation with consequent lack of method is the root cause of all that, not lack of ability in our men. Recently a sporting magazine commented, with astonishment, that a hunting club (hunting in this case being with gun or rifle) in Moscow had 30,000 members. Could the N.R.A. and the S.M.R.C. not get together to formulate a system of ffi-st-class " all purpose " county rifle ranges, a scheme broad-minded enough, worked by all classes of riflemen co-operatively,- to have the approval of the War Office. Yours faithfully, R. FORREST . Jersey. •28//; July, 1946. The Editor, The Rifleman: D e a r S i r , _ , ^ Mr. Scott Russell's account of the terrible/o;;x pas he committed in 1938, in taking a .22 German Mauser bolt action rifle to Ham and Petersham, and of the well merited scorn poured out upon his ignorant and presumptuous head, should make us all smile—and remember 1940 I Smile, or weep ! Because, at the time the Mauser was being despised as a club rifle in'England, all the little German boys, all the Hitler youth, all the young German soldiers, all the jolly, well-fed German Kerlub members, were all shooting their .22 Mauser magazine bolt action rifles, in preparation for the next Der Tag I They shot standing, they shot kneeling, they shot sitting, and they shot prone I I don't know if they ever learnt to shoot or not, but if they didn't, it wasn't for lack of official encouragement, it wasn't because they didn't try to learn how, and it wasn't becaySe they hadn't got the best .22 training rifle in the world, because that is just what they did have I The Kaiser's Germany left little to chance. Hitler's Germany left less still, some future day somebody else's Germany will leave nothing ! Which is something we should, all of us, constantly bear in mind ' However, the second Der Tag has come and gone, and while youth will be served, time must be paid, and autre temps, autre rifles or so let us hope I But revenge is sweet, and Mr. Scott Russell is now in the happy position of being able to heap coals of fire upon the Ham and Peters- hamites. He can take his Mauser along to the meeting to be held at Ham and Petersham 7th-14th September, 1946, and put the rifle on view- to be compared with the new No. 6 Projotype rifle, which is to be shot in Competitions Nos. 45 and 46. I dare wager the Mauser will not suffer by comparison. Yours faithfully, G. E. PIROUET. Sheffield. ^ . • 1 2 / / ; J u l y . 1 9 4 6 . The Editor, The Rifleman. I N T E R - C I T Y F R I E N D L Y M A T C H E S \ Dear Sir, In the recent inter-City sports meeting between Hull and Sheffield Works Sports Associations one of the sports included was rifle shoot ing. The Hull team included such skilled marksmen as W. McCloud C. Sonley, A. Johnson, W. Buttery and others. After a very close match, which was only decided on the last detail, Hull won by 11 points. Sheffield are most anxious for their revenge and althou^ the next match at Hull will not take place till 1948 an " unofficial" match is being arranged to be fired at Hull in September. Interesting points to observe about this inter-city meeting are it was between the two largest and the two oldest Works Sports Associations in the countr>'. The totals engaged numbered over a hundred per side and they engaged in friendly combat ranging from fire-fighting, cricket, bowls to tennis, table tennis, darts.and billiards. The trophy contested for is a broken Books on Rifle Shooting A . G . ' s B O O K OF THE RIFLE 7s. 6d. (by post 8s.) Second Edition ' By A. G. BANKS " Any would-be shot who digests the sound advice in these pages will be well on the road to success." —The Field RANDOM W R m N G S O N RIFLE SHOOTING 7s. 6d. (by post 8s.) By A. G. BANKS " Pre-eminently a book f o r a l l i n s t r u c t o r s a n d e n t h u s i a s t i c m a r k s men." —Defence Magazine' R I F L E S H O O T I N G Q U E S T I O N S ANSWERED By Brig.-Gen. A. F. U. GREEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., p.s.c. 2s. 6d. (by post 2s. 8d.) " This is a most excellent illustrated pocket-book and contains all that the newcomer to the sport reouires to know."—N.R.A. Journal. J O R D A N & S O N S , U M I T E D H6 CHANCERV LANE, LONDON, W.C. 160T H E R I F L E M A Ncricket stump smashed in the first inter-city meeting i" 1931. whencricket was the solitary item of fare. The jnclusion of rifle shootingin the extended activities will no doubt lead in the near future to theformation of the Sheffield Works Sports Rifle Association.Yo u r s , e t c . ,L E S L I E P I N D A R ,Captain, Sheffield.c/o Barclays Bank Ltd., Jersey, C.I. Ird August, 1946. The Editor, The Rifleman. .22 RIFLES D e a r S i r , Having read through the last few copies of; The Rifleman, 1 feel must also comment on the all important position of .22 rifles. On page 2 Summer 1946 issue we are told Our fundamental need is a supply of .22 rifles." " One Club of 100 members has only TWO borrowed n'fies in use/^ 800 Clubs have given up, mainly due t o t h e l a c k o f s u p p l i e s . " . . , Then on page 7 Mr. Pethard tells us that if he had 50,000 rifles he could get rid of them. Now back to page 2 : " Sure indications that manufacturers will be producing improved models this year, although the prices are bound to be hi^." How right this statement is. Except that the models are not improved and lack pre-war polish. The Vickers " Empire, which sold at £8 10s., is now being made again, and sold at £25. But the really comic item was this : turn again to page 2 : " Whether the design (prototype No. 6) will be kept only as a pattern in case of need, it is hard to say." In view of all the foregoing, I must say " in case of need " is really rich. What a humorous nation we are. One wonders when " in case of need " will be, but judging by our past history " in case of need " can only mean " after the next Dunkirk." But, there may be a little ray of sunshine ; where are those German Mausers we've heard about ? On page 12 of the Autumn issue 1945 we were given a mouth-watering account of how some of our troops were enjoying shooting with commandeered German rifles in Germany —" we have some beautiful rifles which were used by the Hitler youth movement in Cuxhaven, etc., etc." What has happened to these and all the German target rifles surrendered in the British Zone ? Were they all dumped, or where are they? Why cannot some of the German Martini's .22, German Mausers .22, and German falling-Hock .22 target rifles, be allotted to the ■' starving for rifles " S.M.R.C. by way of reparation ? Dtu-ing the occupation of the Channel Islands, the Germans, with all due form, looted our rifles, wireless sets, cars, etc. Fine, let us now also, with all due form, loot some German rifles, etc., in return, and with-compound interest. Or, can it be that it is wrong to take anything from Germany in the way of reparation. Well, if that is the case, surely we could get some little item, such as a few thousand .22 rifles, in return for that £80,0(X),(XX) worth of food i^r annum we are giving the Germans now. But, perhaps after all, it might be better to wait until we really do need some rifles, then when the rockets are falling once more and the next war is well on the way we can make them right away. You see, we will have the patterns all ready and set, and after kll it will not take tis long to teach the coming generation how to use a rifle. Yours faithfully, E. P. PINEL, Hon. Sec., St. Helier M.R.C., Jersey. Jersey, C.I. Wth August, 1946. The Editor, The Rifleman. Dear Sir, In his letter, which appeared in the summer issue, Mr. C. Mann raises the old police argument on- behalf of tho anti-firearm laws, viz., " if the householder is allowed to own rifled weapons, then all the burglars will immediately retaliate by acquiring pistols, and gun fights will rage throughout the country, equalling Chicago at its worst." Mr. M. of course overlooks the fact that anti-firearm restrictions against the law abiding citizen never has, or never will, prevent the criminal type from having a weapon and using it. In those happy pre-1920 days when rifled firearms could be pur chased by all and sundry without let or hindrance, was there more" gun crime " in England than there is today ?There is no doubt, whatever, that the present severe restrictions onacquiring a rifle or pistol has done more to curb the sport of targetshooting than anything else. In the shooting world we are becomingrapidly decadent as little or no encouragement is given to the civilianmarksman or the citizen who would become a marksman if only theirksome restrictions were lifted. The rifle clubs are doing a grandjob tryinjg to keep our British shooting to the fore, but the amazinglack of rifles, pistols, ammunition and equipment due to Governmentcontrol of production, etc., is finally " capped " by the final " wet b l a n k e t " — t h e f i r e a r m r e s t r i c t i o n s ! I've just had the greatest pleasure in reading Lord Cottesloe's latest book, " The Englishman and the Rifle," and would ask you, Mr. Editor, in the interest of lovers of rifle shooting to publish Lord Cottesloe's views on the subject which can be read from Page 189 to page 193. Yo u r s f a i t h f u l l y, R O N A L D F . L E S U E U R . (We regret available space does not permit of meeting the writer's request.—Ed.) Cambridge. \ 5th July, 1946. The Editor, The Rifleman. D e a r S i r, On the provision of .22 rifles could not the Government be approached and asked to supply, say, 50,000 captured German r i fl e s f o r c o n v e r s i o n i n t o s i n g l e s h o t b o l t a c t i o n . 2 2 s f o r s a l e a t a reasonable price through the Society or the N.R.A. The.se might provide as useful a basis for the renaissance of the Society as the converted Martini did at the birth of the Society some 40 odd years ago. Yours faithfully, W. T . T H U R B O N . . B i r m i n g h a m , 2nd July, 1946. The Editor, The Rlfletnan. .22 PIST OL SHOOTING D e a r S i r, During this season I have heard the suggestion from several quarters that the International .22 Pistol Match should in f^uture be shot at 50 yards, or, if not at tha't range, then at 25 yards. The main argument for this apparently is because these are the ranges most suitable to the U.S.A. I fail to see that this suggested-change would be of any advantage to a team representing Great Britain. It would certainly narrow the field to those who, having 50-yards ranges on which to practise, would be likely candidates for the team. The proportion of those shooting pistols today that could practise at 50 yards is about 15 per cent as against 85 per cent at 20 yards. Next let us take 25 yards. Very little shooting is done at this range in this country. It would mean adding another target to already too ' large a number of different types of targets clubs are expected by their members to keep. Why is it that we are expected to follow the U.S.A. in this .22 pistol shooting ? While it is all right to follow when it leads to some advantage, I see no reason to do so when the reverse is the case. From the National Team point of view, have we done so well, and have we got, say, 20 people in the country that are capable of putting up an average of 90 on each of two targets when toeing the ^ line in such a match ? The answer is decidedly No I and as we are comparatively new-comers to this game it is better to carry on with the conditions where the greater number are able to practise and compete rather than to alter conditions which would undoubtedly react against us. It seems a great pity that the match v. U.S.A. and other countries was not staged this year. It would seem that some hitch occurred, but it would have been better to have informed those who had been asked to shoot cards and keep in practice. I would suggest that the S.M.R.C. might take,a vote of the .22 pistol shots on the question as to who should be the advisory com mittee to represent their interests. The falling through of the International has not inspired confidence in those responsible for this. Yours faithfully, F. E . M O R T O N , At the National Small-bore Meeting in September, again at the Ham and Petersham Ranges, the prototype/trials No.6 rifles were again brought into play. Shooters were supported by armourers from the two companies whose rifles were largely in use by competitors; one from the Vickers Armstrong firm catering for the many Vickers Martini rifles, and one from the B.S.A. Company who would also have been keeping a careful eye on the firm’s prototype rifles, for which spares would certainly not be generally available.Winter, 1946-47. T H E R I F L E M A N 11 had the only woman chosen for her country, Miss E. Cousins of Swansea, and she scored 285. In the Time-Limit aggregate, whilst W. V. Knight of Lensbury and Britannic House R.C. won the 25 yards with a possible score of 200 and H. Yool of Eastbourne the 50 yards with 199 ex 200, it was John Hail of Birmingham who carried off the aggregate with 395 e x 4 0 0 . Coming now to the .22 pistol shooting, the whole of which was dorie in the excellent 20 yards pistol pit, for the unlimited entry com petition there were three excellent scores of 95 each to tic for top place by W/Cdr. J. K. Gallic of Salisbury, Lt.-Col. G. E. A. Granet of S.M.R.C. Pistol Advisory, and D. Harkness of Bradford. The single entry competition for the Webley and Scott first prize was well won by F. Williams of Hampton Mobile Police, who put up the splendid score of 181 x 200, being closely followed by W. B. White of the City of London Police with 180. During the whole of the meeting the competitors were well served t h e a r m o u r e r s , W . B r a n t o f t h e B . S . A . G u n s a n d H . L e a c h o f Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs, whose firms and the men are all due for our appreciation and thanks for such valuable services. In order to encourage the use of the W.O. No. 6 .22 rifle the S.M.R.C. put up a prize list of £20 for a treble 100 yard competition and there was also an unlimited entry sweepstake competition in the j r o g r a m m e . W e w e r e g r e a t l y i n d e b t e d t o B r i g a d i e r B a r l o w f o r oaning these rifles under the charge of Captain Reynolds and S. F. French. Also for the lecture the Brigadier gave to a large assembly in the competitors' tent on Monday, 9th September, when he demon strated the leading features of this general utility .22 bolt action rifle of high standard performance. The result of the respective com petitions were that M. Bergson of Bradford and D. McGillivray tied for top prize of £15 with equal scores of 294 x 300. No fewer than 11 competitors shared the prize money with scores of 291 upwards. There were four scores of 99 to take top prizes in the sweepstake and nine others each scored 98 to complete the prize list all at 100 yards. Many competitors expressed admiration for this type of rifle and were concerned as to when it would be put into production. Only on the Monday and Tuesday were the popular "quiz" meetings held for half-an-hour after lunch. We were much indebted to Messrs. J. S. Robertson, T. Walker, A. Traies, H. W. Johnson, F. A. Fbxon, L. S. Hughes and W. Fuller for their help in these talks. P R I Z E L I S T H O M E C O U N T R I E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L \ U T C H F O R T H E M A P P I N C H A L L E N G E SHIELD. 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 2927 Conditions :—Teams of ten. 30 shots each competitor- 1. England (the shield and 12 emblematic badges) ... V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Petersham C. Sonley, Hull C. J. Hyde, Salisbury W. J. Smith, G.P.O J. F. Chandler, Twickenham J. Cooke, Worplesdon ... L. W. Wickens, Hendon and Cricklcwood ... H. W. Johnson, L.N.E.R., Darlington W. V. Knight, Lensbury and Britannic House L. S. Hughes, Twickenham Captain : A. V. Staniforth, Hull. Secretary : A. Traies, City of Birmingham. 2. Scotland (12 emblematic badges) J. G. Proudfoot, Edinburgh Citizens J. D. Nicoll, Perth City and County W. Campbell, Dundee City Police J. MacGranthin, Ardeer Recreation H. L. Michie, Blairgowrie T. Wa l k e r, K i n r o s s a n d M i l n a t h o r t D. McGillivray, Glasgow Police W. Buchanan, Falkirk Lord Roberts A. A. Smith, Glasgow Police P. S . M c K a y, C r o f t f o o t Captain : J. S. Robertson. Secretary : R. Wilson. 3. Wales (12 emblematic badges) W. Elias, Carmarthen and District L. T . James, Carmarthen and District A. E. Kennedy, Swansea J. G. Ellis, Swansea A. Williams, City of Cardiff D. O. H. Davies, Carmarthen and District ... R. M. Rees, Carmarthen and District R. G. Elias, City of Cardiff Miss E. Cousins, Swansea J. M. Lodwick, Carmarthen and District Captain : I. L. Roberts, Swansea. Secretary : R. C. Phelps, Carmarthen and District. HOME COUNTRIES LADIES' INTERNATIONAL MATCH. NO COMPETITION. 99 10099298 i 1 . 10099 97296 98 99 972942. 989996293 99 9697 292 3. 9910093292 9896 97 291 100 9596291 999993291 999793 289 2915 9998100297 999898 295 989798293 999797293 9998 96293 979896291 979895 290 9897 95290 999893290 999490 283 ... 2895 96' ■foo 98 294 9710096 293 989996293 999896293 999895 292 969996291 959995 289 979795289 99 •95 91 285 979881276 C O U N T Y " S E X T E T T E " C O M P E T I T I O N F O R T H E S I R E L L I O T T L E E S C H A L L E N G E S H I E L D . Conditions : Teams of six. 20 shots each competitor—10 each at 50 and 100 yards. 1 . M i d d l e s e x ( t h e s h i e l d a n d s i x s i l v e r m e d a l s ) 1 1 8 1 V. G i l b e r t . . . 1 0 0 9 9 1 9 9 J . F. C h a n d l e r 1 0 0 9 8 1 9 8 S. Broughton ...100 98 198 L . W . W i c k e n s 9 8 9 8 1 9 6 F. W . J . M a y o r 9 7 9 8 1 9 5 J.Smith 100 95 195 2 . Yo r k s h i r e ( s i x a n t i q u e b r o n z e m e d a l s ) 1 1 6 7 C . S o n l e y . . . 9 9 9 9 1 9 8 W. M c C l o u d . . . 9 9 9 8 1 9 7 A. V . Staniforth 98 97 195 D . H a r k n e s s . . . 9 8 9 6 1 9 4 B. Hewson ... 97 95 192 M. Bergson ... 97 94 191 I N T E R - R A I L W A Y S T E A M M A T C H . Conditions : Teams of 10. 20 shots each c o m p e t i t o r a t 2 5 y a r d s — 1 0 e a c h a t t w o cards. 1. Great Western Railway (10 metal g i l t m e d a l s ) 1 9 4 4 H. R. Hammond 98 R. W. Page 98 97 99 ... 98 ... 98 97 97 D. Cansick M. A. T ucker E. Y orke S. R. Bonsey E. Atkinson W. E . A v e n t . . . E. D. Roseveare... 98 W. W. Holland ... 97 Southern Railway (10 bronze medals) ... M. Bryant ... 99 A. E. Wheeler ... 99 T. W i l l m o t h . . . 9 7 H. J. Austin ... 97 W . F i s h e r ~ . . . 9 8 G. Russell ... 97 J . C . P a l m e r . . . 9 5 W. W h i t e . . . 9 4 H. Cobbett ... 96 L . B l a d d e r . . . 9 5 99 98 98 96 97 96 97 96 95 95 197 196 195 195 195 194 194 193 193 192 7. 20. antique 99 97 98 97 96 96 97 98 95 95 198 196 195 194 194 193 192 192 191 190 1935 T H E " N E W S O F T H E W O R L D " C H A L L E N G E C U P C O M P E T I T I O N . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. W. J . S m i t h . G . P. O . ( t h e c u p , s m a l l c u p a n d £ 3 1 0 s . ) . . . 2 9 9 P. K. McGill, Pllkington Recrea tion (silver medal and £3 10s.) 299 W. McCloud, Hull (silver medal a n d 2 5 s . ) 2 9 8 A . Tr a i e s , C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m ( s i l v e r m e d a l a n d 2 5 s . ) . . . 2 9 8 H. F. Manners, G.P.O. (25s.)... 298 J. F. Chandler, Twickenham (25s.) 298 W. H . M a g n a y, G u i l d f o r d a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 N . C . H e a d l a n d , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 A . H . T h o m e , H a m i l t o n s ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 G. F. Booth, Wimbledon Park ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 W. J. Blake, Hamiltons (15s.)... 297 S. Broughton, Twickenham (15s.) 297 A. A. Bolsom, Twickenham (15s.) 297 A. J. Shaw, Lensbury and Britan n i c H o u s e ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 J. Hall, City of Birmingham (15s.) 297 W. Bliss, Wimbledon Park (15s.) 297 H. Auty, Plumstead Police (15s.) 297 S . W a i s s e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 L . C . L i v i n g , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 R. Rennie, Stewarts and Lloyds, C o r b y ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 R. H. Ladley, Twickenham (4s.6d.) 296 N. C. Mansey, Dover and District ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 T. E. Milligan, Manchester City ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 M. Bergson, Bradford (4s. 6d.)... 296 W . B u c h a n a n , F a l k i r k L o r d R o b e r t s ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( 4 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 6 R. A. Reid, Armcross (4s. 6d.)... 296 L. A. Potter, Addiscombe (4s. 6d.) 296 V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Peters h a m ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 H. S. Y eoman, T wickenham ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. MacGranthin, Ardeer Recrea t i o n ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 Capt. W . V . Richards, W ey m o u t h ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 L. W . Wickens, Hendon and C r i c k l e w o o d ( 4 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 6 W. G. Money, Maidstone (4s.6d.) 296 S. R. Martin, Borough of Wands w o r t h ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Peters h a m ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 . All the prizes in this competition were kmdly given by the Proprietors of the News of the World. T H E " D A I L Y M A I L " C H A L L E N G E CUP . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards.- 1. J. Cooke, Worplesdon (the cup, small cup and £3) A . T r a i e s , C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m (silver medal and £3) S . B r o u g h t o n , Tw i c k e n h a m (silver medal and £3) 2. 3. 299 299 299 4. H. G. Brown, Heston and Houns- low (silver medal and 20s.) ... 298 5. E. A. Owen, Inland Revenue (20s.) 298 V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Peters h a m ( 2 0 s . ) 2 9 8 J. Hall, City of Birmingham (20s.) 298 H. W . John^, L.N.E.R., Dar lington (20^ 298 C . S o n l e y , H u l l ( 2 0 s . ) 2 9 8 H . W o r t h , L y d g a t e ( 2 0 s . ) . . . 2 9 8 11 . H . J . H a w k e s , W e s t H a m a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 N. C. Headland, Ham and Peters h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 E. J. T. Pidgeon, Heston and H o u n s l o w ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 14. E. A. Reed, Peppard and District ( l O s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. G. Proudfoot,. Edinburgh C i t i z e n s ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 F. W . J . M a y o r , H e s t o n a n d H o u n s l o w ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 N. H. Bennett, W orplesdon ( l O s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 C . S . C u l f , M a n c h e s t e r C i t y ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 W. B l i s s , W i m b l e d o n P a r k ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 • P. S. McKay, Croftfoot (10s. 6d.) - 296 E . H . G e e v e s , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. W. R. Newman, Beaminster ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 L. C. Living, Ham and Petersham ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 W. H . M a g n a y, G u i l d f o r d a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 25. Col. G. Gould, Ham and Peters h a m ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 J . D . N i c o l l , P e r t h C i t y a n d C o u n t y ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 F. W. G. Miles, Dover and Dis t r i c t ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 L. E. Hall, Royal Aircraft E s t a b l i s h m e n t ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5 Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds, Wimble d o n P a r k ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5 W. J. Blake, Hamiltons (2s. 6d.) 295 W. B. Godwin, City of Birming h a m ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 H. F. Manners, G.P.O. (2s. 6d.) 295 H. S. Y eoman, T wickenham ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 A. A. Smith, Glasgow Police ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 L. W . Wickens, Hendon and / C r i c k l e w o o d ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5' N . • Wa r r e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 S . W a i s s e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 H. E. Turner, Wimbledon Park ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 T. G. King, Dartford (2s. 6d.)... 295 A l l t h e p r i z e s i n t h i s c o m p e t i t i o n w e r e k i n d l y g i v e n b y t h e p r o p r i e t o r s o f t h e D a i l y M a i l . T H E " D A I L Y T E L E G R A P H " C H A L L E N G E C U P C O M P E T I T I O N . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1. A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Peters ham (the cup, small cup and £4) 299 2 . E . H . G e e v e s , C i t y o f L o n d o n Police (silver medal and 30s.),.. 298 A competition was arrange specifically for those attending to shoot the new rifle. The entrants and the results were as shown here in the Winter 1946 journal. Brigadier Barlow gave a lecture on the rifle, and several of the most successful and experienced shots of the time were able to give opinions on the performance of the rifle to attendees and to those present responsible for the design. It is probable that any modifications made subsequently would have been as a result of these informal “trials”. Many of the names of the shooters involved may be familiar to those with an interest in the history of rifles and shooting. Captain E.G.B. Reynolds is still well known as the author of the important reference book “The Lee-Enfield Rifle”; Tom Walker has already received a mention in this document as a successful shot, and our website has detail of a fine Vickers Martini rifle presented to him for winning an important championship; Arthur Traies was a well-known shot whose many trophies are still on display at the Bisley headquarters of the National Small-bore Rifle Association; and F.A. Foxon was another contemporary whose many badges and medals are held in the collection of the Rifleman website’s archives.Winter, 1946-47. T H E R I F L E M A N 11 had the only woman chosen for her country, Miss E. Cousins of Swansea, and she scored 285. In the Time-Limit aggregate, whilst W. V. Knight of Lensbury and Britannic House R.C. won the 25 yards with a possible score of 200 and H. Yool of Eastbourne the 50 yards with 199 ex 200, it was John Hail of Birmingham who carried off the aggregate with 395 e x 4 0 0 . Coming now to the .22 pistol shooting, the whole of which was dorie in the excellent 20 yards pistol pit, for the unlimited entry com petition there were three excellent scores of 95 each to tic for top place by W/Cdr. J. K. Gallic of Salisbury, Lt.-Col. G. E. A. Granet of S.M.R.C. Pistol Advisory, and D. Harkness of Bradford. The single entry competition for the Webley and Scott first prize was well won by F. Williams of Hampton Mobile Police, who put up the splendid score of 181 x 200, being closely followed by W. B. White of the City of London Police with 180. During the whole of the meeting the competitors were well served t h e a r m o u r e r s , W. B r a n t o f t h e B . S . A . G u n s a n d H . L e a c h o f Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs, whose firms and the men are all due for our appreciation and thanks for such valuable services. In order to encourage the use of the W.O. No. 6 .22 rifle the S.M.R.C. put up a prize list of £20 for a treble 100 yard competition and there was also an unlimited entry sweepstake competition in the j r o g r a m m e . W e w e r e g r e a t l y i n d e b t e d t o B r i g a d i e r B a r l o w f o r oaning these rifles under the charge of Captain Reynolds and S. F. French. Also for the lecture the Brigadier gave to a large assembly in the competitors' tent on Monday, 9th September, when he demon strated the leading features of this general utility .22 bolt action rifle of high standard performance. The result of the respective com petitions were that M. Bergson of Bradford and D. McGillivray tied for top prize of £15 with equal scores of 294 x 300. No fewer than 11 competitors shared the prize money with scores of 291 upwards. There were four scores of 99 to take top prizes in the sweepstake and nine others each scored 98 to complete the prize list all at 100 yards. Many competitors expressed admiration for this type of rifle and were concerned as to when it would be put into production. Only on the Monday and Tuesday were the popular "quiz" meetings held for half-an-hour after lunch. We were much indebted to Messrs. J. S. Robertson, T. Walker, A. Traies, H. W. Johnson, F. A. Fbxon, L. S. Hughes and W. Fuller for their help in these talks. P R I Z E L I S T H O M E C O U N T R I E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L \ U T C H F O R T H E M A P P I N C H A L L E N G E SHIELD. 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 2927 Conditions :—Teams of ten. 30 shots each competitor- 1. England (the shield and 12 emblematic badges) ... V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Petersham C. Sonley, Hull C. J. Hyde, Salisbury W. J. Smith, G.P.O J. F. Chandler, Twickenham J. Cooke, Worplesdon ... L. W. Wickens, Hendon and Cricklcwood ... H. W. Johnson, L.N.E.R., Darlington W. V. Knight, Lensbury and Britannic House L. S. Hughes, Twickenham Captain : A. V. Staniforth, Hull. Secretary : A. Traies, City of Birmingham. 2. Scotland (12 emblematic badges) J. G. Proudfoot, Edinburgh Citizens J. D. Nicoll, Perth City and County W. Campbell, Dundee City Police J. MacGranthin, Ardeer Recreation H. L. Michie, Blairgowrie T. Wa l k e r, K i n r o s s a n d M i l n a t h o r t D. McGillivray, Glasgow Police W. Buchanan, Falkirk Lord Roberts A. A. Smith, Glasgow Police P. S . M c K a y, C r o f t f o o t Captain : J. S. Robertson. Secretary : R. Wilson. 3. Wales (12 emblematic badges) W. Elias, Carmarthen and District L. T . James, Carmarthen and District A. E. Kennedy, Swansea J. G. Ellis, Swansea A. Williams, City of Cardiff D. O. H. Davies, Carmarthen and District ... R. M. Rees, Carmarthen and District R. G. Elias, City of Cardiff Miss E. Cousins, Swansea J. M. Lodwick, Carmarthen and District Captain : I. L. Roberts, Swansea. Secretary : R. C. Phelps, Carmarthen and District. HOME COUNTRIES LADIES' INTERNATIONAL MATCH. NO COMPETITION. 99 10099298 i 1 . 10099 97296 98 99 972942. 989996293 99 9697 292 3. 9910093292 9896 97 291 100 9596291 999993291 999793 289 2915 9998100297 999898 295 989798293 999797293 9998 96293 979896291 979895 290 9897 95290 999893290 999490 283 ... 2895 96' ■foo 98 294 9710096 293 989996293 999896293 999895 292 969996291 959995 289 979795289 99 •95 91 285 979881276 C O U N T Y " S E X T E T T E " C O M P E T I T I O N F O R T H E S I R E L L I O T T L E E S C H A L L E N G E S H I E L D . Conditions : Teams of six. 20 shots each competitor—10 each at 50 and 100 yards. 1 . M i d d l e s e x ( t h e s h i e l d a n d s i x s i l v e r m e d a l s ) 1 1 8 1 V. G i l b e r t . . . 1 0 0 9 9 1 9 9 J . F. C h a n d l e r 1 0 0 9 8 1 9 8 S. Broughton ...100 98 198 L . W . W i c k e n s 9 8 9 8 1 9 6 F. W . J . M a y o r 9 7 9 8 1 9 5 J.Smith 100 95 195 2 . Yo r k s h i r e ( s i x a n t i q u e b r o n z e m e d a l s ) 1 1 6 7 C . S o n l e y . . . 9 9 9 9 1 9 8 W. M c C l o u d . . . 9 9 9 8 1 9 7 A. V . Staniforth 98 97 195 D . H a r k n e s s . . . 9 8 9 6 1 9 4 B. Hewson ... 97 95 192 M. Bergson ... 97 94 191 I N T E R - R A I L W A Y S T E A M M A T C H . Conditions : Teams of 10. 20 shots each c o m p e t i t o r a t 2 5 y a r d s — 1 0 e a c h a t t w o cards. 1. Great Western Railway (10 metal g i l t m e d a l s ) 1 9 4 4 H. R. Hammond 98 R. W. Page 98 97 99 ... 98 ... 98 97 97 D. Cansick M. A. T ucker E. Y orke S. R. Bonsey E. Atkinson W. E . A v e n t . . . E. D. Roseveare... 98 W. W. Holland ... 97 Southern Railway (10 bronze medals) ... M. Bryant ... 99 A. E. Wheeler ... 99 T. W i l l m o t h . . . 9 7 H. J. Austin ... 97 W . F i s h e r ~ . . . 9 8 G. Russell ... 97 J . C . P a l m e r . . . 9 5 W. W h i t e . . . 9 4 H. Cobbett ... 96 L . B l a d d e r . . . 9 5 99 98 98 96 97 96 97 96 95 95 197 196 195 195 195 194 194 193 193 192 7. 20. antique 99 97 98 97 96 96 97 98 95 95 198 196 195 194 194 193 192 192 191 190 1935 T H E " N E W S O F T H E W O R L D " C H A L L E N G E C U P C O M P E T I T I O N . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. W. J . S m i t h . G . P. O . ( t h e c u p , s m a l l c u p a n d £ 3 1 0 s . ) . . . 2 9 9 P. K. McGill, Pllkington Recrea tion (silver medal and £3 10s.) 299 W. McCloud, Hull (silver medal a n d 2 5 s . ) 2 9 8 A . Tr a i e s , C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m ( s i l v e r m e d a l a n d 2 5 s . ) . . . 2 9 8 H. F. Manners, G.P.O. (25s.)... 298 J. F. Chandler, Twickenham (25s.) 298 W. H . M a g n a y, G u i l d f o r d a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 N . C . H e a d l a n d , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 A . H . T h o m e , H a m i l t o n s ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 G. F. Booth, Wimbledon Park ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 W. J. Blake, Hamiltons (15s.)... 297 S. Broughton, Twickenham (15s.) 297 A. A. Bolsom, Twickenham (15s.) 297 A. J. Shaw, Lensbury and Britan n i c H o u s e ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 J. Hall, City of Birmingham (15s.) 297 W. Bliss, Wimbledon Park (15s.) 297 H. Auty, Plumstead Police (15s.) 297 S . W a i s s e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 L . C . L i v i n g , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 R. Rennie, Stewarts and Lloyds, C o r b y ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 R. H. Ladley, Twickenham (4s.6d.) 296 N. C. Mansey, Dover and District ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 T. E. Milligan, Manchester City ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 M. Bergson, Bradford (4s. 6d.)... 296 W . B u c h a n a n , F a l k i r k L o r d R o b e r t s ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( 4 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 6 R. A. Reid, Armcross (4s. 6d.)... 296 L. A. Potter, Addiscombe (4s. 6d.) 296 V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Peters h a m ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 H. S. Y eoman, T wickenham ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. MacGranthin, Ardeer Recrea t i o n ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 Capt. W . V . Richards, W ey m o u t h ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 L. W . Wickens, Hendon and C r i c k l e w o o d ( 4 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 6 W. G. Money, Maidstone (4s.6d.) 296 S. R. Martin, Borough of Wands w o r t h ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Peters h a m ( 4 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 . All the prizes in this competition were kmdly given by the Proprietors of the News of the World. T H E " D A I L Y M A I L " C H A L L E N G E CUP . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards.- 1. J. Cooke, Worplesdon (the cup, small cup and £3) A . T r a i e s , C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m (silver medal and £3) S . B r o u g h t o n , Tw i c k e n h a m (silver medal and £3) 2. 3. 299 299 299 4. H. G. Brown, Heston and Houns- low (silver medal and 20s.) ... 298 5. E. A. Owen, Inland Revenue (20s.) 298 V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Peters h a m ( 2 0 s . ) 2 9 8 J. Hall, City of Birmingham (20s.) 298 H. W . John^, L.N.E.R., Dar lington (20^ 298 C . S o n l e y , H u l l ( 2 0 s . ) 2 9 8 H . W o r t h , L y d g a t e ( 2 0 s . ) . . . 2 9 8 11 . H . J . H a w k e s , W e s t H a m a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 N. C. Headland, Ham and Peters h a m ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 E. J. T. Pidgeon, Heston and H o u n s l o w ( 1 5 s . ) 2 9 7 14. E. A. Reed, Peppard and District ( l O s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. G. Proudfoot,. Edinburgh C i t i z e n s ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 F. W . J . M a y o r , H e s t o n a n d H o u n s l o w ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 N. H. Bennett, W orplesdon ( l O s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 C . S . C u l f , M a n c h e s t e r C i t y ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 W. B l i s s , W i m b l e d o n P a r k ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 • P. S. McKay, Croftfoot (10s. 6d.) - 296 E . H . G e e v e s , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 J. W. R. Newman, Beaminster ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 L. C. Living, Ham and Petersham ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 W. H . M a g n a y, G u i l d f o r d a n d D i s t r i c t ( 1 0 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 6 25. Col. G. Gould, Ham and Peters h a m ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 J . D . N i c o l l , P e r t h C i t y a n d C o u n t y ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 F. W. G. Miles, Dover and Dis t r i c t ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 L. E. Hall, Royal Aircraft E s t a b l i s h m e n t ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5 Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds, Wimble d o n P a r k ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5 W. J. Blake, Hamiltons (2s. 6d.) 295 W. B. Godwin, City of Birming h a m ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 H. F. Manners, G.P.O. (2s. 6d.) 295 H. S. Y eoman, T wickenham ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 A. A. Smith, Glasgow Police ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 L. W . Wickens, Hendon and / C r i c k l e w o o d ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 5' N . • Wa r r e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 S . W a i s s e n , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 H. E. Turner, Wimbledon Park ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 5 T. G. King, Dartford (2s. 6d.)... 295 A l l t h e p r i z e s i n t h i s c o m p e t i t i o n w e r e k i n d l y g i v e n b y t h e p r o p r i e t o r s o f t h e D a i l y M a i l . T H E " D A I L Y T E L E G R A P H " C H A L L E N G E C U P C O M P E T I T I O N . Conditions : 30 shots each competitor— 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1. A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Peters ham (the cup, small cup and £4) 299 2 . E . H . G e e v e s , C i t y o f L o n d o n Police (silver medal and 30s.),.. 298T H E R I F L E M A N195 . M i s s A . E c k t o n , P a r k s t o n eG . T . C . ( 4 s . ) 9 7J. Richardson, Magdalen CollegeS c h o o l , B r a c k l e y ( 4 s , ) 9 77. A. C, Baker, Borough of Wandsw o r t h ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 9 68. J. Newton, Magdalen CollegeS c h o o l , B r a c k l e y ( 2 s . 6 d . ) . . . 9 5 9. P. Reeves, Magdalen College S c h o o l , B r a c k l e y ( I s . 6 d . ) . . . 9 4 M i s s A . J . G a l e , M i t c h a m a n d T o o t i n g ( I s . 6 d . ) 9 4 COMPETITION 39. T H E " D A I L Y S K E T C H " J U N I O R T E A M C O M P E T I T I O N , C o n d i t i o n s : T e a m s o f f o u r . 2 0 s h o t s each competitor at 25 yards—10 each at two cards. 1 . M i t c h a m a n d To o t i n g ( t h e c u p , f o u r m e d a l s a n d 3 0 s . ) . . . . . . 7 2 0 M i s s V . J . L . S a l t e r 9 3 9 2 1 8 5 M i s s B . O . V i n c e 8 8 9 2 1 8 0 M i s s A . J . G a l e . . . 8 9 9 0 1 7 9 N. D. Gale ... 88 88 176 2. Magdalen College School, Brack- ley (four medals and 20s.) ... 717 J. Richardson ... 85 96 181 D. Bird 91 89 180 P . R e e v e s . . . 8 5 9 4 1 7 9 J. Newton ... 87 90 177 The prizes for Competitions Nos. 38 and 39 were provided from the S. F. Rhodes Charity. COMPETITION 40. T H E W E B L E Y A N D S C O T T P I S T O L COMPETITION. Conditions ; 20 shots each competitor at 20 yards—10 each at two cards. 1. F. Williams, H.ampton Mobile Police (Webley and Scott ,22 p i s t o l v a l u e £ 9 9 s . ) 1 8 1 2 . W . B . W h i t e , C i t y o f L o n d o n P o l i c e ( 3 0 s . ) 1 8 0 3 . J . C . J . K n o t t , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m ( 2 5 s . ) 1 7 8 4. W/Cdr. J. K. Gallie, Salisbury ( 1 0 s . ) 1 7 7 5. J. F. Chandler, Twickenham (10s.) 176 6 . R . A . R e i d , A r m c r o s s ( 5 s . ) . . . 1 7 4 E . D i g h t , A u t o m o t i v e ( 5 s . ) . . . 1 7 4 C. Mylonas, Twickenham (5s.)... 174 9. Lt.-Col. G. E. A. Granet, S . M . R . C . M e m b e r ( 5 s . ) . . . 1 7 3 1 0 . D . H a r k n e s s , B r a d f o r d ( 5 s . ) . . . 1 7 0 T h e fi r s t p r i z e i n t h i s c o m p e t i t i o n w a s kindly given by Messrs. Webley and Scott. COMPETITION 41.T H E P I S T O L U N L U V H T E D .Conditions : 10 shots c.ach competitor at20 yards.1. W/Cdr. J. K. Gallie, Salisbury( s i l v e r m e d a l a n d 1 7 s . ) 9 5 2. Lt.-Col. G. E. A. Granet, S.M.R.C, M e m b e r ( 1 7 s . ) 9 5 D . H a r k n e s s , B r a d f o r d ( 1 7 s . ) . . . 9 5 4 . M . B e r g s o n , B r a d f o r d ( 5 s . ) . . . 9 4 G. W. Cafierata, Calferata R. and P - C . ( 5 s . ) 9 4 C. Mylonas, Twickenham (5s.)... 94 COMPETITION 42. T H E 2 5 , 5 0 A N D 1 0 0 Y A R D S T E A M C O M P E T I T I O N F O R T H E S P O O N E R C H A L L E N G E C U P. C o n d i t i o n s : Te a m s o f f o u r 3 0 s h o t s each competitor—10 each at 25 50 and 100 yards. 1. Ham and Petersham A (the cup, four silver medals and 40s.) ... 1189 E. Stemp 99 99 100 298 A.S.WhitakerlOO 99 99 298 V. H . G i l b e r t 1 0 0 9 7 1 0 0 2 9 7 E. S. Batten 98 100 98 296 2. Hamiltons (four medals and 20s.) 1183 A. H. Thome 99 100 98 297 J. E. Frearson 99 99 98 296 W. J . B l a k e 9 9 1 0 0 9 7 2 9 6 B . L e w i s . . . 9 8 9 9 9 7 2 9 4 3 . Tw i c k e n h a m A ( 1 0 s . ) . . . J. F, Chandler 99 100 98 H. S. Yeoman 100 99 98 F. J , B a r r e n 9 9 9 8 9 7 L . S . H u g h e s 9 7 9 9 9 7 Tw i c k e n h a m B ( 1 0 s . ) . . . S. Broughton 99 100 98 A . A . B o l s o m 9 9 9 9 9 9 L. W. Wickens 99 100 98 F . E . D e a n 1 0 0 9 6 9 4 297 297 294 293 297 297 297 290 11 8 1 II8I W i m b l e d o n P a r k ( 1 0 s . ) . . . . . . 1 I 8 I G , F. B o o t h 9 9 1 0 0 9 8 2 9 7 Capt. E. G. B. R e y n o l d s 9 8 1 0 0 9 8 2 9 5 W . B l i s s . . . 1 0 0 9 9 9 7 2 9 6 H . E . T u r n e r 1 0 0 9 6 9 6 2 9 2 6 . W o r p l e s d o n ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 1 1 7 6 J. Cooke ... lOO 99 97 296 H . G r a v e s 9 9 9 8 9 8 2 9 5 N.H.Bennett 100 98 96 294 R . L i s t e r . . . 9 7 9 8 9 6 2 9 1 City of Birmingham A (2s. 6d.)... 1176 J. Hall ... 100 99 97 296 W. B . G o d w i n 9 9 9 9 9 6 2 9 4 A . T r a i e s . . . 9 9 9 7 9 7 2 9 3 T , J . K n i g h t 9 9 9 9 9 5 2 9 3 Lensbury and Britannic House B( 2 s . 6 d . ) 1 1 7 63 . G . E l l i s 1 0 0 9 8 1 0 0 2 9 8J. G. Pope 99 98 98 295Lt.-Col. W .B.Rowntree 98 98 96 292A. J. Shaw 97 97 97 291Perth City and County (2s. 6d.)... 1176 T . W a l k e r 9 9 9 9 9 9 2 9 7 R. Wilson 99 100 97 296 H. L. Michie 99 98 96 293 J. D. Nicoll 95 100 95 290 COMPETITION 43. 1 0 0 Y A R D S ' T E A M S H O O T F O R T H E CITY OF LONDON CORPORA TION C H A L L E N G E C U P . C o n d i t i o n s : Te a m s o f f o u r. 1 0 s h o t s each competitor at 100 yards. 1. Ham and Petersham A (the cup, four silver medals and 40s.) ... 396 V. H . G i l b e r t 1 0 0 A . S . W h i t a k e r . . . 9 9 E. S. Batten 99 E. Stemp 98 2. Worplesdon (four medals and 24s.) 391 N. H. Bennett 99 J. Cooke ' ... 99 H . G r a v e s 9 7 R . L i s t e r 9 6 3. Alexandra Palace (24s.) ... 391 W. J . S m i t h 9 9 F. H u c k l e 9 9 J. S. Milligan 98 P. K n i g h t 9 5 • 4 . H a m i l t o n s ( 6 s . ) 3 9 0 A. H. Thome ... 99 W. J . B l a k e 9 8 J. E. Frearson 97 B . L e w i s 9 6 Lensbury and Britannic House A ( 6 s . ) 3 9 0 J . G . E l l i s 9 9 T . W . B i g g s 9 8 W. V . K n i g h t . . . 9 7 R. E. Allen 96 C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m B ( 6 s . ) . . . 3 9 0 W . A d d e r l e y 1 0 0 A . D . S k i n n e r 9 7 C . G . W a l k e r 9 7 T. H . G o o d m a n . . . 9 6 The cash prizes in this competition were kindly given by J. A. Cranmer, Esq. COMPETITION 44. T H E S H A R P S H O O T E R F O R T H E C H E Y L E S M O R E C U P. ' C o n d i t i o n s : Te a m s o f t h r e e . D i s c breaking at 100 yards, 1. Twickenham A (the cup and tbree silver medals value £3 5s.) J. F . Chandler L, S. Hughes S. Broughton 2. C Coy ., pastboume (threeS.M.R.C, metal gilt medalsvalue £1 15s.)H. Y oolR. Manser .G, RussellCOMPETITION 45. T H E P R O T O T Y P E N o . 6 R I F L E COMPETITION. Conditions : 30 shots each competitor at 100—10 each at three cards. T o be shot only with any one of the Model 6 rifles on loan on the range. 1, M. Bergson, Bradford (£7 10s.)... 294 D. McGillivray, Glasgow Police ( £ 7 1 0 s . ) 2 9 4 3. J. Hall, City of Birmingham (35s.) 293 C . S o n l e y , H u l l ( 3 5 s . ) 2 9 3 5 . T. W a l k e r, K i n r o s s a n d M i l n a t h o r t ( 1 0 s . ) 2 9 2 W . M c C l o u d , H u l l ( 1 0 s . ) 2 9 2 7. N. H. Cooper. Lytham St. Aimes ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 1 J . D . N i c o l l , P e r t h C i t y a n d C o u n t y ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 1 Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds. Wimble d o n P a r k ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 1 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( 2 s , 6 d . ) . . . 2 9 1 T. J. Knight. City of Birmingham ( 2 s . 6 d . ) 2 9 1 COMPETITION 46. T H E P R O T O T Y P E N o . 6 R I F L E SWEEPST AKE, UNLIMITED ENTR Y . Conditions ; 10 shots each competitor at 100 yards. To be shot only with any one of the Model 6 rifles on loan on the range. 1 . T. W a l k e r, K i n r o s s a n d M i l n a t h o r t ( £ 1 ) 9 9 N. C. Mansey. Dover and District ( £ 1 ) 9 9 R . E. Al l e n , L e n sb u ry a n d Bri t a n n i c H o u s e ( £ 1 ) 9 9 M , B e r g s o n , B r a d f o r d ( £ 1 ) . . . 9 9 5. D. McGillivray. Glasgow Police ( 4 s . ) 9 8 Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds. Wimble d o n P a r k ( 4 s . ) 9 8 I . L . R o b e r t s . S w a n s e a ( 4 s . ) . . . 9 8 Capt. F. R. Bacon. Parkstone G . T . C . ( 4 s . ) 9 8 V. H. Gilbert. Ham and Peters h a m ( 4 s . ) 9 8 J. Hall. City of Birmingham (4s.) 98 P. K. McGill. Pilkington Recrea t i o n { 4 s . ) 9 8 M a j o r F. M o r r i s . P r e s t o n H . G . ( 4 s . ) 9 8 L. Gidney. Hawkers. Kingston ( 4 s . ) 9 8 DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES On Saturday, 14th September, 1946, at 5.30 p.m. At the conclusion of the National Small-Bore Meeting held at the Ham and Petersham range, Richmond, Surrey, the prizes were distributed by Colonel G. R. Codrington, C.B,, D.S.O. O B E T. D . Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher, C.B.E. (Chairman of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs) said : All good things come to an end ; this has been a record rifle meeting from the point of view of entries! and I think we have witnessed one of the finest performances by an individual—that of Mr. Gilbert, The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs is going on from strength to strength and if we all remain united and stick together and work hard there is not the slightest reason why it should not become one of the greatest of our national institutions ; indeed, my own personal opinion is that it is a great national institution now , I would like you to signify your concurrence that we should send a letter of cordial thanks to General Oflicer Commander-in-Chief Eastern Command, General Leese, for kindly associating himself with this meeting to the extent that he enabled us to have a working party of nearly 40 strong, (Hear, hear.) I would like also to emphasise the very great service rendered throughout this meeting by Lieut. Rossett, a Polish officer on leave, who came here to act as interpreter. (Applause.) I am sure it would be your wish that he shou d convey to the whole of his working party how grateful we are to them for their activities throughout the meeting. (Hear, hear.) We now come to the distribution of prizes; The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs has had many distinguished men to fill the position of president, and there was none more dear to our hearts than the late Lt.-Col. Sir Albert Codrington. We have with us today his son. Colonel Codrington, and I will ask him to give away the prizes. (Applause.) Colonel G, R. Codrington, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., T.D. : Ladies and gentlemen, I would like, first of all, to thank you. Sir Lionel, for the very kind reference which you made to my father. As you know the one thing in his Ijfe, especially'in his later years, he was most keen about, apart from his regiment, was this Society. (Applause.) His was a long life—he died last year at the age of 92—and right up to the end he was thrilled to read of the activities of this Society in The Rifleman, which he used to read from cover to cover. It would in any case be a great privilege to present the prizes at this meeting, but particularly do I feel it so in being asked to do so following upon him. There is very little that one can do, but one is proud to carry on the interests and the connections which he had for so many years with the S.M.R.C, (Applause.) This is a very great occasion. The Chairman has already mentioned that this has been a record meeting. This is the first National Meeting since 1939, and it would have been reasonable to expect that after the lapse of seven years the first effort would be rather tentative, but that is not so. It has been a record meeting in all the history of the Society and that is a tremendous achievement The aforementioned A.G. Banks, an officer in the Royal Engineers, well-known author of much shooting material and contributor of many articles to the S.M.R.C. journal, wrote further in the Winter 1946 issue of the general lack of rifles and of the development of the new No.6. His paragraph on “Equipment” is most informative, and confirms that the No.6 rifles were then just that, an independent model that went no further than effectively provide B.S.A. with the experience and information they needed to design another similar .22 rifle along the lines of the .303” No.5 Service Rifle. The rifle with which B.S.A. came up was the .22 Rifle No.5 that was only ever produced in a batch of one hundred trials models.54T H E R I F L E M A NWinter, 1946-47Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher then responded.It is a great pleasure to respond to the toast of" Small-bore Shooting " on behalf of the S.M.R.C.May I congratulate the last speaker on winning the bronze medalin the First Stage of the King's Prize at Bisley this year ?As you all know I followed the late Sir Charles Walker as chairmanwhen he died.In 1940 the W.O. intimated its intention of taking over all ourranges, but eventually agreed to our alternative suggestions, thusenabling clubs to continue in the best possible national interests, somuch so that the Secretary of S:ate for War paid the Society a glowingtribute to our services in response to a question in the House ofC o m m o n s l a t e r i n t h e w a r.On 10th May, 1941, our London premises were totally destroyedwith over 40 trophies and all our records by enemy action. Newpremises were acquired, and notwithstanding this grievous blow Ido not use the language of exaggeration when I say that never in itshistory has the Society been so strong, so virile and so active as it istoday. To have arrived at this result in these adverse circumstancesis a remarkable tribute to the energy and acumen of the greatly reducedoffice staff, which laboured unceasingly during those trying war years.The way in which the efforts of Council, Executive Committeeand staff alike were supported throughout the country could onlymean that_every club was determined to emerge from the war in a goodposition to carry on our great national sport, in itself a great phase innational defence.Very soon after the war began the Council began to list varioussuggestions for the improvement of the Saciety's operations.The war was no time to undertake any reconstruction ; peoplewere more seriously engaged, paper almost non-existent, travellingrestricted, and rightly so, but you all know now what is under way.It is not politic for me to anticipate decisions of the Council, but Iventure to predict that when these recommendations come forwardmembers throughout the country should feel happy and contented.Every club contributes to the well-being of the Society, and the administrators do sincerely appreciate their energy and support to a great degree. All connected with it should, I hope, realise that the Society has advanced to such an extent for it to be rightly regarded as one of our great national institutions. With increased leisure hours we must expect the nation to turn to various forms of relaxation and perhaps you will share my view when I say that to the extent of our resources we should be prepared to deal with the situation and provide facilities for expansion of our great sport. We now affiliate about 60 new clubs each moiith. For reasons for which the war is the sole contribiitor there is, and has been, a great shortage of rifles. I have no hesitation in saying that ten thousand rifles could be disposed of in a very few days. The trade should know and appreciate tWs. We, in our turn, must realise that the trade has had its difficulties. „ , . , You all know about the No. 6 Rifle in the early existence of which I beg leave to say that the Society was intimately concerned. The final adjustments to it are now in hand. The chief demand is for a good " clubable " rifle, and there is a risk that if the demand cannot be met soon then this great enthusiasm for small-bore shooting may decline to the detriment of the trades concerned, national defence, and of the Society itself. Like everything else today the cost of shooting increases and we must just hope that we can keep costs within reasonable limits. Provision of ranges is a matter of urgency and I worider if local authorities have considered treating these as " off rates " ? Our relations with the Services are most cordial and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the W.O. for its generous support and help, the value of which can hardly be exaggerated We have linked up with the Sea Cadet Corps, A.C.F., A.T.C. The youth of this country today will, I trust, be our prospective and enthusiastic members in the years to come. Rifle shooting has a high educational value on the young mmd. Our Association with the Women's R.A. is very cordial too. All in the movement should be grateful to l.C.l. for all it has done f o r i t , b o t h i n t h e p a s t a n d t o d a y . j , u c • . There is the closest co-operation between LC.I. and the Society, incidentally its best customer for .22 ammunition. Before very long we hope for better rifles, and to get back to a complete supply of excellent ammunition, and therefore would like to make it abundantly clear that we appreciate how handicapped the I.C.I, has been through dispersal of its staff during the war, and through having to use metals and chemicals not up to peace-tune Standard, and this still continues. minghamclubniust be vciTgra accessible to theS'™ th.". ItetEwlSon. would b. a vaiuabla coo-ffie LSs'S a'lfgunnerfwSer afloat or ashore; once a man becamecSafsh Ch'arll? HarSJ^wh'^n Aldershot said "You canalw?ys telf a egS^by ffie ftandard of its shooting." The R.A.F.amSd to seeXt the " Four-positional shooting is being graduallyXJTconclusion may I congratulate this club on its successes ; mayI thanXfbr'its hos'pitality and for the opportunity given to me of^ ' ' X T i ^ ; ^ r t " n r o X s L t b y t h epresence of the Lord Mayor.o J I „ o i „ w n R r i i f p l a t e R . A . F. , a n d C a p t a i n o f t h e|'rof.h'uB"S? oil;;'uS!'"was rcaponded to by ,he toast of "The Press "referred to rifle shooting as a national asset and said if everybodyErpKp%t.„ hpnr«ent a trophy if it would be an incentive to the development of that''^^Those who devoted themselves to the rifle understood what it meant to stand by England. The of England, which had b^ed for many centuries, found expression in the skill of the rineman. The Press, he added, recognised those things which belonged to greatness of England. London Transport R.C. For 30 years Mr. W. Drew has been secretary of the London Transport R.C. (previously L.G.O.C R.C ) ^hich from a memte^^ chin of under 20 in 1912 had at the end of 1944 passed the 5,000 Sa?k, with £3,000 invested funds for post-war development on new """"Aboul ffie middle of July last, Mr. Drew was enforced to resort to hospital treatment for a serious internal operation from which he emerged much better, but it will be some before he can h^ have normal health. Therefore he feels bound to ret re ffom the Club he has done so much to build to 'ts present hi^ a X nf^ruftful from membership of the Council of the S.M.R.C. ^ °f/j^bul ideas and intensive application to the job in hand, we his retirement without expressing our warm thanks for his shooting, not only in his own club, but amongstof the Society. As an examp e of his efforts over the war years, we follow with a condensed report for the five years of the war. membership At the end of December, 1933, the membership was 890 and seven '"SuS,°hry4f!940 ,o .hp»d of Ducp^buc new members were enrolled, bringmg the total membership to ap ''™Tte huge'^ease in membership necessitates a complete revision of representatives on the Executive Commute, together with a organisation of Management, and this must be the post-war task of ^■"^Ser^'sOO members of the Club joined H.M. regular Forces a number of whom unhappily, will not return, and to the relatives arfriends oi ho'se who hav; fallen in the Services of their country we express our sincerest ,vrnpathy. Many others were mentioned m despatches.Next >