< Previousiv . T H E R I F L E M A NAutumn, 1946. Remington. .12 CALIBRE AMMUNITION FOR ELEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP W A S W O N W I T H R E M I N G T O N A M M U N I T I O N We much regret that we are still unable to obtain importation licences for shipments f r o m U . S . A . Rqfnln^lh idgQP> remington arms U.M.C. CO., LTD., Brimtdown, Mddx. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKThe rifleman THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF MINIATURE RIFLE CLUBS, S M A L L - B O R E S H O O T I N G — A N A T I O N A L R E C R E A T I O N V o l . X X X K . N o . 3 8 2 L O N D O N , W I N T E R , 1 9 4 6 - 4 7 . Q n a r t e l y 6 d . Annoal Subscription 2t. 6d. poM fiM The return of an old friend I.C.I. NON-RUSTING •22 AMMUNITION F O R S H O R T R A N G E S H O O T I N G This established favourite of shooting men is again available in pre-war quality. I.C.I. Non-Rusting Ammunition, the quiet, smokeless, non-rusting cartridge with a smooth action, is ideal for ranges up to 50 yards, particularly indoors. Many records I were made with I.C.I. Non-Rusting Ammunition before the war. Many more will be made in the future. I M P E R I A L C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R I E S L I M I T E D LONDON, S.W .I 'y.ii. ■ ' . • . T ' - t p 1 am.34 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKii.T H E R I F L E M A N Winter, 1946-47. A Parker- Hale News-letter Dear Shooters, You must be tired, if you are a regular reader, of seeing our previous advert. We are just as tired of it too but it has benefited The Rifleman even if it has done no real good to riflemen. Anyway, you will be relieved to see that we subscribe to the opinion that " a change is as good as a rest," and as we seem to get over one trouble only to find ourselves up to our necks in half a dozen others, we propose to take you into our confidence, to ask your indulgence on behalf of ourselves and other manufacturers on whom we rely in trying to supply " EVERYTHING FOR SHOOTING." Let us first assure you that no one is more cognisant of your needs ; no one is straining harder at the tape ; no one is doing more than our 150 willing helpers to make shooting necessities for you and your overseas brethren than PARKER- HALE Limited. Material shortages are such that we are having to plan now for your possible 1948 orders : just imagine ! Steel, 10-14 months ; brass, 8-12 months; and then hundreds of machining and finishing operations before the articles are ready for distribution. If coal, the fundamental necessity, remains short, our raw material deliveries can be expected to worsen, and brass and steel are by no means our only sorely needed raw materials. Thanks to intelligent anticipation we have been able to double and treble our output in some directions, yet we cannot satisfy the demand, and with so many catalogued lines to handle you will appreciate we cannot at present consider turning to new " gadgets " unless these possess very special m e r i t s i n d e e d . It is still true that our rifle repair department is fully six months behind orders ; here the trouble is not materials, but skilled labour shortage. We employ more hands than pre-war, but owing to the dearth of new rifles you all want your barrels PARKERIFLED. Obviously, to be fair to all, we can only work on your orders by rotation ; if you care to BOOK YOUR ORDER in advance you will minimise the time it is out of your possession by three or four months. Do not fail to specify PARKERIFLING and, when your rifle is returned, look for the hallmark of accuracy on the muzzle end—PARKERIFLED A.G.P. To strike a slightly more optimistic note on supplies, we are pleased to advise you that our world renowned cleaning rods and implements are now readily obtainable, our aperture backsights and interchangeable disc foresights for B.S.A. and Vickers rifles can be supplied with but little delay, and our latest catalogue, depicting, alas, far less than we could offer before the war, is at last emerging, and we wish you the best of luck in your efforts to obtain a copy at the current price of 2s. 6d. There is one very useful article you ought to know about—no, it is not yet in the catalogue—a combined cartridge box to take three 50 cartons with a sliding lid drilled for ten cartridges, making a really heavy stand that will not slip about when you snatch a round during the time-limit comps. Made from mahogany and walnut and pine, these boxes make ideal club competition prizes and add tone to any rifleman's kit. The price each is 12s. 6d., postage 7d. May we now take this opportunity to offer your Society and all Riflemen Seasonal Greetings and Better Shooting during 1947, coupling with these good wishes the earnest hope that the New Year, before it becomes the Old Year again, may bring more rifles, more ammunition, more and better targets and lots and lots of PARKER-HALE SHOOTING ACCESSORIES— than which there are none better ! When available, they are obtainable through : S.M.R.C., "Mayleigh," Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKThe Rifleman T H E J O U R N A L O F t h e S O C I E T Y O F M I N I AT U R E R I F L E C L U B S . E v a c u a t i o n A d d r e s s " M AY L E I G H , " P E T E R S H A M R O A D , R I C H M O N D , S U R R E Y. Telegraphic Address; "Rifleshot, Phone. London." Telephone: RIChmond 1444. Patron ; H I S M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G . President : Field Marshal Viscount ALEXANDER, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.S.I., D.S.O., F!Hd"M"s°ht;iS^o^niRD\\^^^^ G.CB.^G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., Col R BODLEY, V.D.. Chairman, Union of South Africa R.A. ALFRED C. BOSSOM, Esq., M.P., J.P. General Sir ALAN G. B. BOURNE, K.C.B., M-V Q-. D.S.O. Maior-General Viscount BRIDGEMAN, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. The Rt. Hon. S. M. BRUCE, P.C., C.H., M.C. Adm'i^al^fth^Fl"^ Urd CIL^TFIELD. G.C.B., K.C.M.G., G.V.O., D.C. (Oxon). Col. The Lord COTTESLOE, C.B.. V.D.. T.D. ^ ^ „ Col. The Rt. Hon. Lord COURTHOPE, I'.C.. M.C., T.D. Cant. RICHIE CRAWFORD. President New Zealand R.A. B r i e . - G e n e r a l T h e L o r d C R O F T. C . M . G . . _ _ _ „ „ „ „ _ „ „ Admiral of the Fleet Viscount CUNNINGHAM, G.C.B., K.C.B., C.B., D.S.O. Major-Gcheral G. DAf-BV. C-B., D.S.O. The Countess of DALHOUSIE. Major D. PERCY DAVIES, J.P. D^.a, M.C. Sli^'Ce^-^ia^s^ll lir^TLl^P'(^kN?E^'G^c£-,"G':C^.S:°G K.C.M.G., D.S.O. Air NlarshaTsil LESU^^^ K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O., M.C., Director Air Vke-Mars'ha"F F. C. HALAHAN, C.M.G., C,B.E., D.S.O., M.V.O. The Rt. Hon. EARL OF HADDINGTON, M.C. General .Sir IAN H.\MILTON, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D. Viscount HAMPDEN, K.C.B., C.M.G. Council: •Lt.-Col. Sir LIONEL FLETCHER, C.B.E., aiairman. } Vice-chairmen. •Major \V. J. ARTIS, M.C. Capt. F. R. BACON. A. C. BOSSOM. Esq., M.P., J,P. ^rc" R^cS-GTON, C.B.. D.S.O., O.B.E., Major-Gcneral G. DALBY, C.B., D.S.O. R. G. El.IAS, Esq. W. D . I I N D L A Y. E s q . Major F. MACGIIEGOR FRY. T. .1. GIBSON, Esq. •Major R. W. GLEaDOW. V i c e - P r e s i d e n t s : The Rt. Hon. the Earl of HAREWOOD, K.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., T.D. The Right Hon. WILLIAM J. JORDAN. P.C.. High Commissioner. New Zealand. General Sir WALTER M. St. G. KIRKE, G.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L. Lt.-Col. Lord LOV A T , D.S.O.. M.C. Major-Gencral R. M. LUCKOCK. C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. The Rt. Hon. VINCENT MASSEY, High Commissioner, Dominion of Canada. General Sir IVOR MAXSE, K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O. Lord McGOW AN, K.B.E. C o l . S i r C H A R L E S M E R R E T T, C . B . E . . V. D . , P r e s i d e n t C . A . R A . M a j o r S i r C L I V E M O R R I S O N - B E L L . B a r t . The Right Hon. G. H. NICHOLLS, High Commissioner for South Africa. The Hon. S. M. O'KEEFE. C.M.G., M.C.. High Commissioner S. Rhodesia. C o l . C H A R L E S P O N S O N B Y , T . D . . M . P . Marshal of the R.A.F., V iscount POR TAL OF HUNGERFORD, E.G., G.C3., O.M.. D.S.O.. M.C. L t . - C o l . S i r P H I L I P W. R I C H A R D S O N , B a r t . , O . B . E . , V. D . L t . - G e n e r a l S i r N E I L R I T C H I E , K . C . B . , C . B . E . , G . O C . S c o t t i s h C o m m a n d . S i r S A M U E L R U N G A N A D H A N , D e w a n B a h a d u r. H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r I n d i a . S i r H A R O L D . S C O T T. K . C . B . . K . B . E . . C o m m i s s i o n e r o f M e t r o p o l i u n P o l i c e . Field-Marshal J. C. SMUTS, P.C., C.H., F.R.S., Prime Minister of South Afriea. Dr . EDIIH SUMMERSKILL, M.P . Lt.-Col. SIR HUGH TURNBULL, K.C.V.O., K.B.E. D r . C . H E Y G A T E V E R N O N . C o l o n e l S i r A . L A M B E RT WA R D , B a r t . , C . V. O . , D . S . O , , T, D , S. F . W A TERSON, Esq. Lt.-Col. Sir W. E. G. A. WEIGALL. Bart., K.C.M.G., D.L. H i s G r a c e T H E D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R , G . C . V. O . , D . S . O . Col. The Rt. Hon. Tiie Lord WIGRAM, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.V.O.. C.SX Lt.-Col. K. WHITT ON. M i s s P. AT R I C I A A . Y O U N G , M . B . E . •GEO. F. BOOTH, Esq., M.B.E., •P. G, RICHARDSON, Esq., I Joint Hon. Treasurera •Col. G. GOULD, D.S.O. C. G. P. HAINES, Esq. T. P. H A R T L E Y, E s q . •N C. HF ADLAND. Esq. I. R. P. HESLOP, Esq., M.A, C H A R L E S L AY W O O D , E s q . , M . B . E . H. S. LONGHURST, Esq. D. McGILLIVRA Y, Esq. NORMAN MeMONNIES, M.C., Esq. •Col. M. K. MATTHEWS. T.D., D.L., J.P. T. E . M I L L I G A N , E s q . •Capt. J. L. hULNE. • E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e . Col. C. G. MOORE, C.B.E., M.C., T.D., D.L. Superintendent M. PURBRICK, M.B.E. P. V. R O G E R S , E s q . M a j o r F. B . S M I T H . B . E . M . A. V. ST.ANIFOR TH, Esq., M.I.Mech.E., MX Struct. E. Lt.-Col. I. H. ST OGKWOOD. L t . - C o l . S i r H U G H T U R N B U L L , K . C . V . O . , K.B.E., Commissioner of Police, City of London. H i s G r a c e T H E D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R , G.C.V.O., D.S.O. Lt -Col. J. D. CHALMERS, Colonial Office. If -Col LAMBOURN, D.S.O., R.M., ROYAL MARINES R.A. U-Col'. H. A. WARING, D.S.O., THE ARMY R.A. Lt -Co R. F. SYMONDS, O.B.E.. T.D., T.A., R.A. L t - C o 1 . K E A LY, T H E T R A I N I N G C O R P S . ^ , Mrs G O. SALTER, WOMEN'S RIFLE ASSOCUTION. Capt. R. K. SPENCER, V.D., R.N.V.R,, R.A, Ex-Officio Members: Col. J. G. SANDIE, D.S.O., M.C., S.A.S., (PLATOON WEAPONS), THE WAR OFFICE, Chairman A.R.A. Squadron Leader J. L. K. PEARCE, O.B.E., R.A.F., R.A. S e r g t . W. C A M P B E L L , S C O T T I S H P O I J C E S . B . R . A . _ Lt.-Col. F. L. PETTMAN, ARMY CADET FORCE ASSOCIATION. M a j o r M . I . H E M S T E A D , P U B U C S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L S C A D E T ASSOCUTION. Mr. GEO. PETHARD, M.B.E., Secretary of the Society and Editor of the Society's Journal, " The Rifleman," Opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those of the S.M.R.C. VOL, XXXIX. No. 382. LONDON. WINTER, 1946-47. Quarterly 6d. Annua! Subscription,_2s. 6d. post free. Editorial A YEAR of prosperity and happiness to all our readers. May they all determine to make their rifle club a living force and example of good companionship, always ready to help, talk, and walk with each other along life's way, as well as in their mutual concern for more and better shooting by newcomers and inexperts. Let us renew the open-hearted camaraderie of pre-war days and amalgamate the fellowship that our Service men miss so much on being demobbed to live again amongst civilians. Having been depri\ed of a common objective shared by their fellow men, which so many civilians fail to under'Stand, why not try and get them to shaie in the aineriiiies and ambitions of a rifle club ? Everyone can find it the tnendliest game of all. " The more we are together the happier we snail be " is a truism that experience can prove. Comparatively few of the demobbed persons seeking recreative facilities have been absorbed by rifle clubs, and until each club institutes a local campaign to bring them in they will drift away and we shall all lose excellent companions in the cause. We reiterate that as an introduction an "open evening" invitation might be advertised once a month, when a member may be allocated to the partnership of a visitor to form a pair to compete against similar pairs in a shoulder to shoulder match. An excellent attraction is a set of white breakable clay discs affixed opposite each pair in equal groups on a bluckenM board, the first pair destroying their discs wins a round, and so on in cup-tie progression. This will be attractive to both shooters ^d spectators, but be sure and have the rifles laid down with breeches open immediately after " cease fire " for each detail. The usual dub WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A NWinter, 1946-47. rate of sale of ammunition to its members could be combined in a nominal entry fee to eover expenses, although the main point is to attract new members. We supply competition suggestions free in "A Club Programme." As a club has to provide a stimulating programme of competitions for its members so does the local League or Association, as well as a County Association. Finally, for events covering the whole country or overseas the headquarters of the S.M.R.C. have to make provision. In this issue we present an attractive programme of postal events for the spring and summer months. Among these the Queen Alexandra Cup is revived. Headquarters are also concerned with international matches under postal conditions—one of these is the Dewar—the result and details of the 1946 match are reported in this issue. Our warm con^atulations to the N.R.A. of America for an almost record score to win and thus retain the Dewar Match Trophy. The time will come ere long when we must send a team to the United States to try and bring back the Pershing Trophy for shoulder to shoulder team shooting for teams of ten at 50 and 100 yards. With time-worn equipment, as we have had no new .22 rifles since 1939, it would be hopeless to attempt it in 1947. Nor is our ammunition yet up to its pre-war standard. Moreover, it is quite evident that our up and coming young men have yet to obtain the necessary experience in a big team match vide the British team Dewar results in 1946 in this issue, the 10 old-timers mostly doing b e t t e r t h a n t h e e q u a l n u m b e r o f n e w c o m e r s i n o u r t e a m . There are a number of interesting international events on way. About the end of July or beginning of August the International Union e Championships will be staged at Stockholm. These are for teams of five in standing, kneeling and prone positions and a like number of individuals for world championship events. There are also .22 pistol championships. For each we hope a team will be available for Britain. Fuller details will be published in the next issue. The XIV Olympiad, shooting section, will take place at Bisley on 2nd to 6th August, 1948, for teams of three and individual Olympic championships with the .303 rifle, the .22 rifle, and the .22 pistol, but not until the question of the amateur status for shooters in English-speaking countries is settled can we think of a team. In any case the .22 competitions will be- under the control of the S.M.R.C. and the fullbore under that of the N.R.A. The influx of newly affiliated units in 1946 has been 577, a big reduction compared with the 1,593 in 1945, whilst the ranges passed for W.O. Safety Certificates have been 184 in 1946, compared with the 241 issued in 1945, when the W.O. London District area of approxi- matel3' 700 square miles was entirely under the inspection and decision of the S.M.R.C. acting on behalf of the G.O.C. of that area. We have been surprised at the growth of local and county organisations in 1946, despite the frustration of not being able to obtain many shooting requisites. The production of .22 rifles is still in abeyance, bu^^e hope and expect that some .22 rifles will be available early in This progress accentuates the need for a revival of .22 rifle pro duction of first rate quality. The latter remark applies also to the manufacturer of .22 long rifle rimfire ammunition if international prestige in our sport is to be achieved by Britain. Whilst we are confident that British manufacturers of .22 shooting requisites are doing their utmost to turn out a satisfactory article their production is beset by difficulties of which the layman is unaware. Even after two years of anxious expectation we have to beg for a little more patience by all of us for fulfilment in this respect. Apart from constant concern in obtaining shooting requisites and providing an enlargement of the competition programme the Council has been applying themselves to the promise made at the last annual general meeting. It has been working on a reconstruction of the constitution as a company limited by guarantee under the Complies Act, 1929. At their first meeting (June, 1946) following the A.G.M., a Social Committee was appointed who reported to a meeting of the Council in September, and this was finally referred to a special meeting of the Council on 5th November, since when they have sought necessary legal guidance on the subject. It was found quite out of the question to hold the extraordinary general meeting on 5th October, as at first expected. Moreover, essential consultations with the Board of Trade deferred the intention to hold the meeting on Saturday, 7th December, 1946, the second date proposed. Below we now give the date, venue and Agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting. Unfortunately during the year 1946, for health reasons. Field Marshal Lord Milne was forced to resign as president of the Society. This was a sevpe blow to us all. We feel that we are expressing the unanimous voice oi our membership in wishing him better health in the New Year. As intirnated by circular letter to all affiliated units on 20th December, 1946, in order to meet the increased cost of The Rifleman, which IS sent free each quarter to all secretaries of affiliated unite, the small addition of 2s. 6d. to the 1946 subscription of 12s. 6d tiefo been decided by the Council, this making the 1947 subscription" As On the important subject of necessary insurances, we regret tn report some cases of accidents to third parties during the past voar Unfortunately one of these was fatal. Therefore we urge earnpct attention, as usual at this time of the year, to the question of cI..k i n s u r a n c e s s e t o u t i n t h i s i s s u e . " shooting has been considered very carefullv by the Advisory Committee in their recommendations to the Council The first meeting, as already reported, was held in Edinburgh in February, and the second meeting in London in October. Recom mendations of both meetings and the decisions of the Council hnvil been fully recorded in The Rifleman and such should be incorporated m the general rules and regulations issued to the affiliated units of the Society. It must always be borne in mind, however, that the specini conditions of any competition as printed on the prospectus take precedence if they differ from the general shooting regulations ac issued in pamphlet form. Moreover, it must be remembered that the Society has legal responsibilities to competitive members and the only decision it can make is to primarily adhere to the strict wording of the special conditions of any competition. The opportunity is taken to express appreciation and thanks to me members of the Advisory Committee, to the members of the Council, and of their Executive especially, for their great work in the cause of small-bore rifle shooting during the year 1946. The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs MAYLEIGH, PETERSHAM ROAD, RICHMOND, SURREY fSjOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Company will be held at the School of Art, 109, Charing Cross Road, London W.C.2, on Saturday, the eighth day of March, 1947, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon for the purpose of considering and if thought fit passing the following Resolutions as Special Resolutions :— RESOLUTIONS '* name of the Company be changed to "The National Small-bore Rifle. Association." 2. That the Memorandum of Association be altered as follows • (a) Wherever the word " Society " appears substitute the word " A s s o c i a t i o n . " (b) In Clause 3 (1) (e) add the words " Ammunition, accessories to rifles and rifle ranges and other shooting equipment." (c) Add a new paragraph 3 (I) (f) to read as follows : " To iiro- mote the establishment and maintenance in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and elsewhere of County, District other Associations or bodies, which in the opinion of the Association are or will be calculated to advance the objects for which the Association is established or some of them, and to contribute to the funds of or otherwise support and advance the activities of any such Association o r b o d i e s . " (d) In Clause 4 substitute the words " 14th Section of the Com panies Act 1929 " for the words " 21st Section of the Com p a n i e s A c t 1 8 6 2 . " (e) In the proviso to Clause 3 in the fifth line thereof delete the words " Managers or Trustees " and substitute the words " Members of the Council " and in the ninth and thirteenth lines thereof delete the words " Managers or Trustees " and substitute the word " Members." (0 In Clause 5 substitute the words " Section 18 of the Com plies Act 1929 " for the words " 23 of the Companies Act, 1867." (g) In the lines 4 and 14 of Clause 6 the words " of Management " shall be deleted. resolutions contained in the printed document laid before the Meeting and signed for identification by the Chairman be ^opted as the Articles of Association of the Company. Dated the 11th day of December, 1946. By Order of the Council, GEO. PETHARD, Secretary. [A memorandum relating to the new Articles of Association will accompany that document when circulated to all members in due course.] WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWinter, 1946-47. T H E R I F L E M A N Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs " MAYLEIGH," petersham road, RICHMOND, SURREY C L U B I N S U R A N C E S ha%c ^"surance. A number of accidents on rifle ranges sf^rn ^hnt °'=^V"ed, one of which terminated fatally, and it would ™anv\v^f discipline was not pr9periy enforced and supervision Kp ,i°" T! was found that a non-member Attemir^i allowed to shoot without any proper supervision, ment of rnn 'he necessity for the strict enforce- Sinp supervision of all A rnn ®' ®^Pf?'a"y wherc novices and untrained persons are concerned. A range caution card should be prominently displayed. amounts awarded for personal injuries to third parties have ot recent years increased to a very considerable degree, and it is fn^frnn?! consider whether the amount of the provided by their insurance is adequate, bearing in mind Lh award exceeds the amount of the indemnity n a v h p b e c a l l e d u p o n t o S^^pH fh . "lany clubs are adequately insured, it is noted th^at some clubs have indemnities as low as £500, and it is suggested that an amount of £5,000 any one accident should be con sidered as a minimum amount which is likely to prove satisfactory. Challenge Trophy Insurance became due on 1st January. Rifle and Telescope Insurance. This is now available for clubs and members as follows : 20/- per cent on the total value or 2/6 per rifle or telescope, whichever rate gives the lower premium, subject to a minimum premium of 10/- per policy. It will be a condition of the insurance that the insured bears the first 10/- of any accidental damage loss. As from the 1st January, 1947, this insurance will include accidental 'be insured being responsible for the first 10/- of all accidental damage claims. Fire and Burglary Insurance for clubs. Workmen's Compensation for clubs which employ servants. r. for details of all the above to the Society of Miniature Riiie L/luus. Use of Army Service Ranges, North Midland District Owing to the disbandment of West Riding and Midland Counties Sub Distric^ of Army command, allocation of classifica- ' tion r^ges in West Riding of Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Warwick- shu-e, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire^and Lincolnshire is now controlled by" the chief unit users, to whom application for allocation must in future be made. The clubs concerned should apply to the Secretary, S.M.R.C., for a list of the classification ranges concerned. Social, Dance and Christmas Shoot Prize-giving 1 combined social, dance and Christmas shoot prize-giving was held at the Feltham Hotel Ballroom on Thursday before Christmas 5 c - F e l t h a m a n d D i s t r i c t a n d S o u t h e r n R a i l TO y ( F e l t h a m ) r i fl e c l u b s . ^ Some 40 competitors, wives and lady friends spent an enjoyable evening dancing to music rendered by the " Rhythm Aces Band " ^gether with appreciation of the " turns " provided by the " Sorbo Ring, the young ballet dancer and boy comedians. Unfortunately the dense fog prevented some of the senior marksmen from attending! Mr. J. Smith, president of the Feltham club, expressed apologies ^r the absence ot the two vice-presidents. Dr. M. J. Coghlan and Mr 5r" who had a prior engagement to attend. Following the distribution of prizes he remarked that it gave him great pleasure to be associated with so many keen marksmen and promised Mr. Stillwell the secretary of the Southern Railway Club, help and encouragement m the future. He also expressed the hope that future Christmas prize-givmgs would be generously supported by gifts from members in Keeping with the festive season. Present-day rationing and short supplies make it extremely difficult to bring such events up to pre-war standard. He thanked the organiser of the eseping's events and the secretaries, Messrs. Pincott, Stillwell and Wilshaw together with the M.C., Mr. C. D. Quick, for their efforts. Distribution of awards : President's Cup (club championship) for best 16 match scores in Middlesex winter and summer leagues, G. A ^nes-W^lters, score 1,574 ex 1,6(X); runner-up, T. J. Dowden, 1 567! xP, bubdicap on three S.M.R.C. standard targets, li.p.s. ^0)' G. W. Page, 299—500 ; runner-up, R. J. Pincott, 298—75o! placed the next seven riflemen between 298 166 g" WM .National Rifle Association Skilled Shot Certificates, S. Wilshaw, J. W. Javes and R. J. Pincott. Donegall Badge S Wil- ^aw. News of the World Certificate, J. W. Javes. Daily Mai! G. L. Keen and Chas. E. Bell, S. Wilshaw. M J"*?® Christmas Shoot was shot off on the tricky and difficult N.R A. Sharpshooter and S.M.R.C. Game ('Scope sight) targets Lach competitor dpnated a prize, thus ensuring that all members received a gift for his effort. Prizes varied—fruit bowls, water bottles razor sets cigarette lighters, table lamps, dart sets, electric torches' books, ashtrays, cig.ors, mouth organ, suspenders, etc., were in evidence! Competitors were Messrs. Jones-Walters, A. J. S.mith T T Dowden, G. W Page, G W. Welch, R. J. Pincott, S. C. Dowden! S. W. Javes, S. Wilshaw, W. J. Karn, W. M. K. Baker, L. H. Norris Nnrfhllm®' '^■■instead, Huxter, Bosister, Hunt, Harding! Northfields, Whitlock, Lamming, Frewin, Stevens, Parsons, Bird Reeves, Stillwell, Bates, Cooper, Ing, Simmonds, Cook, Hibbert! Kenshaw, Higgs, Newbury, Pryce and T. Lemming. MIDDLE DEAL HOME GUARD RIFLE CLUB Winners of the 5th Batt. Kent Home Guard Challenge Cup (presented for competition by Lleut.-Colonel F. D. C. Newport, O.B.E.), season 1945-46. B a c k r o w : W . R . G l i n n , J . S h o t b o l t , G . Robinson, E. Young. G. H. Winfrow, E. Coleman, J. W. Brett. Middle row : J. Redsull, K. Parkin, A. Maxted, F. Rubins, j. Oliver, A. F. Webb, H. J. Ovenden, T. Morgan. Front row : Mrs. G. Robinson, J. J. Parkin (Hon. Treasurer), L, Ryley (vice-captain), J. Rook (captain), R. White (chairman), D. J. Collins (hon. secretary), R. Wiles, M i s s D . W i l t o n . 9 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK4 T H E R I F L E M A NWinter, 1946-47. The National Small-bore Rifle Meeting HAM AND PETERSHAM RIFLE AND PISTOL RANGES, RICHMOND, SURREY, SATURDAY, 7th, AND MONDAY, 9th, TO SATURDAY, 14th SEPTEMBER, 1946. A RECORD meeting of over 600 competitors from all parts of Britain concluded after eight days of intensive shooting on Saturday, 14th September, when Col.G. R. Codnngton, C.B., DSC. O.B.E., T.D., a member of the Council of the S.M.K.C., attended to present the 22 challenge trophies and the 114 prizes m kind. The 847 cash prizes for single entry competitions were sent after the meeting by post and the 795 unlimited entry cornpetition prizes were paid out with few exceptions on the range day alter aay. Full details are given below. As a re-union of pre-war friends and an introductory meeting for many newcomers to the fraternity of .22 rifle marksmen the gathering was a great success. Although only light refreshments were available under the genial supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Morris the refreshrnent tent was very well attended for tea and talks which went a long way towards creating the homely and helpful the friendly holiday feeling we like to engender at S.M.R.C. meetings could not have been achieved. On this occasion we were greatly assisted by Lt.-C^neral Oliver Leese, Bart., K.C.B., G.B.E., D.S.O., O.C., Eastern Command, A'BRIEF respite. who kindly provided the services of 32 Polish Armoured and two of their N.C.O.s, plus two British N.C.O.s, Sergeant Lachell and Col.-Sergt. Peat, for the range runrung, etc. As the Poles am not speak English the S.M.R.C engaged Capt. de Rosset to Mt interpreter and so assist our chief range officers, ^ F. W. Bracegirdle, and T. Walker, the first mentioned of these three being in charge. After all possible extensions had been made, the ranges provided accommodation as follows : 36 targets at 25 yards, 24 at 50 yard , 25 at 100 yards, and as the ranges were in operation eight hours each weekday the daily capacity of each for the expected ten-minut^e s were capable of yielding respectively 1,728, 1,152, and l.>200 targets. That nothing approaching this quantity was achieved, the following table of actual cards shot each day gives proot . 2 5 y a r d s . . . 50 yards 100 yards 2 5 y a r d s ( t i m e - l i m i t ) 5 0 y a r d s ( t i m e - l i m i t ) Pistol (20 yards) (Separate pit range) ... Discs (36 Sharpshooter teams in cup-tie system) T A R G E T S U S E D Sat. Mon. T ues. W ed. 768 556 556 891 539 572 96 49 1,108 767 80S 1,075 808 883 Thurs. 842 810 720 97 102 Fri. 465 718 947 36 67 Sat. 448 366 716 198 500 To t a l 5,597 4,564 5,199 229 218 198 500 1,880 2,147 2,680 2,766 2,571 2,233 2.228 16,505 QUEUEING FOR PLACES. Several causes contributed to this low output on certain days, t h e s e b e i n g a s f o l l o w s - : 1. The Polish men not speaking English could not understand what was required of them despite the excellent work of Capt. de Rosset, the interpreter. 2. The target frames being fixed to the butts prevented the usual alternate change frames for next detail cards being prepared and fitted at the firing point ready to carry up and exchange with the sets shot on the butts immediately a detail was finished,.and so all such changes had to be made at the butts, whidh took double the usual time at a Meeting where we had a record entry of competitors. 3. Gusty weather on the Monday and Tuesday caused competi tors to continue practice ticket shooting and hold off from competition ticket shooting for record on the scores cards. 4. Consequently in the Roberts Championship on the Wednes day, when there were squads of 20 details each of 20 shooters to shoot at 50 yards, plus similar sets of details for 100 yards range, the time lag of the previous days had not, been caught up on these ranges and congestion ensued from then over the next day so that the Ran^ge Committee had to exhibit the following notice : " In fairness to all competitors only one unlimited (or practice) ticket and two squadded shoots (three in all) will be permitted from now on." , 5. With such handicaps to procedure it. was not possible to change the details every 10 minutes as expected, and in some cases it took _20 A FEW AT EASE. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N 5 minutes to half-an-hoiir to do so. To improvise alternative arrange ments at this stage of the proceedings was most difficult, but we were helped in the first place by having fixed on the frames at the butts the new improved " Walker " Target Clamps which assisted considerably in holding into the frames the thin card targets that we have to use nowadays. Necessarily the 100 yards range always takes the longest time to reach and return from. Therefore, Mr. Headland's idea of a squad changing the 100 yard targets from the left wing helped con siderably to minimise the congestion on that range. Both he and Mr. T. J. Gibson, the latter in fixing up the loud speaker apparatus, were most effective assistants during the whole meeting. Besides these two of the range committee we were also assisted at other times by Messrs. Hughes, Gilbert, McGill, Milligan, McCloud, Mekelburg, P. G. Richardson, A. V. Staniforth, Col. T. Sutton and A. Traies. A number of competitors arrived to shoot with very little time at their disposal and expected to get their places on the range without waiting. These and others complained of the Committee's decision to limit the period of the use of the firing point to only three instead of the regulation four shoots. Unfortunately, some did not understand that the ranges are primarily for single entry competitions to be shot over them, and that practice or unlimited entry targets are secondary con siderations. Neither did some remember that concurrent shooting in the squadded shoot was allowed in that as in other events. It was quite evident that some competitors who were complaining had purposely left over their serious shooting for the best weather to appear. This is a privilege that can only be permitted if there is room on the range at all times during the meeting, but if we had to take into calculation unlimited use of the range for practice and sweepstake competitions as some competitors seemed to expect then the situation becomes impracticable and squadded single entry shooting becomes imperative. As already indicated at this meeting for " The Roberts" on the Wednesday, there were 193 competitors to be squadded, each for two shoots at 50 yards, and two shoots at 100 yard ranges, the weather was not very much better than on the Monday and Tuesday, and the results proved that whilst a few were unlucky in their squadding the large majority put up excellent scores. There fore, a lot of the time holding off for better weather was sheer waste of range space. Undoubtedly we have to consider alternatives for the future, and these present themselves as follows : (a) All single entry competitions to be squadded. (b) To squad the aggregate competitions in the " A," " B," " C " a n d " D " c l a s s e s . (c) To extend the days of the meeting to enable the " C " and " D" classes to complete their competitions outside the period of shooting for the " A " and " B " classes, and certainly to squad all team events. In such circumstances it would mean that competitors must attend meetings for longer periods than at.present or limit their entries. More over, they could not select the time and the day on which they preferred to shoot their single entry competitions. Therefore, the Society will have to give serious consideration to this question when arranging future open meeting programmes. As a matter of fact for the next National Meeting to be held at Bisley the first four days commencing 25th June, 1947, will be applied to clear off all the competitions allocated in the programme to the " C " and " D " classes, and the rest of the period from the 1st July to the 6th July inclusive, will be open only for the " A " and " B " classes, and others who wish to enter the hi^er sectional competitions despite being of a lower average. The major team events will also be squadded to finish one day during the week. These alternatives indicate selection is only a first step towards improving accommodation for competitors. Other steps wiU be taken as jfound necwsary. Without the co-operation of all competitors concerned it is very hard to alleviate congestion under the present free-and-easy privileges which our comp)etitors enjoy. As it happened on this occasion by the Friday afternoon the congestion had mostly been eliminated and there was ample room for everybody who wished .to fire at any range in the last two hours of that day. Natur^ly we are sorry for those who could not have enough time to finish their competition tickets and may have gone away not appreciating the difficulties of our range officers as above set out. Coming now to the more congenial side of the meeting, and the fine successes achieved, we must deal with the major team shooting first, and the premier event was that of the Home Countries Inter national Match between teams of ten representing England 2,927, Scotland 2,915, and Wales 2,895. The photographs of the respective teams follow. Of the total of 3,000 points at each range, the points dropped were as follows : England Scotland W a l e s . . 25 yds. 11 16 27 50 yds. 20 27 17 100 yds. 42 42 61 To t a l 73 85 105 That Wales was best at 50 yards, England best at 25 yards, and equal best with Scotland at 100 yards, shows that Scotland was too liberal in dropping points at 25 and 50 yards. - E N G L I S H I N T E R N AT I O N A L T E A M . " l " ' J - ■" W i c k e n s . S . B r o u g h t o n . W. J . S m i t h . Sitting . J. Cooke, H. W. Johnson, j. F. Chandler, V. H. Gilbert, L. S. Hughes, A. Traies, C. J. Hyde., WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL TEAM. Standing : W. Campbell, D. McGillivray, J. D. Nicoll, A. A. Smith. R. Wilson. „ c m Sitting : J. MacGranthin. J. G. Proudfoot, W. Buchanan. J. S. Robertson. T. Walker. H. L. MIchle. P. S. McKay. WELSH INTERNATIONAL TEAM. Standing: D. O. Davles. J. H. Lodwlck. A. E. Kennedy. R. G. Ellas. L. T. James. W. Ellas. G. Clement. Sitting : A. Williams. R. C. Phelps. (Sec.). I. L. Roberts. (Capt.), J. G. Ellis, Miss E. Cousins WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWinter, 1946-47. T O E R I F L E M A N In the County Sextette, new conditions, Middlesex won with the record score of 1,181 ex 1,200, thus contributing anotlier success towards what has finally resulted in a record year of successes for the county of Middlesex, who have won every county team e\ent they have entered as follows : The B.S.A. Cup, the County Cup, the Marks Shield for the Home Counties, the Sextette at Edinburgh, and now the Sextette at Ham and Peters ham. Moreover at Bisley their team won the County Team Championship with the .303 Service rifle. V. H . G I L B E R T . British Open Meeting Champion. English Open Meeting Champion. Record Grand Aggregate winner of the Nobel Statuette. Their outstanding individual successes are Mr. V. H. Gilbert, the Open Meeting British Champion for the Roberts Trophy, score 791, the English Champion for the St. George's Challenge Cup, and also the Class " A " Aggregate Champion at the National Meeting with the record score of 1,387 under the new conditions. Previously their Mr. J. F. Chandler had won the " A " Class Grand Aggregate at Edinburgh with the score of l.,382. Finally, Mrs. N. Wilson at this National Meeting won the British Ladies' Open Meeting Cham pionship for the Duchess of Kent Trophy with the score of 590 ex 600. It will be interesting to see how Middlesex will.shape up for the Queen A.lexandra Cup, which will evolve into a County Team Com petition in 1947 with the final stage to be shot as a part of the pro gramme of the National Small-Bore Meeting at Bisley. The revival of the Inter-Railways teams of ten match at 25 yards was welcomed even though only two of the four main line group railways were represented. These were the Great Western and the Southern, the former winning the match with the score of 1,944 by a margin of nine points. The good news that the Manager of the Southern Railway had generously offered to give a new challenge shield in place of the one destroyed by enemy action in 1941 was greeted with acclamation and grateful thanks. Two other trophies, destroyed at the same time, the News of the World and the Daily Telegraph had been kindly replaced by the respective newspapers, and the Daily Mail resumed their usual dona tion for prizes. Therefore all holders of the annual certificate awards were able to compete free of entry fees for the three numerous prize M I D D L E S E X S E X T E T T E . Standing : F. W. J. Mayor, S. Broughton, L. W. Wickens. Sitting : J. F. Chandler, V. H. Gilbert, L. S. Hughes, W. J. Smith. lists, the winners of the premier honours for the trophies being as follows : Daily Telegraph, A. S. Whitaker, Ham and Petersham, 299 X 300 ; Daily Mail, J. Cooke, Worplesdon and District R.C., 299 x 300 after ties with A. Traies of Birmingham and S. Broughton of Twickenham ; the News of the World, W. J. Smith of G.P.O., 299 x 300 after a tie with P. K. McGill of Pilkington Recreation R.C. Besides the above-mentioned team events, there were five others for club teams, the 100 yards teams of four shoot for the City of London Challenge Cup being won by Ham and Petersham with the fine score of 396, Worplesdon and District being second with 391. For the handsome silver gilt Spooner Trophy, a shoot through the ranges for teams of four. Ham and Petersham were also successfiil with 1,189 x 1,200, Hamiltons running up second with 1,180. Then there were the Women's Rifie Association teams of four at 25 yards for prizes, the Heston and Hounslow Ladies being successful with 395 X 400. The junior team of four at 25 yards for the Daily Sketch Trophy was won by Mitcham and Tooting R.C. with 720 closely followed by Magdalen College School team with 717. As usual, the Sharpshooter was the most poptilar with its winding- up cuptie shooting at breakable discs over 100 yards range, which everyone could see and enjoy. N o f e w e r t h a n 3 6 t e a m s o f t h r e e e n t e r e d a n d t h e Tw i c k e n h a m A team won the final against C Coy., Eastbourne H.G., for the Cheylesmore Cup. Undoubtedly as already indicated the " Man of the Meeting " was V. H. Gilbert, because the new British and English Champion, a Lancashire research chemist, seemed to shoot " possibles " almost at will. Gilbert was one of six new internationals in England's team. The British Champion was the match's top scorer with 298 points out of 300. His shooting throughout the meeting was superb, and he completed an historic shooting treble by carrying off the Grand Aggregate, in addition to his two titles. Nearest to his record total of 1,387 out of 1,400 possible, were L. C. Wickens, Hendonand Crickle- wood R.C., and C. C. Sonloy (Hull), who each scored 1,384 points, whilst Capt. E. G. B. Reynolds was fourth with 1,383. Ham and Petersham R.C., which Gilbert captains, won two challenge cups. The champion shot a 100 yd. possible out of his club's 396 in the City of London, and also hit the highlights with two possibles in the Spooner Cup, one at 25 yards and the other at 100 yards. In spite of the big entry we continue to be convinced that the general rank and file of club members, the large majority of whom WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >