The manufacture of Pattern 1914 rifles in WW1 by Winchester is well known and also the shipments of Model 1917 rifles in WW2 to the  U.K. which included Winchester made M17’s, the latter being issued to the British Home Guard, along with small quantities going to the RAF.

Also well known now is the purchase in 1915 of 20,000 Model 1892 44WCF SRC’s along with 5,000 Model 1894 30WCF SRC’s, these being inspected by Canadian inspectors on behalf of the British Government with the inspection mark DCP through crossed pennants, thus being referred to as “DCP” carbines by modern collectors. See the post in the Survey Forum.

JWA has noted on another post the purchase by Britain of Model 67/69/74 rifles which mostly ended up in a training role during WW2.

Perhaps less well known is the purchase in WW1 of a few dozen – exact quantity still unknown – Model 1886 rifles in 45/90 which were used for testing tracer and incendiary ammunition for shooting at Zeppelins. Weather any of  these saw actual combat is unknown.

Similarly some Model 1907 S/L .351 rifles were purchased through the London Armoury Company who were the Winchester (and Colt) agent at the time. A figure of 120 has previously been given but new research at the National Archives in London shows that the true figure was much less than this, although the exact number may never be known unless some new information comes to hand.

Winchester Model 1903 rifles were also purchased from the trade in the UK including William Evans as well as the London Armoury Co. One order was place direct with Winchester for 500 rifles which has been reported previously. In fact this order was reduced to 250. The total number of Model 1903 rifles taken into service by the UK in WW1 is not known but will almost certainly be less than 1,000, probably closer to 750 rifles. These turn up from time to time marked R.A.F. with or without an Enfield inspection mark. Sometimes there is only the Enfield inspection mark.

Last but not least a quantity of Winchester Model 1911 S/L shotguns were purchased through the London Armoury Company for training of aerial gunners in WW1. The only figure I have found is a tender for 25 guns, however the figure would have been much more than this as considerable quantity’s of spares were ordered. Also the ”Winchester S/L shotgun” appears as a heading along with Vickers and Lewis guns on various printed forms, which would not be the case if only 25 were purchased.

Any one ever seen one of these shotguns with RFC, RNAS or RAF stamped on the metal work some ware?

Although not military use the Royal Irish Constabulary purchased through the London Armoury Co , 1000 Model 1897 shotguns. These will have a small Enfield inspection mark on the breech and a rack number stamped into the butt from 1 to 1,000 prefixed with the letters R.I.C.

Hope this was of interest!

Regards

Alan David

Sydney

Australia