Dummy Home Guard SMLE Rifle

A Dummy SMLE Mk111 Rifle produced for drill purposes and constructed in wood with alloy fittings.

These practice rifles were issued for training by the British in both World Wars, I believe however this example to be of WW1 vintage due to the presence of the magazine cut off detail in the moulded alloy metalwork, a feature that was discontinued on the real SMLE’s in 1915.

Although manufactured in WW1, when they were used by the Volunteer Training Corps (a WW1 equivalent of the Home Guard) I have no doubt it went on to be used again in WW2 by the Home Guard.

Made to look like the real thing the metal work is cast in one block with the exception of the muzzle cap, which is from a real SMLE, and the swivel sling mounts. These features allowed them to be used for both drill and bayonet practice.

An interesting feature of this particular piece is the rather crude addition of a moving bolt which appears to be fashioned from a door drop bolt, so typical of Home Guard improvisation and allowing for basic weapons training.

For demonstration purposes one of my images shows a 1907 Bayonet fixed to the Rifle, this is not included in this sale, it is however available elsewhere on my site.