Enfield Range Rifle question

[AndyGC]

Hi,

Just purchased a range rifle that came with it's original leather range bag.

In it was some cleaning oil and other items. Can anyone tell me what decade they would be from? & what the thing that looks like a credit card crossed with a cigar cutter is?

Also was it a common thing for people to put name tags on their range rifles?

Cheers

Andy

Information

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[Son]

I don't have any references to quote for dating the bits, but I'd say they could be any time for the mid forties on to the sixties. This was the period which James Sweet was writing his booklets and selling his products.

The cigar cutter may be for gauging projectiles. The ammunition for competition was supplied by the army. Shooters would segregate it into lots by different ways to try to get the most consistancy possible. One example was by rim thickness, as variations could cause accuracy issues at longer ranges.
The tool you have looks like it could be set at a certain size to discard any rounds with slightly oversize or undersized projectiles.

[AndyGC]

I don't have any references to quote for dating the bits, but I'd say they could be any time for the mid forties on to the sixties. This was the period which James Sweet was writing his booklets and selling his products.

The cigar cutter may be for gauging projectiles. The ammunition for competition was supplied by the army. Shooters would segregate it into lots by different ways to try to get the most consistancy possible. One example was by rim thickness, as variations could cause accuracy issues at longer ranges.
The tool you have looks like it could be set at a certain size to discard any rounds with slightly oversize or undersized projectiles.

Thanks Son, any idea on the name tag? looks to be old Aluminium??

Andy

[Edward Horton]

Thanks Son, any idea on the name tag? looks to be old Aluminium??

Andy

Have you ever heard of Ned Kelly or the possibility of people with sticky fingers.

P.S. Hide that rifle when I'm around................

[enfield303t]

Great purchase and it appears to be in very good condition. I would be interested in someone narrowing the date of use, especially when they stopped shooting No1's. I shot DCRA in the early 60's and they had been using No 4's for many years and the Parker Hale 5C sight. I never remember measuring any ammo we were supplied, the older more experienced shooters would tell you the accuracy of the ammo you would be using that day by the year of manufacture and lot number. Amazing how accurate they were in their predictions as some really shot much better than others. Your "team" was given the exact amount of ammunition you need for the day and you just used it. Everyone participating was given the same ammunition so all had the same good/bad ammo. Personally I would try to locate the person who had their name on your rifle. I have no idea where you live but am sure if you ask the right people someone in the target shooting community will proabaly know him of know of him. Let us know if you find out more.

[RJW NZ]

Nice rifle, thanks for the pics.

I wonder if there's enough interest around the place to start a register of range rifles or a photo file? I've got three early ones that I've never seen at a range.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

If anyone has one of those rifle rests they would part with, I REALLY want one.

Have had no luck finding one in the U.K. even though they are in the Parker Hale catalog.

I do have two range rifles.

[AndyGC]

Nice rifle, thanks for the pics.

I wonder if there's enough interest around the place to start a register of range rifles or a photo file? I've got three early ones that I've never seen at a range.

Yea why not, I think .303 range rifles are a great part of the .303 story !

[superbee]

I have several range rifles.If somebody wants to start a register.I will gladly share photos and info.
Are there any books on the subject of enfield target shooting?
I have a copy of James sweets book.Any others ?

[madcratebuilder]

If anyone has one of those rifle rests they would part with, I REALLY want one.

Have had no luck finding one in the U.K. even though they are in the Parker Hale catalog.

I do have two range rifles.

John, those show up on evil bay every month or so. Next one I see I'll PM you.