Model 1908 Training rifle by L.S.A. …………………….. (F 946)
Created on October 16th 2021
Model 1908 British War Department Trainer
Built purposely to mimic the service rifles of the time, this is the basic rifle that was available to rifle clubs for training. The motivation behind which was to encourage proficiency in shooting and marksmanship after the hard earned lessons from the Boer Wars. The sights are very similar to the SMLE which had just come into service. The rear sight has similar protection about it as the full bore version, in the form of two steel “ears” so as to replicate the sight picture of the former. The War Department was acutely aware of the skills that ordinary Boer farmers had demonstrated defending their homeland and needed to foster that level of proficiency within their early requites to be able to stand against similar opponents again. Little did they know what was around the corner historically speaking and what their troops were going to have to endure in the very near future. When it actually arrived within the hands of the trainees certain Generals in the high command were not impressed and it was not well received.
Chambered in .22LR – a Single shot bolt action. Built by LSA. The rifle is a 41.3/4″ long. The round barrel is 23.3/4″ long and the trigger Pull measured to centre is 13.1/2″ Three quarter stocked in the sporting style using straight grained walnut having a brass butt-plate identical to the SMLE with trap for cleaning equipment. On the LHS of the butt-stock is a clear LSA circled cartouche. Semi-pistol grip with steel trigger guard and smooth trigger. Just behind the trigger guard is a number stamped into the wood; “2142” On the LHS of the butt stock is a clear and delicate retailers cartouche in an oval which reads: ” WILKINSONS LTD / PALL MALL LONDON.” Arranged around; ” GUN RIFLE AND SWORD / MAKERS” – a nice hint to the rifles lineage. The action barrel and fittings were all blued but are losing their colour and turning plumb brown with no pitting. The bolt was mostly finished in the white but is now turning to a steely grey. Bent bolt handle with flag safety to rear with round bolt cap. The forward section of the body has the following upon it; “PAT 14373/07” almost completely obscured.
The serial number, “3845” is marked on the top RH quadrant of the action and the barrel. Unfortunately the number on the rear of the bent bolt arm is different being, “406” but has been freshly proofed with this rifle. It would be hard to guess how many armouries and cadet forces or shooting clubs these rifles have been through and for mix-ups to occur would be entirely understandable. If they were matching it would be more suspicious then the other way around. Forward of the action opening on the LHS is the calibre marking of “.22” and adjacent to that is a single final proof mark, which is repeated on the barrel, of a Lion rampant over entwined script letters. This mark was in use between 1868 and 1925 in the London Proof House. The same mark applied to the underside of the bolt knob is the Birmingham Proof House mark with a crown instead of a Lion ! So, interestingly the rifle hails from London and the bolt from Birmingham. Centrally placed, on the barrel, just in front of the action is the following; “MIN RIFLE Crown W.O. PATT / R-475418.” Adjacent and between the last markings and the rear sight are the makers details; “THE LONDON SMALL ARMS CO LTD / LONDON / 1908.”
The rear sights are graduated from 25 to 200 yards on the upper surface. Open notch aperture with fine brass line as centre datum. The rear section will adjust for windage with a knurled wheel on either side. Simple inverted V front sight on a block. Swivel sight protector intact. The rifling is not dissimilar to the Metford rifling which was on its way out at the time but predominantly still being used but the rifle brigades and volunteers. The bore is a bit tired but complete. There is pitting to a small degree and the dips (note not groves) are somewhat dirty although a reasonable attempt has been made to clean it. Its an old rifle and the predominant practice cartridges of the time would have been black powder. Freshly proofed for nitro.
Stock No’ F 946
£ 575.
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