< Previous86 T H E R I F L E M A N . November, 1917. REGISTER OF WINNERS. Ylar 1914 1915 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 7 I 1917 1017 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 igi? 19:7 1917 1917 1917 1917 igi? 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 1917 Club, Halton " D " Coy, 4th Middlesex V.R. B a b o o c k a n d W i l c o x Metro. Police, Devonport Div. " C " Coy. gth Kent V.R. " D " Coy. 4th Middlesex V.R. Midland Railway, Kettering Seaton (Devon) King's School, Pontefract F. Steel and Co., Ltd. Hoo Common Finchley Special Constabulary Swindon T own .A.tlas Protection Coy. (251) R.D.C. Clifton Yatesbury Camp R.D.C. Micklefield Section V.T.C. H e a n o r P a t r i o t i c St. Stephens (Hampstead Coy.) London Diocesan C.L.B. Guildford Legion of Frontiersmen (Leeds Squadron) I^.M.L.I., Chatham B r e n t f o r d G a s W o r k s Westminster National Reserve Chatburn Kirk Langley . M a r s I r o n W o r k s Wallasey Village ■■ D " Coy. 3rd Hants Cadets Sperryn Ath'etic ■• "C " Coy g th Kent \',R. 10 & 11 Platoons " C " Coy. 3rd M i d d l e s e x V. R . •• .Y " Coy. 4th Lincoln V.R. Battersea Grammar School .Artington Boys Blochairn Bishops Stortford ISritish Screw Co., Ltd. Robin Hood and District Manchester City To r q u a y P o l i c e Metropolitan Railway " B " Cov. loth County of Lon don v.'r. G.E.R.. Liverpool Street M e t r o . P o l i c e " M " D i v i s i o n No. 3426 556a 1355 2785 2271a 556a 4144 2858 2858 3874 1411 2178 897a 1354 2639 905 a 1415 1789a 2035a 2724 4072 342a 87a 1559 1903 322Sa 1473a 11 0 5 a 1351a 3000a 2271a 1238a 621a 2320 2352a 3326 1053 4089 2305a 506 3483 722a 2153a 4167 2260 Bell Medal. W. Ray Sergt. D. Butler P. C . W o o d D. Moxey SgtMcGuinness Pte. H. Stoate H. J Baker C. Taylor H. W . Redman J. E. -Addingley H. Lamer W. M o r r i s o n E. H. Brock W. R o b e r t s o n Lieut. E. Giles B. Bradford Sergt. J. Baileys W. L o n g b o t t o m Cadet Norman 520 H. Eager 1271a B. H. Rapkin Sgt. A. S. Fraser A. Whitaker E. A. Roberts Corpl. Purchase J. Hughes Cadet Payne j. H. Cox Sgt. Huntington Plt.-Sgt.Tillyard Pte. S. Jefferies Corpl. Lock A. Garbutt R. Xancarrow H. Stanley Tee J. Hughes E. James P. C . B l e e W. L o r d H. Thomas J. S. Smith P. C . B u l l Daily E.\prcss Medal. W. R a y Corpl.Batchelor J. Lawrie Pte. Brindley Cpl. P. Mitchell F. S k i n n e r H. W . Redman M i s s D u n c a n W. W a r d R. F. Clissold S. Bowmer W. S m i t h Segt. F. Lobb B. Bradford Corpl. Butt J. Ellis Corpl. A. Foord E. Booth O.M.S. Abbott F. J a c o b s Col.-Sgt. Scott R. Billington J. H. Phillipson Pte. F. Lane M i s s K . L e a r y L.-Corpl Young E. J. Matthews Lieut. F.S. Cope Pte. Harrison Cpl. Speakman Sergt. Fuller A. Parsons F. W . W i n s t o n H. Stanley Tee S. Kendrick W. B o o t h P.C. Berry J. Bagge J. Garrard E. C. Mills P. C . C a m fi e l d Daily Telegraph Certificate. W. R a y P. C . W o o d Pte.H.T.Adams F. J. Earlier F. A b b o t t M i s s D u n c a n H R . H a r b o t t l e H. Dawson F. S m i t h W. J. Stone W. S m i t h Sgt. Tamblyn T. R . J o n e s Sergt. J. Baileys J. Ellis J. Parkin Cpl. R.Schofield H. Eager Cpl.H.T.Barber M i s s M . S m i t h Sergt. Cutchey J. Jenkins T. H . P e a c h Corpl. Purchase Cadet Kent Cpl. Richardson Pl.-Sgt.Tillyard Pte. Fletcher Cadet Jones E. W atson W. G l e n H. Stanley Tee G. Powell H. Mitchinson Det. Elsworthv W. L o r d F. C h i l d s E. C. Mills P. S . O l i v e r Daily Mail Certificate. W. Ray S. Slavin Pte. E. E. Scales G. Keech A. G. Gapper J. Taylor W. L . H . F a r r e r F. S t e e l F. S m i t h W. J. Stone W. S m i t h C.Q.M.S. H. H. Bullock B. Bradford Cpl. J. Seacole J. Beedall T. Brearey Cadet H. Lewis H. L. Williams R. H. Chree Sergt. W. Ross R. E. Dickinson T. H . P e a c h Corpl. Purchase Bugler Hall Pte, h". Gibson Pte. Frost Pte. J. Wakelin Cdt. Underwood A. Parsons R. Nancarrow H. Stanley Tee H. Strickson E. James P. - S e r g t M a r t i n W. C h a l l i s C. Moon W. D . C o o l e v P. C . B u l l Lady's. MissW enham MissE.T own- ley Millars MissBearman. I f y o u h a v e a n y d i f fi c u l t y i n o b t a i n i n g T H E R I F L E M A N , A c o p y c a n b e s e n t e a c h m o n t h d i r e c t f r o m t h e o f fi c e s o f t h e S . M . R . C . P o s t f r e e 2 s . p e r a t i n u m . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNovember , 1917. T H E R I F L E M A N . 87 B.S.A. COMPETITION FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS, 1917. Conditions : Teams of six from any Company or smaller unit of Volunteer Regiments affiliated to the Central Association of Volunteer Regiments, or to the S.M.R.C. Ten shots per man deliberate at 25 yards on the double V.T.C. 15/20 yards target with carton ring. RESUL T OF PRELIMINAR Y ROUND. D C o . 6 t h C h e s h i r e 5 6 2 BCo. i4tli W.R.V.R. 575 Arundel Dot. 9th . S u s s e x . . . . . . 5 0 7 A C o . 3 r d W a r w i c k s 5 6 2 C C o . I S t D e v o n 1 3 ■ J ' e a m 5 5 4 P i l s l e y P l a t o o n 2 n d D e r b y s 5 7 3 B C o . I S t B e r k s . A T e a m . . . . . . 5 6 4 B C o . 3 r d S u s s e x . . . 5 5 5 No. 2 Co. (.Arbroath) 2 n d F o r f a r s . . . 5 4 7 D Co. 4th Glamorgan A T e a m 5 . S 4 9th Plat. C Co. ist I.O.W 557 D C o . 3 r d G l a m o r gan 550 B C o . 2 / 3 1 x 1 N . R . V . R . C T e a m . . . 5 3 3 D C o . 2 n d N o r f o l k . 5 1 2 No. I Plat. .A Co. ist L i n e s 5 5 4 A C o . 2 n d S u f f o l k . . . 5 3 9 C C o . 1 0 t h K e n t . . . 5 1 7 Heswall Unit Che shire 55S C C o . 4 t h L i n e s B T e a m . . . . . . 5 6 8 A C o . 2 n d B u c k s . . . 5 3 2 A C o . i s t N o t t s . . . 5 7 0 B C o . 9 t h S u r r e y . . . 5 8 0 - A C o . 4 t h L i n e s B T e a r n 5 6 7 C C o . 8 t h S u r r e y . . . 5 4 8 D C o . 6 t h K e n t . . . 5 5 6 S t . B r i d e s M a j o r & Southerndown Sect. 573 E l t h a m C o . i i t h K e n t 5 5 4 D C o . 2 i s t L o n d o n . A T e a m . . . . . . 5 5 2 B C o . 2 n d M i d d l e s e x . A T e a m . . . . . . 5 6 6 B C o . ( D i n n i n g t o n & D i s t . ) W . R . V. R . . . . 5 . 5 4 A C o . 7 t h L o n d o n . . . 5 5 7 beat No. i Co. County of London Netteswell Plat. .A Co. 1 2 n d E s s e . x C T e a m B C o . 7 t h L a n e s No. 3 Plat. .\ Co. 12th Durham No. 15 Plat. (Caw- t h o r n e ) i s t W . R . V. R . G C o . 3 r d H a n t s D C o . 3 r d K e n t F C o . 7 t h L a n e s B C o . 1 s t R u t l a n d D T e a m . . . Wo o l w i c h P l a t . 1 7 t h London B C o . 4 t h S t a ff s D C o . 4 t h N o t t s B C o . 3 r d S u f f o l k C T e a m . . . Epping Platoon i 2nd E s s e x . . . M o t o r V o l . S e c t i o n Banf fshire M o t o r S e c t i o n N o r t h u m b e r l a n d B T e a m . B C o . i s t R u t l a n d C T e a m . . . .A Co. 3rd Middlesex C T e a m . . . B C o . 2 n d M i d d l e s e x D T e a m . . . B C o . i s t R u t l a n d B T e a m . . . .A Co. ist Banf fshire ... .A Co. 5th Devon D C o . 6 t h S u f f o l k . . . E C o . 4 t h N o t t s B C o . l o t h C h e s h i r e . . . . A C o . i s t B e d s . . . C C o . 3 r d Wa r w i c k s . . . B C o . i s t N o r t h a n t s . A T e a m . . . B C o . 2 n d N o r f o l k B T e a m . . . B C o . 4 t h D e v o n P e n a r t h D e t . B C o . t s t G l a m o r g a n B Te a m . The result of the First and .A Co. 4lh Sussex ... 565 b e a t D C o . 7 t h D u r h a m . . . 538 by 27 392 by 170 C Co. 17th W.R.A'.R. 521 „ F C o . 9 t h C h e s h i r e . . . 495 .. 26 D C o . ( B i c e s t e r ) i s t 430 .. 145 Oxfords 547 , , B C o . n t h W . R . A ' . R . 525 " 22 . A C o . ( C 0 w e s ) 390 „ "7 I.O.W 539 ,, No. 17 Plat. 2,3rd D C o . l o t h K e n t B N.R.A.R. 517 .. 22 450 .. 112 Te a m 546 , , B C o . g t h . S u s s e x 525 21 .A Co. 2nd W arwicks 514 , , D C o . 4 t h N o t t s B T e a m . . . 493 .. 21 452102 B C o . 1 2 t h K e n t . . . 555 ,, No. 3 Plat. i/3rd N.R. A'.R 536 19 472lOI C C o . 2 n d M i d d l e s e x 555 ,, No. I Plat. .A Co. 12th Surrey 536 ,, 19 476 ,, 88 B C o . 5 t h D e v o n . . . 548 ,, C Co. 3rd Kent 529 ..19 472 .. S3 S h o t t s C o . 2 , T s t L a n a r k s B T e a m . 53' , , B C o . i s t R u t l a n d . A T e a m . . . 512 , . 1 9 466 , , S i Clowne Unit 4th D e r b y s . A Te a m . . . 547 ,, .A Co. 7th Durham 529 , , 1 8 .A Co. 7th Sussex ... 546 ,,, .A Co. gth Sussex 530 . , 1 6 475 > . 7 9 . A C o . 3 r d L a n e s . . . -A Co. 3rd Middlesex 557 , , B C o . 2 2 n d E s s e x 542 , . 1 5 481 , . 76 .A T eam 557 , , N o . 9 P l a t . C C o . 6th No. I Co. (.Arbroath) Sussex 542 , . 1 5 479 ' ■ 7 t 2nd Forfars S 3 - » C C o . 7 t h D u r h a m 5 1 S , . 1 4 B C o . i s t M i d d l e s e x B C o . 1 s t O x f o r d s . . . 532 , 528 , , C C o . 5 t h D e v o n , N o . 5 P l a t . B C o . 2nd 5t8 , . 1 4 463 , , 7 0 Cornwall 5t4 , . 1 4 B C o . 2 n d N o r f o l k 446 ,, 66 489 o 65 476 63 4.54 .. 63 502 -> 56 a'J 477 517 .531 .a a 53 49 518 ,, 49 505 .. 43 517 .. 39 536 37 517 I' 37 35 34 33 .532 521 -A T eam .A Co. loth Kent ... D C o . ( T r u r o ) i s t Cornwall ... Innerleithen Ii)et. B C o . i s t P e e b l e s . . . A C o . 4 t h N . R . V. R . B T e a m C C o . i s t D e v o n . A Te a m 464 577 516 .560 .A Co. 3rd Kent B C o . 2 / 3 r d N . R A'.R. A T eam .539 531 B C o . l o t h L o n d o n . 5 2 S 19 Co. 2nd Middlesex 495 B Co. 3rd Lanes ... 554 -A Co. (Thetford) 6th Norfolk D Co. i4lh Plat. 15th W. R . V . R . B Co. 4th N.R.ALR. . A T e a m . . . . No. 2 Co. County of I.ondon A^.E. ... E) Co. 1st Rutland C Te a m .\ Co. 21 St London B T e a m . . . B C o . i s t N o r t h a n t s B T e a m . . . B C o . i s t B e r k s B Te a m M o t o r . S e c t i o n O x f o r d s V. C D C o . 6 t h N o r f o l k i6lh Platoon (^Hemel Hempstead) 2nd W. H e r t s . . . C Co. 2/3rd N.R.AAR. .A T eam Clowne Unit 4th Derbys B T e a m .\ Co. 3rd Hants B C o . 2 / i 5 t h L a n e s . . . B C o . 2 n d ' H a n t s 5S8 w.o. .\ Co. ist E. A'orks 496 452 567 14 12 10 9 8 5 68 529 ,, 2 526 ,, 2 493 .. 2 533 .. I scratched 56S 537 502 475 D C o . 3 r d Wa r w i c k s D C o . I . S t E . V o r k s B C o . i s t E . A ' o r k s 52S ,, 29 ■Second Rounds Ta u n t o n D e t . . S o m e r s e t d i d n o t shoot. B Co. 4th N.R.V.R. B Team v. —. Co. 6lh Durham, void, will be published in, the December Issue. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK88 S.M.R.C. POSTAL COMPETITION. TO BE COMPETED FOR IN TWO STAGES. FOR INDIVIDUAL RIFLEMEN IN TWO SECTIONS. A . M e m b e r s o f A f fi l i a t e d R i fl e C l u b s . B . V o l u n t e e r s . No Competitor may shoot in more than one Section. SECTION A. PRIZES. SECTION B. 1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd to 6th, £1 each 7th to loth, 10/- each 16th to 35th, 7/6 each £2 100 1st Prize 1100 2ud Prize 400 3rd to 6th, £1 each 4100 7th to 15th, 10/- each 7100 16th to 85th, 7/6 each £2000 £2 100' 1100 400 410 0- 7100 £20 00 The Prizes have been provided by Major G. L. Bennett, The Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd., Messrs. Nobel's Explosives Co., Ltd The London .Armoury Co., Ltd., Messrs. Kynoch, C. G. Bonehill, Esq., Messrs. A. G. Parker & Co., Ltd., Messrs. E. Blyde & Co., and Remington Arms U.M.C. Co., Ltd. In order to add additional interest to the Competition, the Council of the Society has decided to bear the of tlie expenses, and to devote the Entrance Fees to providing Life Memberships of the Society, in addition to the Cash Prizes, to the successful Competitors in the ratio of one Life Membership for every Fourteen Entrants in eaeh respective Section. . SPECIAL PRIZES.—One S.M.R.C. Life Membership, to the leading Competitor from Overseas Clubs whose name does not appear in the above prize list. , , ^ . Two S.M.R.C. Life Memberships, to the two leading Lady Competitors whose names do not appear m the above prize list. Entpsnce Eee • Is. ©ct. Each Competitor may make two entries, but only his highest score will count. FIRST ST AGE. SECTION B. CONDlT iONS. Distancu.— 2o yards, to be measured from the edge of the firing poinlncuresl the target. Numuhu of Suots.-oO. Time limit of tea minutes for each series of 10 shots. Witnesses must give the orders ''Commence" and "Cease lire." Targets.—Three double V.T.C. Io,ii0 yards' Targets witli carton ring. Tliis target is printed with two targets on one cai d, and five shots should be fired at each. Ko hit below the value of a five will be counted. Should competitors fail to observe this condition, and more than the specified number of shots be placed upon anv target, full credit for each shot sliall be given if ilit-j can be dis tinctly seen, subject to a penalty of one point for each shot in excess. An additional 10 voints n-ill be deducted ^or each shot in cxca^nof the required number. Tlie three targets must be shot upon the same day within a period of one hour upon any range, indoor or outdoor, wliich complies wiili the distance regulation. Hii'LUs.—Any .22 breech-loading Rilie or Carbine (this includes the short foie-end) fitted with bairel not exceeding ^Oiiis. in length and complying with the following conditions SiouTS.—Foresight: Barleycorn, knife-blade or solid bead, with or without pro tecting ring not exceeding iin. in width measured parallel witli the barrel. Backsight; Service pattern tangent sight with V or tj, with or without wind- gauge. POSITION.—Any. Slings.—Siings must not be used. Tuigger.—The trigger pull must not be less than 41bs. Triggers must be tested Witnesses.—Each of the targets must be shot in the presence of any Commissioned Officer, active or retired, of the Kegular or Volunteer I'orces, or a special wit ness appointed by the S.M.R.C., wlio will be responsible for the eruditions of the Competition being duly complied with; ana they must certify same upon the certificate fonvarded with the targets. Coaching not allowed, but competitoi-s may spot for themselves. Practice before shooting competition cards allowed, but no further practice between the three competition targets. ^Vhilst competitors are shootinq their targets in this Competition, no other targets sJiall be alloiccd on the Butt. Wliere not otherwise provided for, the Shooting Regulations of the S.M.R.C. will govern the coulest. SECTION A. CONDITIONS. Distancb.—25 yards, to be nuasured from the edge of tlie firing point nearest the target N u m b e r o f S h o t s . — 3 0 d e l i b e r a t e - Rule 19.—In deliberate competitions competitors must fire williout undue delay. Five minutes is allowed for each series of 10 shots, and to exceed tliLs may constitute ground for disqualification. Sliould this time limit be exceeded, witnesses must notify same on face of target, together with any explanation considered necessary. The orders " Commence " and "Cease fire" must be given. Takoets.—Three S.M.R C. Match 'J argeta. Tlie S.M.R.C. Match Target has live targets on one card, and two s h o t s s h o u l d b e fi l e d a t e a c h . N o h i t b e l o w t h e v a l u e o f a l i v e w i l l b e c o u n t e d . Should competitors fail to observe ibis condition, and more than the specilied number of shots be placed on any target, full credit for each shot shall be given if they can be distinctly seen. sul5ject to a penalty of one point for each shot in excess. An additional 10 points tcill be deducted for each shot in e x c e s s o f t h e r e q u i r e d n u m b e r. The three targets must be shot upon the same day within a j eiiod of one hour upon the range of any affiliated Club, indoor or outdoor, which complies with the distance regulation. R u l e s a n d S i g h t s . — A s l a i d d o w n i n R u l e s 0 3 a n d 6 8 a . Position.—Any . Slings.—Slings may be used. Trigger.—The trigger pull must not be less than Bbs. Tiiggers must be tested. "Witnesses—Eacli of the targets must be sliot in the presence of a member of the Committee and two otlier rifiemcn of either llieir own or any other affiliated Club, who will be held responsible for the Conditions of the Comgeiition being duly complied wlih : and they must certify same upon the certificate forwarded with the targets. Coaching not allowed, but competitojs may spot for themselveB. PiucTicR before shooting competition cards allowed, but no further practice between tiie three competition targets. IMiilst competitors arc shooting their targets i7i this Competition, no other targets shall be alloiccd on the Butt. Where not oiheiAvise provided for, the Shooting Regulations of the S.M.R.C. will govern the contest. SECOND ST AGE. The 100 leading Competitors in each Section will shoot a second series of targets under similar conditions with the exception that the witnesses in all cases will be provided or arranged for by the S.M.R.C, ENTRIES. must be made by letter addressed to the Secretary, Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, Arundel House, Arundel Street, London, W.C.2, on or before December 1st, 1917, and Compyebitors must state in which section thev intend to shoot, also name of Club, or Company and R a t t a l i o u o f \ o l u n t e e r R e g i m e n t . ' ' c ^ The Competition Targets and Witnesses' Certificate for the 1st Stage will be sent to Competitors immediately upon receipt of entry, with ^ envelope in which they must be returned upon the conclusion of the shoot. The targets must be shot between the date of receipt and Saturday, December loth iiicJusive. Targets not received by Wednesday morning, December 19th, will he disqualified. Competitors wishing to know their scores before the publication of same in The RIFLEMAN must enclose a stamped addressed postcard w i t h t h e i r t a r g e t s . • ^ E n t r i e s C l o s e D e c e m b e r 1 s t , 1 9 1 7 . E n t r a n c e F e e 1 1 6 . Life Members are entitled to compete for the Money Prizes only. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . 89 THE ENFIELD PATTERN 1914 .303in. MAGAZINE RIFLE. THE EFFECTIVE WEAPON OF THE NEW FORCE. PROSPECTIVE RENAISSANCE OF OLD-TIME MARKSMANSHIP. B y " C a r t o n . " * SOMETHING has to be written about the P. '14— t h e r i fl e w h i c h h a s b e e n i s s u e d t o t h e Vo l u n t e e r Forces of Great Britain, and the weapon, which, if given a fair and adequate test, will prove as good a shooting tool as any yet designed or manufactured by our rifle experts who provide the lethal weapon for the soldier . When the Eniield pattern 1914 .303 in. magazine rifle made its appearance amid our training establish ments, sprung from " nowhere," to use a colloquialism— just like" Peter Pan " in Sir J. Barrie's pretty little story, and with no reliable credentials to give it that characteristic " puff" so dear to the man of the gun, it certainly did not a tendency to be gregarious, so that the "snowball" of adverse opinion soon assumes something approaching colossal magnitude, a condition of things for which I have no reasonable excuse to offer, but in passing, submit a courageous summing-up by an old armourer—one of the old school—who tersely remarked, "The youngsters take to 'em all right, but them others—the likes o' you and me— is up agin it 'cos they don't know where it come from." Now to allay any suspicion which some of my readers, volunteer and clubmen, may have regarding the new P. '14 rifle, I will state a few interesting facts concerning its origin. To build a rifle which would, with the acme of safety O-TL 3 . - ~ 7 ~ A . I c - A S ^ , ? y ~ ^ . V', e, 3. T-Ae g&^^art.Jy~a.u.sre.r^??'L/U. have a plethora of admirers to support its advent into the rifle shooting world and also to challenge the cataracts of adverse criticism which were unwisely poured upon it. Idle rumours were current that the new rifle was either a Ross or a Mauser, while some of its critics, well-known expo nents with the S.M.L.E. service weapon, asserted that it was built after the pattern of a U.S. Springfield rifle which " Uncle Sam's boys " had discarded for a new model. Rumour is ofttimes an idle jade, and her chimerical and lamentable effusions have invariably a disastrous effect in shaking the confidence which is a potent factor, highly essential when arming or re-arming men to whom' we look to maintain that high standard of efficiency generally attributed to the British soldier by the Continental Powers. Unfortunately experts of the shooting cult have to the soldier, discharge a bullet at a flat trajectory has uncpiestionably been the problem to be sohed by the Ser vice rifle expert for many years. .An increase in the explosive substance in the cartridge would probably ensure greater velocity of the buUet, but one has to experiment with due caution because the increase of e.xplosive substance or the substitution of another which would provide greater gas pressure upon the chamiier and bolt when the charge is exploded, could only be tolerated when it would be commensurate with safety to the soldier or Hrer, Therefore it was considered essential that the rifle must be reinforced or rebuilt. It has probably been a very sore point with our Service fifle experts to note that although the British soldier has been proved to be the finest war-shot of the nations engaged in WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK90 Novembeh, 1917. the far-flung battlefield, and that not only are the rifle and bullet the persuasive factors recognised by the belligerent armies, but the cult of the soldier's weapon has been an aid to our many recruiting schemes—for is not the fascination of shooting inborn within us?—the British soldier was not armed with a rifle superior in every detail to the weapon of the hordes of German infantrymen. I do not assert that the short Lee-Enfield rifle is not such an effective weapon as the Mauser, because I am assured that we have by far the most serviceable rifle on the vast battle-fronts at this moment, but had the character of fighting assumed another form—for instance, that in which distant range rifle fire would be employed—the British soldier would have been handicapped by the fact that the German bullet fired from the Mauser rifle has a flatter trajectory and that in its course towards its object it would travel over a greater danger space than its nickel-jacketted adversary. Rapid fire is unquestionably the speciality produced by exponents armed with the S.M.L.E. and in the hands of the trained soldier it has no rival, but rapid fire is only effective at short ranges such as are provided in the theatre of war to-day and would rarely ever be employed at ranges above 600 yards. T h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f M a r k V H . a m m u n i t i o n s o m e w h a t resembled a compromise. The short Lee Enfield rifle was designed to fire Mark VI. ammunition, which has a round nose bullet ; but with Mark VII. ammunition, which fires a pointed bullet weighing 174 grains instead of 215 grains, and attains a muzzle velocity of 2,440 compared with 2.080 foot pounds per second, and produces a chamber pressure of about 45,ooolbs. per square inch, better results were obtained. The extent of dead ground was decreased 100 yards when firing at 600 yards range, whilst the bullet when fired from the prone firing position did not rise more than 5 feet 3 inches in its flight. However, this was not deemed satisfactory ; so the question of another design of rifle was seriously considered, which in the end led to the introduction of a weapon of quite a different character from the popular favourite of the rank and file, which, besides being a verj' trustworthy friend when the prospect of success was rosy, was also a splendid bayonet handle and an excellent club w h e n i t s o w n e r w a s i n a t i g h t c o r n e r. T h e e x h a u s t i v e trials of the new weapon, which made its debut carrying a barrel with a .276 calibre bore, and which was designed to take a rimless cartridge similar to the one the German infantry use in the Mauser rifle, were almost complete when the war clouds burst ; a large number of experi mental weapons had been issued for the purpose of trial —the results being highly favourable ; the rimless cart ridge, which liad a base of .526 inch, being considered exceptionally satisfactory. From the general ballistics I note that a 2,800 foot pounds per second muzzle velocity was obtained which challenged the German bullet in that respect, and that it had a chamber pressure of 5i,5oolbs. per square inch. As to what would have transpired I dare not hazard a solution, because it was tacitly recognised by the "looker on" th.at the new rifle's reputed superiority was almost negligible. True we had obtained greater accuracy at distant ranges, but it was the consensus of opinion that we would, if the weapon were adopted, lose considerable rapidity of fire. However, the clash of arms in the Balkans—the prelude to the Kaiser's chapter of intrigue—struck the warning note " Prepare," so the movement of re-arming the British soldier had to be shelved, and all the energy of our small-arm industry devoted to equipping Lord Kitchener's Army with the short magazine Lee Enfield rifle. It was, nevertheless, considered that the movement of re-arming would be again persisted with at the conclusion of hostilities, so a number of the new rifles of .276 calibre were dispatched to manufacturers in the United States, one point in its favour submitted being that its design was more simple than its predecessors. But to manufacture a weapon requiring a cartridge dissimilar to the one in use by all arms of the mother country, and to issue it in large numbers, would only cause confusion, so the recipients were asked to build a rifle similar in design but barrelled to take the .30310. Mark VII. cartridge, which the factories at home were turning out by millions weekly. Very little diffi culty in accomplishing this appears to have been presented, because not many months elapsed before the Enfield rifle pattern 1914, which only differs from the .276 calibred rifle i n t h e d i m e n s i o n s o f t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e b a r r e l , i n t h e mechanism of the magazine, which had to be adjusted and made suitable for the Service cartridge, and of course in the graduations of the back-sight, soon made its appear ance. Although I do not presume that the members of the new Force, who are armed with the rifle, need anything beyond an early success to quicken their interest in the weapon, I would strongly advocate that each should have more than a hazy conception of its origin. There is without doubt unerring emphasis that it is not a dis carded rifle. Much more concerning the weapon and its potentialities could be written, and some surprising facts could be stated beyond what appear in this article, but the censor forbids. My object in this essay is to inspire c o n fi d e n c e i n t h e w e a p o n . T h e V o l u n t e e r a n d o t h e r kindred Forces, whether they are graduated as the first, second, or any " old " line of defence, are not armed with any " old" rifle. Cold, positive facts prove that un questionably, and I do not hesitate to say that if every type of small-arms now in use by the British Forces were put to the test by expert marksmen in slow fire practices, the E.R. Patt. '14 would, as the result of subtle judgment, secure the greater meed ot support, because the problem of aiming has none of those com plexities generally in evidence when firing the Service rifle. Now by no means do I insist that the latest recruit to the rifleman's ordnance is a paragon of virtues to be idolised to the detriment of the weapon which has proved to be second to none on the plains of France, the steeps of Gallipoli and the swamps of Mesopotamia. The Patt. '14 rifle has some excellent features, but it has —and none but the blind optimist would deny—some points which evoke a tirade of adverse criticism. No good would ensue by enlarging upon them, because I am as s ur ed tha t the m an w ho i s no t ac cu s tomed t o handle the business-looking weapon possessed by our human fighting machine does not suffer from lack of immediate adaptability. To dissect the weapon in question from butt plate to muzzle homologously with the Service rifle would occupy unlimited space, so I will confine mv remarks to those particular features which are of paramount import ance to the rifleman. The muzzle velocity of the E.R. Patt. '14 is 2,380 foot-pounds per second, against which the Service rifle WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK91 exponent would place the muzzle velocity of his weapon, viz., 2,400 foot-pounds per second. But in this case comparisons are odious, because, theoretically, the new rifle's muzzle velocity should be much higher. However, this assertion is not so paradoxical as it appears. Before the Service rifle was issued e.xhaustive tests were made, ■the ammunition employed being a selected quality of Mark VII., and every endeavour practised so that a high velocity should be revealed. The fates, on the other hand, were not so kind to the new rifle, because the ammunition * used in its tests was not up to pre-war standard, therefore a comparison upon this particular development is not likely to incite invidious comment. Theoretically, the muzzle velocity, which means so much to the efficiency of the rifle, should be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 4,600 foot-pounds per second, owing to its length of barrel, whidh is 2ft. aim, or ;|in. longer than that of the Service rifle. Experts tell me that the bullet begins to settle at about 100 yards from the rifle, but there is only a very- slight key-holing. Fixing bayonets to rifles invariably interferes with the natural " jump," and it is the custom when firing the Service weapon, bayonet being fixed, to aim below the object it is intended to hit at about 9 inches for every 100 yards of range. With the new rifle, bayonet being fixed, it is generally anticipated that the bullet drops slightly lower and to the right, for which an allowance must be made. However, in aiming, there cannot be an established rule, because rifles will be found to vary to such an extent that every man should ascertain the error o f h i s r i fl e f o r h i m s e l f . Should a man be called upon to use Mark VI. ammu nition he should add 300 yards to the elevation on the leaf of his rifle, thus making a practical allowance for the w e a k e r a m m u n i t i o n . {To be continued.) -o- CADET WINTER COMPETITION. T O be competed for by one team of four from companies or smaller units of Cadet Corps, School Corps, Lads' Brigades, Boy Scouts, and any other approved organisation affiliated to the S.M.R.C. The following prizes will be awarded ;— To the winning team, 4 large silver medals, and 1,000 rounds of Kynoch Long Rifle Smokeless Ammunition. To the second team, 4 small silver medals. To the third team, 4 small bronze medals. CONDITIOXS. Each competitor must have been a hona-tide member of the Corps, etc., which he is representing for at least two months previous to the date of shooting. \o competitor may siioot for more than one team. The contest will take the forrn of a Postal Competition, and teams may shoot their targets upon any day between the 3rd and iSth December , 1917. The shooting of the whole team must take place on tlie same range and he completed within a period of two consecutive hours. Witnesses.—Each of the targets must he shot where possible in the presence of a witness especially appointed by the S.M.R.C.. or failing such a witness in the presence of any Commissioned Officer, Cadet Officer, Musketry Officer, Scoutmaster or School master', who will he responsible for the conditions of the Com petition being duly complied with and who will certify same upon the certificate forwarded with the targets. Teams of four lads between the ages of 13 and 18. Distance.—25 yards to he measured from the edge of the firin.g point nearest the targets. 'Xumher of Shots and Description of Targets.—20. 10 deliberate. Double V.T.C. 15/20 yards with carton ring ; 10 in ■100 seconds. Double Bisley Figure 25—200 yards. Note.—The deliberate targets have two targets printed on one card, and five shots should he fired at each. No hits outside the rings upon the target will he scored. The time-limit target has two targets printed^'on one card, and five shots should he fired at each. The scoring will he as follows :—5, 4. 3, hits outside the rings, 2. Should competitors fail to observe these conditions, and more than the specified number of shots he placed on any target, full credit for each shot shall be given if they can he distinctly seen, subject to a penalty of one point for each shot in excess. .An additional ■10 points will he deducted from any target in respect of each shot in excess of the required number. Rifles.—.Anv .22 breech-loading rifle or carbine (this includes the short fore-end) fitted with barrel not exceeding soins. in length and complying with the following conditions :— Sights.—Foresight : Barleycorn, knife blade or solid head, with or without protecting ring not exceeding fin. in width measured parallel with the barrel. Backsight : Service pattern tangent sight with A' or U, with or without windgauge. Position.-—.Any, (See Rule 58.) Slings.—Slings must not he used. Trigger.—The trigger pull -must not he less than qlhs. Triggers must he tested. Each corps must provide a 4lhs. certified dead weight trigger tester for this purpose. Coaching and Spotting.—Deliberate stage ; Coaching and spotting allowed : competitors mav also use their own binoculars or telescopes. Time-limit stage : No coaching or spotting allowed, and telescopes must not he allowed upon the firing point. In the deliberate stage 10 minutes only will be allowed each competitor for firing 10 rounds. In the time-limit stage too seconds are allowed. Competitors will load and aim on the words " Get ready" and fire on the word " Commence," and Ihev may not fire after the words " Cease fire. T h e r e w i l l b e a n I n t Av a l o f fi v e s e c o n d s b e t w e e n t h e w o r d s " Get readv " and the word " Commence " ; time will he reckoned from the word " Commence." Witnesses must give the orders " Commence" and "Cease fire," and in both the deliberate and time-limit stages intermediate times may he called and competitors may use their own watches. AVhilst shooting is taking place in connection with this com petition no other targets are allowed on the butts, and no time- limit targets may he on the butts whilst deliberate shooting is taking place. Where not otherwise provided for the Shooting Regulations of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will govern the contest. Ties for the first three places will be shot off. Any protest regarding an infringement of the Rules must be received by the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. on or before December 19th. otherwise it cannot be entertained. Entries must be made on or before the 28th of November, upon a form to be -"btained from the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. The necessary targets and witness's certificate will be sent to competing Corps immediately after the closing date, together with an envelope, in which they must be returned at the conclusion of the shooting. E n t r i e s c l o s e N o - v e m b e r 2 8 t h , 1 9 1 7 . Entry Fee, 1/=, WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK92 T H E R I F L E M A N . November, 1917. BURROUGHES AND WATTS COMPETITION, 1917. Conditions : Teams of four from any Club in the United Kingdom affiliated to the S.M.R.C. 20 shots deliberate at 25 yards, on two S.M.R.C. match targets. RESULT OF PRELIMINAR Y ROUND. Guildford 77" Southgate and Dist. 750 Leven and District... 76S \A'est\vood Works B T e a m 7 3 3 J..\.P. B Team ... 752 Ellengowan 776 T h a t c h a m P o l i c e R e s . . 4 T e a m . . . 7 3 8 Hammersmith Iron W o r k s . - V Te a m . . . 7 6 2 . \ C o . 4 t h L i n e s C T e a m 7 6 5 Citv of London X.R. 767 .Alexandra Palace ... 7S4 A l i t c h a m 7 ^ 9 G.E.R. -Mech. Inst. T e a m 7 6 5 T o n d u B T e a m . . . 7 6 4 F i n c h l e y S p e c i a l Const. B Team ... 763 Dr-vonport 775 Brancepeth 78O 4 h a t c h a m P o l i c e R e s . C Te a m . . . 6 9 S Lanca.ster B Team ... 773 Maidenhead and Dist. A T e a m 7 5 4 Harrodian 766 Luton and Dist. B T e a m 7 6 7 L e e D T e a m . . 7 6 2 H u m b e r 7 7 2 M e t r o . E l e c t r i c . . . 7 6 1 B a b c o c k & \ A ' i l c o . x . . . 7 6 4 Upper Mills -A Team 770 beat Sperryn .Ath. B Team ,, Renficld C T eam Harrington - L e i s t o n Patriotic B Te a m C o w e s B T e a m .Midland Rly., Sheffield Bolckow V aughan & C o . B T e a m P i t s m o o r D T e a m C a l l e n d e r B Te a m B l a c k b u r n H o r n b y . A Te a m J.A.P . A T eam D o r c h e s t e r a n d D i s t . . . . F l e t c h e r R u . s s e l i L e i s t o n Patriotic .A Te a m P i t s m o o r C T e a m Lydgatc B Team Wa t e r l o o C i v i ' i a n . A . s - s o c i a t i o n . A T e a m . . . Employees' Welfare .A.s- . s o c i a t i o n Hyde Park .A Team ... G.E.R. Mech. Inst. B T e a m . . . Sperryn .Ath. Team... Dunmow W e s t H a m P o l i c e Kensington B Team ... .A Co. 4th Lines .A Team E l t h a m A T e a m Brinclif fe and Ecclesall A T e a m 707 6SS by 63 ,, 62 „ 4 8 690 .. 43 713.. 39 742 .. 34 7"5" 3 3 731" 3 ' 736 ,, 29 738 ,, 29 75'5 ,, 28 743 „ 2 6 739 ,, 26 738,, 26 738 " 2 5 73' .. 24 763 .. 23 675 .. 23 75')» 22 732 22 745 21 749 „ 1 8 744 „ i S 760!, 12 749 12 755 ,, 9 7fl2 „ 8 T OF Bolsover Colliery ... 768 beat Garswood Hall Collieries R.X. Barracks p e r m a n . 760 by 8 (Devonport) B Team 759 W i m b l e d o n P a r k C T e a m 7 7 1 Boro' of W andsworth .A Team 767 Brighton and Hove Imperial .A Team . 76S Te u t o n a n d D i s t r i c t . A Te a m 761 G r i m s b y C e n t r a l B Te a m Wa t e r l o o C i v i l i a n - A s s o c . B T e a m . . . W i m b l e d o n P a r k B Te a m H u l l C i t y P o l i c e . . . E l t h a m B T e a m Seaton Boro' ol W andsworth B T e a m G a r s t o n B T e a m " P " D i v . M e t r o . Police P i t s m o o r . A Te a m . . . .Sterling A Team ... J'eek Frean Athletic ... 751 ,, Finchley Special Const. - A T e a m 7 6 4 , , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m B T e a m 7 6 0 , , ■Addiscombe .A Team... 762 ,, R.X. Barracks (Devon- p o r t ) A Te a m . . . 7 5 5 „ 77S ,, Cheam 774 .i. 4 753 1,, Arcadia 749 ..4 753 I,, Monmouth and District B T e a m 7494 754 1,, BrinclilTe and Ecclesall B T e a m 73' >> 3~ 762 , , B r i n c l i f f e a n d E c c l e s a l l C T e a m 759 ..3' 733 ) , L o u t h a n d D i s t r i c t 7 3 " . . 3 742 , , S t . F a i t h ' s , B r e n t f o r d . 740 >12 775 ■ • Brymbo Inst 774 u1 769 . , G l o u c e s t e r C i v i l S e r v i c e 7 6 S „I 765 . , B o r o ' o f P o r t s m o u t h . . . 764 ..I 746 , , H e n d o n a n d C r i c k l e - w o o d B T e a m 741 drew with Middlesbrough ... l.uton and Dist. B T e a m . . . . . . 7 4 1 British Klectric T r a n s f o r m e r . . . 7 3 3 L.G.O.C. -A Team... 75S Pitsmoor .A Team ... 776 M a n c h e s t e r C i t v . . . 7 7 3 .Midhuid Rly., Derby 770 W i m b l e d o n P a r k B T e a m . . . . . . 7 5 0 Perth City and County 771 M I t c h a m . . . . . . 7 7 8 Pristwich and Dist. 749 G.E.R. .Mech. Inst. .A T iauii ... ... 767 Middlifsbrough ... 760 beat C a r 1 i .s I p Kleclricity I \ ' o r k s B T e a m B l a c k b u r n H o r n b v B T e a m . . . . . . T h a t c h a m P o l i c e . R e s . C T e a m W e s t w o o d W o r k s B Te . a n i . . . L . I a n f t t e s B Te a m Sterling B Team L l a n f a e s A ' I ' l a m ' i ' h r i t r h a m P o l i c e R e s . .\ l"'am .Seaton . 3 t h i s B Te a m Thatcham Police Re.s. .A Team Granville Canadian B ' I ' e a m . . . . \ i l a s . A Te a m Hammersmith Iron Works C Team ... 732 w.o. Taunton Del. Somerset A C o . 4 t h I d i i - s B T e a m 7 1 8 , , B e x h i l l Si Clubs had byes in this Round. R e s u l t o k T i e S h o o t . Middlesbrough ... 769 beat Atlas .A Tenm FIRST ROUND. Pitsmoor B Team ... 766 beat Glan Conwav 745 .. I 741 scratched 611 by L e e B Te a m . . . 757 ,, Portland Sports 130 Ellengowan 783 ,, Associated Equipment Co. C Team Lee .A Team... 7S0 ,, Chiswick ^5'82J . A . P. B Te a m . . . 759 , , H e s l o n B T e a m 680 ,, .Alexandra Palace ... 784 ,, Sterling A Team 78G r i m s b y C e n t r a l . A Te a m 782 ,, Hammersmith Iron 700 ,, 7'' Wo r k s 7"5 ,, bS Xo. 2 R.H.T. Depbt 768,, Hcston .A T eam 706 ,, (■'4 Dundee 768 ,, .Applclon Team G.E.R., Liverpuol (■"jS ,, 61 Street 771 ,, Mount Pleasant L a n c a s t e r B Te a m . . . 77" , , W e s t w o o d W o r k s . A 7'2 ,, 59 I'eam 733 ><45 C o w e s . \ T e a m 761,, Globe W orks 7'J39 Hartlepool767 , , L . G . O . C . B T e a m Bolsov, r Colliery 759 ,, Bolckow V aughan C o . A Te a m . . . 7 3 " . .37 G r i m s b y C e n t r a l B Te a m 779 ,, Upper Mills B Team ... 724 ,, 3bC a l l e n d e r . A Te a m . . . 750 , , F l y d e P a r k B Te a m . . . 747 i>y 22 731 by 35; 7 2 4 M 5 3 751 .. 32 7 5 " . . 3 0 7 3 " . . 2 9 757 .. 27 755 .. 27 743 .. 23 745 ,, 23 7 4 9 - 2 2 748 ,, 22 739 22- 746 ,, 21 739 761 732 ]8 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKN o v e m b e r . 1 9 1 7 . T H E R I F L E M A N . 9 3 Hammersmith Iron Wo r k s A Te a m . . . 7 S 2 Ealing 774 Applclon B Team ... 72S Edmonton 779 Brighton and Hove Imperial .\ Team . 769 Garston .A Team ... 765 H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m . A T e a m . . . . . 7 6 2 Shtmklin 764 Boro' of W andsworth .A T oatii 762 ■A d d i s c o m b e B Te a m 7 4 4 W i m b l e d o n P a r k . A Te a t i i Wa l l s e n d a n d N e p tune L a n c a s t e r . A T e a m . . . Walthamstow En.sign B T e a m . . . .A Co. 4lh Lines C Te a m Walthatnstow Ensign A T e a t i i b e a t W e l l i n g o r e . . . - . . . ,, Boro' of W andsworth B T e a m Loughborough Padiham Lee D T eam B i c e s t e r To w n a n d D i s t . Hendon and Crickle- wood A T eam No. 5 Plat. C Co. 2nd Cornwall Grttnville Canadian A Te a m Maidenhead and Dist. B T o a t i i I.uton and District .A Te a m Maidenhead and Dist. Lydgnte .A Team Hammersmith Iron W o r k s B T e a m 770 ,, Gloucester City .A Team 769 ,, Orrell and District 772 754 766 7^5 765 by 17 75S ,> 16 7 1 2 „ 1 6 764 .. 15 754 >i 15 751 .. 14 748 .. 14 » I.'? 749 743 M ^ 0 13 12 7 6 0 „ 1 2 7 4 2 „ > 2 755 .. II 754 .. II 760 ,, 10 759 .. 10 Shankiin Ladies G a r s t o n B T e a m . . . Carlisle Electricity M o r k s A T e a m . . . Brancepeth Southgate and Dist. •Associated Equip- metit Co. .A Teatn Pipper Mills A Team •Asscxtiatcd Equip- m e t i t C o . B - Te a m H u l l C i t y P o l i c e . . . R.N. Barracks (Devonport) B Team Kensington .A Team . Hutiiber Devonport M e t r o . E l e c t r i e " P " D i v . M e t r o . Police Montnouth and Dist. -A T eatn Guildford Stourbridge L'rtiiston R e n fi e l d B T e a m . . . 732 beat Castleford Vols. 7 8 1 , , L a n c a s t e r C Te a m 5 6 6 „ H a l l a t o n a n d D i s t r i c t Vo l s 7 S 4 „ H a r r o d i a n 772 ,, Renfield .A Team 768 ,, Brighton and Hove Im perial B Team 7 6 0 , , To n d u B Te a m 769 ,, .A Co. 4th Lines B Teatn 764 „ Babcock & NA'ilco.v 761 ,, Gloucester City B Team 770 ,, Beckenham 768 ,, Elthatn B Team 765 ,, City of London N.R. . 7 6 5 „ T o n d u . \ T e a t n 77S ,, Finchley Special Const. B T e a m 766 ,, Leven and District ... 7 5 9 „ W a t e r l o o C i v i l i a n . A s - . s o c i a t i o n B Te a m . . . 7S0 w.o. .Arbroath 762 ,. Lee C Team 7 4 4 , . W i m b l e d o n P a r k C Te a t n 722 by 10 772 9 657 .. 9 77b S 7 6 4 " s 760 ,, 8 752 762 ,, 7 757 7 754 794 .. 762 .. 760 ,. 7bi ,, //O.I J 764 .1 2 7 5 S I . I scratched disqualified DRA W FOR SECOND ROUND. ir 0- 6. 8. 9- 10. It. 12. 13- 14- 15- .uiuuiesui uu^ii 1. Borough of Wandsworth A Team v. Pitstnoor B Tea W i m b l e d o n P a r k A Te a m v. R . N . B a r r a c k s ( D e v o Middlesbrough v. Shankiin. Te a m , vonport) B Te a m . Stourbridge Garston -A Team. R e n fi e l d B Te a t n v . C a l l e n d e r - A Te a m . Metropolitan Electric v. Lee .A Teatn. British Electric Transformer v. Associated Equipment Company .A T eam. Carlisle Electricity Works .A Team v. Brancepeth. P r e s t w i c h a n d D i s t r i c t v . A d d i s c o m b e B Te a m . Urmston v. Appleton B Teaiti. L.G.O.C. -A Team v. Devonport. L u t o n a n d D i s t r i c t B Te a t n v. M o n m o u t h a n d D i s t r i c t . A Te a m . Wallsend and Neptune v. Cowes .A Team. Humber v. Midland Railway, Derby. " P " Division Metropolitan Police v. .Associated Equipment Company B Team. (The last day lor shooting in 16. Walthamstow Ensign A Teatn v. Pitsmoor .A Team. 17. Flam and Petersham .A Team w Dundee. 18. No. 2 R.H.T. Depot v. .Alexandra Palace. 1 9 . H a t n m e r s m i t h I r o n \ A ' o r k s . A Te a m v. G r i m s b y C e n t r a l B T e a m . 20. Lancaster .A Team v. Ellengowan. 21. Lancaster B Team v. Upper Mills .A Team. 22. Kensington .A Team v. .A Co. 4th Lincolnshire C Team. 23. Walthatnstow Ensign B Team v. Wimbledon Park B Team. 24. Guildford v. Grimsby Central .A Team. 23. G.E.R., Liverpool .Street v. Bolsover Colliery. 26. Manchester City v. Hartlepool. 27. G.E.R. Mechanics' Institute .A Team v. Hull City Police. 2 8 . A l i t c h a m v. E a l i n g . 29. Southgate and District v. Shankiin Ladies. 30. J..A.P. B Teatn v. Perth City and County. 31. Edtnonton v. Garston B Team. 32. Brighton and Hove Imperial A Team v. Lee B Teatn. this Round is November iSth.) NA TIONAL ROLL OF MARKSMEN. u A — 3 points; B -= 2 points; C = i point. Leading Clubs at end of October:— Metropolitan ... ... 57 points S p e r r y n A t h l e t i c 2 1 , , Granville Canadian ... i6 ,, C l a s s A . W. C . W i l k i n s o n , N e w c a s t l e a n d District Electric Lighting Co.... 375 J.Douglas, Newcastle & District E l e c t r i c L i g h t i n g C o 3 7 8 S. Davidson, Newcastle & District E l e c t r i c L i g h t i n g C o 3 7 3 F. C. Mathews, Maldon Athletes 385 E . G . D a w , „ „ 3 9 6 H. Hotting, Uckfield 375 W. E. Pettinger, Leigh-on-Sea ... 373 W. H. Woodcock, Metropolitan... 371. C. R. Bowyer, Southampton ... 373 E. Russell, Midland Agric. and D a i r y C o l l e g e 3 8 3 Miss F. M. Hextall, Midland Agric. a n d D a i r y C o l l e g e 3 7 2 T. B. Green, Hanley A'.M.C.A. ... 370 W. K e e n e , , , , , . . . 3 7 1 W . L . B e n b o w , K e s w i c k 3 8 1 W. H . M a w s o n , n . . . . . . 3 S 1 E . W i l k i n s , L a n c a s t e r 3 ^ 7 J. W . Aldous, ,1 374 J. E. McDonald, Lancaster ... 381 Sergt. W. J. Henderson, Granville Canadian ••• ••• ... 385 Lance-Corpl. S. Graham, Gran ville Canadian 389- Staff-Sergt. W. B. Slinn, Granville Canadian ... ... ... 385 A. E. Moffat, Grimsby Central ... 3S7 K. M. Scougall, Leigh-on-Sea ... 377 C l a s s B . 353 P. L u c a s , D e a l a n d D i s t r i c t M i s s E . M . D a w , M a i d e n A t h l e t e s 3 5 4 Sergeant W. Wade, Granville Canadian ... ... ••• 367 J. J. Travers, Granville Canadian 359 K. M. Scougall, Leigh-on-Sea ... 355 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK94T H E R I F L E M A N . November, 1917. B R O W N E M A R T I N C O M P E T I T I O N , 1 9 1 7 . Conditions: Open to one team of eight from any Rifle Club affiliated to the S.M.R.C. having its range within 15 miles of the G.P.O. Ten shots per man deliberate at 25 yards, S.M.R.C. match targets. RESUL T OF FIRST ROUND. -Associated Equip ment Co Eltham -Addiscombe ... British Electric Tr a n s f o r m e r 7 6 7 b e a t L . G . O . C . . . . . . . 7 4 2 b y 2 5 7 7 1 L . P . S _ . . . 7 4 9 , , 2 2 7 5 S , , C i t y o f L o n d o n X . R . . 7 4 0 , , 1 8 7 2 0 , , C h a r i n g C r o s s E l e c t r i c 7 0 7 , , 1 3 | 25 Clubs drew byes in this Round. Hammersmith Iron W o r k s 7 6 0 b e a t H a r r o d i a n 7 4 S b y 1 2 Ham and Petersham 765 ,, West Ham N.R. ... 758 ,, 7 " H " D i v . M e t r o . P o l i c e 7 6 5 , , F i n c h l e y S p e c i a l C o n s t . 7 6 0 , , 5 RESUL T OF SECOND ROUND. J.A.P658 beat Southgate and Dist. ... 544 by "4Wa l t h a m s t o w E n Edmonton 774 „ G l o b e W o r k s7 1 S „56sign 762 beat G.E.R. Mech. Inst. ... 749 by 12 Lee 777 ,, G.E.R., Liverpool St. .736 „ 41 Kensington 771 Boro' of W andsworth . 759 .. 12 -Addiscombe 776 ,, Alount Pleasant 744 ..32 Ealing7bi ,, Cheam 752 .. 9 -Alexandra Palace ... 774 ,, ' ■ H " D i v . M e t . P o l i c e 749 ..25 Heston749 B r i t i s h E l e c t r i c T r a n s P " D i v . M e t r o . former741 >' 8 Police 771 ,, Eltham 75021 Callender 760 ,, Mitcham' 753 .. 7 A V i m b l e d o n P a r k . . . 77.1 ,, Cripplegate 75C' „ 21 St. Faith's, Brent Hammersmith Iron ford 737 .. Chiswick736 I Wo r k s 769 ,, Hendon and Cricklewood 754 )i13 H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m 771 w .o. W e s t H a m P o l i c escratched -Associated Equip ment Co 763, , P e e k F r e a n . A t h l e t i c . . . 750 ..13 RESUL T OF THIRD ROUND. Lee J..A.P. Wimbledon Park Kensington ... 7 7 5 b e a t C a l l e n d e r 7 3 9 b y 3 6 7 5 9 " H e s t o n 7 4 4 , ; 1 5 781 ,, -Ale.xandra Palace ... 769 ,, 12 765 ,, Walthamstow Ensign ... 753 ,, 12 Edmonton " P " D i v . Police Ealing Metr .D 771 beat Ham and Petersham ... 763 by 8 7 4 S , , S t . F a i t h ' s , B r e n t f o r d . . . 7 4 a , , 8 769 ,, Hammersmith Iron W o r k s 7 6 5 . . ' 4 DRA W FOR FOUR TH ROUND. 1. Kensington v. Wimbledon Park. 2. J.,A.P. V . Edmonton. 3. " P " Division Metropolitan Police v. Lee. 4. .Addiscombe or Associated Equipment Co. v. Ealing. NOTICE. Club Secretaries holding Third Party Insurance C ov er N ote s ar e re mi n ded tha t thi s i ns ur anc e becomes renewable on December 25th. If it is desired to continue the insurance Secretaries should forward their old cover notes to the Secretary of the S.M.R.C., with renewal premium according to the present number of Club members, on the basis of 2s. 6d. premium for each 100 members or part thereof. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNovember . 1917. T H E R I F L E M A N . 95 CLUB SHOOTING AND WAR SHOOTING. B v " A k e r i m . a n , " M u s k e t r y O f fi c e r. 'T~'HE opinion held by most old target-shots, that a I man who is expert with any ride on the pracUce A range can generally be developed in a short time into a useful war shot, is certainly quite sound. There are. however, points of marked difference in the two forms of shooting, and a knowledge of these should be possessed by any club-man who wishes to train himself with a view to eventual active service. Perhaps the chief difference which immediately strikes one between shooting on a range and shooting "in the held," is the difference in what may be called tlie cowforl of the situations. On the range, to start with, there is always a more or less flat and even hring-point, upon which the rilleshot can lie and assume a correct and comfortable position. Every time he tires he is able to assume the same position, with his two elbows at the same level, and to get a clear and uninterrupted view ot his.target. Being able to .get a steady position, all his faculties can be concentrated on judgment of and makin.g allowance for the " error of the day," with the tull know ledge that his own steadiness and skill in holding and trigger pressing will ensure hitting the mark when his judgment is correct. " When shooting out in the open, at war or sporting targets, the conditions are very different. 1 he target be it man or game—generally comes into view at a moment when the rilleshot is, perhaps, standing in some long grass ^ or undergrowth, or perhaps on the side of a rough slope, or any sort of situation rather than the level firing-point of the range. If the target is such as to afford the time to get down prone, probably our unfortunate rifleshot then finds that the grass or inequalities of the ground pie- vent his seeing his tar.get. He struggles up into the kneeling position (whicii he has not practised) only to find no hold for his knee, or that the left foot is too low down ; and by the time he has finally got fairly steady, probably the target has vanished. Let it be realised at once, then, that the man who can only shoot well from a comfortable prone position is of very little use in practical shooting. The steady prone position on a flat firing point is certainly the correct one in which to learn shooting jbut it is only the elementary, the kindergarten, stage. The practical shot must learn to shoot well in standing, kneel ing, and sitting positions. This last is one of the most valuable positions it is possible to learn, yet few Club rifleshots have ever fired a shot from it. Now to shoot in such comparatively unsteady positions involves the learning of a totally different method of let-off, or trigger pressing, from that usually practised at targets from the prone position. In the latter case, nine out of ten shooting men hold steadily on to the bull, and squeeze the trigger slowly. This is useless in any other than the prone position. One cannot hold on steadily for more than a moment in the standing position, and for very little longer in the kneeling and sitting, and for the shot to be effective it must be let off just at this moment. In short, the let-off must be timed to occur at the moment of correct aim. The trigger finger must be trained to perform a steady release exactly when the eye- knows that the aim has been obtained. This is not easy. At first, it will be found.that central hits alternate" with bad misses, the central hits occurring when the timing happened to be accurate, the bad misses when it did not, or when instead of making a steady release, the finger jerked the trigger. But indeed a man cannot call himself a practical war-shot until this perfect let-off at the exact moment is a matter of auto matic certaintv. The ideal is to be entirely independent of steadiness at all. To swing the sights on to the mark from any direction, in any position, and for the let- off to occur at that moment, with the sights held still for just the fraction of a second necessary to let the bullet leave the barrel—this is the ultimate perfection of rifle- shooting. Probably the man who has attained the nearest point to it is Walter Winans. and a perusal of his book " Practical Rifle Shooting " will repay any student of rifle shooting. The writer once asked Mr. \\ inans whether he would consider four shots out of six in a one inch bull at 25 yards, from the standing position, good shooting. He replied " Yes, if none of the six were out side a i.'.-inch circle." That is the trouble. _ It is com- parativelv easv to make sonic good shots from the unsteady positions". The difficulty is to ensure that they are all good, or at any rate, not very bad 1 The target shot generally depends for his steadiness very largely"on the use of the sling. It goes without say ing that much better shooting can be obtained with its a s s i s t a n c e , i f s t e a d i n e s s i s t o b e r e l i e d u p o n t o . g i v e accuracy ; but iii practical shooting in the held, the sling simply cannot be used. On uneven ground, even in the prone position, it is useless, for it is never the correct length, when the elbows are never twice at the same level. A.gain, practical shooting is almost always at targets which are liable to disappear at any moment—and the disappear ing target of war or sport is not " exposed for three seconds and concealed for six." It may disappear in one second or five or not at all—one never knows ! The only safe thing is to get the shot off in the shortest possible time, and pray that the target may still be up when the bullet gets there ! Here, then, are a few points for the Club rifleshot to- ponder over. Perhaps on another occasion the writer may suggest others of the many " points to note " for would-be war shots. IMPOR T ANT , P R I Z E V O U C H E R S . — S e c r e t a r i e s 0 ! C l u b s a r e requested to redeem the white Prize Vouchers issued during 1917 by sending them in to the Society before the end of the present year, to be exchanged for souvenirs and prizes, or in settlement of accounts, the latter being allowed on account of the war. All 1917 vouchers become null and void at the end of December. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >