Victory Training Rifle 1942

[browningautorifle]

So, one more to go? I wonder what these were actually used for, drill, bayonet training or just parades?

[Aragorn243]

I don't know if there is a number 5. I actually did see a British Enfield training rifle a couple of weeks ago but didn't buy it as it was a couple hundred dollars.

This WWI version was also purchased for the US Navy not the Army and they had a contract for 10,000. It is possible they made up to 1000 more beyond the contract, but they aren't sure. Not all are marked with the manufacturer, and some say these are post contract, but this one is not marked but has a serial number on the stock as well as unit markings.

I took it apart to see what would be needed to repair it. The crack in the upper handguard will be a simple glue job. The bottom stock bolt and the through bolts they put in it will be a lot more difficult. The through bolt is correct but the bolt they used is not and it needs recessed into the stock. The interior is pretty busted up there and will need rebuilt.

The bayonet band is probably an actual 1903 band, seems this is a common replacement on these, so I probably won't do anything with it. Wouldn't be able to find an original in any case.

[Aragorn243]

There's always that one guy. I posted this in a Facebook group yesterday evening and it currently has 40 likes and this one guy:

[browningautorifle]

Typical, "I don't understand why anyone would collect anything except the things I like"...

[Aragorn243]

My newest training rifle. Can't find an example like it anywhere. Initially posted it in Yard Sales but figured I'd add it here. It is made of wood and cast iron. Does not have a butt plate and never did. It is missing a screw on the bayonet lug which should be a normal pan head wood screw. It looks like a prototype to the Paris Dunn Victory rifles, the parts being iron rather than pressed steel. It is also three inches shorter than the Victory's.

I took it apart to see if there were markings inside, none found. I'll need to give it a good cleaning but did not do that today, just put it back together. It did not operate the way it should before taking it apart as the screws were a little loose. Works fine now.

I've done photo image searches as well as standard searches of the entire rifle and parts with no hits at all other than 1903 rifles.



























I'm adding some photos of the internals along with a short video showing how it works. A spring-loaded square is pressed down into the trigger assembly when the bolt is turned. Pulling the trigger then slams it up into the base of the bolt making a large metallic click sound. I also decided to trim the loose strings off the sling to prevent it from getting worse.

https://i.imgur.com/WkRxd8c.mp4

[browningautorifle]

My newest training rifle.

So this makes number four?

[Aragorn243]

Three official U.S. military, one for ROTC and Drill teams and now this which I can find no information on, so a total of five.