Irish Contract No4 mk2

[breakeyp]

Frederick303's comments regarding the old days prompts me to make the following comments.

When I started collecting in 1972 the only book available was Reynolds and it had to be outlined to make sense. Skennerton's efforts were a parting of the clouds and sunlight appeared.

I was writing articles and answering questions for Mr. Young's Enfield Collector Digest newsletter. Through the Digest, Stratton contacted me about his proposed book and sent me a copy of his proposed questionnaire. I could not see how the questions would work as the responder would have to be very knowledgeable to correctly respond. I could not tell how he would handle the long lee conversions, receivers with two or three serial numbers. I have never heard how many responses he received as that would be an indicator as to how reliable his analysis is.

With his credentials as a retired Idaho University teaching Technical Writing, he did an excellent job of writing the book. Most of the information was taken from Skennerton's books, not based on his personal collection. I am not aware that he travelled in Europe viewing and researching weapons in the museums and the Pattern Room. Following his passing, his collection was sold at auction. I have the auction catalog and his EAL rifle. He had some very nice US military pieces but his British collection was with the exception of the EAL, bare bones with no scarce or sniper rifles and some rifles needed repair (missing small part, swivels etc.). The book collection offered was more US than British.

He certainly started an ambitious project but there is a better chance of it being accomplished now with the immediate responses and raised general knowledge forums can generate.