< PreviousJakuary, 1919. INSURANCE. Workmen's Compensation Insurance. The Society of. Miniature Rifle Clubs is prepared to arrange for the issue of Policies by the Alliance Assurance Company, fully indemnifying its affiliated Clubs in respect of claims by their employees under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, the Employers' Liability Act, 1880, the Fatal Accidents Act, 1864, and Common Law. The Annual Premium is at the rate of 30/- plus 10% per itIOO of Wages paid per annum, the Minimum Premium being 5/6, which provides for wages expenditure not exceeding ^16 per annum. T h i r d P a r t y I n s u r a n c e . Policies are issued indemnifying the Club in respect of claims made by Third Parties for Personal Injuries caused by the Club subject to limits of £250 for any one accident, £300 for any one year of Insurance. Annual Premium 2/6 per hundred members. Trophy Insurance. Policies are issued for the Insurance of Challenge Trophies against fire and burglary risks, at the following premiums :— Value of Trophy, £5 or less, premium I/- Value of Trophy, £20 to £25, premium 2/6 £ 5 t o £ l O „ 1 / 6 „ £ 2 5 t o £ 3 0 „ 3 / 6 „ £ l O t o £ l 5 „ 2 / - „ „ £ 3 0 t o £ 4 0 „ 4 / - „ £ l 5 t o £ 2 0 „ 2 / 3 , , „ £ 4 0 t o £ 5 0 „ 5 / - Other Insurances quoted for upon receipt of particulars. Clubs desiring to take advantage of these Insurances must fill up the following forms and send them to The Secretary, Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, Arundel House, Arundel Street, London, W.C.2. W O R K M E N ' S C O M P E N S A T I O N I N S U R A N C E . N'ame of Club, No. of Employees.- Uescriptiou of Employment. Annual Wages. THIRD P AR TY INSURANCE. Name of Club. No of Members. Situation of Range or Ranges. TROPHY INSURANCE. Name of Club' Name of Trophy. Va l u e . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKFebruary, 1919. T H E R I F L E M A N . 135 "DOMINION" BRAND. T H E B E S T BRITISH AMMUNITION FOR BRITISH MARKSMEN. NOBEL'S EXPLOSIVES COMPANY, LTD., G L A S G O W < S L O N D O N . P. C . B . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKFebruary, 1919. FOLNDEW IHfW . Volunteer and Territorial Forces Accident Fund. fRcgislcrcd mukv the Friendly Societies Act). M E M B E R S O F R I F L E C L U B S A R E N O W E N T I T L E D T O I N S U R E I N T H E F U N D . O N E S H I L L I N G p e r a n n u m i n s u r e s £25 in case of death from Accident 10s. per week for Total Disablement 5s. per week for Partial Disablement tin accordance with the Rules) if incurred during Rifle Practice or Shooting Competitions. C l a i m s P a i d E x c e e d £ 3 2 , 9 5 9 . Full particulars to be had from the Secretary : R. CONW'.AY BYE, at the Registered Office, 9, King's Bench W'.clk, ' Temple, Lonoon, E.C.4. A G E N T S W A N T E D . THE "V.K. " AIM TEACHER (EKGISTEEED) T h e " V . K . " A i m T e a c h e r c o n s i s t s o f a n e n l a r g e d b a c k a n d f o r e s i g h t , a l s o a l e a f s h o w i n g r e s u l t s o f a c a n t e d s i g h t , a n d s e v e r a l o t h e r a i m s . SPECIAL POINTS; 1. T eaching Correct Aiming. H o w t o s h o w t h e r e s u l t s o f a c a n t e d sight. 3. Showing what too full a sight looks like. 4. T oo fine a sight. PRICE. NET . POSTAGU 2(3. To he obtained from the S O C I E T Y O F M I N I A T U R E R I F L E C L U B S Arundel House, Arundel Street, London, W .C.2. -22 LONG RIFLE "LESMQK" CARTRIDGES were used successfully in the following Competitions at the S.M.R.C. Meeting, June, 1916. " D A I L Y E X P R E S S . " ^ < 8 ^ " D A I L Y T E L E G R A P H . " < 8 ^ ^ " D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R . " " S T E V E N S V A S E . " < 8 ^ ^ " B E N H A M . " ^ ^ * In all kinds of shooting they continue to excel. No matter what the make of your favourite arm is, you can bring out its possibilities to the fullest degree by using " Winchester " make of cartridges. S o l e D i s t r i b u t o r s i n t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m : LONDON ARMOUR Y COMP ANY L TD., 3 1 , B u r y S t r e e t , S t . J a m e s ' , L o n d o n , S . W . I . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK% The Rifleman T H E O F F I C I A L O R G A N O F t h e S O C I E T Y ' O F M I N I A T U R E R I F L E C L U B S . Tblegrai'Hic Address : " Rifleshot, Estrand, London." Telephone : Gtirnrd 2953—2955. ^ Vo l . X V . N o . 1 0 4 ( N e w S e r i e s ) . L O N D O N , F E B R U A R Y, 1 9 1 9 . M o n t h l y , O n e P e n n y . POINT -BLANK." B y " B . a l i s t i c a . ' ' WHILST the war was in full swing it was a common e x p e r i e n c e t o c o m e a c r o s s t h e t e r m " P o i n t - blank " in the reports and messages of war correspondents, sometimes, even, in official communications. As we all know, tiie term, as a strictly accurate description, has no meaning whatever, although we have put a certain understood value upon it whenever it is employed. The powerful thrusts which the German infantry were called upon to make from time to time in their fruitless endeavour to stay the Allies' victorious advance were frequently broken by our artillerymen firing their guns without the use of sights. Weapons were trained ''point- blank " upon the enemy, and as fast as loading the guns was possible so fast were the projectiles, shrapnel and high-explosive, sent with almost mathematical directness to blast their way through the serried ranks of human liesh and blood. Projectiles are nowadays so quick and straight in their passage frorn the guns that fire them, that the term "point-blank" is all but true. And yet there is no such thing. Shakespeare wrote in The iMcny Wives of Wimlsor : " . . . . as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score," but no weapon existed in the poet's time which would have carried anything approaching 240 yards, and hit a man, though it had been levelled " point-blank " as high as the man's head. So far as the rifle is concerned we may be accused of arguing the point over a trifle that counts for little as nothing. We know, for instance, that for a range of 500 yards with the short Lee-Enfield weapon, the trajectory is. but 2^ feet high at its point of maximum altitude, and even at 1000 yards' range the trajectory is so flat that it is necessary to draw it on a fairly large scale to distinguish it from a truly horizontal line. And to miss a man at a range of something over 500 yards would be almost an impossibility, providing the accident of any lateral error were guarded against. And as with the rifle, so with any of -our field guns, not to venture into the region of the higher calibres of ordnance. Modern British field guns are powerful weapons, sending their shells from the muzzle at a velocity of a third of a mile a second. But speedy though the shells are in their flight they would, nevertheless, touch ground long before they reached an enemy at 300 yards' range if firing were carried out " point-blanL" The inflexible law of nature permits no true and horizontal path, and so the projectile drops away from it by more than the height of a man before even as little as a quarter of a mile is traversed. For the first second the drop is a little over 16 feet per second, for the second second it is fiqi feet, and so on. It is time that counts in the unfailing influence of gravity. But the failure of the shell's " point-blank " is made of little or no account by the action of the fuze. The projectile as it travels iS made to burst short of its target, and a cone of shrapnerbuHets (if this nature of projectile is used) flies forward, extending upwards and downwards from, and from side to side of, the line of fire. The heart sinks in the contemplation of the ranks of human beings coming forward, in an infantry attack, in the face of the hell of flying metal. With British field guns placed almost wheel to wheel—as was often the case when the Germans were advancing upon our troops not so many weeks ago—belching forth shell which burst just beyond the muzzle, to spray their metal cones of death, it is a wonder that flesh and blood could pass their way. Frail as man is, he faces and overcomes the dynamical marvels of the modern gun. And the modern field gun, in all its lightness of body and carriage, is wonderful in strength and power. The little i8-pounder sh^ll passes down the barrel of the gun in something like one two- hundredth part of a second, although in this small fraction of time it has to force its way by means of its copper driving band through the rifling of the gun. Spinning on its axis at the rate of about 200 revolutions per second, it leaves the muzzle with an energy of over 600 foot-tons. The shell passes over 100 yards of range in a fifth of a second of time, and reaches the 300 j'ards' mark in a little over half a second, although it has to contend with an air resistance of over 120 pounds—in the region of 7 times its own weight—during its passage. If it be shrapnel, the shell the gun fires is filled with bullets and its nose consists of a fuze made as delicate as a watch although it has the action of a firework. Even in these days we are still dependent upon the burning of a powder composition to set the fuze o and explode the shell. The Germans were using a mechanical fuze of sorts, but to what stage of efficiency it had reached there is no published data to say. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK138 T H E R I F L E M A N . The fuze is set according to the time which the shell is estimated to take in reaching almost to the target. As can readily be understood, every hundredth of a second counts anddhe fuze in all its parts has to be very carefully constructed. It is the fuse which is the iipportant item in most cases and it is the fuze which, perhaps, is least of all satisfactory despite the utmost care e.xpended in its design and manufacture. The fuze having been set according to the range, or time, at which the shell is intended to burst, the fuze serves to explode the shell and drive the bullets forward in their withering cone of death. " Point blank," as we have seen, has no true scien tific meaning, but the application of the term in modern -gunnery is permitted and has an accepted and generally understood significance. -o B.S.A. COMPETITION FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS. Conditions : Teams of six from any Company or smaller unit of Volunteer Regiments affiliated to the C.A.V.R. or the S.M.R.C. Ten shots per man at 25 yards. S.M.R.C. double decimal 25 yards B.S.A. target, with 1 iin. bull and two carton rings. Military rifles, aperture backsights, no slings. The above Competition, which has been running since the first week of October last, was concluded on the last day of Januao'. The final round was shot by the Stourbridge Co. ist W orcester V.R. and the B Co. 4th V.B. Black Watch, and as it was impossible to make the necessary arrangements for a shoulder-to-shoulder meeting, each team shot its targets upon their respective honve ranges in the presence of the Assistant Secretary of the Society of Jliniature Rifle dubs. The scores returned by each team were very disappointing, being far below the average of the previous rounds, and although record scores are not to be looked for in finals, when there is an extra strain upon the nerves of the competitors, something better was confidently expected from both teams. It is quite possible, however, that the weather may have accounted for the reduced scores ; in each case, although both teams shot in a drill hall, the temperature outside was below freezinrt and in the case of the Stourbridge Co. shooting from a stone flror with only one thickness of matting did not improve matters. In congratulating the Stour bridge Co. upon their victory it must be admitted that it was thoroughly deserved, as this team has, even with its bad score in the final, averaged more per match than any other of the 264 teams who took part in the event. The next best average was made by last year's winners, the St. Brides Major and Southerndown Platoon D Co. ist Glamorganshire, who fully maintained their reputation as one of the finest Volunteer teams in the United Kingdom, and it was very unfortunate for them to be drawn against the winners in the semi-final round. RESUL T OF SEMI-FINAL. B Co. 4th V.B. The Black W'atch 574 beat Denny Det. Stirling V.R. B Team 562 by 12. Sergt. J. Lamb 97 Sergt. T . Robertson ist P t e . D . G r a y . . . 9 7 Lieut. C. D. W'ilson ... 97 Pte. .A. Binnie 96 Pte. W . Baillie 95 Lieut. H. Duncan 02 Pte. D. Sinclair Pte. D. Robertson Pte. J. W. Gray Pte. J. Graham Lieut. J. K. Shanks 97 96 94 94 94 87 Stourbridge Co. ist Worcester V.R. 595 beat St. Brides Major . and Southerndown Plat. D Co. ist Glamorgan 592 by 3. G . P . D e e l e v 1 0 0 H . D . J o n e s S. T ooby .A. E. Carder W. K n y A. A. Bateman W. N . B r a z i e r ... 100 Pte. I. David ... ... 09 A. Davies . . . 9 9 T . H o p k i n s . . . ... 99 Corpl. W . David ... 98 G. Haddin RESUL T OF FINAL. 100 100 99 99 97 97 I. Stourbridge Co. ist W o r c e s t e r V . R . (Six Silver Medals and £12). Lieut. A. .A. Bateman ... 97 S e r g t . A . E . C a r d e r 9 5 Corpl. W. N. Brazier ... 95 S e r g t . G . P. D e e l e y . . . 1 4 L c e . - C o r p l . S . T o o b y . . . 9 3 C o r p l . W . K n y . . . . . . 9 1 565 B Co. 4Tn V.B. The Black W.ATCII (R.H.). (Six Bronze Medals and £6). Sergt. Lamb 98 Lieut. Duncan 94 P t e . G r a y 9 3 Pte. Binnie 93 Pte. Baillie 93 Sergt. Ogilvie 89 560 3. St. Brides Major and Southerndown Plat, ist Glamorgan V.R. (knocked out in Semi-Final) ... ... ... £3 Denny Det. ist Stirling V.R. B Team ((mocked out in S e m i - F i n a l ) ; ^ 3 D E T A I L E D S C O R E S O F F I N A L I S T S I N E A C H R O U N D . S t o u r b r i d g e C o . i s t W o r c e s t e r V. R . .Semi- Lieut. .A. A. Bateman Corpl. W. Kny ist 2nd 3rd 4th 5lli 6th FinalFinal '1 1. 9997 99 98 100100100 94 787 97 94 9797 98 959997 774 96 959797 97 949995 770 95 96 99 98 94 96 99 gi 76S 9497 97 98 9493 9895 766 92 97 9698 96 94 100 93 '7C6 573 575 585586 579 572595 565 4631 Team average per shoot, 578.87. B Co, 4T11 V.B. The Black W.ncit (R.H.). Semi- ist 2nd 3rd4th 5 th' 6th Final Final Tl. Lieut. C. D. Wilson 99 989898 93 97 — 5 S 3 Sergt. J. Lamb 909497 9999 96 97 98■ 7 7 0 Pte. D. Gray 9394 96 99 99999793 770 Pte. W . Baillie 91 929199 94 959593 75" Pte. A. Binnie•96 81 96 96 9392 96 93 743 Lieut. H. Duncan ... 88 8396 96 95 96 9294 74" Sergt. G. Ogilvie ... 89 .89 C . S . M . J . N a p i e r . . . 84 — 8 4 542 543574 587578 571574 560 4529 Team average per shoot, 566.12. The following received Silver Souvenir Spoons for highest indi vidual averages respectively, in each of the eight leading teams :— No. of Matches. .A ver . 98-37 Sergt. G. P. Deeley, Stourbridge Co. ist Worcester V.R. ! Pte. A. Davies, St. Brides Major and Southerndown P l a t S 9 7 . 7 5 Lieut. C. D. Wilson, B Co. 4th V.B. The Black Watch ( R . H . ) 6 9 7 . 1 6 Sergt. B. J. Buckley, C Co. 1st V.B. Manchester Regt. 6 95,83 J. Simpson, Denny Det. ist Stirling V.R. A Team ... 6 95.S3 Pte. D. Sinclair, Denny Det. ist Stirling V.R. B Team 8 95.12 C. B. Capelton, A Co. ist City of London V.R. A Team 4 94.00 E . D e a d i V i a n , B C o . 2 n d M i d d l e s e . x V. R . A Te a m . . . 5 9 2 . 4 0 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKEkhruary, lOl'J. T H E R I F L E M A N . 139 T H E F U T U R E O F T H E V O L U N T E E R A B S O R B E D B Y T H E R I F E E C L U B M O V E M E N T. B y " C a r t o x . " Hoc lies at our hand, ready forged, ij only xvc knoio hoio to itltlisc it, an ideal inslninient—an organisation of sto ting^ value surrounded by all the elements 0} camaraderie—for the gradual reconstruction of the rifle club movement under.County and Parent Society administration." IT is the pride and privilege of the Society of Miniature Kifle Clubs to lead the way and show how this instru ment may be employed. Their reward will come, not only in strengthening the fibres of national brotherhood when relaxation is impending, but in the widened outlook, the extended education, and the self- reliance which a few years, or even a few months, of rifle club shooting may cultivate. We are lucky enough to possess, in unrivalled measure, a moral force more irresistible than that inspired by the ephemeral behests of modern legislation. Needless to say this spirit must not be allowed to sink into oblivion as a mere eddy of the Great War. The rifle club movement, owing to losses suffered in the war, needs stiffening up at once by an influx of clubs and individual members. Concurrently, from an authoritative source, one learns of the demobili sation of the Volunteer Forcb in the very near future. For old association's sake, if for no other purpose, a cohesive organisation is required, and the rifle club move ment can provide it. Surely these potential factors inspire a mutual understanding between Volunteer Corps and the S o c i e t v ? When 1 think of the possibilities incidental to this " after the war " movement—the absorption of volunteer units as rifle clubs organised in counties and united by the parent Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs for competitive shooting—being a concrete fact, my unfeigned pleasure is immeasurable. The merging of the volunteer organisation into the miniature rifle club movement for the purpose of the development of skill in marksmanship should open up a splendid vista which leads to a wealth of sport. Am I too optimistic ? Do those thousands of citizens but await the moment when they may finally put aside the rifle with which they have been so creditably, and in a good many cases profitably, employed as the aegis of Empire ? I t h i n k n o t . The amalgamation of the volunteer and the rifle club movements, however, is not a matter to be lightly taken up. The community of interests must be studied carefully and energy and enterprise applied only after a firm foundation is laid. Energy and enterprise rightly applied are two factors which never fail to ensure success, and I cannot call to mind any scheme with which I have been associated during the past twenty years of rifle club work where thesequalitieshave hadeachan opportunity of fruitful results. By no means should the matter be approached in any sense of trepidation or fear of failure but tackled in a resolute manner. You must remember when you are launching your craft on the troubled waters of sport to-day that rifieshooting to your members will not come as a novelty. To the novice in the embryo stage of his career of club life, the mere fact of exploding a charge and striking the target in "any old place " fascinates him at the first onset. The Volunteers, especially the old V.T.C. men, howevef, have had their baptism of target shooting and will desire something to attract them and this must have a grip in it. Camaraderie is the ideal, born of good fellowship, and is most excellent in its way, but it is more than an association of social clubs we want t o c o n s t r u c t o u t o f t h e Vo l u n t e e r F o r c e . C a n d i d l v i t i s absolutely of no use advertising the scheme as one of the m a n y p h a s e s o f p a tr i o ti c e n d e a v o u r. N o ! T h e b e s t attraction to the transition is labelled " Sport." Sport in which they are to be participators, not that misnomer by which many thousands are collected in an iron-barred enclosure watching twenty-two participants contesting for the momentary possession of a piece of leather. " Is it worth the while ? " you may ask. Deep in the heart of every one of us is the instinct of sportsmanship. It is inherent in every human being and from it springs healthy rivalry. In some it is but a feeble inspiration which needs to be carefully fostered, whilst in others—the true type of the British race—we notice how trenchant and courageous it is, so much so that, after first guidance, it may be left to itself. The competitive spirit of the latter is insatiable, that type of rifleman will shoot for shooting's sake. If he has no rival to challenge he will continue to contest his own previous records. Nj3w from observation I have found that the Volun teer Force is composed of men who have generalised rather than specialised in rifle shooting owing, I contend, to the variable character of their musketry. Many have told me that they are of no use with the small bore rifle at 25 yds. range—meaning, 1 take it, that they have performed inconsistently and indifferently-—whereas when shooting with their service calibred Enfield rifle they record good scores. Apparently they have been dissatisfied 'and, without looking for the reason, have consigned the mini ature rifle to the scrap heap. How-ever, I do not think that this will materially affect strong support of the scheme, but rather assist towards its success, especially if my theory on the matter is accepted. I submit it with confidence. During the past four years I have had an opportunity to observe the enormous advantages offered the would-be marksman by the utilitarian miniature rifle and how it may be expeditiously employed in speeding up training. I have yet to meet the marksman who was not an excellent shot with the .22 calibre weapon and latterly I have found that marksmen are as plentiful as blackberries in October. Miniature rifle shooting has been always carried out in a most elaborate manner under very careful instructors. Coaching was always the most predominant feature. Now I submit that miniature range work in the training of Volunteers lacked to a great extent the funda mental principleof training, viz., coaching. Moreover, whilst perhaps a handful of keen shots, who had had previous experience in club shooting, occupied the ranges regularly. # WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK140 T H E R I F L E M A N . February, 1919. the greater proportion of the unit unfortunately practised as a matter of duty, the various exercises being dovetailed Into the curriculum of training when time and circum stances permitted. Briefly, sufficient use was not made of the Miniature Range as a preliminary to the shooting of the Volunteer's Musketry Course; had more advantage been taken of this particular portion of their training, the general results of the .303 course—although they reached a very fair standard—would have compared very favour ably with those produced by lads of the new armies. The above digression at this point is pardonable, for we cannot allow any unsupported argument to depreciate the entire efficiency and adequacy of the miniature rifle as an excellent sporting weapon. Now as to the proposed club. Shall it be formed from a complete unit, from a company of a unit, or from a platoon? This is a matter which must rest entirely with circumstances, because in a good manj- cases, especially in rural districts, a unit has been divided up among villages and townships, say a company in each or even a platoon, and perhaps a few miles has separated them. In this instance it would be distinctly advisable to form the club bv companies, each having its own management, and each being affiliated independently of the other. I venture to say that it is in this particular circumstance I expect to hear of the greatest display of enthusiasm and keenness. They have, up to the present, carried out their paramount object, practically on their own. so to speak, although administration was centralised, so they may as well be left to tackle these club problems without reference to the commanding officer be3'ond obtaining his consent, which I am sure will be readily granted. But in a fairly large town for instance, although companies have been situated in parishes or municipal wards, and the drills taken place in them respectively, the '• hi' he'dons" have supervised the Musketry Department, and the miniature rifle shooting, generally, has been carried out on the Battalion's or unit's range, where the musketrv " ilend" has been very much in evidence. Possibly the equipment, other than the rifles, is Battalion propertv, whereas I am informed that in the rural neighbourhoods most companies arc not only possessors of accessories but also own rifles, which have been employed in practice. • As already mentioned the sole object of forming, these clubs is for a sporting purpose as well as to cement the bonds of goodfellowship, therefore I suggest that disciplinary" measures should be conspicuously absent. " Jack must be as good as his master " is a phrase which adequately expresses my point. Prefer, rather, to let " common-sense boss the show " in the personnel of an executive. Now as I confidently expect that the first portion of this article introducing the scheme will appear in cold print before the official demobilisation of the Volunteer Force has been put into operation, I suggest that prompt action in the following ways should be taken. Someone—the Battalion Musketry Officer, or the* C.S.M.I. of Musketry, or a N.C.O. or any man who has been a keen exponent with the rifle—approach the C.O. asking permission to ventilate the scheme at a meeting, convened tor the purpose, or if possible add it to the programme as an extra number at a " smoker " or on an- occasion where units or companies have gathered for the- purpose of presenting prizes, etc. Even if your most enthusiastic member of the force is already a club shot, it does not follow that he should not associate himself with this venture, for I am quite convinced that if sufficient clubs are formed out of the ashes of the Volunteer Force the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will specially cater for old volunteers in a generous manner. Perhaps, more so than^ it has done for the present organisation. Therefore small subscription should enable such a man to become a member and the promise of his assistance will be mutuallj' a good investment. I also suggest that a plebiscite of the members be taken. This should ensure their appreciation or their indifference to the scheme. Such may be carriea out by circular having a perforated tear-off slip, or by postcaid. Model rules and any other information on forming a club will be gladly supplied by the S.M.R.C. To b e c o u i i n u e d . INSURANCE. Workmen's Compensation Insurance. T h i r d P a r t y I n s u r a n c e . Trophy Insurance. Clubs desiring to take advantage of these Insurances should obtain forms and send them to The Secretary, Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, Arundel House, Arundel Street, London, W,C,2,. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKFebruary, 1919. T H E R I F L E M A N . ■ 41 P E A C E A N D T H E N B O O M I N G R I F L E S H O O T I N G A S A S P O R T. B y " C a r t o n . " T' Uiilil the Jog oj loar Iifls nothing con be seen ami understood in its true perspective."—Lord French. HE fog of war still hovers above us, for Peace has yet to be declared, but we may safely assume that, as far as actual lighting is concerned, the Great War, the bloodiest and costliest in history, is over. One by one our enemies of the Quadruple Alliance have been ■" knock ed out," and the last of all, the arch-enemy, has ■collapsed and thrown up the sponge, for which relief all sportsmen are truly thankful. The cessation of hostilities is bound to have an immediate effect in the way of a tonic on sport of all kinds, and more so, if not immediately, upon riHe shooting. Some sports and pastimes have practically gone out of existence, others that have lived— rifle shooting as a sport being amongst them—have languished and will take some time before they throw off the tentacles of inertia which envelop them. Rifle shooting under the military code, training for the great adventure, held its sway in a manner we little dreamt of in those halcyon days of long ago, and the utilitarian ■22in. rifle, despite the croakiugs and the tearfulness of some of its friends and the ravings and attacks of its enemies, has served a very useful purpose for the citizens as well as the youth of the country and for all branches of the Service who have sojourned in our midst. 1 hat rifle shooting as the prince of pastimes will have a big share in the post war boom that sport is going to participate I do not for one moment doubt. It is bound to do so, but mind you the R e c r e a t i v e S i d e N e e d s A d v e r t i s i n g . Football and athletics generally will share in the bright spell. It cannot be otherwise for thousands, indeed millions, of our men have been taking part in these things for four years as they have never done before, but, as regards rifle shooting, the greater proportion handled the rifle and fired a shot for the first time in their lives. True it was for a stern purpose, but it lacked not the fascination to hit and hit again. Many who, prior to their military- service, had no liking for the rifle—rather disliked it, despised it, as a matter of fact, as something uncanny,— have now got rid of that affectation and are to be counted among its most enthusiastic devotees and admirers. It has been the same with others who formerly were too lazy or too indifferent to be bothered. Not only during that strenuous period of training in which the rudiments of straight shooting were inculcated but also later when the '' boys " were back for a " rest," was a competitive spirit introduced on the ranges— particularly on the 25 yds. miniature rifle range. I doubt whether those fellows will ever lose their love and relish for the sport that time and again afforded them welcome relief from the oft-time dull, dreary monotony of that phase of musketry where one methodically aims and snaps continually without observing a definite result. Apart from authorised competitions there has been many a little gamble among the lads occupying a hut or a stretch of canvas, and why not ? The Britisher has an inherent love for sport, and the sportsman is the more tenacious fighter. A German prisoner while employed in repairing firing points told me that the reason why the British civilian soldier was the finest rifleshot of the Allies, was because shooting was made worth the while ; he was not only taught to shoot but was encouraged to win prizes by his skill. Harsh punishment which was inflicted upon indifferent " shots," badly trained, in his regiment, resulted in desertion in a good many cases where it was "mpracticable to corrupt the register-keeper. Remember that these lads who have been the prin cipal actors in the great adventure are now returning in their thousands to their former civil occupations, and that the competitive spirit which was aroused during the period of training, and which helped to pull them through the dark and dreary vigil at the battle-front, was not a fantasy for the moment, to lose its grip when the khaki jacket gave way to the broadcloth, tweed or moleskin. No ! The effect of war has been to involve millions in the glamour of open-air life and to inspire them with a sense of well-being which comes from physical fitness. Such men will not desire to fall back to the flabbiness of sedentariness. From these will arise a demand for the opportunity to indulge their bent, nor can such a legiti mate desire be refused and it will be necessary for the community to take steps to satisfy it. A communal provision of facilities for recreation would turn its attention to strenuous athletics—football and the like, which unfortunately result in the gladiatorial tendency where men become spectators and not participants. Here is the golden opportunity to Advertise Rifle Shooting as the sport for the e.x-soldier, the actual participant and the opportunist. If organisation on a large scale is needed there is the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. It is a parent association quite able to cope with all demands. But in the main I am addressing my remarks to clubs and their members. I know they have had an an.xious time and that their troubles are by no means at an end. A dwindling membership resulted in financial loss, and they have, in a good many cases, closed down and seceded from the parent Society. But those members who have survived the horrors of the war are returning hourly, and it is incumbent for us to give them a welcome. Rifle shooting to them has been of a very stern character. Surely they will indulge in shooting for a bauble under the-ideal conditions of a club range. Many a lad has gripped his rifle knowing that it was the best pal he ever possessed—I know some of them idolised their weapons —is it not only reasonable that those will now desire to shoot and to shoot to win ? To club secretaries ! Get in touch with your old members that have not " gone west " —as our veterans laconically put it—and encourage them to bring a comrade to augment your membership. That you are providing good sport and entertainment should WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK142 the rifleman. February, 1919. •ouinspire your subscribers to assist you acain and assist y hberaliy. Before the war our problem was to swell our ranks and we insisted that every male citizen should be able to handle a riHe with some degree of knowledge, and one ot the great ideals was " every village or parish witli a rifle club." W e also advocated " every man one rifle.' I hen war practically insisted that every man must be armed. Now we must insist that they must to some extent remain armed, but with miniature rifles. This is going to be a big problem, but it is not insurmountable. Our factories will deliver the goods on demand when required. Why, there are millions of .30310. rifles that could be converted should the demand exceed the supply. I am quite serious when I advocate advertising rifle shooting as a sport. Adopt any method you like, I am Sure that a great deal of good may accrue if a paragraph is inserted in the local press weekly with reference to the club, its competitions or its inter-club j^ontests. It may be too early to talk of Leagues, but tliis particularly interesting branch of sport must not be shelved longer than it is absolutely necessary. League shooting encourages every class of shot. It inspires the '■ crack" to assist his lesser skilled comrade, it is a phase in the movement in which "coaching" is such a potential factor in a club's bid for success. Camaraderie in a club is always essential. Again no club can get the best out of itself by being in a state of isolation, cut off from its fellows and centred in itself. Clubmen who shoot on many kinds of ranges gather new- ideas quickly, wrinkles and dodges that they may with discrimination adopt for their Own and fellow members benefit. League Shooting. Before the war many of us who were perhaps pioneers of some local movement of a League character, observed how quickly inter-club contests of this nature brought out the best of the new members. First we noticed an occasional flash of brilliance followed b}' con sistency which we all admire. Then the struggle in a point-for-point match, invariably fired to a finish in an atmosphere of breathless excitement and a supreme test of nerves which is unequalled in any other sport or pastime. During the past four years the " shutters" have been up so to speak, but we have not been idle. Muslvctry call it, " mediocrtiy " if you like, it is surely akin to rifle shooting—has predominated where that much-reviled pot hunter was accustomed to gather scalps. Very soon, how ever, he wall return to his happy hunting grounds again. The " pot-hunter," he, too, has been busy during the past decade of world riot. He has found very useful employ ment under the auspices of the Empire builders. Lucny man was he who had charge of the training in young soldier battalions. The keenness to learn to shoot and their progress was, and is now, although peace is assured, quite remarkable. That rigid disciplinary training of fhe old grinding, wellnigh heart-breaking order gave way to a curriculum of an exemplary character. All branches oj IratHiiigtnusi he made inleresling by the inlroduchon of coiii- pelitions, in which all recruits as a mailer oj course ivere able to take a part." Here was an opportunity for the old rifle shot instructors. Shields, cups, medids and valuable prizes in kind of every description were offered for competition, and as the greater proportion were intended to be secured by recruits in training the battalion miniature rifle range were kept very busy. The clfef d'cvuvre of the programme arranged in one very fine battalion of these young lads of eighteen summers was a C o m p a n y L e a g u e which was a huge success and which finally developed into a Brigade League, each company of the five regi ments brigaded being eligible to compete. The Company League was by far the most popular event, and as each company had something in the neighbourhood of 200 filers from which to select their respective sides the teams were fairly equal as regards ability, the various stages of training of the filers making little difference in the long period of five months, because each Company transferred • its recruits to another unit outside the Brigade and reformed with raw material once during the period of the League Tourney. In one of "these Leagues of which I was the most unfortunate organiser—one's labours were exceptionally arduous—it was found necessary to ask for a tee of two pence on each occasion a member contested for his Company. Not with a view to providing a large fund, but in order to keep down the competitors to a reasontible number and also to divert their attention to other events which were quite free of cost. But as this had the effect of increasing the insistence of the lads for League shoot ing and also added another'burden upon those responsible, the subscription was removed. We found we could not improve upon the conditions and rules governing the Society of Iiliniature Kifle Clubs competitions, so we followed" them wherever possible. The decimal target was a great favourite, its fair system of scoring being universally popular. Of course the regulation, issue of rifle—converted "22 S.M.L.E.—equipped with open siglits was used, but the average scoring was excep tionally good. Now this is b}- no means an isolated case of the '22 miniature rifle providing attractive competitive events during the last years of the war, for I understand that a general order was issued to the effect that similar events were to be organised in every training unit, while I have particulars of some interesting competitive shooting which was equally well patronised at the base training and recuperating areas overseas, but in this particular instance the .303in. rifle was used on a range of 30 yards. An expedient for the orthodox decimal target was introduced; the various scoring values shown by a number of rings appear to have been obtained by pressing canister lids of various sizes edge-wise on the surface of the cards, thus producing concentric rings surrounding the bullseye. Evidently an admirable effort of an old club shot. In Conclusion. My object in bringing these phases of competitive shooting during young soldiers' training at home and during the recreative periods of those serving overseas is not solely to qualify my opinion of League competition— although it assuredly does—but to stimulate some and inspire others in clubland to advocate strenuously for competitive events of a similar character as soon as they have " put their house in order." Advertise as a sporting community, although indirectly you are fortifying a National Brotherhood. It is not easy to forecast, but I question that when peace is finally declared there will be WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N . 143 anything approaching a general or partial disarmament of those nations which have won through. However a nation niay be crushed into ruin, that nation may always recover in the course of years, and with its regeneration naturally comes again the desire for past conquests and even for a long-nurtured revenge. I do not think we shall go on the same old British way, neither do 1 think that the appeal of the S.M.R.C. for rifle shooting from patriotic motives will assist us to swell the ranks of club members as it may have done in the past. Much as the parent society has done in the day? before the war, excellently as it strove through the difflculties accentuated by the decline of and closing down of clubs, the future holds forth a promise of great impor tance and of vast possibilities now that the shrapnel shell is dumped and the bullets cease to whistle over the plains of battered Europe. THE "NEWS OF THE WORLD" COMPETITION, 1919. RESUL T OF FIRST ROUND. Hammersmith Iron Works 1097 beat Clapham Co. 15th Countj- of London V.R. 9S4 by 113. .Mr. Sellwood ... 93 93 18S Sec. Lieut. Snarey 96 So 176 9'"'"' Mr. Uroome ... 95 91 1S6 Sergt. Elley ... 91 S2 173 —■ Mr. Eurr ... gS 87 1S5 Sec. Lieut. tVhallev 8S 79 167 • ^"nutt Mr: Price ... 93 90 183 Sergt. Swift 87 74 161 —• Mr. Southnll ... 96 87 183 Ptc. Edwards ... 84 71 133 —• Ufwe Mr. Stanton ... 95 75 170 l.ieut. Hurd ... 88 64 152 * Vickers (Crayford) iioo beat Cripplcgate R.C. loio by 90. M r . C a n - . . . Mr . B.-irtrum ^ I r . C l a r k . .Mr. Lcssey Mr . Cook Mr . Ris.g 94 92 186 93 92 183 97 S7 184 91 gt 182 93 89 182 92 89 181 I". H. Gilbert .A. H. Boniford W. S . W e s t J. II. White • W. O . M c B r v d e 1 by 90. 88 89 >77 92 85 >77 90 81 >7> 93 74 167 88 74 162 8769>56 96 95>91 93 89 182 85 89 >74 8785 172 86 52 >38 95 42>37 Mitcham 1084 beat Crayford 994 by go. H. Harding ... 97 97 194 G. E. Lukey J. While 96 92 188 W . Bennett .A. E. Smith ... 93 90 183 W. R. Hammond T. P. Cockbain ... 93 87 182 L. Wiggins C. R. Nunn ... .88 93 iSi W". A. Everett ... H. J. Robinson... 82 72 134 J. A., Clark City of London N.R. not beat G.E. Rly. (Liverpool Street) 102.6 by 75. J - 9 9 9 3 1 9 4 J . S h i r l e y S m i t h G . . A s h t o n . . . g S 9 4 1 9 2 H . P . C o t t a m W. J . K i n g . . . 9 6 9 1 1 8 7 H . L a w . . . G. J. Looney ... 90 90 :8o S. L. Stenning J . H . C l a r k . . . 9 1 8 8 1 7 9 E . M i l i s . . . W. Saunders ... 91 78 169 W. G. Harris 96 94 190 - 1 7 8 178 173 97 99 88 81 79 07 94 81 168 4 S 1 3 9 Ham and Petersham iioo beat St. Faith's (Brentford) 1036 by 64. J. AA'arner .. 96 93 iSg R.K. Green . 9 8 87>85 AA". Southoti .. 96 93 189 A. C. Rollins• 9 3 9> 184 AA'. Collins 95 89 184 AV . S . i 3 o f T . 9 6 83 >79 T. H . A V r i g h t . •• 93 90 >83 J. AV. C r o x f o r d . . . 9 082 >72 .A. C. AA'arner .. 96 87>83 .1.Inman ... . 8 7 75 162 A . G . H a w k e r . .. 89 83 >72 J. Kirton ...,. 82 7^>54 West Ham Police 1081 beat A Div. Special Constabulary 1029 by 52. 94 189 Sergt. W alker 95 93 96 90 93 97 93 87 86 S3 74 186 183 176 176 171 A. F. Rotley Sergt. Bursnall S . E N e w s o n S. C. Brown 95 94 93 93 91 . 88 85 85 79 o 1S3 179 17S 172 i6i A. E. M, Taylor ... gi 65 L pper Tooting Church Institute 1119 beat J..A.P. Motor AVorks 1080 by 39. H . ATa t e s . . . AI. C. Greenfield... C. E. Greenfield... C. Buckett W. P . R o b s o n H. S. Longhurst... . A . F . B a d c o c k . . . 95 95 100 94 93 94 99 94 86 90 90 89 194 189 186 184 183 183 N. J. Lawrence ... R. J. Rof f H. Nisbett A". J. BoufHer G. A. A V estwell ... 98 98 94 93 87- 99 94 94 94 90 89 192 192 188 183 176 149 Hendon and Cricklewood R.C. 1046 beat Balham and Southern R.C. 1013 by 31. 90 186 G. H. Dimond H. AA'hitmore E. Pocock H. A V ebb ... .A. .Adams F. G r i f fi t h s T. S m e l t . . . 96 96 91 93 94 96 90 89 81 74 56 186 180 174 168 A. E. Bates R. AA'ellicome -A. P. Martin J. E. Monaghan S. T . Davis 94 90 89 93 84 88 91 85 73 79 64 182 181 >74 i65 163 >49 Cheam 1139 w.o. Borough of AAmndsworth scratched. G. A, Pilditch AA". R. George ... A . T . R i c h a r d s . . . R. Marshall F. G B a l l S. D. Cartwright 96 94 94 96 9> 84 >95 >93 192 191 >85 >83 The following Clubs drew a bye :— Addiscombe, Metropolitan Electric, Kensington, Blackfriars, AA'imblcdon Park, Heston, G.E R. Mechanics' Institute, Finchley Special Consta'otilary, B Co. i/lh City of London Vols., ■Associated Equipment Co., Southgate and District, B Co. 2nd Jliddlese.v Vols., Hendor ., Purley and Distric:. A'A-'althamstow Ensign, Lee, Alexandra Palace, W e s t H a m N . R . , L.P.S. Headquarters, Erith. Lltham, Harrodian, .L.G.O. Co. 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 n n u m . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >