< Previous8 T H E R I F L E M A N Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs R E P O R T F O R T H E Y E A R 1 9 4 5 (To be presented with the Audited Accounts at the 43rd Annual General Meeting to be held at the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall, London, S.W.I, at 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 22nd May, 1946). The Council of the Society present the 43rd Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. OBITUAR Y . The Council have to record with deep regret the loss of many members during the past year amongst whom was its President, Lieut.-General Sir Alfred Codrington, G.C.V.O., K.C.B. PRESIDENT . At the unanimous invitation of the Council, Field-Marshal Lord Milne, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., D.S.O., D.C.L., LL.D., has honoured us by booming our President. VICE-PRESIDENTS. During the year the following gentlemen were elected Vice- Presidents of the Society ;— Field-Marshal Viscoimt Alexander, G.C.B., C.S.I., D.S.O., M.C., A.D.C. In accepting he wrote ;—" No one is more aware than I am of the important part played by good marksmanship in the campaign which has just finished so victoriously ; I feel that everything possible ought to be done to maintain the present high standard of shooting, and I hope that the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will continue to floimish." Field-Marshal Lord Birdwood of Anzac, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., LL.D., D.C.L. Mr. G. H. Nicholls, High Commissioner for South Africa. Dr. C. Heygate Vernon, of Hampshire. COUTSCILLORS. The following new Coimcillors have been elected :— Sir Harold Scott, K.C.B., K.B.E., Commissioner of Police, London. Capt. F. R. Bacon, Dorset. EX-OFFICIO COUNCILLORS. Mrs. G. O. Salter, Women's Rifle Association. Col. J. G. Sandie, D.S.O., M.C., War Office ; Chairman, Army Rifle Association. CHAIRMAN. At the Council Meeting held in June, Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher was unanimously re-elected Chairman, and Lt.-Col. T. Sutton, M.B.E., F.S.A., and Mr. Cecil Mack as Vice-Chairmen. HON. TREASURER. After eleven j'ears' service as Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Edwin L. Bell intimated his desire to retire. With much regret the Council accepted his resignation and accorded him a unanimous vote of thanks for his long and valuable service to the Society. Messrs. G. F. Booth, M.B.E., and P. G. Richardson were appointed Joint Hon. T reasurers. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS. Individual memberships of the Society (apart from ordinary rifle club members) are 823 Life and 702 Annu^. AFFILIA TED UNITS. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1945, the number of newly-formed, or revived, rifle clubs to become affiliated was 1593, whilst 2426 renewed their affiliations in that period, making a total of 4,019 units to form the Society at the above-mentioned date. Analysis of clubs affiliated ;— O r d i n a r y R i fl e C l u b s Home Guard Jimior Units (see further analysis below) Police Regular Service Units Ladies Civil Defence Leagues and Local Associations ... County Associations 1,799 1,012 639 273 122 45 49 28 52 Analysis of Jtmior Units A.C.F A.T .C J.T .C Schools N.L. Sea Cadets S c h o o l C a d e t U n i t s . . . Church Lads Brigade B o y S c o u t s Boys Clubs Girls Training Corps S c h o o l s ( M i x e d u n i t s o f a . Boys Brigade b, c) 212 188 38 90 38 23 16 13 10 6 3 0 639 4,019 Amongst the above we were glad to welcome new life member units, viz. : Beaconsfield H.G. R.C., Cafferata R.C., Harrow R.C., Middlesex S.B.R.A., Perth City and County R.C., S.T.C., Woolwich, Stowe School R.C. and Wokingham R.C. From the above figtires it will be seen that the year 1945 provided evidence of public goodwill towards shooting as a recreation to a greater extent than ever before. Public recognition of the value of rifle clubs given in the House of Commons was followed by the decision of the War Office to assist in maintaining the comradeship of the H.G. through the formation of rifle clubs, in itself a tribute to the social value of the rifle-shooting movement. The unfortunate handicaps of insufficient ranges and rifles and the seriously increasing cost of ammunition is already telling its talc, as just over 800 rifle clubs ceased to exist in 1945. Unless the pro ducers of arms, ammunition and targets are enabled to provide adequate supplies at reasonable prices there will, inevitably, be a c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h i s a t t e n u a t i o n . M I N I A T U R E R I F L E R A N G E S . Drill hall ranges are usually controlled by the local T.A. and A.F. Association and priority in use is generally accorded first to the Junior Services, then to H.G. Clubs and finally to dyilian rifle clubs should there be any available time. In many places the T.A. charge 5s. per night to cover out-of-pocket expenses, against the pre-war charge of 2s. 6d. for civilian clubs. Accommodation is often so limited that the club's profit on sales of ammunition is insufficient to cover the rental, cost of targets and incidental expenses. Such a club, if it is to pay its way, must seek accommodation elsewhere, get as many hours' use as possible, and endeavour to make the club attractive by adding social amenities. It is for this type of club, particularly, that the Society hope to be able to provide a Loan Fund. The following ranges were inspected and Safety Certificates issued during 1945 :— (a) By War Office Area Commands on plans sub m i t t e d b y t h e S . M . R . C 2 3 1 (b) By S.M.R.C. acting for the War OflBce in the Metropolitan area 32 L a t e i n 1 9 4 5 t h e Wa r O f fi c e t o o k o v e r t h e w o r k i n t h e M e t r o politan area and wrote to the Society : " We are most grateful for the valuable help you have given us in this respect during the war years, and the part you have played in easing the work which the examina tion of ranges entails has "been considerable." Unfortunately, a number of rifle clubs who lent their ranges and equipment to the Services have not yet had them released. The Society has intervened in cases in which it has been desired so to do and will continue its endeavours on behalf of clubs wishing to re possess their ranges. .22 RIFLES. By October the experimental work on the design of the mihtary pattern .22 rifle had been completed and a suminarised report of the opinions of the experts to whom we sent pilot rifles for tests was sent to the authorities. In the main these opinions were favoinable, and certain recommendations are being embodied in these rifles and f u r t h e r t e s t s a r e a w a i t e d . H.G. clubs have had the use of imported " Mossberg " rifles, but most civilian dubs have had to "mend and make do" with WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSpring, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N 9 pre-war weapons well worn by constant use, not only by club mernbers, but also by pre-service training units. The Society has continued its efforts in the direction of the making available of surplus service rifles to .22 clubs, but the main difficulties still remain to be sur mounted. The only hope for early supplies is quick production of new and satisfactory .22 weapons by British manufacturers. Impor tation of weapons of foreign manufacture is likely to remain difficult. .22 AMMUNITION. The monthly allocation of ammunition from W.O. stocks enabled the Society to continue to function and a further valuable concession was the issue of a limited quantity of an improved brand for rifle clubs. Unfortunately the manufacturers were unable to supply the whole quantity allocated to the Society and our turnover shortage was, consequently, about four million rounds. TA R G E T ^ . There was a welcome, although small, improvement in supplies in the latter part of the year, but demand for targets by new clubs prevented any noticeable increase in general supplies. Unfortunately, there were times in some places when shooting had to be stopi^d for lack of targets. This aspect of the supplies' position is receiving the continuous and close attention of the Council. COUNTY ASSOCL\TIONS. As reported in the Spring issue of The Rifleman, the Advisory Committee to the Council consisting of representatives from each County Association met, for the first time since the War, at Leeds in February, 1945, with Major R. W. Gleadow of the Council and Yorkshire in the chair. Representatives of 18 Counties were present in addition to members of the Council. Messrs. W. J. Artis, T. J. Gibson, C. Laywood and P. G. Richardson were re-appointed to f o r m t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a t c h e s S e l e c t i o n C o m m i t t e e . T h e r e c o m mendations of the Advisory Committee were taken into close con sideration by the Council and in the main adopted and put into practice. The deliberations and recommendations of the Committee upon practical aspects of the Society's work are of the utmost value to the Council. The Society has suggested rules for the revival of other County Associations, and has given financial aid. There are now 32 County Associations in existence. Again the Council desire most cordially to thank those who have given their time and work to Associations and Clubs. COMPETITIONS. Satisfactory entries were received for team and individual con tests (some being record numbers) and a high standard of marksman ship achieved. The following are the figures :— Colonial Team Matches (1944/5). Aperture sights, 10 teams, open sights, 1 2 t e a m s : — T e a m e v e n t s B P News of the World, 1944-45 (three sections), 491 teams. A Section 183, B Section 179, Home Guard Section 129. National Team Handicap, 647 teams. Scottish Cup, 82 teams. Browne Martin (London only), concurrent with News of the World, 105 teams. S.M.R.C. Home Guard Competition (1944-45), 226 teams of ten. Leagues : War-time Summer League, 960 teams, 80 Divisions (record), 1945. Winter League, 569 teams, 48 Divisions, 1945-46. National League, 145 teams, 24 Divisions. Pistol League, 34 teams, 6 divisions. Industrial League, 219 teams, 19 divisions. J u n i o r T e a m E v e n t s : The Army Cadet Force Competition, 393 teams of ten boys. The News of the World proprietors kindly presented a handsome new trophy and 12 small silver cups for the event. Army Cadet Force County Competition for a cup presented by the proprietors of the News of the World. Junior Training Corps, 59 teams (shot in Michaelmas term). Spring (Major and Minor), 135 teanis. Summer „ „ „ 195 teams (including Boy Scouts), W i n t e r „ „ „ 1 5 1 t e a m s . Individuals : News of the World Short Range Championships, 2,376 entries. Incorporating the Daily Record Senior and " Sir Harry Lauder " Junior for Scotland, the St. George Trophies, Senior and Junior, for England, the Welsh Championship, Senior and Junior, the Northern Ireland Senior Championship, the Veterans and the " All Britain." The winners of leading events were :— Colonial Matches, 1943-4. .Aperture Sights, Kenya, 1580 (record). Open Sights. Northern Rhodesia 1494. S.M.R.C. Home Guard 4th Competition. 226 teams of ten Winners, 3 Plat. A Coy. 1st Caithness Bn. Club Championship (National League), Kvmoch .A team. Scottish League Shield, Falkirk Lord Roberts .A team. Engineers' League Shield No. 2, Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. A Engineers' League Shield No. 3, Daimler A. Engineers' League Cup No. 4, B.T.H., London, A. Industrial League I.C.I. Challenge Cup, .Ardeer Recreation. S.M.R.C. Winter War-time League, Twickenham A. Summer League, Mountain Ash Constitutional .A. National Team Handicap, I.C.I. Challenge Cup, Alexandra Palace A team. News of the IForW National Team, Falkirk Lord Roberts .A team Browne Martin Cup, Hamiltons A team. Scottish Cup, Falkirk Lord Roberts A team. St. George's (English Championship Cup), L. S. Hughes, Twicken ham. St. George's (Junior English Championship Cup), R. C. Jacklin, Lytham St. Anne's. Daily Record (Scottish Short Range Championship), A. Wright, Falkirk Lord Roberts. " Sir H.arry Lauder" Cup (Scottish Junior Championship) K. K. Peddie, Watson's College A.T.C. News of the World (British Short Range Championship), L. S. Hughes, Twickenham. Webber Cup (AVelsh Short Range Championship), T. J. Powell, Mountain Ash Constitutional. Amertex Cup (Northern Ireland Championship), A. Holland, Royal Ulster Constabulary. Junior Training Corps, Glenalmond (Trinity College) A team. Individual J.T.C. Championship for Sir Lionel Fletcher's prizes, F. A. M. Riddell (Glenalmond Trinity College), A. M. Stirling (Eton College). Junior Spring, Major Section, Perth City and County Juniors. Minor Section, B Coy., 5th C.B. Surrey Regt. Junior Summer, Major Section, Perth City and County Juniors. Minor Section, Sedbergh School D team. Junior Winter, Major Section, Dundee High School A. Minor Section, Magdalen College C. Army Cadet Force Cup, B Coy., 5th C.B. The Queen's Royal Regt. Army Cadet Force County Cup, Surrey. Lord Derby Rose Bowl, Dover Sea Cadet Corps. The Veteran's Championship, P. G. Richardson, Wimbledon Park. Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 1 Shield, City of Cardiff" A t e a m . Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 2 Shield, City of Cardiff B t e a m . Wales and Monmouthshire League No. 3 Shield, Swansea A. Pistol League, Victory Cup, Ashgate A team. Pistol Individual Championship, The Allied Cup, M. Bergson, Bradford. Standing and Kneeling League, Leicester and District. Marksman Shield A, Lewisham R.C. Marksntan Shield B, Leeds R.C. Marksman Shield C, Lytham St. Anne's R.C. Junior Marksman Shield, R.A.F., Halton, A. S TA N D A R D S O F M A R K S M A N S H I P. Badges (Marksman). M a s t e r S h o t B a d g e 1 0 3 A C l a s s 1,035 B C l a s s 2 2 5 C C l a s s 51 Juniors. A C l a s s . . . 2 2 5 B C l a s s . . . 1 3 C C l a s s13 Efficiency Badges (Aperture Sights). A C l a s s . . . 5 0 9 B C l a s s . . . 2 2 5 C C l a s s 85 Juniors. A C l a s s . . . 1 1 5 B C l a s s . . . 2 8 C C l a s s11 Eflficieney Badges (Open Sights). 15 A C l a s s 5 B C l a s s . . . 9 • C C l a s s Juniors. A C l a s s 0 B C l a s s . . . 1 C C l a s s1 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK10T H E R I F L E M A N Spring, 1946. .22 PIST OL SHOOTING. The league team competitions and an individual championship duly took place for the " Victory " and " Allies " Challenge Trophies presented by Mr. G. W. Cafferata of Newark. A set of rules for .22 pistol shooting was formulated by Col. G. Gould, D.S.O. (Member of Council), circulated to the .22 Pistol Clubs and adopted by the Council. S H O O T I N G I N T H E S T A N D I N G A N D K N E E L I N G POSITIONS. As approved at the Annual General Meeting last year, a League for Standing and Kneeling or Sitting positions was inaugurated and 36 teams competed in four divisions. The divisional winners were : D i v i s i o n 1 , L e i c e s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t . Division 2, 3rd V.B. Warwicks. Division 3, East Ham and District. D i v i s i o n 4 , L i o n W o r k s o f W o k i n g . CODRINGT ON MEMORIAL. A p p e a l t o C l u b s b y C h a i r m a n a n d C o i m c i i . November, 1946. " By the death of our late President, Lieut.-General Sir Alfred Codrington, we have suffered a great loss. Only those who were in close touch with him can realise the debt of gratitude which we, as a Society, owe to his leadership and to the great and untiring interest he took, over many years, in our activities. Even at an advanced age (he died in his ninety-second year) he was always ready to help us in any pbssible way. " W e t h i n k t h a t t h e s m a l l - b o r e r i fl e c l u b s a n d t h e S . M . R . C . members will wish to join us in honouring the memory of our departed friend, and we suggest that a Codrington Challenge Cup be provided and competed for annually. It is further suggested that the necessary Prize Fund be endowed by rifle club contributions of a minimum donation of five shillings per club in order that a fund of approxi mately one thousand pounds may be created.^ " Your Committee's consideration is requested and your co o p e r a t i o n w i t h u s i n t h i s m a t t e r w i l l b e w e l c o m e d . " The response to date totals over four hundred pound.s' JUNIOR SHOOTING. T h e r e h a s b e e n a w e l c o m e a n d s u b s t a n t i a l i n c r e a s e i n J u n i o r affiliated units and the A.C.F. (212) now exceed the A.T.C. (188). the total being 639. The News of the World Proprietors continue to support the annual team competition of the A.C.F. and have presented a County Team Challenge Cup in addition to the Company Unit Team Cup. Surrey just succeeded in beating Yorkshire for the County Cup, and E Coy. of the 5th Bn. The Queen's Royal Regt. repeated their previous year's success for the Company Unit Cup. Major John H. Smith, of Lincoln, has kindly presented the " Battle of Britain " Challenge Cup for the A.T.C. team competition. This competition is now in operation for teams of ten on similar lines to the A.C.F. team competition. The Derby Challenge Cup for teams of four Sea Cadets was won by the D ove r Se a C a d e ts. •The annual Junior Training Corps Match, for which 59 teams of eight entered, was won by Glenalmond (Trinity College) with a record score of 775 points. The Challenge Trophy given this year by Mr. A. V. Staniforth was presented to the Glenalmond team by Lt.- General Sir Neil Ritchie, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., G.O.C.-in-C. Scottish Command, who was accompanied by the Chairman. H O M E G U A R D . A n e w c o m p e t i t i o n f o r t e a m s o f t e n H o m e G u a r d m e m b e r s of clubs affiliated to the Society, has been announced. It will be fired in two stages on similar lines to the H.G. wartime team com petition and the trophy will be the " Kent-Phillips " Challenge Cup. UNIVERSITIES. An annual league has been inaugurated for teams of eight from Universities and Sir Lionel Fletcher has presented a Silver Bowl as a challenge trophy. The first competition is now being shot in three divisions, 24 teams from 17 Universities having entered. The Council much appreciate the co-operation of Col. A. A. E. Chitty in the launching of this league. M. G. K. BARNES' LEGACY. A former honorary contributor to The Rifleman has died, leaving t h e S o c i e t y a l e g a c y o f a b o u t £ 6 0 0 . T h e C o u n c i l w i l l e n d e a v o u r t o perpetuate his memory by the endowment of an annual competition u n d e r h i s n a m e . W O M E N ' S R I F L E A S S O C I A T I O N . Dr. Edilh Summerskill, M.P., continues as President of the W.R.A.. and we are glad to have her also as a Vice-President of the S.M.R.C. From 1st January, 1946, the arrangement became effiective that affiliation to either the Women's Rifle Association or the Society operates as affiliation to both bodies and over 60 women's sections or clubs have signed forms. Mr. and Mrs. Salter, of 97, Caithness Road, Mitcham, Surrey, are the Honorary Executive officials of the W.R.A. ; Mrs. G. O. Salter is ex-officio member of the S.M.R.C. Council, and Mr. T. J. Gibson acts for the S.M.R.C. on the Council o f t h e W o m e n ' s R i fl e A s s o c i a t i o n . COLONIAL MATCHES, 1944. Since the initiation of these annual matches in 1931, no fewer t h a n 3 0 C r o w n C o l o n i e s h a v e e n t e r e d . 2 2 C o l o n i e s e n t e r e d t e a m s for the matches in 1944, 12 in the open sight and 10 in the aperture sight section. In the latter, Kenya won and equalled their own record score of 1580. The open sight match was won by Northern Rhodesia with a record score of 1494, the previous record being 1 4 5 3 b y N o r t h e r n R h o d e s i a i n 1 9 4 3 . ST AFF . The Council desire to express their appreciation of the way the Society has been served by the Staff through a most difficult year. \ T H E S O C I E T Y A D M I T T E D A S A C H A R I T Y . The idea of making application for exemption from liability to income tax was suggested by Capt. J. L. Milne, soon after he had been , elected on the Council and Executive Committee, and arose out of an endeavour by the Society to foster the formation of a Range Fund. In 1944 it was decided to take the opinion of Counsel through the Society's solicitors, Messrs. Linklaters and Paines. Counsel expressed an opinion in favour of the Society's case, and the auditors were instructed to submit a claim to the Inland Revenue Department. This was refused at first, but later admitted, and in consequence the Society ranks as a charity for income tax purposes, and exempt from tax on investments, income from premises, and profits on trading for the future. The refund of payments of tax from the year 1938-9 to date is expected to amount to about £2,000. The Society is deeply indebted to Capt. J. L. Milne, the auditors, Messrs. John Craggs and Co., and to the Solicitors, Messrs. Linklaters and Paines for their work and assistance in the matter. COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE. The Council now meet the second Wednesday in the months of March, June, September and December. It met four times in 1945. The Executive Committee meets on the third Tuesday in each month, except in Council months, when it meets in the morning of the Council meeting day. It met on eleven occasions in 1945, and there were also sub-committee meetings on technical matters. ACCOUNTS. The Auditors' certified accounts for the year 1945 will be circu lated to the representative members of the Society, and it will be n o t i c e d t h a t t h e r e a r e i n c r e a s e s i n t h e t o t a l o f a l l f u n d s a s f o l l o w s : — Funds. T otal. Increase 1945. £ s . d.£ s. d. General (Club Subs. £2297 Os. 9d.) 12,418 049685 11 Special Purposes . 1 , 7 4 0 1 5 1 12849 Building and Property Earl Roberts' Memorial . 1 4 , 9 3 1 4 86110 10 . 1 , 2 9 2 1 6 821115 C. R. E. Bell577 1208150 G. G. Lockhart Ross 522 128694 Wakefield Rifle Range 735 9 1111 0 3 0 International Match . 1,438 19 5 548 10 Range . 1 , 0 0 7 1 4714 Codrington Memorial101 5510155 Life Membership. 9,135 19 6273184 £43,901 170 £1,741 142 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSpring, 1946.T H E R I F L E M A N 11 The Society's operations during the year resulted in an excess of income over expenditure of £968 5s. lid. as against £1,153 4s. 5d. for the previous year, a decrease of £185 made up as'follows :— EXPENDITURF . Increases. P o s t a g e s a n d C a r r i a g e £ 3 1 9 S a l a r i e s a n d W a g e s 7 2 5 P r i n t i n g a n d S t a t i o n e r y 3 4 1 T r a v e l l i n g E x p e n s e s . . . 2 1 3 G e n e r a l E x p e n s e s 3 4 L e g a l C h a r g e s . 5 0 Cost of Publishing Rifleman 226 L e s s D e c r e a s e s . Rates, Taxes, etc. ... Staf f Pensions Corporation Duty Prizes of Competitions Transfer to Range Fund £1,908 7 15 6 43 1,000 1,071 £837 INCOME. Increases. E n t r a n c e F e e s o n A f fi l i a t i o n C o n t r i b u t i o n s o f A f fi l i a t e d R i fl e C l u b s . . . S u b s c r i p t i o n s o f A f fi l i a t e d R i fl e C l u b s . . . Certificates, Fees, etc I n t e r e s t o n S a v i n g s B o n d s L e s s D e c r e a s e . Competition Entrance Fees and Meetings credits 56 168 589 125 6 £944 292 652 N e t D e c r e a s e a s a b o v e £ 1 8 5 Although the financial results achieved in 1945 were not unsatis factory in view of the abnormal conditions prevailing, the Council are seriously concerned by the increased, and still increasing, costs being e.xperienced in the current year ; especially as these are coupled with shortages of commodities for supply to affiliated clubs. N O T I C E I S H E R E B Y G I V E N t h a t t h e F O R T Y - T H I R D A N N U A L G E N E R A L M E E T I N G o f t h e M e m b e r s o f this Society will be held in the WRITING ROOM of the ROYAL UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION, WHITEHALL, LONDON, S.W.I, at 2.15 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, 22nd MAY, 1946. AGENDA 1. To receive the Report of the Council (see Spring issue The Rifleman) and Statement of Accounts to 31st, December, 1945. 2. To elect the Hon. T reasurers. 3 . T o a p p o i n t A u d i t o r s a n d fi . \ t h e i r r e m u n e r a t i o n . > t 4. To transact any other ordinary business. G. PETHARD, Secretary. " Mayleigh," Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey. Editorial {continued from page 3) activities, the membership of L.M.S. rifle clubs has, during . the war, suffered a considerable decrease, but I do not think it is correct to say that there is a lessening of interest. As a matter of fact, since the stand-down of the Home G u a r d , w e h a v e h a d a p p l i c a t i o n s f r o m t h e b a t t a l i o n commanders at quite a number of our centres to help them to establish rifle ranges and, of course, we are doing all we can to meet their wishes. One of our difficulties, which is inevitable, of course, is that some of our old enthusiasts have retired, and in other cases, owing to transfer to other centres, the leaders have been unable to continue their local interest—but Colonel Rudgard h a s u n d e r t a k e n t o a c t a s c h a i r m a n o f t h e L . M . S . ! Federation, and our welfare officers are actively engaged ! ' -Hn endeavouring to create a new interest in rifle shooting." i In reference to the financial assistance of £3,501 13s. 3d. donated by the sport of shooting during the period Septem- I ber, 1940, to 30th November, 1945, and for the substantial ! share of it contributed by the members of the S.M.R.C.', i in a letter dated 9th January, 1946, Col. The Rt. Hon. i Lord Wigram, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.S.L, the chairman | of the Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John's i Fund, writes :—" In recognition of the valued help and co-operation given by the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs on behalf of the Red Cross and St. John's Fund, I have been asked to send you the enclosed certificate, which I hope you will accept as a formal token of our appreciation of your efforts." This will be framed and exhibited at the S.M.R.C. Headquarters. 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 ■will shortly be requiring services, FULL TIME, of an ASSISTANT SECRETAR Y Responsible duties will include ; O R G A N I S A T I O N O F R I F L E C O M P E T I T I O N S I N A L L P A R T S O F T H E C O U N T R Y M A N A G E M E N T O F S O C I E T Y ' S A F F A I R S ^ Starting Salary—£506 Communicate by letter only with Chairman S.M.R.C., Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher, 36, Sloane Court West, London, S.W.3. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSpring,. 1946. 13 (The photographs in this article are kindly lent by Messrs. EDINBURGH'S supreme attraction to the visitor lies in its unique combination of natural beauty and historical association, and its almost perfect blending of the old with the new. It is the old town most people come to see and desire to know about. The greater part of Scottish history centres in the Royal Mile. There is a good Public Library where over 10,000 books, maps and plans of the city can be consulted. The nature lover will be satisfied with the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Zoological Park. One must not fail to visit The Castle, which we illustrate, as it is of great historical interest, where everything one desires to know about the city can be had for the asking. Also it contains the beautiful Scottish National War Memorial of 1914-18, one of the most notable in Britain. For many centuries the central figure of the old town has been the historic church of St. Giles. As it now stands, St. Giles' is cruciform, with ancient and modern accretions, and a central tower, capped with an open crown. 1 - * . VIEW FROM BRAID HILLS Holyrood Abbey owes its origin to David 1 (1124-53), who, according to oft-quoted legend, founded it in 1128 in gratitude for deliverance from a fierce stag through the mysterious interposition of a cross. The Palace grew out of, and gradually encroached upon and partly displaced, the Abbey. During the invasions' by the English (1544-47) the Abbey and Palace suft'ered severely. Repairs were made to the Tower and a new wing built for the return of Mary Queen of Scots to live there. Much tragic history followed. ' ' The new town of Edinburgh has already attained to a respectable antiquity. Soon after 1800 Craig's plan of the new town proper, with its three mam streets. Princes Street, George Street and Queen Street, and two terminal squares, St, Andrew Square and Charlotte. Square, was completed. In its combination of ancient and modern interests and an atmosphere which imparts historic tradition whichever way you turn there is no place to compare with Edinburgh. Before leaving the reader to the excellent guide book obtainable at Is. 6d. from the Town Clerk, post free, we shall touch upon a few more items from the many. West Princes Street Gardens, occupying along with the East Gardens, the site of the North Lock, formerly part of the city's defences were designed and laid out 1816-20 by Sir Walter Scott's friend" John Skene, of Riibislaw. The gardens were private till 1880 and continue to enhance the beauty of the most picturesque street in the world. John Menztes & Co. and The Darien Press of Edinburgh). Fettes College, which forms a conspicuous object on the landscape, was built 1865-70 at a cost of £150,000 from funds left by Sir William Fettes, Bart. The education and administration of the college are conducted largely on lines of the famous English schools. To Morningside, the Braids, and Fairmilehead we select specially as the most appropriate route for the Scottish Meeting competitors and triends. Morningside, which within living memory enjoyed, and indeed still enjoys, some reputation as a health resort, is well worth a visit. The Bore Stone, which, as related in Marmion upheld the Flodden Standard, is built into a wall facing the public thoroughfare near Morningside Church. At Morningside Station we draw near to the hills. On the right rise the twin summits of the Craiglockhart Hill. On the Easter Hill are the towers of Craig House, while the Wester Hill has the Citv Poorhouse and the Fever Hospital. To the left is the Blackford Hill, one of the most delightful public parks in the City. Many are the means of travel to Morningside, the Braids and Fairmilehead, but lor your interests Service No. 11 tram is best suited, as this brings you to our range site for the S.M.R.C. Scottish Open Meeting. The terminus of the No. 11 Fairmilehead tramcar is alongside the range. Braid Hills provide another instance of civic enterprise for this is understood to be the first acquisition of golfing ground by anv municipality (1889). It is justly regarded today as one of the finest inland golf courses in the country. Its popularity with the citizen is undoubted. Visitors should make a point of seeing it if only for the glorious view and the bracing air. T H E F O R T H B R I D G E . With Its viaduct It is 1 mile 1,005 feet In length; still regarded as a World's Wo n d e r B r i d g e . Calton HOI is the hill with a view probably the best of the city's Vc^ied viewpoints, because of its added advantage of accessibility. Visitors should not fail to profit by its nearness to Princes Street, especially as it is possible to encircle the summit (from beside the gate of the Royal High School) with a car. Indeed, the hill might with great advantage be made the starting point of most tours as it affords the right perspective prior to a detailed exploration of the city. Don't forget if in need of a swim there is a fine open-air swimming pool at Portobello opened May, 1936; it is filled with filtered hot salt water, is 330 ft. long, 150 ft. wide. Two special features are the wave-making plant, and the underwater illuminations of the pool for night bathing. A car park for 100 cars is in close proximity. Details of available hotels, etc., are given in the Guide Book, Is. 6d. post free from either the City Clerk or John Menzies and Co., Ltd., 6, Castle Street, Edinburgh. For Hotel addresses see page 28. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK14 S C O T T I S H P R I Z E M E E T I N G (Open to all members of the S.M.R.C.) W I L L B E H E L D A T T H E W A T E R W O R K S F I E L D , F A I R M I L E H E A D , E D I N B U R G H {By kind permission of the City Council) on MONDAY 17th to SATURDAY 22nd JUNE, 1946 G)oth days inclusive) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day for P r i z e s v a l u e £ 4 0 0 and Fifteen Challenge Trophies In view of this meeting being the first since the War started in 1939 it will be entitled T H E V I C T O R Y M E E T I N G ENTRIES CLOSE MONDAY, 3rd JUNE, 1946 SPECIAL NOTICE R E C L A S S I F I C A T I O N . As it is not possible now to use the old classifications of Expert, Inex pert, Tyros, etc., it has been decided to introduce a new system, based, for a start, on competitors' averages in S.M.R.C. and County Competi t i o n s a n d f a i l i n g s u fi B c i e n t c a r d s i n t h e l a s t s i x m o n t h s t h e n c l u b c o m petition cards may be taken at either 1 5 , 2 0 o r 2 5 y a r d s , w h i c h m u s t b e c e r t i fi e d a s c o r r e c t o n t h e e n t r y f o r m b y t h e l e a g u e o r c l u b s e c r e t a r y . W h e n m a k i n g h i s e n t r y a c o m p e t i t o r m u s t g i v e h i s a v e r a g e for the best eight of his last ten competition shoots and he wiU be classed accordingly. K he makes no average return, or it is insufficient, h e w i l l b e c l a s s e d a s a n " A " m a r k s man and can enter only in that Category. CLASSES. Qass A, average 98.5 or over. Class B, average 97.00 and under 98.5. C l a s s C , a v e r a g e 9 4 . 0 0 a n d u n d e r 97.00. Class D, average under 94. PRELIMINAR Y PROGRAMME. Concurrent Shooting. W h e n t h e c o n d i t i o n s i n a n y o f t h e f o l l o w i n g c o m p e t i t i o n s a r e similar, concurrent shooting will be a l l o w e d a s b e l o w : — Rule No. 34 reads as follows :— " Not more than two single entry tickets may be placed on any one card, but an unlimited entry ticket or unlimited entry tickets of any class (expert, inexpert, etc.) may be placed on a card in addition to a s i n g l e e n t r y t i c k e t o r t w o s u c h t i c k e t s p r o v i d e d t h a t t h e c a r d b e initialled by the Range Officer or by any one of his assistants before it is shot. On no account, however, may two single entry tickets in the s a m e a g g r e g a t e o r i n t h e s a m e competition be placed on the same card." A l l t i c k e t s i n t h e C l a s s " A " aggregate will be stamped with an " A , " t h o s e i n t h e C l a s s " B " w i l l be stamped with a " B " and those in the Class " C " and " D" aggre gates will be stamped with a " C " a n d " D " r e s p e c t i v e l y. No two tickets bearing an " A " may go on together, neither may two bearing a " B " nor two bearing a " C " or two bearing a " D." A " D " may go with one " C," " B " or " A " or a " C " may go with either one " B " or one " A " or a " B " may go with an " A." AMMUNITION. The only ammunition which may be used at the meeting is that on sale at the S.M.R.C. issuing point on the range. H O M E C O U N T R I E S INTERNA TIONAL COMPETmON. T H E I A N H A M I L T O N C U P . Holders : England. Open to teams of ten, representing England, Scotland, N. Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Each team will be selected by a Com- mitteeformedof themembers of the Advisory Committee for the respective countries, who may also nominate five reserves who shall be taken in the order set down, if required. A secretary may be appointed in addition and he, as well as the Captain, may shoot or not, provided that in no case shall the team shooting exceed 10. Qualification of members of the team ■ Birth or permanent residence. No competitor having since 1st January, 1910, represented one coimtry may repre sent any other without first having made at least one month's previous application in writing to the S.M.R.C. for adjudication by t h e p r o p e r a u t h o r i t y, a n d r e c e i v e d t h e i r sanction. Each Captain is required to give the names of his team and reserves to the Statistical Officer at or before 12 noon on the day of shooting. C o n d i t i o n s — 3 0 s h o t s p e r c o m p e t i t o r — 1 0 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. A time-limit of seven minutes is allowed for shooting each card. No sighting shots will be allowed. T h e d r a w f o r p o s i t i o n s w i l l b e m a d e according to Rule 21a. The teams will be squadded. Each team will be allowed two spotters. Each member of each team will receive an I n t e r n a t i o n a l b a d g e e m b l e m a t i c o f t h e country he represents as a memento of the occasion. Additional date bars only will be awarded to th ase already in possession of a badge and ribbon. This competition will take place on Friday, 21st June, at 3 p.m. H O M E C O U N T R I E S LADIES' INTERNA TIONAL MA TCH. Under similar conditions with awards as a b o v e , b u t f o r t e a m s o f fi v e l a d i e s . T h i s match will be held at 6.30 p.m., on Thursday, 2ath Jutie. Captains to hand in the names of their teams to the Statistical office by 5.30 p.m. COUNTY "SEXTETTE" COMPETITION. F O R T H E P A T R I O T I C S H I E L D N o . 1 . Holders : Fife, 1939. Teams of six from any County. Single entry competition. 20 shots each competitor—10 at 50 yards and 10 at 100 yards. C o m p e t i t o r s m u s t b e r e s i d e n t i n t h e Coimty they represent. C o u n t y A s s o c i a t i o n s t o a p p o i n t o n e o f their members, who will be at the Meeting, to act as captain and with power to select the team. 1st prize,' the shield and six silver medals. 2nd prize, six antique bronze medals. These medals have been specially designed for the " Sextette " competitions. Entrance fee, 3s. Entries may be made on the range, but not later than Thursday, 20th June. T H E C H A S . R . E . B E L L C H A L L E N G E CUP . H o l d e r : G . A . J . J o n e s , Wa l t h a m s t o w Ensign. Open to all registered Medal and Certi ficate holders. To be held for one year by the Club of w h i c h t h e w i t m e r i s a m e m b e r . Single entry. Rule 12, para. 3, excepted for this com petition. 30 shots—10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1st prize, the cup, gold medal and £4 0 0 ■ 2 n d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 3 0 0 3 r d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 2 0 0 4th prize, silver medal and ... 1 0 0 5th to 10th prizes, £1 each ... 6 0 0 11 t h t o 1 4 t h p r i z e s , 1 5 s . e a c h . . . 3 0 0 15th to 26th prizes, lOs. each 6 0 0 2 6 c a s h p r i z e s £ 2 5 0 0 All registered " Bell " medal or certificate h o l d e r s f r e e . Others, entrance fee, 4s. All the prizes in this competition have been provided by the Chas. R. E. Bell Legacy. T H E " I . C . I . " T E A M C H A L L E N G E C U P. Holders : Guardbridge R.C., 1939. Scottish Club Teams only. Te a m s o f f o u r. S i n g l e e n t r y. 30 shots—10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. Clubs may enter more than one team. I St prize, the cup and 4 silver medals. 2nd prize, 4 bronze metlals. Entrance fee, 4s. per team. Any brand of Ammunition on sale at the meeting may be used. S . M . R . C . L I F E A N D A N N U A L MEMBERS. Open only to Life Members and Annual M e m b e r s o f t h e S . M . R . C . Note.—One payment of two guineas c o n s t i t u t e s a L i f e M e m b e r s h i p a n d a n atmual payment of 51- constitutes an Annual Membership of the S.M.R.C. Single entry. 30 shots—10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1st prize... £3 0 0 2nd prize 2 00 3rd and 4th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 5th to 10th prizes, 10s. each ... 3 0 0 11th to 20th prizes, 5s. each ... 2 10 0 20 prizes £12 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSpring, 1946. 15 T H E E A R L H A I G M E M O R I A L C H A L L E N G E C U P . T H E S C O T T I S H O P E N M E E T I N G . INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP . Holder: J. G. Proudfoot, Edinburgh Citizens, 1945. The winner to have the title of the Open Meeting Small-bore Champion of Scotland. CONDITIONS. Open only to members of Scottish clubs w h o a r e e i t h e r r e s i d e n t i n S c o t l a n d o r o f Scottish birth. Single entry. To be competed for in two stages. The aggregate score of the two stages to give the result. The First Stage to be shot any time on Wednesday, I9th June, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. C o n d i t i o n s : 4 0 s h o t s — 1 0 e a c h a t 2 c a r d s at 50 yards and 10 each at 2 cards at 100 yards. The leading 20 competitors in this stage will be entitled to shoot in the Second Stage. The Second Stage will be shot on Friday, 21st June, squadded. Any competitor who is not present when his squad commences will be disqualified. Competitors must be on the firing point at 10 a.m. Their positions will be posted on the notice board. C o n d i t i o n s : 4 0 s h o t s — 1 0 e a c h a t 2 c a r d s at 50 yards and 10 each at 2 cards at 100 yards. Each competitor will be allowed a practice card at each range previous to his competition cards. A prize of 5s. will be awarded to each of the leading 10 competitors who do not qualify for the Second Stage. 1st prize, the cup, silver medal and £4 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 2 1 0 0 3 r d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 2 0 0 4 t h p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 1 5 0 5 t h p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 1 0 0 6th to 10th prizes, lOs. each ... 2 10 0 11th to 24th prizes, 7s; 6d. each 5 5 0 P r i z e s o f 5 s . t o e a c h o f t h e leading 10 competitors who do n o t q u a l i f y f o r t h e S e c o n d Stage £2 10 0 34 cash prizes £20 0 0 The first special silver medal has been kindly given by Mr. A. Bolsom. Entrance fee, 5/-. C L A S S A A N D B A G G R E G A T E COMPETITIONS. Class B Competitors may enter Class A competitions if they wish, but must of course p a y t h e e n t r y f e e f o r b o t h s e t s o f c o m petitions. C L A S S A . COMPETITION 1. T H E D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R C H A L L E N G E C U P. Holder: R. H. Johnson, L.N.E.R Darlington R.C., 1939. Single entry. Open to all-comers. 40 shots at 25 yards, 10 each at 4 cards. 1st prize, the cup and ... £4 0 0 2nd prize 3 00 3rd prize 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ...2 0 0 6th and 7th prizes, 15s. each ... 1 10 0 8th to 11th prizes, 10s. each ... 2 0 0 12th to 15th prizes, 7s. 6d. each 1 10 0 16th to 31st prizes, 5s. each ...400 3 1 p r i z e s £ 2 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. A special silver medal will be awarded to the Veteran, not imder 60 years of age, who has the highest score in this competition. Will veterans please mark their entry forms " V e t e r a n . " COMPETITION 2. TH E C L A S S A S O YA R D S C OM P E TI TI ON . Single entry. Open to all-comers. 30 shots at 50 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1st prize £2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each ... 1 0 0 6th to 30th prizes. 5s. each ... 6 5 0 COMPETITION 3. T H E C L A S S A 1 0 0 Y A R D S COMPETITION. Single entry. Open to all-comers. 30 shots at 100 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1 s t p r i z e £ 2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each... 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each 10 0 6th to 30th prizes, 5s. each ... 6 5 0 2 5 p r i z e s £ 11 5 0 Entrance fee, 3s. 2 5 p r i z e s £ 11 5 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 4. T H E B . S . A . C O M P E T I T I O N . C L A S S A S O A N D 1 0 0 YA R D S . Single entry. Open to all-comers. 40 shots, 20 at 50 yards—10 each at 2 cards and 20 at 100 yards—10 each at 2 c a r d s . 1st prize £4 0 0 2nd prize 3 0 0 3rd prize 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ...2 0 0 6lh and 7th prizes, 15s. each ... 1 10 0 8th to 11th prizes, 10s. each ... 2 0 0 I2th to 15th prizes, 7s. 6d. each 1 10 0 16th to 31st prizes, 5s. each ...4 0 0 3 1 p r i z e s £ 2 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. £15 of this prize money was kindly given by B.S.A. Guns Ltd. COMPETITION 5. T H E V I C K E R S - A R M S T R O N G S CHAMPIONSHIP . T H E O X O C H A L L E N G E C U P . Holder: A. G. Walker, Dunblane, 1945. The aggregate of Competitions, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Open to all-comers. 1st prize, the cup, replica and... £5 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 2 1 0 0 3 r d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 1 1 0 0 4 t h p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 1 0 0 5th and 6th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 7th and 8th prizes, 15s. each ... 1 10 0 9th to 12th prizes, 10s. each... 2 0 0 13th to 30th prizes, 5s. each ... 4 10 0 30 cash prizes £20 0 0 Entrance fee, 5s. £15 of this prize money was kindly given by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. C L A S S B C O M P E T I T I O N S . COMPETITION 6. T H E C L A S S B 2 5 Y A R D S C O M P E T I T I O N Single entry. Open to all-comers. 40 shots at 25 yards—10 each at 4 cards. 1st prize £4 0 0 2nd prize 3 00 3rd prize ...2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 6th and 7th prizes, 15s. each ... 1 10 0 8th to 11th prizes, 10s. each... 2 0 0 12th to 15th prizes, 7s. 6d. each 1 10 0 16th to 31st prizes, 5s. each 4 0 0 3 1 p r i z e s £ 2 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. COMPETITION 7. T H E C L A S S B S O YA R D S C O A ff E T I T I O N Single entry. Open to all-comers. 30 shots at 50 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1st prize £2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each... 10 0 6th to 30th prizes, 5s. each ... 6 5 0 2 5 p r i z e s £ 11 5 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 8. T H E C L A S S B 1 0 0 Y A R D S COMPETITION. Single entry. Open to all-comers. 30 shots at 100 yards—-10 each at 3 cards 1st prize £2 0 ( 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each... 2 0 ( 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each 1 0 ( 6th to 30th prizes, 5s. each ... 6 5 ( 2 5 p r i z e s £ 11 5 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 9. T H E C L A S S B D O U B L E S O A N D 1 0 0 Y A R D S C O M P E T I T I O N . Single entry. Open to all-comers. 40 shots—20 at 50 yards—10 each at 2 cards.and 20 at 100 yards—10 each at 2 cards. 1st prize... £4 0 0 2nd prize 3 0 0 3rd prize 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ...2 0 0 6th and 7th prizes, 15s. each 1 10 0 8th to 11th prizes, 10s. each ... 2 0 0 12th to 15th prizes, 7s. 6d. each 1 10 0 16th to 31st prizes, 5s. each... 4 0 0 3 1 p rizes £ 20 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. COMPETITION 10. T H E C L A S S B A G G R E G A T E COMPETITION. F O R T H E B O N E H I L L C H A L L E N G E CUP . T h e a g g r e g a t e o f C o m p e t i t i o n s 6 , 7 , 8 and 9. 1st prize, the cup, replica and... £5 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . 2 1 0 0 3rd prize, silver medal and ... 1 10 0 4th prize, silver medal and ... 1 0 0 5th and 6th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 7th and 8th prizes, 15s. each ... 1 10 0 9th to 12th prizes, 10s. each ...2 0 0 13th to 30th prizes, 5s. each ... 4 10 0 3 0 c a s h p r i z e s £ 2 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 5s. C L A S S C A N D D A G G R E G A T E COMPETITIONS. Class D competitors may shoot in Classes A, B and C if they wish and Class C com p e t i t o r s m a y s h o o t i n C l a s s e s A a n d B . Entry fees for all classes must, of course, be paid if they desire to compete in these classes i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e i r o w n . COMPETITION 1 1. T H E C L A S S C 2 5 YA R D S C O M P E T I T I O N Single entry. 40 shots at 25 yards—10 each at 4 cards. 1st prize £3 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £2 each ... 4 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 6th to 14th prizes, 10s. each ... 4 10 0 15th to 20th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 10 0 COMPETITION 14 THE CLASS C AGGREGATE FOR THE "NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE" ^ ^^The aggregate of Competitions 11, 12 and 1st prize, the cup and ... £3 n n 2nd prize ,00 5th, 6th and 7m prizes, £1 each 3 0 0 Sth to 11th prizes, 10s. each ..200 12th to 19th prizes, 5s. each ... 2 0 0 19 prizes £15 0 0 Entrance fee, 3s. 6d. CLASS D COMPEHTIONS. COMPETITION 15. THE CLASS D 25 YARDS. Single entry. 40 shots at 25 yards—10 each at 4 cards 1st prize . £3 o 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £2 each ... 4 q n 4th and 5th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 6th to 14th prizes. 10s. each... 4 10 O 15th to 20th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 10 0 20 prizes £15 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. COMPETITION 16. THE CLASS D TRIPLE SO YARDS. Single entry. 30 shots at 50 yards—10 each at 3 cards 1 s t p r i z e £ 3 - - 2nd prize a 3rd and 4th prizes, 30s. each 3 5th and 6th prizes, £l eaeh ... 2 7th and Sth prizes, 10s. each... I 9th to I4th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 2 0 p r i z e s £ 1 5 0 0 Entrance fee, 4s. COMPETITION 12. T H E C L A S S C 5 0 Y A R D S T R I P L E COMPETITION. Single entry. 30 shots at 50 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1st prize £3 0 0 2nd prize 2 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 30s. each 3 0 0 5th and 6th prizes, 20s. each 2 0 0 7th and Sth prizes, 10s. each 10 0 9th and 14th prizes, 5s. each 1 10 0 14 prizes £12 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 13. T H E C L A S S C 1 0 0 Y A R D S T R I P L E COMPETITION. Single entry. 30 shots at 100 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1st prize £3 0 0 - ■ ' 2 0 0i D i p i A A w . . . . . . • • • — r r r 2nd prize 2 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 30s. each ... 3 0 0 Sth and 6th prizes, 20s. each 2 0 0 7th and Sth prizes, 10s. each 10 0 9th to 14th prizes, 5s. each 1 1 0 0 14 prizes £12 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. 14 prizes £12 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 17. THE CLASS D TRIPLE 100 YARDS. Single entry. 30 shots at 100 yards—10 each at 3 cards. 1st prize £3 0 0 2nd prize 2 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 30s. each... 3 0 0 Sth and 6th prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 7th and Sth prizes, 10s. each... 1 0 0 9th to 14th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 10 0 14 prizes £12 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 18. T H E C L A S S D A G G R E G A T E F O R T H E BR Y ANT AND MA Y CUP . The aggregate of Competitions 15, 16 and 17. . 1st prize, the cup, silver medal and £3 0 0 2nd prize 2 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 30s. each... 3 0 0 Sth, 6th and 7th prizes, £1 each 3 0 0 Sth to 11th prizes, 10s. each ... 2 0 0 12th to 19th prizes, 5s. each ... 2 0 0 1 9 p r i z e s £ 1 5 0 0 Entrance fee, 3s. 6d. S W E E P S T A K E C O M P E T I T I O N S . OPEN T O ALL-COMERS. C o m p e t i t i o n s 1 9 t o 2 4 c l o s e e a c h d a y except that there will be only one at each range for .the Friday and Saturday of the Meeting. The prize money will be paid out on the range the day following the Monday, Tues day, Wednesday and Thursday events. The value of each Sweepstake will be determined by the number of tickets fired in it during the period the Sweepstake is open for competition. Each Sweepstake will be divided as follows, one-third of the entrance fee being first retained by the S.M.R.C. PRIZES. When the gross Entrance Fees for each distance do not exceed £5 : 1st, l/3rd of gross entrance fees ; 2nd, l/5th ; 3rd, 2/T5th ; additional, none. When the gross Entrance Fees for each distance exceeds £5 : 1st, £1 10s. : 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s.; additional, as many prizes of 5s. each as the balance will admit. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK16Spring, 1946. Unlimited entry competitions 19, 20 and 21 are open to aJl. COMPETITION 19. 2 5 Y A R D S S W E E P S T A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 25 yards. Entrance fee, Is. COMPETITION 20. 5 0 Y A R D S S W E E P S T A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 50 yards. Entrance fee. Is. COMPETITION 21. . 1 0 0 Y A R D S S W E E P S T A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 100 yards. Entrance fee. Is. Unlimited entry competitions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 are open only to C and D Classes. S i m i l a r c o n d i t i o n s o f p r i z e m o n e y a s for competitions 19, 20 and 21. COMPETITION 22. 2 5 Y A R D S S W E E P S T . A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 25 yards. Entrance fee. Is. COMPETITION 23. 5 0 Y A R D S S W E E P S T A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 50 yards. Entrance fee. Is. COMPETITION 24. 1 6 0 Y A R D S S W E E P S T A K E . UNLIMITED ENTR Y . 10 shots at 100 yards. Entrance fee. Is. P R A C T I C E T I C K E T S . Practice Tickets for any range, at 6d. for 10 shots, will be on sale. No Prizes. Not more than 10 shots per card. Competition rules apply. COMPETITION 25. T H E 1 0 0 Y A R D S T E L E S C O P I C S I G H T CO.MPETITION. Open to aIl.K:oraers. Only rifles fitted with Telescopic Sights may be used in this competition. Unlimited entry. Entrance fee. Is. TIME-LIMIT COMPETITIONS. Each ten shots must be fired in 90 seconds. The following time-limit competitions, Nos. 26, 27 and 28, must be shot only between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m. each day, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. COMPETITION 26. 2 5 Y . 4 R D S T L M E - L I M T T . Single entry. 20 shots at 25 yards—10 each at 2 cards each in 90 seconds. 1 S t p r i z e . . . £ 2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each ...2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each ... 1 0 0 6th to 25th prizes, 5s. each ... 5 0 0 2 5 p r i z e s £ 1 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. COMPETITION 27. S O Y A R D S T I M E - L I M I T . Single entry. 20 shots at 50 yards—10 each at 2 cards each in 90 seconds. 1st prize £2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each ...2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each... 1 0 0 6th to 25th prizes, 5s. each ... 5 0 0 2 5 p r i z e s £ 1 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. COMPETITION 28. TLME-LIMIT AGGREGA TE. Aggregate of Competitions 26 and 27. 1st prize ... £2 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, £1 each ... 2 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each... 1 0 0 6th to 25th prizes, 5s. each ... 5 0 0 2 5 p r i z e s £ 1 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. COMPETITION 29. T H E L A D I E S ' C H A M P I O N S H I P FOR THE K E N T C H A L L E N G E C U P . i H o l d e r : M r s . N . K . C o w i e , E l l o n R . C . , , 1939 Open to all women members. Single e n t r y. 6 0 s h o t s — 1 0 e a c h a t t w o c a r d s a t 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1st prize, the challenge cup, replica and £2 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , s m a l l s i l v e r m e d a l a n d 1 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 10s. each ... 1 0 0 5th to 10th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 10 0 10 prizes £5 10 0 _ E n t r a n c e f e e , 3 s . COMPETITION 30. T H E L A D I E S ' 2 5 Y A R D S U N L I M I T E D E N T R Y . Open only to all women members. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st to 10th prizes, 5s. each ... £2 10 0 5 prizes £2 10 0 Entrance fee, 6d. N O T E . — E v e r y c o m p e t i t o r s c o r i n g a possible will receive a prize of not less than W O M E N ' S R I F L E ASSOCIA TION. The following competitions, Nos. 31, 32 33, 34 and 35, are open only to individual m e m b e r s a n d m e m b e r s o f c l u b s a f fi l i a t e d t o t h e W o m e n ' s R . A . No. 31 is open to all as above, but Nos. 32, 33, 34 and 35 are for Classes A, B, C and D respectively, as per S.M.R.C. classi fi c a t i o n s i i J t h i s p r o g r a i i u n e . C o m p e t i t o r s must give their average when they enter if they wish to enter categories below Class A. COMPETITION 31. T H E " F L O W E R S " T R O P H Y . This challenge trophy and prize money a r e o p e n t o a l l m e m b e r s o f t h e a b o v e Association in Great Britain and N. Ireland, and will be awarded to the competitors who make the highest scores at either the S.M.R.C. meetings at Edinburgh or. Ham and Peter sham. They may only enter once. Single entry. 30 shots each competitor, 10 each at 25, 50 and 100 yards. 1st prize, the trophy, medal and £3 0 0 2nd prize, medal and ... ... 2 0 0 3rd prize ... ... ... 1 0 0 4th to 11th prizes, lOs. each ... 4 0 0 I I p r i z e s £ 1 0 0 0 Entrance fee, 3s. COMPETITION 32. C L A S S A . Single entry. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st prize £10 0 2nd prize 10 0 fl 1 0 0 Entrance fee. Is. COMPETITION 33. C L A S S B . Single entry. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st prize 10 0 2nd to 6th prizes, 5s. each ... 1 5 0 6 prizes £1 15 0 Entrance fee, Is. COMPETITION 34. C L A S S C . Single entry. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st prize 10 0 2nd to 11th prizes, 5s. each ( p r o v i d e d 4 0 e n t r i e s a r e r e c e i v e d ) 2 1 0 0 11 p r i z e s £ 3 0 0 Entrance fee. Is. COMPETITION 35. C L A S S D . Single entry. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st prize 10 0 2nd to 11th prizes, 5s. each ( p r o v i d e d 4 0 e n t r i e s a r e r e c e i v e d ) 2 1 0 0 11 p r i z e s £ 3 0 0 Entrance fee. Is. Competitors may enter for a higher class than that for which she qualifies, but not a lower . The cost of the individual membership to the W.R.A. is 4s. entrance fee and 2s. p e r a n n u m . The Council of the W.R.A. control the activities only of its own membership, whilst ladies in rifle clubs not yet affiliated to the A s s o c i a t i o n r e m a i n u n d e r t h e c o n t r o l o f the S.M.R.C. The Range Committee of t h i s m e e t i n g h a s f u l l c o n t r o l o f t h e c o m petitors therein. COMPETITION 36. T H E R U C K E R C H A L L E N G E C U P . T H E J U N I O R S . Holder ; .T. S. Grumbt, Benflcet and Dis trict, 1939. Open to all-comers who arc 18 years of age o r u n d e r o n a d v e r t i s e d d a t e o f c l o s e o f entries. Proof of age required. Unlimited entry. 10 shots at 25 yards. 1st prize, the cup, medal and ... £1 0 0 2nd and 3rd prizes, IDs. each ... 1 0 0 4th and 5th prizes, 5s. each ... 10 0 6th to 9th prizes, 2s. 6d. each... 10 0 9 p r i z e s £ 3 0 0 Entrance fee, 6d. COMPETITION 37. T H E W E B L E Y A N D S C O T T P I S T O L COMPETITION. F O R T H E B R I T I S H C O M M E R C I A L G A S C H A L L E N G E C U P . Single entry. 20 shots at 20 yards—10 each at two cards. S . M . R . C . P i s t o l t a r g e t . P i s t o l s w i l l b e provided on the range, but competitors may use their own if they comply with Rule 2 of the official S.M.R.C. Pistol regulations. 1st prize, the cup, a Webley and Scott .22 pistol, and ...£10 0 0 2nd prize 1 10 0 3rd prize 15 0 4th and 5th prizes, 10s. each ... I 0 0 6th to 10th prizes, 5s. each ...15 0 1 0 p r i z e s £ 1 5 0 0 Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. The first prize in this competition has been k i n d l y p r e s e n t e d b y M e s s r s . W e b l e y a n d Scott. COMPETITION 38. T H E P I S T O L U N L I M I T E D . Unlimited entry. 1 0 s h o t s a t 2 0 y a r d s . S . M . R . C . P i s t o l target. Pistols will be provided on the range, but competitors may use their own if they c o m p l y w i t h R u l e 2 . 1 s t p r i z e , s i l v e r m e d a l a n d . . . £ 1 5 0 2nd prize 15 0 3rd prize 10 0 4th to 6th prizes, 5s. each ... 15 0 6 p r i z e s £ 3 5 0 Entrance fee. Is. NOTE.—All pistol shooting must be witb o n e h a n d a n d f r o m t h e s t a n d i n g p o s i t i o n w i t h o u t a n y s u p p o r t . COMBETITION 39. T H E 2 5 A N D 5 0 T E A M C O M P E T I T I O N . F O R T H E L O R D F O R T E V I O T C H A L L E N G E C U P . Holders ; Perth City and County R.C. at Arbroath. Te a m s o f f o u r. S i n g l e e n t r y. 20 shots per competitor—10 each at 25 and 50 yards. 1st prize, the cup, 4 silver m e d a l s a n d £ 2 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , 4 m e d a l s a n d . . . 1 0 0 3rd to 6th prizes, 10s. each ... 2 0 0 6 p r i z e s £ 5 0 0 Entrance fee, 5s. per team. COMPETITION 40. 1 0 0 Y A R D S T E A M S H O O T . Te a m s o f f o u r. S i n g l e e n t r y. 10 shots per competitor at 100 yards. 1st prize, 4 silver medals and... £2 0 0 2 n d p r i z e , 4 m e d a l s a n d . . . 1 1 0 0 3rd and 4th prizes, 15s. each ... 110 0 4 p r i z e s £ 5 0 0 Entrance fee, 5s. per team. COMPETITION 41. T H E S H A R P S H O O T E R . T H E P A T R I O T I C S H I E L D N o . 2 . Holders ; Croftfoot R.C., 1945. Teams of three. Single entry. Squadded. ( Te a m s o f l e s s t h a n t h r e e w i l l n o t b e accepted.) C o n d i t i o n s . — T h e t a r g e t s w i l l c o n s i s t o f 1 2 b r e a k a b l e w h i t e d i s c s d i v i d e d i n t o s e t s of six separated by a distinguishing mark, at 100 yards distance. Teams will be drawn in pairs. Two teams lie down together, and o n t h e w o r d " C o m m e n c e " s h o o t a t t h e d i s c s f a c i n g t h e m . T h e t e a m w h i c h fi r s t d e s t r o y s t h e d i s c s , o r w h i c h h a s m o s t destroyed at the word " Cease," which shall be given at the expiration of three minutes, w i l l b e d e c l a r e d t h e w i n n e r o f t h e h e a t . N o d i s c w i l l b e r e g a r d e d a s b e i n g " destroyed " so long as any portion of it r e m a i n s o n t h e n a i l . N u m b e r o f s h o t s u n limited. 1st prize, the shield, and 3 small S . M . R . C . s i l v e r m e d a l s , v a l u e £ 3 0 0 2nd prize, S.M.R.C. metal gilt medals, value £1 10 0 6 prizes value £4 10 0 Entrance fee, 3s. 6d. per team. This competition will be shot on Saturday, 22nd June, at 5.30 p.m. COMPETITION 42. T H E P U L L A R C H A L L E N G E T A R G E . S M A L L - B O R E O P E N M E E T I N G T E A M CHAMPIONSHIP OF SCOTLAND. Holders : Guardbridge, 1945. For teams of four from any affiliated Rifle Club in Scotland. N o c o m p e t i t o r m a y s h o o t i n m o r e t h a n one team. Clubs may enter any number of teams. Single entry. 20 shots each competitor—10 at 25 yards and 10 at 50 yards, " Inner Carton " counting 10.1. 1st prize. The Targe and four silver medals. 2nd prize, four bronze medals. 3rd prize, four metal gilt medals. Entrance fee, 5s. per team. M I D L O T H I A N C O M P E T I T I O N S T p B E ANNOUNCED LA TER. An informal meeting of the Ad visory Committee will be held in the S e c r e t a r y ' s t e n t , a t 3 p . m . , o n We d n e s d a y, 1 9 t h J u n e . T u t o r i a l l e c t u r e s o n . 2 2 r i fl e shooting will be beld during the Meeting. For full details see special bills pn tbe range during the Meeting. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSpring, 1946. 17 A Sportsman's Dream B y A . G . B a n k s Have you ever heard of the Rigby-Holland Small Game Special, or the Westley-Purdey Long-Range .22 Stalker, or the Parker-Henry .22 E.xpress or the Green-S-A. All-Range Telescopic Small-Bore Spitfire ? No, neither have I. I only wish I h a d . Great Britain is a country noted for its great gunsmiths. The fame of their magnificent work and the reports of their noble firearms resound throughout the world. Kings and Emperors desiring the finest guns it is possible to produce go to England for them. Indian Princes, i;ich beyond the limits of imagination, wanting big game rifles of the highest accuracy and durability and most exquisite b^uty, send to Birmingham, London, Bristol, Inverness, Edinburgh, or a score of other British towns for them. Such weapons cost hundreds of pourids. And from the same places, often the same makers, can be obtained, by you and me, for hundreds of shillings or even pence, weapons in those classes—guns and high-power rifles—better than any other country's at the same price. There is, however, another class of weapon which our great makers seem never to have studied, even never to have heard of. I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I do not know of any rifle, deliberately designed and thought out for the especial purpose of stalking the small game, rabbits, hares, squirrels, etc., which is the only kind of stalking of which ninety-nine per cent of Britons ever get or ever will get the chance. If you have the luck to get a bit of rabbit stalking in a "rough shoot," you find yourself—or I do, anyhow—continually having to lean your rifle against a wall, or struggle through the undergrowth of a wood with it, or climb a fence, or crawl through long grass and over rough ground, or scramble up or down a rocky slope. Every tree, rock, fence or plant you pass inakes a bee-line for that 'scope, which goes out of line at a touch, or knocks over that foresight in its silly lateral slide, or catches in all the backsight-knobs, sling-swivels, bolts and whatnots of that rifle designed on a range by a target-shooter. You don't find them in your high-class gim or high power sporting rifle. Those are " slick," streamlined, designed for the purpose. You can drop them even on hard ground with little fear of knocking the sights out of line. The rifle's telescope sight will be strong, most likely detachable, and when in position it fits into rock-steady heavy dovetails made integral with the rifle by the maker, not stuck on afterwards, by a dealer. There are, of course, the Rook Rifles, in various calibres. Martini and break-down action, with open leaf si^ts marked for 50, 100 and 150 yards. Do makers never go out with these rifles? With any of these cartridges of round about 1,100 f.p.s. muzzle velocity, the drop from 100 to 150 yards will be around a foot. If the range to your rook or rabbit is, say, 130 yards, you are up against the pleasing problem of deciding how much of that foot to aim over, or under, then judging the amount, with nothing to measure it by, and—not to speak of judging the wind—keeping your shot inside the two-inch circle necessary to make a kill. I don't know whether anyone ever managed to do this once in a dozen shots, with these open sights, but I should doubt it. If you have an aperture sight it has no ranges on it at all, or if it has, the marks on the stem are so rough that you could miss your rabbit in the setting of it; always supposing the rabbit was still there after you had set it. Iron sights, to be any use at all, may have a fixed elevation to 50 yards, but beyond that they must be accurately calibrated and marked at every 10 yards, and instantly adjustable without looking : down. As far as I know, this has only been done by one maker, a Continental—and a German at that, to wit, Mauser ; and then only with the open sight. No such aperture sight exists. But the modern small game rifle should not have iron sights at all, for two reasons. First, because at distances of 100 yards or more, and sometimes at very much less, the natural marking of the animal makes it almost invisible. Second, because it should be possible to use a correct elevation of the sight at all ranges without adjusting or touching it ; and this can only be done by a special graticule in a telescope sight. In these days an optical manufacturer can inscribe on a glass graticule with any degree of fineness, any marking required, and even ten-yard marks are not impossibly close together in a high power, say 9X, scope. To make such a sight, it is necessary to know the exact bullet drops, or rises in elevation necessary, at every 10 yards, for the cartridge used. Although unquestionably the high velocity central fire .22 cartridges now designed by American firms have many advantages, the cheapness and quietness of the .22 R.F. Long Rifle and its incredible accuracy and efficiency within its ballistic limits will always keep it prime favourite here. But I doubt very much if any maker in Britain could type out and send to an optician a list of the necessary figures. They just don't know. They make target .22 rifles for using at " 25, 50, 100," but apart from that—nothing. I bate some fairly approximate figures, but I have not the time, money or facilities necessary for the long series of test shoots necessary to find all the actual elevations for a .22 R.F. at the standard velocity of, say, 1,100 f.p.s. (and the sportii^-high velocity of 1,350), which ought to be undertaken and established definitely once and for all for one given s e t o f a t m o s p h e r i c c o n d i t i o n s , w i t h c o r r e c t i o n fi g u r e s f o r o t h e r s . It is the manufacturers' job, and they ought to imdertake it, for every range by 10 yards from 50 to 200, and publish tables correcting the figures to various heights of sight line above bore centre. They should then get graticules engraved, to give exactly these ranges. Now as to my dream-specification of the ideal .22 rifle. There is little hope of getting it because the makers will say there is no demand. Of coiuse not. Nobody has ever seen one. If they would make it, advertise it, illustrate it, explain it, then we should soon see whether t h e r e w a s a d e m a n d ! I h a v e m a d e i t c l e a r t h a t I w a n t i t s m o o t h - l i n e d ( I d i s l i k e t h e American misuse of the term " streamline ") and so sturdy that one is not in a continual state of anxiety as to whether it will shoot straight when wanted. I want to be able to grab it anywhere, too, without catching a sharp corner, and I want it to withstand rain without that lurking fear that, however well wiped, the wet will get between barrel and fore-end. It should, therefore, I think, have the barrel completely encased in wood ; but not in the clumsy military style of fore-end a n d h a n d g u a r d s s e p a r a t e a n d c l a m p e d t o g e t h e r w i t h b a n d s . T h e forestock, of straight grained walnut, should be a nicely tapered fore-end and hand guard all in one piece, bored through for the full length of the barrel. The bedding to secitre acciuacy would require considera tion ; I will only say that one existing system at least, that of A. E. Martin as applied to the S.M.L.E.. would probably be workable and quite effective. This full stocking should extend right to the muzzle, as is done quite neatly in, for instance, the Mannlicher- S c h o n a u e r c a r b i n e . I t w o u l d , o f c o u r s e , b e n e c e s s a r y t o t h r e a d this stocking on to the barrel from the muzzle, cutting and fitting it on either side of the solid rib which is to carry the telescope on the barrel; for I want this sight to be integral with and part of the rifle. It should be a smooth steel or duralumin tube not encumbered by any extraneous mounts or adjusting knobs, dovetailed on to a solid continuous rib on the barrel and if necessary secured at the rear to an additional solid block forming part of the receiver. No " motmts." I repeat that this rifle and si^t must be designed and carried out as a complete entity—a thing which has never yet been done. The graticule zeroing adjustment for line and elevation should be done with a screwdriver, or special key, on small screws recessed in ramped housings and not subsequently touched. The lenses of the 'scope would be designed and fitted in con junction with this fixed tube, which should extend forward two inches ahead of the object lens, to protect it from sun, rain and damage, and similarly behind the eyelens to within one inch or so of the eye relief extent. Metal dust-caps must be provided, to slip off and put in the pocket. There should be no other sights or projections whatever. The carrying sling should be a fixture, preferably of plaited leather, which is handsome, pliable, and does not slip ; and the ends should be let into and secured within the wood. No " sUng swivels." They rattle and catch. The " furniture " would consist only of a neat nose cap, and this should be of black gun-metal, to prevent rust. The butt, if separate, should be of figured walnut and all woodwork fully chequered and London finished. Half-pistol hand, of course. As to the action of the rifle, probably a bolt with five-shot box magazine flush with the forestock would be of mtst general appeal. I feel, however, that a good deal is to be said for a good autoloader. I am the last man in the world to advocate " rapid fire " to cover up bad shooting ; the reason I like an auto is that very often, if rabbits have seen no movement after a shot, they will stand, thus allowing (Continued on page 21.) WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >