Shocked, just shocked, old chap

[RJW NZ]

I've been browsing the Fulton's site this afternoon and this is a paragraph on their 'History' page.
Fultons of Bisley web site; History

Brief History On Development Of Target Rifles

For many years' from 1920 until the advent of the P'14 rifle in 1935, the S.M.L.E. was the only weapon permitted for the S.R. shooting under the N.R.A. Rules, and in the early days of that rifle's history the continuance of rifle shooting as a competitive sport undoubtedly hung in the balance. It was at this time that the pioneering work done by Mr. A. G. Fulton at Woolwich and in his spare time on privately-owned rifles which resulted in the process known as "packing" did a great deal to bring about some sort of "leveling-up" of the standard of shooting obtained from these otherwise extremely inaccurate weapons. By careful controlling the barrel vibrations, and skillfully adjusting the "packing" material so as to stiffen the otherwise weak barrel and action without restricting the expansion of the former, an extremely high degree of accuracy was obtained which enabled the size of the bullseye at all ranges to be reduced twice during this period


I'm very surprised to see that P14's didn't arise until 1935?! I though they were much earlier.

plus, its sort of blasphemy for the honored Fultons to call the smle 'extremely inaccurate'. shocked. but, if thats what they can do with such a piece of rubbish I imagine they'd do pretty well with a decent rifle.lol.

I actually have a real, potentially, silly, Q.

Ok, I have a no1 mk3 target rifle from Fultons, BSA made, undated but probably 1920's/30's. The stamp on the knox form is 'G.Fulton'. I keep hearing endless speculation that this was perhaps one of G's personnel rifles.
Does anyone know what was the stamp that Fultons put on No1Mk3's during this period? I've seen plenty of others, ie Regulated by Fultons. and Fultons, but not G. Fulton.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Strangely Brown]

Arthur Fultons rifle (SMLE) just has a bit of Dyno tape on the butt; it's still in Fultons along with Robin Fultons rifles.
I don't know whether George Fultons rifles exist there or not.

[Beerhunter]

I think that they probably mean that although in existence, the P14 wasn't allowed in the NRA Service Rifle competition until that date.

As to "extremely inaccurate", accuracy like beauty is often in the eyes of the beholder. In other words it depends on your benchmark. The SMLEs did very well against the competition in the HBSA Fixed Bayonet shoot at the weekend. Once again, the nut behind the butt being the most important component.

[jmoore]

It may also have had something to do w/ the peculiar "whatever's the current service rifle is never as good as the previous, nor the next, rifle" syndrome.

[arado]

I have a No4 Regulated by Fulton. PH equipped in 7.62x51. If any interest I'll take pictures. Gary moore

[Mk VII]

"Accurate enough for service requirements; not good enough for competition, especially when compared to the Long rifles we were using before". The Short rifle was heavily criticised by the trade, and nobody chose it before the war if they had the choice. The P14 was released to NRA members for sale (or hire) from 1935.

[Badger]

Tangential to this post, but nonetheless interesting article about Fultons by RJW NZ in the Technical Articles for Milsurp Collectors and Re-loaders (click here).

Fultons of Bisley; Enfield accuracy secrets revealed. (By RJW NZ) (click here)

Article Extract .....

Prestigious shooting contests held in the UK from the 1860’s were designed raise the standard of accuracy in the shooting fraternity and by assimilation, in the army. As the 1890's gave way to the 20th century one name began to stand out as an extraordinary shooter and as an insightful gunsmith; Fulton. An historic anecdote states that G E Fulton's alterations to Enfield Rifles improved their accuracy so much that the official bulls eyes on targets had to be reduced in size, twice. Would that we were all such good shots and could make a claim to fame like that!


(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Badger