OLD ROBIN HOOD Posted 9 February , 2020 Share Posted 9 February , 2020 Greetings from Sherwood Forest. This post I hope will be of interest for enthusiasts of the Volunteer Training Corps. It is a non-firing drill rifle from the early days of the VTC. (it wasn't just the WW2 Home Guard that used these) It was produced by Charles Riggs who had a shop at 107 Bishops Gate London. Apparently he not only sold sporting goods but also motor cycles. Riggs was an ex-member of the Volunteer Force and was a shooting champion. The rifle has a solid bar steel barrel screwed into the stock and a non-functioning trigger and magazine cast in one piece. it would also have had a cast-iron butt plate but this is missing from my example. the butt is stamped EVTC which I assume means the Essex Volunteer Training Corps and also Riggs name and address. The stock itself is well finished and of good quality. I have been unable to find out how much these would have sold for. Would anyone have any ideas on this? Old Robin Hood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 12 February , 2020 Share Posted 12 February , 2020 Mr Hood, Nice looking and unusual rifle. I wonder if weight and dimensions are about the same as a Lee Enfield of the period. Do you happen to have a date for it? Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thVBGH Posted 13 February , 2020 Share Posted 13 February , 2020 Very nice piece, the DP rifles seem a difficult subject to find information on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 13 February , 2020 Share Posted 13 February , 2020 (edited) Old Robin Hood, Here's an undated ad. for Charles Griggs. Your example is a WOODEN DUMMY RIFLE, as listed. The Dummy Rifles for Drilling are much more realistic, saw an example last year, 2nd rifle down in photo. Mike. Edited 13 February , 2020 by MikeyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 13 February , 2020 Share Posted 13 February , 2020 Mikey, Thanks for the second ad. It does answer my question about dimensions and weight. Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLD ROBIN HOOD Posted 14 February , 2020 Author Share Posted 14 February , 2020 Greetings from Sherwood Forest. Hi Mikey Really interesting advertisement , £2 5s for TWELVE Wooden Drill Rifles WOW !!!. . It is very basic but for learning drill would do the job. Thanks very much for the information Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanD Posted 16 February , 2020 Share Posted 16 February , 2020 The department store Gamages, sold drill rifles as well. Regards AlanD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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