< Previous24 T H E R I F L E M A N Autumn, 1946. Stop Press S.M.R.C. NATIONAL MEETING AT HAM AND PETERSHAM, 7rh and 9th to 14th SEPTEMBER, 1946 List of winners of prizes in kind :— Home Countries International Match : I England (Mappin Challenge Shield and 12 badges) 2,927 ; 2 Scotland (12 badges) 2,915 ; 3 Wales (12 badges) 2,895. County Sextette Competition : 1 Middlesex (Sir Elliott Lees Shield and six silver medals) 1,181 ; 2 Yorkshire (six antique bronze medals) 1,167. 1 Q.J"^®r-Railways Team Match : I Great Western Railway (10 metal gilt medals) J,y44 ; 2 Southern Railway (10 antique bronze medals) 1,935. News of the World Challenge Cup Competition : 1 W. J. Smith, G.P.O. (the cup f J" small cup) 299 ; 2 P. K. McGill, Pilkington Recreation (silver medal) 299 ; 3 W. McCloud, Hull (silver medal) 298 ; 4 A. Traies, City of Birmingham (silver medal) 298. Daily Mail Challenge Cup Competition : 1 J. Cooke, Worplesdon and District •5 c small cup) 299 ; 2 A. Traies, City of Birmingham (silver medal) 299 • ' J b. Broughton, T.wickenham (silver medal) 299 ; 4 H. G. Brown, Heston and Houns- low (silver medal) 298. Daily Telegraph Challenge Cup Competition : 1 A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Peters- (the cup and small cup) 299 ; 2 E. H. Geeves, City of London Police (silver medal) zyy ; 3 J. Nicoll, Perth City and County (silver medal) 298 ; 4 J. F. Chandler Twickenham (silver medal) 298. S.M.R.C. Life and Annual Members* Competition : 1 F. W. J. Mayor, Heston and Hounslow (S.M.R.C. challenge cup and small cup) 298. . - Roberts Memorial Challenge Cup-^The Championship of Great Britain : » ' ^^^hert. Ham-and Petersham (the cup and silver replica) 791. V XT Society of St. George Challenge Cup—^The English Championship : I V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Petersham (the cup and small silver cup) 791. Veteran's Prize : 1 E. Stemp, Ham and Petersham (silver medal) 396. f*-u ^ Aggregate for the Nobel Statuette : 1 V. H. Gilbert, Ham and Petersham (the trophy and small cup)'l,387 ; 2 L. W. Wickens, Hendon and Cricklcwood (silver medal) 1,384 ; 3 C. Sonley, Hull (silver medal) 1,384 ; 4 Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds W i m b l e d o n P a r k ( s i l v e r m e d a l ) 1 , 3 8 3 . ^ ' Qass B 100 yards Competition for The Douglas Eyre Memorial Challenge Cud • 1 J. F. Ling, Royal Small Arms Institute (the cup) 298. Class B Double 50 and 100 yards Competition for The Mrs. Goodlake Challence Cup : H, J. Hawkes, West Ham and District (the cup) 396. The Class B Aggregate for The Lever Bros. Challenge Cup : 1 R. F. Liehtfoot Witan (L.C.C. Staff) (the cup and replica) 1,382 ; 2 H. J. Hawkes, West Ham and medal) 1,382 ; 3 J. F. Ling, Royal Small Arms Institute (silver medal) 1,380 ; 4 R. L. Tuckett, Exmouth (silver medal) 1,380. cup)^979^^^ C Aggregate : 1 R. J. Finnimore, BIgee (the challenge cup and small The Class D Aggregate : 1 R. Wallace, Ham and Petersham (the challenge cup and small cup) 946. The Ladies* Championship for H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent Challenge Cup : 1 Mrs. N. Wilson, Heston and Hounslow (the cup and replica) 590 ; 2 Mrs. A. B. Culf. Manchester City (silver medal) 588. W.R.A. Open Meeting Championship of Great Britain and N. Ireland • I Mrs A. B. Culf, Manchester City (the " Flowers '* trophy) 295 ; 2 Miss D. I. Nash Ayles bury (medal) 292. W.R.A. Class A Competition for the Regiment Challenge Cup : 1 Mrs. E. Mayor Heston and Hounslow (the cup and replica) 100. W.R.A, Class B Competition : 1 Mrs. E. A. Holden, Manchester City (case of f o r k s ) 1 0 0 . W.R.A. Team Competition : 1 Heston and Hounslow Ladies (four silver spoons) The Juniors' Competition for the Daily Sketch Challenge Cup : I A. Williams City of Cardiff (the cup and medal) 100. Junior Team Competition for the Daily Sketch Challenge Cup : 1 Mitcham and Tooting (the cup and four medals) 720 ; 2 Magdalen College School, Brackley (four medals) 717. The Webley and Scott Pistol Competition : 1 F. Williams, Hampton Mobile Police (a Webley and Scott .22 pistol) 181. The Pistol Unlimited Competition : 1 D. Harkness, Bradford (silver medal) 95. The 25, 50 and 100 yards Team Competition for The Spooner Challenge Cup ; 1 Ham and Petersham A (the cup and four silver medals) 1,189 ; 2 Hamiltons (four medals) 1,180. The 100 yards Team Shoot for-The City of London Corporation Challenge Cup'; 1 Ham and Petersham A (the cup and four silver medals) 396 ; 2 Worplesdon and D i s t r i c t ( f o u r m e d a l s ) 3 9 1 . The Sharpshooter for The Cheylesmore Challenge Cup : 1 Twickenham A (the cup and three S.M.R.C. silver medals), 2 C Coy. Eastbourne H.G. (three S.M.R.C. gilt medals). Th& tabulated prize list of both the above and the complete list of cash prizes was sent to all competitors on 26th September, 1946. GEO. PETHARD, Secretary. Photographs taken at this Meeting are obtainable from Gale and Polden, The Wellington Press, Aldershot. P u b l i c S c h o o l s Ve t e r a n M a t c h W i l l b e a v a i l a b l e f o r e n t r y u n t i l 30th November . Y/ill all concerned kindly forward their entries as early as possible before that date. Magnificent Shooting Record The King's Medal of Honour is awarded to the instructor of the team winning the Lord Roberts' shooting trophy, open to all youth organisations throughout the country. Because of the Guildford Royal Grammar School J.T.C.'s success, Sergt.-Major Instr. A. L. Stent has n o w r e c e i v e d t h i s r i c h l y - d e s e r v e d h o n o u r. W h a t a w o n d e r f u l r e c o r d of .22 shooting the school can boast under Stent's coaching ! In 1922, then first appointed Acting Secretary, the present Secretary of the S.M.R.C. had the honour of writing the School to congratulate their team on their first success in the Society's Junior Team Competi tion. Earlier that year A. L. Stent had started as their musketry instructor ! It was not foreseen what a great record of successes would follow. From then onwards the School' has won : Country Life, Class A five times. Class B 12 ; " King George V," Imperial Challenge Shield (senior division), four times ; Admiral of the Fleet Lord Jellicoc's Sword, once ; Lord Roberts' Trophy, seven times ; Lord Milner trophy, six times ; King's Medals of Honour, 72 silver, 31 bronze ; Lee Challenge Cup, seven times; Frankfoit challenge shield, three times ; Mass efficiency challenge shield, once ; "Tudor junior air rifle championship, once ; S.M.R.C. J.T.C. competition, five times ; Col. Mitchell trophy, twice ; S.M.R.C. spring competition, twice ; Caird challenge cup, twice ; with such individual successes as the Earl Grey and Rucker challenge cups. Life member N.R.A., Home Guard and Cadets' Rifle competition, and Sir Lionel Fletcher's prize, once each. County and local victories are many. T R I P L E K E Y T O S E C R E T The secret of the School's triumphs is contained in hard work, setting themselves a high standard and reaching that standard, now further encouraged by Stent's brilliant skill and enthusiasm. He never allows the wasting of a round. The younger boys begin train ing with air rifles at ten yards in the gymnasium, the older ones firing on a normal open range facing north. A one-inch group is expected from every member of the unit, the shooting team being expected to record a group at 25 yards which can be covered by a sixpence. All rifles are kept in perfect order, fit the fircr and are zeroed correctly. Stent, a Godalming man, joined a boys' club in 1903 and enlisted in the Queen's Royal Regt. in 1906. He won the recruits' prize and later was twice regimental champion shot. For a time he was Brigade Sergt.-Major of the Brigade School of Musketry at Windsor and also served on the Hythe staff. He was instructor with Charterhouse School O.T.C., has twice fired in the King's Hundred at Bisley, has shot for Surrey, and won the county championship in 1926. At a general meeting of the Frome Supporters' M.R.C. in August at the South Parade Club and Institute, Mr. Challice took the chair, supported by Mr. W. Evemy (president of the club) and Mr. A. S. Pearce (hon. secretary). There was a fair attendance, which included representatives of Messrs. Butler and Tanner Sports Club and the United Services Club. Mr. F. Barrett (secretary of the South Parade Club) was also present. Mr. Challice, in introducing Mr. Evemy, said that the club was fortunate in having a president so keenly in terested in miniature rifle shooting and the welfare of the club, and thanked Mr. Evemy for the help and assistance he had given. Mr. A. S. Pearce, in his report, stated that the club was affiliated to the S-M.R.C. The club was opening membership to all interested over the age of 18 years. The annual subscription was 6s. for the first year and 5s. for every succeeding year—this would include full mem bership of bolh the Miniature Rifle Club and the South Parade Club. For members of the South Parade Club the membership of the Rifle Club would be 2s. 6d. As soon as circumstances permitted the range would be open on Mondays throughout the year. If the membership was large enough it might be possible to open the range on two nights per week. The date of the opening of the range and the enrolment of new members will be given at a later date. Mr. Evemy, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Challice for taking the chair, said that he had seen the range and realised that a considerable amount of work must have been put in by the committee of the Rifle Club and members of the South Parade Club to construct such an excellent range. He would be pleased to give any assistance he could to the club. Mr. Evemy kindly offered a cup for competition, details of which to be arranged by the committee. Mr. Challice thanked Mr. Evemy for his kind offer and accepted it on behalf of the club. * » The Borough of Cambridge Special Constabulary S.B.R.C. recently continued a friendly rivalry which was established during the war between themselves and a team of American riflemen by firing a postal match with the Orion Gun Club of Jersey City. The match, arranged through Sgt. Hoffman, who is a member of this American club, resulted in a win for the British team by a small margin. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK25 W o m e n ' s A s s o c i a t i o n WITH the summer season Hearing the end, the league tables show that most clubs have improved during the competition and that next year we should see many averages of over 480. The system of promotion and relegation seems to make for even more enthusiasm than the prizes offered. In Division 1 Heston and Houns- low and Perth City and County are fighting their last year's battle over again even more closely,, both teams are level on points and aggregate. Unless something surprising happens one of this pair will be team champions for 1946, Tring, newcoiners to the League, having only an outside chance, two points behind. In Division 2 Manchester City have shot their way into a clear lead of foui points and can hardly be stopped from gaining promotion to Division 1. Westwood Works are out of their class in Division 3, having won all eight matches with a 58 point lead over the next highest aggregate. In this Division, Mitcham and Tooting B team with the third highest aggregate have only managed to win one match. Aylesbury and Victoria wrestle for the lead of Division 4 and in Division 5 Parkstone Girls Training Corps B team pay tribute to Capt. Bacon's instruction. Division 5A is made up of six late entries and a wide divergence of scores cannot be helped. Manchester University and B.B.C. (Lon don) lead in this Division. Most of the lower division leading teams show a great improvement in their scores and Aberdeen H.G.'s score of 479 in the eighth round of Division 7 is the record to date. Members will be advised of the date of the prize-giving, which will be held, as usual, at Victory House, Leicester Square, in December. We are very pleased to receive letters from all quarters showing such great enthusiasm for the W.R.A. and we know that the Associa tion has come to st^. There is one fly in the ointment, however. Mr . J. C. Salter 4tl6f and the Association badly needs a lady, with the time and interest, to take on these duties. After October, when the com petitions finish, we shall be without a secretary, although Mr. Salter will continue as Stats. Officer and League Organiser, and it is hard to say that the W.R.A. can continue without someone to take over. Will any lady, preferably living in or near London, who can and will act as secretary please get in touch with Mr. Salter, 97, Caithness Road, Mitcham 3198, as soon as possible? We are still without the promised metal brooch badges, but have great hopes of advising members soon that they are available. We also may have cloth badges for shooting jackets at a reasonable price. These will be of tliree types—the same badge with the words "Founder Member" or "Direct Member " or "Club Memb^. Any person who was a member of the original W.H.D. teams in 1943 qualifies as a " Founder Member " provided she has affiliated to the W.R.A. individually back-dated to 1943. .The fees are 2s. entrance and Is. for each year for 1943 and onward. The response to our circular regarding a winter league was so poor that it has been decided to keep to our original intention to run the Team Championship, a summer competition, only. We give the league tables after Round 8 below :— DIVISION 1 1. Heston and Hounslow Perth City and County 4. Kensington (Chiswick W.H.D.) 5. Parkstone G.T .C. 6 . M i t c h a m a n d To o t i n g 1. Manchester City 2. Stirling Ladies 3. Lytham St. Annes 4. Rotherham 5. Perth City and County B 6. Harrow W .H.D. DIVISION DIVISION 1. Westwood Works (Peterborough) 2 . D o u g l a s ( I . O . M . ) 3. Downe House (Newbury) 4. Portsmouth C.D. 5. Croydon A District Wardens ... 6 . M i t c h a m a n d To o t i n g B DIVISION 1. Aylesbury 2. Victoria (Coventry) 3. Eastbourne Ladies 4. Post Oiflce Savings Bank 5 . C i t y o f C a r d i ff W. H . D . 6. Leicester City Transport s.W. D. L.P.Agg. 86 0 2123883 8 6 0 2 12 3883 8 5 0 3 103863 830 5 6 3841 82064 3836 82 0 6 4 3816 2 S.W. D. L.P.Agg. 870 1143856 8 50 310 3823 840483796 831 47 3787 8 2 1553798 8 206 4 3795 3 S.W.D.L.P.Agg. 88 0 0163844 850310 3754 8 40 48 3786 8 4 04 8 3753 82064 3764 8 1, 07 23778 4 S.W.D. L.P.Agg. 861113 3767 860 2 123794 8 50 3 103732 830 5 6 3732 82 1553685 8 1 07 23666 DIVISION Parkstone G.T .C. B Douglas (I.O.M.) B Portsmouth T ransport E.xmouth Lincoln Liberal Club Elgee , W. D . 7 1 DIVISION B.B.C. (London) Manchester University ... Arbroath M i t c h a m a n d To o t i n g C C o l c h e s t e r W o m e n ' s U n i t Smith's Meters (Streatham) DIVISION 5 8 8 5A S. 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 S. 6 5 3 2 0 W. 6 6 5 3 0 0 0 1 0 D. 1 1 0 0 0 0 W. D . Cookstown Ladies Crouch End Huntley and Palmer's (Reading) Kensington (Chiswick Sv.H.D.) B Hampton Bristol Invicta DIVISION Aberdeen H.G. ... P o l k e r r i s . . . Ashton-under-Lyne Dunstable G.N.T .C. G.P.O. (London) Wa l l a s e y W. H . D . 7 7 6 2 1 0 W. 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 D. 1 1 1 1 2 0 DIVISION 8 Present Cookstown Ladies' B Bournemouth N.A.L.G.O. Mayfair Ilkeston W .H.D B r o m l e y a n d D i s t r i c t W. H . D DIVISION Ashton-imder-Lyne B W i n t e r i n g h a m H . G Hambie Y outh Association Number Seven (Aylesbury) M a y f a i r B 8 t h W i l t s H . G . O . C . A S. W . D. 9 S. 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 6 6* 3 2 0 W. 8 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. 0 1 0 0 0 1 L. 0 2 3 5 5 L. 1 1 3 5 6 L. 1 5 7 7 L. 1 0 3 4 4 7 L. 1 L. 0 ,2 4 5 6 5 P. 15 12 10 6 5 0 P. 13 13 10 6 4 0 P. 14 14 12 5 2 1 P. 13 11 9 7 6 2 P. 14 12 12 6 4 0 P. 16 11 8 6 4 3 3675 3728 3622 3681 3250 Agg. 3775 3329 3754 3662 3607 3497 Agg. 3713 3692 3670 3394 3555 3179 3703 3738 3683 3615 3605 3017 Agg. 3650 3642 3588 3527 3414 3265 Agg. 3548 3350 3242 3212 3151 3008 ST OP PRESS Result of Individual Championship, 1946 Winner, Miss H. MUlar (Perth City and County) ... Runner-up, Miss D. I. Nash (Aylesbury) Third, Miss M. F. Millar (Perth City and County)... The dotted inner carton was used to decide the tie for second place. Miss Nash gaining an extra 1.1 against Miss M. P. Millar's 1.0. 100 99 99 98 98 98 198 197 197 On 24th May, the West Essex and District Rifle League held a social at the Eagle Hotel, Wanstead, E.ll, to mark the completion of their first season. The president. Colonel S. S. Mallinson, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., D.L., J.P., presented trophies to the winners of both divisions of the League, and, in addition, members of these teams, together with the runners-up of the first division, each received a silver spoon. The chairman. Major C. V. Sharman, M.B.E., who presided, and the hon. secretary, Lt.-Col. J. Parr-Morley, M.M., were accorded hearty votes of thanks for their work in the League's first season. So great has been the success of the initial competition, that an invita tion has been extended to several additional clubs in the area to join in the 1946-7 competition which begins in the autumn. The standard of shooting improved considerably during the spson, and all matches took place in a very friendly and pleasant spirit. The final results in the two divisions of the League were as follows : DIVISION Chingford H.G North Ilford H.G. Whipps X and District 54th W ardenhurst Wa l t h a m s t o d ' F i f t y - F i v e r s 35th Wanstead and Leyton 8th C.O.L., Hackney Lea Bridge H.G Chingford H.G North Ilford H.G ^ 35th Wanstead and Leyton H.G Whipps X and District Lea Bridge H.G S. W.L. D.ForAg'st. P. 14 13 11 0 I 8048 758227 1412 8054 7691 24 14 851 78027739 n 14 8 60 7874 7744 16 148 6077277761 16 14 4 10 0771477288 141 13 07395 7809 2 141 13071897749 2 /ISION 2 Ag'st. P. S.W.L. D.For 8 7 1 04415 41 1214 8 6 204363 416312 8 8 5 3 0 43134229 10 2 6 0 4225 41314 808 036764357 0 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK2 6 T H E R I F L E M A N A u t u . N I N , 1 9 4 6 . An Old Method of Measuring ** Precision " in Rifles Revived T H E S I X - P O I N T R E S T D. Newitt By E. J. IT is essential when testing the precision of arms and ammunition to eliminate all extraneous factors, which influence direction. It is true that, weather permitting, a competent marksman can occasionally shoot groups of a few shots small enough to prove considerable precision in the combination he is testing, but the process is slow, fatiguing and too costly for the requirements of manufacturing. The Machine rest so long as it is rigid in itself, and holds the rifle rigidly, ensures absolute constancy of direction, but in many cases restrains the vibrations of the rifle unnaturally, thereby introducing a source of inaccuracy otherwise non-existent. . The best of Machine rests are complicated, expensive, and ponderous pieces of mechanism, which most users would be glad to dispense with, were other equally eflBcaceous means available. The late Lord Kelvin in a treatise on Geometry stated in effect that a perfectly unconstrained rigid body has six degrees of freedom. In addition to three independent translations, viz., (1) upwards and downwards, (2) backwards and forwards, (3) sideways, moreover a rigid extended body can rotate on three axes, viz., O " 0 - Supposing such a body is caused to maintain touch with any fixed point it at once loses its three possible motions of translation. Six immovable points may now be so arranged relatively to each other that when touched simultaneously by an extended rigid body (such as a rifle) it will be restrained m its three possible directions of rotation, and can then be replaced pointing in precisely the same direction an i n d e fi n i t e n u m b e r o f t i m e s . Curiously enough, these principles, somewhat obscured by the heavy scientific language in which they were armounced by Lord Kelvin some 50 years ago, admits of the construction of the ideal rifle rest, and the world is deeply indebted to the late Col. J. H. Hardcastle, R.A., who was unquestionably the first to interpret the meaning, and apply Lord Kelvin's principles to practical uses. His six-point rest, as it is called, is at once the simplest and most perfect appliance for ammunition testing, while it is so inexpensive that 50 might be made at the price of one Machine rest of the older type. Fig. 1 is a photo of a Hardcastle six-point rest made and erected at the Southfields Rifle Club range about the year 1908, by two of i t s m e m b e r s w h o w e r e n o t a r t i s a n s . It is made of wood and bolted to a solid base of suitable height by a single bolt and washer passing through a hole bored in the centre of the base immediately in front of the front V support, a second V support is shown near the breech with 5th point touching the trigger guard, while the 6th point is the bolt projecting through the board and touching the stock. The necessary elevation is provided for by the adjustable front V. The six points of contact are made as follows :—Four between the barrel and the sides of the two V's, the 5th between the trigger guard and the block protruding from the rear V, and the 6th is the bolt passing through the board shown on the left side of the stock. For low power rifles firing only .22's no appreciable recoil exists. In firing, the rifle is felt up to the contact points, the shooter's left hand pressing lightly upon the middle of the barrel, and firing by pinching the trigger and guard together with the thumb and fore fi n g e r o f t h e r i g h t h a n d . Up to about 1906 all .22 long rifle cartridges had the old black- powder as the propellant and the cases were not crimped. Once inserted into the breech it could not be extracted without leaving the bullet in the rifle and spilling the powder into the action. Then arrived from Germany the R smokeless long rifle cartridge, which proceeded at once to outstrip all other makes in existence. It was to prove tlus that the writer introduced the Hardcastle six-point rest. Many thousands of 10-shot groups were made on t h i s a t 1 0 0 y a r d s . I t w a s d e m o n s t r a t e d t o a n u m b e r o f m a k e r s o f rifles and ammunition, and became exceedingly popular to the members - of the Southfields Club when trying the rifles they had bought. Nearly every .22 rifle known was tested on this rest with a great variety of .22's short, long and long rifle, also the Morris tube with both of the two lengths cartridge. Moreover, many of the tests were made at night with no attempt to light the butt. 1 jgaJtwahfl^ijiiiirse,-. pogsiblaJKvaPBjflhtbis^tfaa^W^ the construction of rests suitable for pistols, also for the Service rifle, but a butt, nwst be substantial enough to stop the bullet of the latter. In th? Text I Book of Small Arms, 1929, is an excellent illustration, inserted below. I i . . . , . . . . . . I i It is merely an ammunition bo;c nailed down on to a firm table, I and provided with two V cuts and a knob of wood. The six points 1 of contact are clearly numbered and a rifle is shown in position. Provided the rifle is " dumped " into the two V's, and is then run up, till the trigger guard touches No. 5, and is then slightly rotated clock- 1 wise till the side of the trigger guard touches No. 6, the rifle must be in one and only one exact position. It is then loaded and fired, taking reasonable care to keep the six contacts made it will throw the best group of which the gun is capable.' This should interest all practical j m a r k s m e n . A free copy of each issue of this magazine is sent to every afflliated unit, it should be kept at the Club Room or Range for all to see WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKAutumn, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 27 u ff What D'yuh Mean—Gutter ? (From the April 1944 American Rifleman) Who is the author of this piece ? He's not anonymous. He may be a member of your very own club ! At any rate, he is a member of a Rifle Club, and that gives him a right to a hearing. The more important question is, can we deny this indictment ? If not, isn't it high time we gave our game a facial, a shot in the arm, or whatever is needed to put it on a par with other sports, able to compete with them in an up-and-coming post-war world ? A FRIEND of mine waked me up the other day—not out of a sound sleep but from a dream ; a dream 1 ve cherished since I was' twelve vears old. It was a rude awakening. It hurt. In ficrit made me as mad as hell ! But-well, here's w^s' talking, as I often do, about " the great sport of target S?t TgrSt Son! un^you'gS^tLtdo" play h it Vout of ^^^®SisTlid"! I tried to answer him, but the best I could do was, " What d'yuh mean—gutter ? Doggone it, you can t . T4„ c.iH " T me.an-eutter 1 Where do yOu _do this shooting ? mert?ng of the local chapter of the Hobodes Guild ! Oh, the people wpre okav but the place—ye gods 1 Sure, I know you operate on Hash capital of about two bucks, plus or minus ; but why ? There s nlentv of neople in this town to support a decent shooting club. Look at oifr golf and tennis clubs, and bowling 1 Look at bowhng 1 Rut bowling was a stepchild, too, until somebody had gumption enouS to off disreputable rags and put it in decent ,v in the same spot bowling was in. Most men, unl J?®r?gr seen in the kind of ' club ' nffaughtJ.'^ L dSn'Uikrthe"sound of that laughter, but^ I was too busy thinking to answer. I was thinking about our club ^ ... and what my wife said when I offered to teach her to shoot. Who, me ? On those greasy mats ? Iif that bear s den . Oh, no " Don't look down your nose at the mention of women 1 my fripnd was saving "Women can make or break a sport—pd [hey'll to4k Tif aU it does is drag hubby out mto surroundi^s nt6 which wifey won't go, where nothmg but bOTedoiri aw^aits her f she does go 1 Give shooting some sp^tator mteresL why don t ? or failing that, the least you could do would be to give t ^ n^i'sant surroundings-a bit of grass, a shrub or two, if it s o^doof-s a sofrdri^nk bir and some easy chairs, if it's indoors- SStog you could show your friends without being ashamed "Another thing—your- game's dated I A game has to keep r. tn date sLme as anything else. Football was a dog until some- hfdv starts throwing passes and revamped it into sometong more u n a nnshinc contest coupled with genteel may-hem 1 Tenms was a weak sS^Ltil Little Bill Johnson said ' To hell with politeness ; a weaK sisier unin Lu ^ ,, yqu target shooters have fiMd youJ game down until nobody but you can enjoy it 1 You lug nnea youi gaiuc jginxe guns a weighted down with gimcracks and"gfdge^ .aL you top do®wn on your belly and wrap yourseh in TsUng ato p ink toles in paper targets that nobody can see without a icoL " Highly skilled work, sure ; but so's tombstone carving, ind who the hell wants to join a club of tombstone carvers-or pay "^No°shToutSte a tip from me, my friend. Bring your gaine ,n to tote • make it interesting for the average man to play, inake it ^meresffnl 'tf^ watch, put it in pleasant surroundings-and I, and ln?y morf like me, will pay. not peanuts but fol^g money to fharc it with vou ' Until you do—stop callmg it a sport 1 Hard to take eh? But can you deny it? Sure, but.can you ..fnK? I couldn't and that's why'I'm passing it along. Maybe 'if enough of us get mad enough we'll do something about it 1 Understand, I'm not convinced that target shooting is as bad as he said ; but the fact that it needs a major operation to give it the prestige and the popularity it deserves is too obvious for argument. If proof were needed look at the thousands of gunners all over the country—hunters and plinkers—who never, have taken interest in target shooting and have no present intention of doing so. The game doesn't attract them. Golf clubs and bowling establishments flourish because they offer their patrons good sport in pleasant surroundings. How many target shooting clubs can compete, in that respect, with what their own commimity has to offer in other sports? Skeet clubs thrive because the sport has eye appeal; something breaks ! But we stick to our gloomy cellars, to our eroded pastures, to types of shooting that have no spectator appeal—and do we have waiting lists for membership ? It is to laugh 1 We number our club memberships in tens and our national membership in thousands, when the number of hunting licences alone in this country runs into the millions ; licences issued to gun owners, and gun shooters who never see the inside of a target club—or else do see and don't return 1 What to do about it is not an insurmountable problern. A little grass, a little mowing, a few shrubs, a little lumber, a little paint, a little work—and more of each as the memberships tegin to grow. That's the answer to one phase of the problem. Who'll pay ? You will and so will I—at first. But increased membership would lift that load ; and, anyway, wouldn't it be worth it ? I know I'm sticking my neck out when I mention our shooting methods, our slow-fire, machine rest, belly-clopping, X-ring courses of fire. But, look : answer me one question. Who's the National Rifle Champion ? Who's the best rifle shooter in these here United States ? You don't know ? Neither do I 1 One guy wins one match, another guy wins another—and so it goes. And when it's all done if you could get the top ten riflemen of the country together for a match in Madison Square Garden—^you could send the assembled multitude home in two cabs 1 The pistol shooters have made some progress in the right direction. Standing on their hind legs, shootmg comparatively gadget-free guns over the Timed and Rapid stages of the National Match Course, they've at least kept their game out of the machme- rest phase. And nobody's apt to question the fact that Harry Reeves is Handguii Champion. He won the title by shootmg the same guns over identical courses of fire in open,-nation-wide competition. I don't say the handgun game has reached a state of perfection ; it hasn't But it's aUve and its increase in popularity far outstrips in the past few years the slow growth of interest in the rifle game. In the not too distant future a whole generation of shooters will Stow away its uniforms and return to civilian life. Can you sit tight and convince yourself that the target shooting game, as it is, is going to attract those lads away from other sports that are jeally making bids for their interest ? If vour answer is no—and mine is—why not get to work now on ways of renovating the game so it will attract them . Let s design rapid-to matches, surprise targets, bobbers, moving targets^ven breakable ones, if possible 1 Do that, and I ve a strong hunch that all of us will get more fun out of powder burning—and we 11 have a SnStharwill take its place, as it deserves to do, among the other competitive sports. -True we've got a war to win, a training programme to promote. That's ourfirst consideration, of course. But lookmg ahead today is oLr tot hope of meeting the challenge of tomorrow 1 And the challenge is there. It's time we faced it 1 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK28 T H E R I F L E M A N 1 Autumn, 1946. Small-bore Hunting EARL Y DA YS By S. G. S. Harris Having now completed 34 years shooting for. sport with .22 bore rifles, I am taking the liberty to record some of the sport and experiences that I have enjoyed during that period, as well as some of the many lessons learned. Shooting has always been a passion with me even from my very earliest days, and I enjoyed a great deal of sport with various air guns, etc., before I was old enough to be 'entrusted with firearms. One of these air guns had quite a history before it was discarded. It was purchased m Chnstchurch, Hampshire, about 1905, was of German rnake and called a Gem." It was on the breakdown pattern, a single shot br^h loader, and shot either slugs or darts. It had two bad faults. It shot abput 3in. high at 15 yards range, and had a terrific tngger pull—I think at least 8 lbs. Nevertheless, I managed to kill one hundred small birds with it, mostly sparrows, at ranges up to 20 yards. ^ In due course the spring weakened, and the plunger became worn so that most of the power was lost, and it would no longer kill sparrows. After many attempts to rectify the loss of power, I decided to cpnyert it into a firearm, and by boring out the chamber with a carpenter s brace and spoon bit, sufficiently large to take a .22 case I could insert a No. 1 shot cartridge, and close the breech. The next problem was to fire it, and this was effected by cutting off a 4in. wire Pif 1, i'" head, drilling and fixing a firing pin into the head, and puttuig the shank end of the nail into the passage leading from the chamber for air compression so that it projected about iin. mside It and could be struck by the piston on its forward stfoke. _ The firing pin was made from an old gramophone needle, and had ® c a r t r i d g e . T h e p r o c e d u r e w h e n hrLJv first compress the spring in the usual way with break down weapons, then msert the nail carrying the firing pin one side, and the cartridge the other, close the gun very carefullyf and ^11 w a s r e a d y . „ ^ricredible as it may appear, I bagged many small birds with this queer weapon, until in an endeavour to increase its range I took to -i" J cartridges, and for some unexplained reason, the shot failed to come out of the barrel, sticking about half-way along it ^ a second and third cartridge in and fired h T'i vi the result was that the whole first half of the barrel was choked solid. Every effort to remove this obstacle failed, and in desperation I tried to melt it out by placing the barrel on the gas stove until It was red hot. This had the effect of clearing it, but unfortu nately the heat warped the barrel, and as all my efforts to get it straight again faded, the poor old " Gem " was at last relegated to the scrap heap. This is the only time that I have ever known an air gun con- wltlf^t'"'" ^ firearm, and while it was very crude I had good fun ^ become old enough to be allowed to use an old I2-bore harnmer gun that belonged to my father, and much of my early port was had by means of this weapon, and as I had access to a farm belonging to an uncle of mine I had many opportunities for some sport, and took advantage of all of them, rabbits and pigeons being the usual game. My cousin being much the same age as myself, and with smilar sporting tendencies, also secured a shot gun and we enjoyed much sport together. It did not take us long to find out that a rabbit's capability of estimating distance was at least equal to our own, and from the fact that they persistently kept just out of range, we were always trying to increase the range of our shotguns, or think out some means of getting on even terms with them, and during the early part of 1910 we had opportunity of shooting on a range belonging to the Bournemouth Corporation, and using the converted Martini .22 bore rifles, with open sights found that we could hit a 4in. bull at 100 yards range on an average about four times in seven shots. r, . O T p r o b l e m , a n d w e b o t h a t o n c e War Officc miniaturc rifle, a light and popular vveapn in those days, of the single shot bolt acting type. At first we stuck to the open sights, but at the end of 19111 fitted mine up with an f A, ! mounted on a special wooden block on 0 9 « / • t ^ t o - d a y, i n 1 9 4 4 , 1 a m s t i l l u s i n g a V. ^ y P ® a p p e r t u r e m o u n t e d i n t h esame place, shows that I was on the right track in 1911, i.e., to get the sight back far enough to allow the eye to touch it, thereby greatly increasing the " field of vision," and making it so much easier to pick up the object, particularly in a bad light. ^ But to get back to the W.O.M. Rifle. It was with this rifle that I T u IPu ^ -22 bore. On a warm sunny summer evening 1 had been looking round the small piece of rough land that we owned, and on which there were a few rabbrts to be found, and watching from behind a high gorse bush I spotted a rabbit sitting in the ehather at about 50 yards range. It was feeding and facing away from me, and T ^ aimed at the brown fur at the back of its neck, and how thrilled I was to recover it and to see the small hole exactly where I had aimed. My bag of rabbits now runs into thousands, but I cannot first'^^'^ ^ picked up that one, the very Shortly after this I visited my cousin on the farm, and, of course, fi''®' fi"® evening we went out after the rabbits, and, sure enough, on looking over the first gate*we saw a fine rabbit siding out about a yard from its hole, down in the meadow and about 100 yards range. This -rabbit was fully aware that shot guns were useless at this range and so made no particular effort to take cover. This was its fatal mistake, and it never lived to recover from it. As a visitor I was delegated to take the first shot, and setting the slide ot the open sight at just over the 100 yards mark, and putting in a long rifle cartridge, a King's Norton black po.^der, I rested my arm over the gate, and taking a very careful aim fifed. The rabbit dropped dead instantly ; it had been struck just above the eye, the bullet passing through the brain. This shot caused us a great deal of satisfaction, but at the same time it caused many false inferences to be drawn, as in the first place we fondly imagined that knocking over rabbits at 100 yards range was to be an every day event, we haw completely failed to see that it was a very lucky shot, and haa It been half of an inch higher it would have missed altogether, and we should have been quite in the dark as to where the bullet had gone, ^so in this particular instance, it was one of the home fields and every inch 01 It was familiar, and all the distances along the hedegs accurately known which is, of course, a great help in setting the sights. Upon carefully pacing out the range this rabbit was found to be 109 yards from the gate over which I had fired. I would like to point out here while on the subject of range, that it is much easier to shoot with a .22 bore.rifle over familiar ground than it is experience it is not always possible to judge the range with sufficient accuracy to make ^ missed quite a few rabbits this year not so much through bad shooting as bad range estimating. T® ^^® fi"^®^ problems that the .22 bore hunter has to ^ f i ® f i ® ' f i ' w i l l s t r i k e h i m e v e n m o r e lorcibiy 11 he has been accustomed only to shooting on ranges at fixed aistances. At the club all that is necessary is to remember the number ^ ®®''®w "P or fiown from one range to the next, and then a Shot or two to confirm it and all is ready. In the field there is no 5 J ° ^fi'®' '® '"ost unlikely that more than one shot will be arl® thif ® successful this must be a bull's-eye.^ Also the chances I K if 4. range will not be one of the three in general use at the ciu^but some odd distance for which the sighting will not be known. •o '"^® of.tfie first things that the sporting shot must learn oe able to set his sighting at any range, at least up to 100 yards and preferably up to 200 yards, without any delay. Having done so he can then decide whether to take the shot from the off-hand ®fi'^®'' ^fi® sitting or prone position. If it is a long shot. • iatter positions are preferable if possible, but it must be Pl°"® PO®'fion is Only rarely possible if the ground shot over is covered with much undergrowth. Please Pass This On In view of the limited number of copies printed, yon are asked to pass this on to your friends and ask them to pass it on with a simUar request. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKAutumn, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 29 Fire-arm Blueing or Browning By S. O. Grant. The newcomer to the rifle, if he be possessed of a mechanical turn of mind, soon finds himself engrossed with this or that little alteration, or this or that little component and gets much pleasure from doing so. Now the gunsmith's art has led us to e.xpect beauty of workman ship in a weapon, which fact soon leads us to disappointment with our own eflbrts, especially in the final finish. If only we could get that perfect Blue Black of the professional all would be well. A great deal has been written about Gun Blueing, but, strangely enough, as a newcomer myself I found it astonishingly difficult to get a simple and convincing answer to my questions. Firstly I wrote the S.M.R.C. and they quite properly advised me to obtain a bottle of gun blueing solution from Messrs. Parker Hale and simply follow their instructions with due care and attention. Well, I took their advice and got quite good results after a bit of experience ; results which can still be seen today, and I am still not ashamed of them. But at the time of which I am writing no such advice could be given as that famous house could not supply their preparation in war-time. This state of affairs set me the probleni of finding out for myself. I begged and borrowed a copy of Angier's " Fire-arm Blueing and Browning," studied it, and so vast a collection of information was contained in it that as I closed the covers and hid away its countless formulae " I couldn't see the wood for trees." From a later and more selective study I took, amongst a few others, the formula given as American Express Browne by Clyde Baker, but before detailing the processes let me trj- and define Blueing and Browning. Browning is an old English term and is synonymous with Blueing in the U.S.A. It no doubt dates from the time when such formulae as may have been used brought about a surface colouring of fine brown oxide as opposed to the later processes, which included steaming which converted the brown oxide colouration to that given by the blue black, so called magnetic o.xides. The term Browning still persist in the British Army, and is an out of date term, since it does not convey what it sounds like " unless you know." To revert to the job in hand, the formula referred to above consists of the following ingredients :— M e r c u r i c c h o l i d e 1 2 8 g r s . P o t a s s i u m c h l o r a t e 1 2 8 g r s . P o t a s s i u m n i t r a t e 6 4 g r s . S o d i u m n i t r a t e 6 4 g r s . Spirit of nitre 4% ... ' 128 grs. W a t e r t o m a k e i U . S . p i n t C. E. Chapel, in " Gun Care and Repair," 1943, gives a very similar formula, but with considerable variation in the quantities. This only points out that there is more than one way of killing the cat. Having got the above made up by the local chemist you proceed as follows, remembering that a high quality finish depends more on attention to detail and patience than to special skill. The part or parts to be blued must firstly be finished bright and polished either by hand, with steel wool, after draw filing and fine emery or by power buff. In any case remember the final finish is entirely dependent upon the finish of the steel you start off with— r e m e m b e r t h a t . , , . The polished component must then be degreased thoroughly—very thoroughly indeed. To do this use firstly petrol and then immerse in a hot and strong solution of caustic soda or soda lye. Boil for a few minutes in clean water, afterwards in order to remove the caustic soda solution. Remember that failure' to degrease thoroughly may spoil the whole job and back to the beginning you will have to go. If the component is a gun barrel you will, of course, need a tank long enough to take it and before degreasing the bore should be given a coat of gun oil and the ends plugged with hardwood plugs. A tank suitable for most barrel work would measure 36 to 40 inches x 5 inches X 5 inches. It should be evenly heated throughout its length. After degreasing do not on any account handle the parts, and if possible wear cotton gloves. The same tank as used for degreasing should be washed out and filled with distilled water or water free trom chemical impurity likely to affect the blueing. Obviously if you have an alternative clean tank use it. The tank of clean water is brought to the boil and at one end place a beaker containing a few ounces of the solution. By this means the solution will attain the same temperature as the water, but care should be taken to see that the water does not slop into the beaker. You will also require a swab with a non-resinous wooden handle, which should be placed in the beaker. • The degreased component is lowered into the water by means of wire hooks and should be kept there until it has attained the tempera ture of the boiling water. It is then raised and swabbed over quickly with the solution. The heat will dry it almost at once, but take care to cover it evenly and thoroughly. Place it back in the water for a few minutes and then remove it. Scratch off the rust formed either by hand with steel wool or by means of a soft wire brush on a power buff. This scratching process is most important, as if it is not done the finish will be poor and unstable. The component must be scratch polished thoroughly—remember that. The part is then placed back in the water (it will only be dulled by the first operation) and after a few minutes it is once more removed, swabbed with solution, immersed, removed and scratch polished. This operation may have to be repeated some ten or twelve times, but do not touch it with your hands. When the part has reached the desired blue black shade, wash thoroughly, dry and give it a good coat of raw linseed oil. For case hardened parts it may be necessary to swab the degreased component with strong nitric acid until it turns black in order to get the " blue " to take. The above process will if carried out correctly give a first class finish and is to be recommended, but there are many others. I have particularly refrained from giving variations as they only lead to confusion, and their name is legion. There is one simple process, particularly handy for small parts and recommended by Howe in his " Amateur Guncraftsman," which, I think, should be mentioned as an alternative, especially as it has several advantages, notably,that no degreasing is required. The parts to be blued are simply immersed in the following solution for ten minutes or so at boiling point. C a u s t i c s o d a J i b . T r i s o d i u m p h o s p h a t e i l b . S o d i u m c h l o r i d e i o z . S o d i u m n i t r a t e . 1 l b . 4 o z s . W a t e r 1 q u a r t Although no degreasing is required because the solution itself contains the degreasing agent obviously the parts must be properly bright finished before immersion. Amongst those attending Perthshire R.A. annual prize meeting at Kinfauns range were Col. C. C. Spooner, D.S.O., Mill of Keir, Dunblane, commander of the 1st Perthshire Batt. A.C.F. ; Col. J. A. Don, D.S.O., Cray, Glenshee, commander 2nd Perthshire Batt. H.G., who deputised for the chairman. Col. P. C. Hunter ; and Col. Ian M. Stewart, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., commander Stirling Sub District, who presented the prizes. Individual championship of the meeting, which was the first to be held since 1938, went to a member of the S.M.R.C. Council, Major F. B. Smith, of Perth, who is a former champion, as are also his brothers. Squadron Leader D. G. Smith, Edinburgh ; and Mr. Alex. S. Smith, Ayr. The 5th Batt. Cambridgeshire H.G. R.C. has just concluded a very successful season on the miniature range. Mr. G. Griffin, the County captain, won the senior county championship and Mr. S. E. Thompson carried off the county junior championship. In addition, the club won three of the five team trophies offered in open competition, and they are at present leading in all divisions of the Cambridge S.B. Summer League and hold the A. J. Pointer Memorial Cup for team shooting. In club' events, the Handicap Cup and Gold Medal have been won by Mr. Griffin, who also takes the Secretary's Cup for the best scratch aggregate. Mr. Jones was runner-up and receives a silver medal. The tankard presented by the Club's president (Lt.-Col. Dale) was won by Mr. W. Futrell. Various spoons have been competed for throughout the year, and these, together with the trophies previously mentioned, will be presented at the club's annual general meeting, to be held next month. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK30 Autumn, 1946. 'Scope Sights on .22 and Value of Marksmanship Two interviews with Brig.-Gen. Merritt Edson, U.S.M.C., and a letter from Maj.-Gen. J. C. Smith {American Rifleman). T E L E S C O P E S I G H T S "The outstanding troops on Tarawa were our scout-sniper platoons. These were made up of expert riflemen, expert scouts, working in carefully organized, carefully trained teams. They were armed with Marine sniper rifles ; Springfields, with telescope sights. Those scopes might surprise you. Lots of them were long, target-type, eight-power instruments, with wide fields. Some were hunting scopes'. In either case they were damned effective ! Those boys didn't waste a lot of ammunition ; they held and squeezed. When they fired, Jap rifles stopped cracking. That's better, even, than scoring a V on the range ! But scoring Vs on the range is the way to learn to do it I " There has been a lot of discussion, pro and con, about our carbine! In my opinion it's a good weapon for the use for which it is intended! It can't replace .the rifle ; it hasn't the long-range accuracy, nor the penetration. But it's fast handling, and it will get a bullet into a Jap in a hurry, at close ranges. That counts, in close fighting. "I don't think much of the carbine as an officer's weapon. I don't think an ofBcer needs a weapon, other than a strictly self-defence weapon. His job is to command. When he starts showing the boys how well he can shoot, his efficiency as a commander suffers. "I'd say, arm officers with pistols. Other men whose basic weapon is not the rifle might better be armed with pistols, too ; such men as machine gunners. A machine gunner has a load to'carry Shng a rifle or a carbine over his shoulder and it handicaps him in the transportation and handling of his basic weapon. When the going gets tough he's apt to discard that extra burden. The pistol isn't in way, yet it's there when he needs it. It would be even better if the pistol were carried in a shoulder holster. You get in pretty deen sometimes in the jungle ; it's good to have your equipment high un on your person, dry and out of the way. " Any weapon that will kill that fits a specific need is valuable 1 can ^ plenty of places where the .22 calibre rifle could be used very^ effectively m jungle fighting, as a sniper's weapon. Ranees aren t apt to be long, m the jungle, and for those ranges the .22 scom- Sighted would be superlatively accurate. It makes little flash litffe noise A sniper armed with it would be hard to locate. And it would do the job. I've heard, unoflfdally, that one of my junior officers killed a Jap on Tulagi with a Colt Woodsman. It doesn't s u r p r i s e m e i n t h e l e a s t . " ' COMBAT ESSENTIALS "The Jap, he's no superman by any means. He's no bettpr woodsman than our men, except when he's been trained longer • and he P ^ ' s f h a l l y a s g o o d a r i fl e m a n . ' because the individual rifleman is the back Everything else-the tanks, the pfanes w a v s u p p o r t i n g a r m s t o b a c k u p o r p a v e t h e Lrfo holds haVerltN'"? ultiniately takes ground, and it is rifle fire that man w tfthe counter-attack. The man with the nfle is the man who wms wars ; and accurate fire frnm Wve battlefield vvc ve proved that, on Guadalcanal, at ' the Ridee' at f n w a r s t h i s w a r a i d s h o o t i i n d ^ t r a i n i n g m e n f o r c o m b a t droJididn thaTs hit targets at known rangS In on^V ?n so far as h Power is important, but it is effective fm-fdcM dedote^'d'' marLTansS fidsd 'Give^^thaf ^ atrAs,'?; riiK-f the Then teach tareds a? Teach him to shoot at indistinct targets, at moving targets. Teach him to scout; to take rovw properly, to move properly, to use his eyes to see before being seen. Teach him then to work as a part of a team : to support his team mates and to make use of the support they give him. But, above all else, give him a knowledge of and a confidence in his weapon and in his ability to use it ! Given that, he'll learn the other things quickly. Lacking that, a man goes into battle mentally unarmed. His weapons are small comfort to him because he has no faith in them. He is handicapped, because he isn't sure what he can do when he meets the enemy. Give him confidence in his gun and his ability to use it, and he can devote his efforts to taking care of himself and making contact with the enemy, knowing that when that contact is made, he can make the most of it. " Too, having faith in his weapons, a man will take care of those weapons. Lacking faith in them, he takes poor care of them, with the frequent result that they don't function properly when he needs them. We saw plenty of that in the Islands. Mud and salt water and coral sand don't improve automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and unless a man loves and trusts his weapons, when he's dog-weary he's apt not to bother to clean them. Give him supreme confidence in that gun as the thing that will stand between him and death, and he'll clean it ! He'll clean it first, and worry less about his own ills for having done it. " Teach him to shoot before he ever goes into the service. Teach him to shoot again, after he's in. Teach him to shoot, again and again, every chance you get. Give him refresher courses. ' Frequent application of the seat of the man to the seat of the saddle' is a good way to make a rider ; frequent practice is the only way to make a good shooter. Teach men to correct errors made in battle by means of ^f^set-range practice, and pretty soon they'll be using target-range skills in battle. Once you get them doing that, you've got an army ! " " T H E S C O R E I S T H E P R O O F " Office of the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific. Editor , I was talking to Colonel Murray, who commanded a battalion of the Sixth Marines at Tarawa and Saipan. He also fought at Guadal canal, and was wounded at Saipan. I asked him what training he would stress for his battalion to prepare it for the next battle. We have so many weapons in an infantry battalion nowadays that I was really curious to get his reaction. He said," I would spend more time teaching them rifle marksman ship than anything else." found that Japs were very good shots at short range. He also automatic weapons, such as machine guns and BAR's, often fail to hit individuals at 250 yards and beyond, whereas his good rifle shots could pick them off. He said, " I would like to have my men all able to pick off individual Japs at about a hundred yards farther than the Jap riflemen can pick us off." Murray's battalion cleared up the remainder of Tarawa Atoll after Betio had been captured. The Japs all withdrew to the northern end cn the atoll and made a final stand. The ranges in the last steps of the attack were very short and the Japs, who were among the best trained Japanese troops, were unexpectedly good shots. Quite a number of our men were shot through the head when they lifted their heads looking for the enemy. Also, an amazingly large number were shot through the right arm or shoulder while in the act of throwing ^enades. However, the better shooting of the Marines showed up in the fact that they buried 156 Japs, with the loss of about 80 of his own men killed and wounded. Major-General Julian C. Smith. A new book. Rifle Shooting for Cadets, by Lieut.-Colonel L. R. Godfrey, is published by Messrs. Gale and Polden Ltd. at Is. 8d. post free. " That every boy in the Empire for the next hundred years should be a marksman is a form of national insurance we dare not neglect," says Colonel Godfrey. He deals with many individual problems in a way_both practical_and interesting. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKAutumn, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 31 Empire and County Associati Canadian S.B.R.A. TORONTO WINS THE CANADIAN INTER-CITIES MATCH WITH RECORD SCORE OF 1,489 x 1,500 Beating the former record of 1,481 which they established in 1944, Toronto ran up the phenomenal total of 1,489, six clear points ahead of Winnipeg which also broke the former record with a strong 1,483. By this feat, Toronto now joins Vancouver as a two-time winner. And so the history of the match is : 1942, Montreal, 1,477 ; 1943, Vancouver, 1,477 ; 1944, Toronto, 1,481 ; 1945, Vancouver, 1,477 ; 1946, Toronto, 1,489. Another record was established in this match with the entry ot 10 teams representing eight Canadian cities. Knowing in advance that they had no chance, several cities entered teams for the sake of the competitive experience. To these teams our sincere congratulations on their wisdom and good sportsmanship. Following are the detailed scores I Toronto. 1.489 ; 2 Winnipeg, 1,483 ; 3 Calgary, 1,478 ; 4 Edmonton, '.'j''" 5 Shcrbrockc I 475 ; 6 Montreal. 1,474 ; 7 Vancouver, 1,474 ; 8 Montreal, 1,471 ; 9 Winnipeg Red, 1,443 ; 10 Ottawa, 1,428. OHIO DEFEATS QUEBEC AS PRE-WAR MATCH IS RESUMED Prior to the war an interesting annual event was the friendly postal match between Ontario, Ohio and Quebec, for teams of 20 men—20 shots each—all scores to count. Ontario was unable to enter a team this year and so Ohio and Quebec fought it out alone, the win going to Ohio with 3,942 versus Q u e b e c ' s 3 , 9 3 5 . , , Ohio's entry was sponsored by the Ohio Rifle and Revolver Asso ciation, while the Province of Quebec Rifle Association handled the Quebec entry. Highlight of the match was the 200 x 200 put on by Miss Mar- guerite Lefebvre of Montreal's Sun Life R.C., while double possibles were also put on by P. Grossklaus for Ohio and Bill Lafferty and Tom Jamieson for Quebec. Scores : Quebec 3,935, Ohio 3,942. ASSOCIATION HONOURED BY GOVERNOR GENERAL We are pleased to report that His Excellency, Viscount Alexander of Tunis, has greatly honoured the Association by extending his p a t r o n a g e t o u s . „ , . . w u - Keenly interested in the sport of small-bore rifle shooting. His Excellency is also a Vice-President of the Society of Miniature Rifle C l u b s o f E n g l a n d . . The Association is most fortunate in having the-patronage oi such outstanding rnen as the Governor General and Messrs. R. C. Vaughan, D. C. Coleman and S. J. Hungerford. OUR CLASSIFICA TIONS Last year, under this same heading, we reported a general improve ment in shooting averages, and we are glad to be able to make a similar announcement this year. .In figuring this year's outdoor individual averages we were pleased to observe that 22 competitors had gone up one class and four competitors up two classes. On the debit side, three competitors had gone down one class. Let's see how many can improve their classi fication this year. T H E N AT I O N A L T O U R N A M E N T Steady progress is being achieved in drawing up the programme and prize list for the National matches at Lachine, Que., over the Labour Day week-end. This work requires a lot of time and care and the programme may not be available for distribution until late July or e a r l y A u g u s t . , , . . . . It is definite, however, that there will be matches on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday and a cash prize list of £600 or more. We hope that everyone possible is planning to attend. C A M P P E R R Y I S B A C K The latest issue of the American Rifleman announces that the National matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, will be held after all, insofar as small bore is concerned. The exact dates have not been deter mined, but the first week in September has been settled. As usual, the United States can be counted on to field a magni ficent Dewar team, and it is up to us to do our best to equal it. So- come one, come all—to our National matches at Lachine. THE 1946 INDOOR " ALL-STAR " TEAM Captained by Bob Drysdale of Montreal's C. P. Windsor R.C., this year's team features 11 new members and a higher standard of marksmanship than ever before. ions Thn^ncn'i'^cS'''^i Gilmour Boa, Bill Macnab, Sid Martin Scott, Bill and Anne Savage, Helen Ramsay and m a k f ^ h S f i ® ^ J o n e s o f L e t h b r i d g e , makes her first appeal ance this year. thic^^o"'^ shooting centres are represented, top honours again this year go to Alberta which captured 11 of the 20 places. where team members are tied on total points, Averag"*^^ competitor with the better Four-Position Following is the team personnel and their averages :— 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. R. E. Drysdale. Montreal ... Gilmour S. Boa, Toronto Steve Johnson, Calgary Boa, Jr., Toronto jy- S. (Bill) Macnab, Calgary K. Mork, Vancouver Kay Jones, Lethbridge... Sid H. Thompson, Wyoming Scott, Wyoming ... W. R. (Bill) Savage, Lethbridge hmie Jennings, Winnioee R. (Bob) Kerr, Calgary Alec. Gourlay, Calgary Miss Helen Ramsay, Edmonton J?* W atson, T oronto R. (Oick) Mcintosh, Winnipeg Martin Ostergaard, Calgary ... Roy Cox, Edmonton C. A. Stroud, Nanton Mrs. W. R. (Anne) Savage, Lethbridge Prone4-Pos.To t a l Av e r a g eAv e r a g ePoints 99.1 94.3 193.4 99.6 93.8 193.4 98.993.9 192.8 99.592.3 191.8 99.391.3 190.6 98.9 91.4 190.3 98.1 91.5189.6 99.7 89.9 189.6 99.789.8 .189.5 98.491.0 189.4 98.490.5 188.9 97.7 91.1 -188.8 98.7 90.0188.7 98.0 90.3188.3 99.0 ~ 8 9 . 3 188.3 99.289.0 188.2 99.787.8 187.5 98.189.3187.4 99.787.6 187.3 96.890.3 187.1 Aberdeen and District S.B.R.A. In the competition for the Usher (Challenge Chip at the three-day small-bore wapinschaw which concluded at Damhead Range, Aber deen, on July 7 Portlethen " A " team were the winners. Marksmen from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardine com peted in what proved to be the most successful outdoor meeting which the Aberdeen and District Small-bore Rifle Association has held. Well over 180 competitors took part. The trophies were handed over by Mr. T. Walker, Kinross. Leading results:— Competition No. 1. The " Hon. President." 30 shots at 25 yards.—1 A. Hunter, Portlethen (25s.), 299 ; R. P. Morris, Portlethen (25s.), 299 ; 3 J. B. Robertson, Duff town (7s.), 297 : W. J. Bruce, Ellon (7s.), 297 ; J. D. D. Will, Portlethen (7s.), 297 ; J. D. Young, Portlethen (7s.), 297 ; R. Marshall, Inverurie (7s.), 297. Competition No. 2. The " President." 20 shots at 50 yards.—^1 R. P. Morris, Portlethen (30s.), 200 ; 2 R. Marshall, Inverurie (20s.), 199 ; 3 G. E. Coster, Portlethen (8s. 4d.), 198 , A. Hunters Portlethen (8s. 4d.), 198 ; G. A. Watt, Bonaccord (8s. 4d.), 198. Competition No. 3. The " Craigmile." 20 shots at 100 yards.—1 R. P. Morris, Portlethen (25s.), 198 ; J. A. Pratt, Portlethen (25s.), 198 ; 3 Mrs. Cowie, Ellon (lOs.), Competition No. 4. The " Aberdeen Dairy." 30 shots, 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards.—1 A. Hunter, Portlethen (20s.), 298 ; R. P. Morris, Portlethen (20s.), 298 ; W. C. Booth, Bonaccord (20s.), 298. C o m p e t i t i o n N o . 5 . T h e " R . D u n c a n . " A g g r e g a t e o f C o m p e t i t i o n s N o s . 1, 2, 3 and 4.—1 R. P. Morris, Portlethen (the " Barclay " Challenge Cup, S.M.R.C. medal and £5), 995 ; 2 A. Hunter, Portlethen (60s.), 988 ; 3 J. A. Pratt, Portlethen (40s.), 987 : 4 J. Reid, Bonaccord (20s.), 985 ; W. C. Booth, Bonaccord (20s.), 985 ; 6 Mrs. Cowie, Ellon (10s.), 982 ; 7 C. McTavish, Bonaccord (8s. 4d.), 981 ; G. E. Coster, Portlethen (8s. 4d.), 981 ; J. D. D.Will, Portlethen (8s. 4d.), 981 ; 10C.MitcheU, P o r t l e t h e n ( 7 s . 6 d . ) , 9 7 7 . . „ . Competition No. 9. The " S.M.R.C." and " J. S. Sharpe." 20 shots at 25 yards.—1 W. G. Bremner, Portlethen (landing folding net, value 40s.), 198 ; J. Baird, Bonaccord (20s.), 198. ^ . Competition No. 10. The Evening Express. 20 shots at 50 yards.-1 B. Gordon, Bonaccord (25s.), 196; G. Duncan. Keith (25s.), 196. Competition No. 11. The " Strathdee." 20 shoU at 100 yards.—J A. Marr, Mintlaw Station (25s.), 195 ; H. J. W. McKay, Keith (25s.), 195 ; 3 W G. Bremner, Portlethen (10s.), 194 ; 4 J. S. Robertson, H.G. Association (7s. 6d.), 193 ; G. A. Wa t t . B o n a c c o r d ( 7 s . 6 d . ) , 1 9 3 . , ^ Competition No. 12. The " Thomson." 30 shots, 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards.—I J. C. Renfrew, Portlethen (30s.), 294 ; 2 J. S. Rpberteon, H.G. Association (13s. 4d.), 293 ; W. F. Wilson, Stonehaven (13s. 4d.). 293 ; G. Beddie, Stonehaven (13s. 4d.), 293. Competition No.__13._The " Bonarcord." Aggregate of Com^titions Nos^ and ' 873 ; ^ ^'(SmpSimi°Nm°17.^'The ^ Members." 20 shots at 25 yards.—1 R. TowS pShen (iOs.), 197 : 2 P. p Michie, EUon (1^ 6d.) 195 Competition No. 18. The " Cluh." 20 shots at 50 yards.—1 A. McRae, Portlethen (20s.), 197 ; 2 J. Gammack, Mintlaw Station (12s. 6d.), 196. Competition No. 19. The " I.C.I." 20 shots, 10 at 25 and 10 at 50 yards.— 1 P. D. Michie, EUon (20s.), 199. Competition No. 20. The "Simon's." Aggregate of (pinpetitions Nos. 17, 18 and 19.—1 P. D. Michie, Ellon (40s.), 588 ; 2 J. Gammack Mmtlaw Station (25s) 581 • R. Towler, Portlethen {25s.), 581 ; 4 A. McRae, Portlethen (20s.), 577. 4 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK32 the rifleman Autumn, 1946. 'p. KcLrar <•; Atm;" ?-S.r'po';,Ki s-.v?K. s£rH.gs««H Competition No. 23. The " W. Bruce." (Confined to juniors). 20 stots at 25 yards.—! W. J. McLeod, Portlethen (15s.), 197 ; 2 D. on v.rds The " Usher " Challenge Trophy. 20 shots per man, 10 each at 50 and 100 yards^ —1 Portlethen A (cup and £2), 787 ; 2 Portlethen D (20s.), 774 ; 3 Bonaccord (10».), ■ The " Gordon Graham " Challenge Cup. 20 shots per man, 10 each at 25 and 50 yards.—! EUon (the cup and £2), 786 ; 2 Portlethen B (203.), 784 ; 3 Portlethen A ( l O s ) 7 8 1 V / » » *fhe "Henderson Challenge Bowl. 20 shots per man at 25 yardS;—1 Bonaccord (the bowl and £2), 778 ; 2 Portlethen A (20s.), 768 ; 3 Ellon (lOs.). 765. The Sharpshooter for the Malcolm Challenge Bowl. (Disc-breaking at luu yards).—1 Portlethen B (the bowl and 25s.) ; 2 Bonaccord A (203.) ; 3 Portlethen G ( 7 s . 6 d . ) ; 4 P o r t l e t h e n E ( 7 s . 6 d . ) . - . o n The special prize of 1,000 rounds of ammunition was won by Portlethen Small- Bore Rifle Club with 65 per cent of the 13 teams competing in the Aberdeen and District Association's Winter League competition. The Committes wish to thank very heartily all donors of prizes and the ladies and gentlemen who assisted in any way before, during and after the meeting. 2 5 A N D 5 0 Y A R D S S U M M E R L E A G U E Turriff A faded out in the final round of the Aberdeen and District Association's double 25-yard summer league competition. They were opposed to Inverurie and there was a general feeling that the Turriff team might stop the Donside team's unbeaten run of success. This was not the case, however, and Inverurie won 971 against 958. Ian M'Laien, Inverurie, had his sixth possible in the com petition. H.G. Association A again failed to return their cards, and ^™tore A were awarded the points. . ' . ^^"^"'^ncement of the season teams were graded into the various divisions according to their averages in previous competitions, and Ellon D, with an average of 956, was placed in Division 2. With ^ average of 960 per match they have won the championship with me loss of only two points. H.G. Association B, whom they beat me final round, are runners-up. ^fve to thank J. Henderson, who scored 199. wp "Jfmeldrum A and Kintore B shared the points. Their scores T I p o m ' ' P o M e l d r u m t e a m ' s a v e r a g e . 199 'Donald, who had been promoted to the first team, recorded failiffe of H.G. Association C to return their cards in the hppn 'P® championship of Division 3, which had anri fi Py.Kinellar, who started the season with a score of 914, hnrm ^ of glory with 964. Turriff B failed in their " G- Association C. E tparr,^ n ^ 'Po Ellon Club have shot well this season, and the in Divilp! the example of the D team and captured the honours summpi L ;■ Massie, who only started shooting during the beat v.A, '^o possibles in his 10 cards. H.G. Association D ThP P°^f. ^o become runners-up. nerfnzr,, Eortlethen Club's only crumb of comfort is their D team's C the winning the championship of Division 5. Turriff last fnnr fif ^'"P' ^ very consistent lot. Their scores in the 936,938 and 938. in Divis ni, e" 'o be congratuiated on their unbeaten record team and ft, ■ ° f^vi'er than 10 members were trred out in thisearn, and their scores varied from 79 to 98. North-East Scotland Area To enable S.M.R.C. affiliated Clubs in the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, Kincardine, Moray and Nairn bo be in touch with an agent of the Society, this is to advise all concerned that the agent appointed i s n o w — MR. GEORGE CHRISTIE 14 W est Mount Street Aberdeen who will be happy to serve them in all things pertaining to -22 rifle shooting. The enthusiasm of H.G. Ladies in Division 7 is to be admired. They are unbeaten in the league, and have reached the sixth round in the S.M.R.C. national knock-out handicap competition. H.G. Association G, a team of tramway employees, are runners-up to the ladies. Leaders of the Aberdeen and District Association's 25 and 50 Division 1—Strichen A Division 2—Keith A Division 3—Ellon B Division 4—Strichen B Division 5—Strichen C Division 6—Lumsden A D i v i s i o n 7 — D i r r i s C Division 8—Keith C Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division 1—Inverurie 2—H.G. Assoc. B 3—T urrifT 13 4—Ellon E 5—PortlelHcn D 6 — O i d m c l d r u m D 7—H.G. Ladies 8—H.G. Assoc. I s.\V .D. 1p. Aim. 6 40 2 8 5846 6 5 01 105801 6 6 0 012 5818 66 0 0 125805 6 40 28 5754 650I 105708 650I10 5644 5 5 0 0 10 4701 LEAGUE S.W. D. L.P. Agg. 3 3 00 62921 33 00 6 2908 3 2 0 I4 2872 3 20 5 2848 3 3 006 2792 3300 62733 3 300 62780 32 014 2585 Bedfordshire M.R.A. After a lapse of six years the Bedfordshire M.R.A. has been revived. The County Sum.Tier League has re-started with a record entry of 33 team.s, and it is being run in three divisions. The hon. secretary, Mr. W. S. Hoare, 2, London Road, Dimstable, will be pleased to hear from any clubs in the County which arc not yet affiliated. Assistant secretaries are Insp. H. G. Woods, Luton Borough Police, and Mr. W. L. Webb, Bedford R.C. Miss M. A. C o o k , B e d f o r d , i s h o n . t i e a s u i e r. Waterlows A team won the Lord Luke County Team Champion ship Shield and medals, the competition for which was the chief event at the first post-war county prize meeting of the Bedfordshire M.R.A. held on the Vauxhall Motors' Recreation Club ranges re- ccntly. The individual County Championship was won by G. C. Daniels, of A.P.C.M., who secured the County silver medal and silver gilt medal. About 70 marksmen took part in the various competitions. In presenting the prizes, the president, the Lord Lieutenant, Lt.-Col. D. C. Part, said he was proud to be president of the Asso ciation. He expressed pleasure at the large number of marksmen present at the first meeting since its revival. He hoped that the membership of clubs would continue to grow, as rifle shooting was a very fine sport which called for great skill, and it promoted a fine spirit of comradeship. List of leading results :— Competition No. 1. Double 25 yards.—Class B : 1 G. A. Loney, Waterlows (silver medal and 5s.), 198 (196.8, .25 re-gauge) ; 2 R. Thomson, Waterlows (6s.), 196.8 (196.8. .25 re-gauge); 3 G. C. Daniels, A.P.C.M. (4s.), 196.3. Class C ; t H. E. Brautigam, Waterlows (silver medal and 5s.), 196.8 ; 2 A. S. Jones, A.P.C.M. (6s.). 196 : 3 H. Wilkinson, Vauxhall (4s.), 195. Class D : 1 L. Hoppe, Vauxhall (silver medal and 5s.), 193 ; 2 V. Mant, Vauxhall (6s.), 190.7 ; 3 R. Gutteridge, Bag- shawes (4s.), 190.6. Competition No. 2. Single 50 yards.—Class B ; 1 E. H. Pooley, Bedford (silver medal and 5s.), 98 ; 2 G. Pafchett, Waterlows (6s.), 97.5 ; 3 R Thomson, Waterlows (4s.), 97.4. Class C ; 1 B. Martin, A.P.C.M. (silver medal and 5s.), 98.4 ; 2 A. G. Wyatt, Vauxhall (6s.), 98.3 ; 3 E. G. Payne, Leighton Buzzard (4s.), 97.3. Class D ; 1 F. V. Morgan, A.P.C.M. (silver medal and 5s.), 95 ; 2 J. Sheerman, Vauxhall (63.), 95 (94.2, .25 re-gauge) ; 3 H. N. Kidson, Bedford (4s.), 94.2 (94.2, .25 re-gauge). Competition No. 3. Single 100 yards.—Class B : 1 G. Patchett, Waterlows (silver medal and 5s.), 97 ; 2 H. Smallwood, Bedford (6s.), 96.4 ; 3 G. C. Daniels, A.P.C.M. (4s.), 96.1. Class C : 1 C. W. Pearce, Vauxhall (silver medal and 5s.), 96 ; 2 J. Slade, A.P.C.M. (6s.), 95.3 • 3 H. A. Kidson, Bedford (4s.), 95.2. Class D : 1 J. E. Wltite, Waterlows (silver medal and 5s.), 96 ; 2 R. Pautling, Leighton Buzzard ( 6 s . ) : 3 L . H o p e , V a u x h a l l ( 4 s . ) , 9 4 . 1 . ^ ^ , Competition No. 4. Aggregate of I, 2 and 3.—Class B : 1 G. C. Darnels, A.P.C.M. (plaque and 5s.), 389 ; 2 G. A. Loney Waterlows (6s.), 388 ; 3 R. Thomson, Waterlows (4s.), 388. Class C ; 1 C. W. Pearce, Vauxhall (silver medal and 5s.), 384 ; 2 A. Linford, Bedford (6s.), 382 ; 3 J. Slade, A.P.C.M. (4s.), 380. Class D : 1 R. Pantlin.g, Leighton Buzzard (silver medal and 5s.), 377 ; 2 R. Gutteridge, Bagshawe's (6s.), 375 ; 3 F. V. Morgan, A.P.C.M. (4s.), 373. Competition No. 5. 50 yards N.Y.O.S.—1 E. G. Payne, Leighton Buzzard (10s.) 100 ; 2 N. H. Kidson. Bedford (6s.), 99 ; 3 W. J. Clarke, Leighton Buzzard (4s.), 99. (Five 99's counted out.) Competition No. 6. 100 yards N.Y.O.S.—I Miss M. A. Cook, Bedford (10s.), 100 ; 2 N. H. Kidson, Bedford (6s.), 100 ; 3 A. S. Jones, A.P.C.M. (4s.), 99. (Two 99's counted out.) Competition No. 7. County Team Championship.—1 Waterlows A (the Lord Luke Shield and four silver gold centre medals); 2 Bedford (four silver gold centre medals). Competition No. 8. Individual County Championship.—I G. C. Daniels, A.P.C.M. (county silver medal, silver gilt medal and 6s.), 585 ; 2 H. Wilkinson, Vauxhall (silver medal and 5s.), 584 ; 3 G. A. Loney, Waterlows (7s. 6d.). Competition No. 9. 25 yards Unlimited Entry.—Class B : 99, R. Thomson, Waterlows (4s.), F. Worman, A.P.C.M. (4s.): 98, O. Loney, Waterlows (2s.), G. Loney, Waterlows (2s.), G. C. Daniels, A.P.C.M. (2s.). Class C : 99. H. B. Snashall, WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK^UTUMN, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 33 , nvlia" Vauxhall (3s.) : 98, A. G. Wyatt (2s.), A. G. Wyatt (2s.), joncs. A.l G.M. (2s ), G. Startup, A.P.C.M. (2s.). Class D : 97, R. Gutteridgc, A- ?.unBc's 9s.) ; 96, J. WraoR, Waterlows (5s.). vVtIkins°"i (2s.), G. Startup, A.P.C.M. (2s.), A. Linford, Bedford (2s.). JJfoss D : Shcernian, Vauxhall (7s.) ; 95, L. Hope, Vauxhall (3s. 6d.). R. Cl=',^criclse. Bngshawe's (3s. 6d.). " ' B y a r d s U n l i m i t e d E n t r y. — C l a s s B : 9 9 . G . L o n e y, ,r tcrlo^^® f "ni \.9- Daniels, A.P.C.M. (5s.). Class C : 97, A. G. Wvatt, Humphreys, A.P.C.M. (2s.), G. Startup, A.P.C.M. (2s.). Pcarce, Vauxhall (2s.), A. G. Wyatt, Vauxhall (2s.), A. Linford, Bedford (2s.). 6i ^ D I '• Vauxhall (9s.) : 92, F. Berwick. Bagshawe's (5s.). G'u compu"''°" 'fP;, '2. 100 yards disc-breaking (Club Pairs).—I J. Sheerman and r, Sna^hall. Vauxhall (two silver gold centre medals); 2 R. Thomson and A. King 9/ teriows (7s. 6d. each). "" Targe' Ruiiners' Competition (restricted to A . B - : 2 R . W . F r o s t ( t _ members of the Vauxhall A.T.C.).— (bronze medal). perwickshire M.R.A. ANNUAL FJELD DA Y The first annual field day of the Association since the war .was held OB Range, Duns, on Saturday, 29th June, when a niuch larger number of members took part. Shooting was affected hv the adverse weather conditions and low scoring was the rule, /^higfi' susty wind swept across the range and heavy showers of rain gnt competitors to shelter at times. It was thought at one time that the meeting would have to be abandoned, but the programme was completed in the main after extra time was allowed. The following are the leading results:— County Cup Competition.—1 British Legion, Berwick (County Cup and 12s.), 222-,5 Yards Competition.—1 R. Martin Berwick (9s.), 100; 2 G. Scott, Lauder /oc t 99 : 3 Welsh, Berwick (7s.), 98. M-R-C. Competition.—I J. Welsh, Berwick (S.M.R.C. cup and 7s.), 99 ; 2 o Martin, Berwick (6s.), 98, and P. S. Reid, Lauder (6s.). 98. Johnstounburn Competition.—I R. Martin, Berwick (.lohnstounburn Cup), 97 ; 2 R- 94 • 3 P. S. Reid, Lauder (6s.), 94, and D. Patterson, ®'"'^Marchmont Competition, County Individual Championship.—1 R. Martin, _ ..vick (Marchmont Cup), 295 ; 2 R. Trotter, Berwick (counlv silver medal and 8s.), ?as and P. S. Reid, Lauder (8s.), 288 ; J. W«lsh, Berwick (7s.), 287 ; 5 S. Welsh, oi^vick (6s.), 284 ; 6 G. Scott, Lauder (5s.), 282 : 7 J, Ross, Earlston (4s.), 275 ; ? A w. Kerr, Earlston (3s.), 273 ; 9 M. McKerrow, Lauder (2s.). 269 ; 10 W. Ruther ford, Lauder (Is.), 264. Three range unlimited entry prize lists omitted. The first Division League has been won by Berwick B.L. A, and their B team has won the Second Division with 28 points better aggregate than A. For 12 matches the B team aggregate was 4,569. Bucks County R.A. R. Wheeler and S. A. Sinfield, of the Aylesbury R.C., are the .new nairs' rifle champions of Buckin^amshire. They won their title on I7th-18th August, when, with several other local marksmen, they competed in the eounty .22 Championsliips at the Hedgerly Park range, near Gerrards Cross. The men's individual championship, shot for over three ranges (25 yards, 50 yards and 100 yards), was won by W. D. Dawe, of the Eton and Slough Club. His wife carried off" the ladies' title, and Eton and Slough added to their honours by earrying off" the team championship, in which they beat Aylesbury into second place. The competitors had to contend with n cross-'Aind that blew in tantalising gusts. It paiticularly turned the shots on the long 100 yards' range, where it required a very keen sense of judgment to register a h i g l i s c o r e . , , . . Leading results of the I2th annual .22 small-bore prize meeting held at Hedgerley Park Ranges on 17th-] 8th August, 1946 ;— Competition No. I. The County Championship.—I W. D. Doe, Eton-Slou^ (trophy and £1); 2 G. Walpole, Bletchley H.G. (S.M.R.C. med.-.I and 15s.) ; 3 F. Frith, Eton-Slough (S.M.R.C. medal and IDs.) ; 4 (tie) Mrs. D. J. Doe Eton-Slough rs M R.C. medal and 8s. 9d.); R. Wheeler, Aylesbury (8s. 9d.) ; 6 S. A. Sinfield, Aylesbury (6s. 3d.) ; 7 P. Foreman, Eton-Slough (5s.) ; 8 Mrs. Bishop, Eton-Slough ^^^^Competition No. 2. Ladies' Championship.—1 Mrs. D. J. Doe, Eton-Slough (trophy, medal and 15s.); 2 Mrs. E. W. Hill, Aylesbury (10s.); 3 Mrs. Bishop, ^""c^'mpctitmn No. 3. Junior Championship.— I J. Hatch, junr., Eton-Slough (" Docker " Cup, medal) ; 2 J. Comber, Burnham and District (7s. 6d.) ; 3 J. "i. Robinson, Stoke-W eston (5s.). . , Competition No. 4. The Ciub Sextet.—1 Eton-Slough (" Tighe Cup and £ 1 i s . ) ; 2 A y l e s b u r y ( I 5 s . ) ; 3 B l e t c h l e y H . G . ( 1 0 s . ) . o o - c Competition No. 5. Club Pairs.—1 Aylesbury (R. Wheeler and S. Sinhcldl (medals and I5s.); 2 Bletchley H.G. (G. Walpole and F. Brooks) (lOs.); 3 Aj-lesbury Competition No. 6. Class A. 50 and 100 yards. — I (tie) Mrs. Hill, Aylesbury 9d ) : F. Frith, Eton-Slough (8s. 9d.); 3 W. D. Doe. Eton-Slough (5s.). Cotnpetition No. 7. Class B, 50 and 100 yards.—1 F. Brooks. Bletchley H-C- (8s C o m p e t i t i o n i v o . / . , ^ i « m u u u l u u y a r u s . — 1 X . - - (10s.) ; 2 (tie). Mrs. Hill, Aylesbury (6s. 3d.), G. Walpole, Bletchley H.G. (6s. 31.). Competition No. 8. Class C. 25 and 50 yards.—1 E. W. Hill, Aylesbury (lOs-) - 2 (tie) A. C. Minnon, 9th Bucks H.G. (6s. 3d.), H. Aldous, Aylesbury (6s. 3d.). Competition No. 9. Class D. 25 and 50 yards.—1 W. C. West Burnham and District (10s.) ; 2 F. A. Turton, Burnham and District (7s. 6d.) ; 3 W. L. Fowivr, 9ih Bucks H.Cj. (5s.). Clay Disc Competition. Ijin. Discs at 100 yards.—Semi-final • Eton beat Bucks Constabulary E.D. ; Stoke-Weston lieat Aylesbury A Fin^- S l o u g h B ( £ 1 ) b e a t S t o k e - W e s t o n ( t 4 s . ) . ^ • L ' ° ° - Scores and prizes of the six unlimited entry competitions not included owing to lack of space. The Association has 45 teams competing in five divisions in its Summer League, results of which are not quite complete. Durham County M.R.A. T E A M C H A M P I O N S H I P The annual small-bore shoot for the Londonderry Shield, Durham county team championship, given by the Earl of Durham and Lord Londondeiiy, was held at Wynyard Park in July. The following w e r e t h e r e s u l t s ^ 1 Darlington L.N.E.R.: A. W. Canham 191, C. Forster 194, C. E Forstir 109 ' E. Varley 182, L. Hartley 190, M. Allen 194, A. Searle 192, H, W, Johnson 197 ; 2 Svnthonia : N. Ackroyd 195, W. Sedgwick 197, E. W. Green 192 P GriffitFc 194, D. Gray 194, J. Jones 189, W. Womphrey 184, G. T. Gray 192 ; totil l" 3 Sunderland A : A. E. Richardson 190, W. Gardener 197, J. Hunter IS7 u Newrick 189, M. C. Crosby 192, W. Tait 190, J. Gardiner 193, W. Smith 189 ; toW 4 Wynyard Park 1,516, 5 Hartlepool 1,514, 6 8th Durham H.G. South ShIelHx t,493, 7 Sunderland B 1,460, 8 Craghead 1,446, 9 Hetton 1,445. omeids Pools.—25 yds. : E. Varley 100, W. Sedgwick 99, N. Curtiss, E. Miles W Gar dener, F, E. Forster 98. 50 yds. : M. C. Crosby, L. Hartley 100, N. Ack-royd 99. All competitors were enteitained to tea by Lord Londonderry Mrs. Wilthew presented the shield and prizes to winning teams and competitors. Arrangements were made by Mr. Wilthew, chief agent to Lord Londonderry, and M, C, Crosby, hon, secietary and treasurer to D.C.S.B.A, Sscond- prize meeting, 1946 (lOth-llth August), Sunderland. Prize list for competitions :— Competition 1. Laycock Cup, S.M.R.C. Medal—G. T, Gray (£1 7s.), 295 • 2 ft Johnson (£1 7s.), 295 ; 3 W. T, Sedgwick (£1 7s.), 295. . 2H, Competition 2. Elkington Shield. Teams of 8.—1 S.S. 8th Bn. Home GuaM (I8s.1, 1,141 ; 2 I4th Bn. Home Guard (10s. 6d.). 1,126 ; 3 Sunderland (7s. 6d.) | 117 Competition 3. Yeomanry Cup. Teams of 5.—1 Synthonia (£1 2s.), "t 453 2 Darlington (14s.), 1,445 ; 3 8th Bn. Home Guard (9s.), 1,442. Competition 4. Lambton Cup. Juniors.—t E. Smith. Sunderland (5s. 3d ) 98 • 2 P. Armstrong (2s. 6d.), 92 ; 3 R. N. Martin (2s. 6d.), 92. '' • Competition 5. Novice.—1 L. Manners, Sunderland (£2 5s.), 197 ; 2 M. Douglas Beamish (£1 8s.), 196 ; 3 R. Carter, S.S. 8th Bn. H.G. (9s.), 194 ; 3 L. Stmoson S.S. 8th Bn. H.G. (9s.), 194, Entry competitions involving 23 prizes are not recorded owing to lack of space. M, C. Crosby, Hon, Secretary, Essex County S.B.R.A. The meeting held at West Ham R.C, at the end of June attracted an excellent entry and the officials are to be congratulated on their enterprise and thanked for their arduous tasks so cheerfully undertaken. Leading results of the 24th annual prize meeting C L A S S A Competition No. 1, 10 shots each 25, 50 and 100 yards.—1 A Thorogood. Walthamstow Ensign (medal and 7s. 6d.), 296 ; E. H. Geevra, ^jt Ham (bronze medat and 7s. 6d.), 296 ; R. W. Brown, Walthamstow Ensign (7s. 6d.), 296. ^ Competition No. 2. 10 shots each at two 50 yards cards.—1 E. H. Geeves, West Ham (medal and 10s.), 199 : 2 J. Dean, Wouldham (bronze medal and 7s. 6d.), 198. Competition No. 3. 10 shots each at two 25 yar<N carck. 1 H. W. E. Cousin, Colchester (medal and 7s. 6d.), 199 ; E. H- Geeves, West Ham (bronze medal and 7s. 6d.), 199 ; S. T. Norman, West Ham (7s. 6d.), 199. , , , Competition No. 4. Aggregate of Competitions, 1, 2 and 3 —1 We s t H a i Cousins, 6 8 8 : 4 S . i . i N u r i i i a u , > z - , - ' • r T " " " " U O D . The Championship.—E. H. Geeves West Ham (the Championship, the Clacion T i m e s C h a l l e n g e C u p a n d s i l v e r m e d a l ) . ^ ^ S.M.R.C, County Silver Medal.—H. W. E. Cousms, Colchester. C L A S S B Competition No. 5. As for Competition No. 1.--1 J. L. H. Lucas, Southend (medal and 12s. 6d.), 293 ; 2 J. Decks, Litt e ClMton (bronm medal and 10s.). 292. Competition No. 6. As for Competition I^. 2.--1W Banw^ (medal and 12s. 6d.), 199 ; 2 F. Chambers West Hani (bronze ™=da Jind IDs.).-197' Competidon No. 7. As for Competition No. 3.—1 E. Suckling West Ham (medalTnd lis. 3d.), 198 ; W. Banwell, West Ham (bronze medal and Hs. 3d.), 19" 3 W. C. F. Cook, Southend (6s. 8d.), 197 ; J. Decks. Little Clacton (6s. 8d.). 197 . ^ ^ Competition'N(y°8. Aggr4ate of Competidons 5, 6 and 7.-1 W. Banwell West Ham (Sir W. Gumey Benham "S i 6M^T f rh, 1 : 2 J. Decks, Little Clacton (bronze medal fiik . w'r E CoT P' ^^^t Ham (10s.), 682 ; 4 E. Suckling, West Ham (6s 3d.), 680 , JP'Cook, Southend (6s. 3d.), 680 ; 6 J. L. H. Lucas. Southend (5s.), 679 , 7 E. J. Holmes, West Ham ( 5 s . ) , 6 7 7 . C L A S S C Conmcddon No 9. As for Competidon No. L—1 E. Robinson, West Ham (medal and 10s.), ^6 ; 2 V. French, Mersca Island (bronze medal and 7s. 6d.). WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >