The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Winchester 1873 SRC with english proof marks

**Mike Irwin** · May 19, 2020, 08:02 AM

Interesting proofs...

And I think it points to a different history of your rifle than you think...

One of those proofs is for nitro powder cartridges, and another is one that came into use post 1925...

That set of proof marks is often seen on commercial firearms that were sent to Britain through an appeal made by the National Rifle Association (and some other groups) for its members to donate firearms that would be used to arm British home guardsmen to defend against German invasion.

The NRA's appeal collected over 7,000 rifles, shotguns, and handguns from its members to be sent to Britain.

From NRA's page (https://home.nra.org/about-the-nra):

"Meanwhile, the NRA continued its commitment to training, education and marksmanship. During World War II, the association offered its ranges to the government, developed training materials, encouraged members to serve as plant and home guard members, and developed training materials for industrial security. NRA members even reloaded ammunition for those guarding war plants. Incidentally, the NRA's call to help arm Britain in 1940 resulted in the collection of more than 7,000 firearms for Britain's defense against potential invasion by Germany (Britain had virtually disarmed itself with a series of gun-control laws enacted between World War I and World War II)."

Here's a write up on the program along with the ad that was placed in sporting magazines at the time:

http://www.twinbuttebunch.org/index....=misc.sendguns

It's interesting to note that nowhere is ammunition mentioned, and given the likely wide range of firearms that were donated and in varying chamberings it's likely that most were either simply warehoused or destroyed as being useless.

However, both Kynoch and Eley, the British ammunition manufacturers, were loading some of these rounds commercially, including rounds like the .32-20 and the .44-40, both of which had proved popular in British colonies in Asia and South America.

Those proof marks by no means proves that your rifle was part of the appeal, but I think there's a pretty good chance that it was.

If you go to this site you can click through some pictures (click on the picture to advance), a couple of which show firearms that were donated by American citizens. The first one is of Women's Auxiliaries unloading a shipment of Model 1894 Winchester rifles sent directly from Winchester for use by the Home Guard.

https://laststandonzombieisland.com/...by-home-guard/

May 19, 2020, 08:02 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,388	Interesting proofs... And I think it points to a different history of your rifle than you think... One of those proofs is for nitro powder cartridges, and another is one that came into use post 1925... That set of proof marks is often seen on commercial firearms that were sent to Britain through an appeal made by the National Rifle Association (and some other groups) for its members to donate firearms that would be used to arm British home guardsmen to defend against German invasion. The NRA's appeal collected over 7,000 rifles, shotguns, and handguns from its members to be sent to Britain. From NRA's page (https://home.nra.org/about-the-nra): "Meanwhile, the NRA continued its commitment to training, education and marksmanship. During World War II, the association offered its ranges to the government, developed training materials, encouraged members to serve as plant and home guard members, and developed training materials for industrial security. NRA members even reloaded ammunition for those guarding war plants. Incidentally, the NRA's call to help arm Britain in 1940 resulted in the collection of more than 7,000 firearms for Britain's defense against potential invasion by Germany (Britain had virtually disarmed itself with a series of gun-control laws enacted between World War I and World War II)." Here's a write up on the program along with the ad that was placed in sporting magazines at the time: http://www.twinbuttebunch.org/index....=misc.sendguns It's interesting to note that nowhere is ammunition mentioned, and given the likely wide range of firearms that were donated and in varying chamberings it's likely that most were either simply warehoused or destroyed as being useless. However, both Kynoch and Eley, the British ammunition manufacturers, were loading some of these rounds commercially, including rounds like the .32-20 and the .44-40, both of which had proved popular in British colonies in Asia and South America. Those proof marks by no means proves that your rifle was part of the appeal, but I think there's a pretty good chance that it was. If you go to this site you can click through some pictures (click on the picture to advance), a couple of which show firearms that were donated by American citizens. The first one is of Women's Auxiliaries unloading a shipment of Model 1894 Winchester rifles sent directly from Winchester for use by the Home Guard. https://laststandonzombieisland.com/...by-home-guard/ __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.