TOPIC:

IL
Many thanks for clearing that up. I should have recognised a "captured rifle/carbine", but my first-hand knowledge of long guns is limited to doing cadet drills with Martini-Henry rifles 60-something years ago. As I remember them they were all in excellent condition, probably because they went from armoury to parade ground and back again, so there was no opportunity for them to be defaced, a fate that befell classroom desks and other unprotected wooden surfaces.
Regards
Brett

Linneyl, thanks for your response, and to all of you besides. Mike, Brett
I will try to add some better photos, I Hope, of the carvings. An I Pad isn't the best camera.
Here goes, with apologies if this doesn't work right.


Guys, this hard work for an old man so here goes.
BP

BP
Excellent series of pics! What a magnificent trophy. As a matter of interest, the butt disc shows that it once adorned a Carbine belonging to the 13th Hussars.
Thanks again for your posts.
IL.

Hello Ian,
I am puzzled, what makes this particular weapon a captured or recaptured example?
Regards Frank

LinneyI wrote: Brett
I am quite sure that any enlisted British soldier who decorated his own issue rifle or carbine with carvings, etc, would have met with a jaundiced eye by his immediate superior and most likely a charge of defacing Government property (and whatever other charges "they" could think up, plus Conduct to the Prejudice). However, a demonstrably re-captured rifle/carbine could be regarded as Spoils of War in those far off days and viewed more leniently. Especially if an officer was involved.
I have seen a couple of MLEs bearing apparent IY markings and embellished with the initials of the bringer back. I illustrated one such some time ago; it was associated with QM.Sgt. Sherlock of the VMR. Captured Boer longarms were, of course, often inscribed as a trophy. Quite a number of those in OZ.
Best regards
IL.

Frank
A reasonable assumption on my part. The butt disc marking bears no relationship to the IY that I can see and - as I said earlier - defacing an officially issued firearm would have been frowned upon. A recaptured rifle may well be regarded differently. You will notice I used the word "could" in my second sentence of #54542. We will never know for certain, of course, whether Lt. Green used a captured rifle or otherwise picked one up afterwards.
Regards
IL. .

Cheerio,

Hi BP,

I have just seen this thread and wow..! What an astonishing treasure this is, truly spectacular and lovely to see.

Would it be possible to see some photos of any of the butt-socket markings?


Cheerio,

Roy

Collecting/wanted ABW insignia if anyone has some spares?

My website: www.wilkinsonfscollection.com