Guns per Capita Stats - & Debt, - & 'Goodness':

I see todays news is the release of the table ranking worthiness  - THE GOOD COUNTRY INDEX (Google it). - How much does each country contribute to the common good of humanity.

We lucky folks in New Zealand are ranked 5th overall - USA is a lowly 21st, while Ireland, (the home of my fathers) was 1st. - the very lowest position is held by Libya, then Viet-Nam, and 3rd from last, Iraq. - Hmm, now what do those last three countries have in common?

______________

-This story prompted me to jump to the table for 'Countries by External Debt' - in US Dollars, that's interesting too: (2012 figures.)

  DEBT:
1/- United States of America: 17,344,649,899,999. - per capita: $ 52,170
2/- United Kingdom:               10,090,000,000,000. - per capita: $ 160,158    !!!
46/- New Zealand:                         90,230,000,000. - per capita: $ 52,300 (that's not good)

 That's one hell of a lot of money for each person to owe - but who are the super-wealthy that all that money is owed-to ? - And what a great job these politicians, 'leaders', and Governments are doing for us. - Oh sorry, it's not us that they are working for - unless you are a banker, financier, or a corporate executive.

- Least indebted with zero  debt recorded are Singapore, Macau, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Palau.

___________________

How about GUNS PER CAPITA by COUNTRY? (2014)

1/- United States of America: 97 guns per 100.
2/- Serbia: 58.2 guns per 100
3/- Yemen: 54.8 guns per per 100
22/- New Zealand: 22.6 guns per 100
70/- Ireland: 8.6 guns per 100.

About 230,000 Gun Licence Holders own some 1.1 million guns in New Zealand with a population estimated at 4.5 million (2014). - I make that approximately 1 in 20 kiwis (5%) have a Firearms Licence - having proved to the Police that they are 'Fit and Proper Persons'.
- Further, bear in mind that approx. one quarter of the NZ population are children - so that would raise the figures to around 1 in 14 for adults (7%).

Compare the licenced 'fit & proper' figure of 230 thousand with the NZ overall crime figures posted for each of the last three years of between 365 to 416 thousand offences dealt with each year. - That might suggest that there may be around twice as many criminal offenders in NZ as certified law-abiding shooters. - So what's the problem?

A Sporterised ex-army Lee-Enfield .303" Rifle - These were everywhere at one time.

 This type of firearm is not registered in NZ so the figures are ..?

 

- Well all you can say is "God Bless America" - but what about those poor indebted pommies in the UK?  - US$160,158 each - So that's you, the wife, and three kids makes five, - that's $800,790 that your wee semi-detached British household owes! - When were you thinking about retiring?

 

 

 

Marty K

 

 

 



Nobels 'Dynamite' Prizes for Peace etc.:

In 1888 Alfred Nobel was mortified to read his own obituary headed "The Merchant of Death is Dead." in a French Newspaper. - It was his brother Ludvig who had died.

This assessment of his life didn't seem to slow him down very much - as six years later in 1894 he bought the Bofors iron and steel mill company and transformed it into a major armaments manufacturer of cannon.

  Alfred Nobel. 1833 - 1896.

When he did die in 1896 the last version of his will astonished society by ordering that his fortune be used for prizes rewarding those who have conferred "the greatest benefit on mankind" in physics, chemistry, peace, physiology (or medicine), and literature.

Nobels best known achievement was  stabilising Nitrogycerine - an unstable clear oily explosive fluid - by soaking the shock-sensitive chemical into wads of absorbent material like sawdust or clay - to create dynamite.

Nobel specified that the Peace Prize be administered and awarded by a Norwegian committee - while the others were to be controlled by a committee in Stockholm Sweden.

 Nobel Prize Medal.

 

The Nobel family descendants, and panel members have objected to the way the prizes are politically awarded and have threatened to withdraw their name from the awards. - Indeed, a contrived "Nobel Prize" for economics has been awarded by the Swedish Central Bank 'in memory of Alfred Nobel' to American (later repeatedly-bankrupted) financier- bankers - for their expertise!

 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft Gun From the 1930-40s.

 

 

The famous "Bofors" anti-aircraft gun was not developed until long after Nobels death. The real Nobel Prizes are only awarded to living persons and are accompanied with large cash rewards for the recipients.

Bofors were acquired in 2000 by United Defense Industries (UDI) of America - and they were in turn acquired by the British multinational conglomerate BAE Systems - big in defence, security & aviation. - BAE Systems have stated that they no longer make landmines or cluster bombs - but they continue to (indirectly) make nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines.

 

- Could someone nominate me for a Nobel prize for my 'beneficial blogging' services to the shooters of the world - please? - I could do with the cash. - I would be pleased to offer to share some of it with Hickok45.

 



Marty K

Russian AK Factories Merge as KALASHNIKOV CONCERN:

Two Russian manufacturers Izhmash and Izhevsk have merged and are now known as KALASHNIKOV  CONCERN. The large combine makes automobiles, motorcycles, firearms, etc.

The merger was completed August 13, 2013. - readers will be most familiar with the Kalashnikov(AK47) and the Saiga, and Baikal brands of firearms - but there are also the Mosin-Nagant, Makarov, SKS, Vityaz, Tokarev, Margolin or Vostok MUM pistols, and other brand names involved.

- Business has not been good since the Soviet grouping of nations ended and the major armament makers have been financially embarrassed and were taken under direct government control. - Kalashnikov Concern are looking for continued and increased sales to USA to provide a sound economic sales-base.

Boker are selling the Kalashnikov 101 Series Knives.

Although there have been for some years Kalashnikov watches, Kalashnikov pocket knives and Kalashnikov Vodka (a shot from this won't kill you !) - there has not - strangely enough - been a Kalashnikov Brand rifle - commercially, officially. - There may well be soon - maybe Saigas will start to be stamped Kalashnikov.

 A Man of Principle - Cheers, sorry you're no longer with us.

10 November 1919 - 23 December 2013.

Mikhail Kalashnikov.

 

Marty K

NZ Defence Forces to Replace Steyr AUGs:

The New Zealand Defence Forces bought Steyr AUG rifles in 1987 and they have not been especially liked or successful. They have seen service with NZDF in Bosnia, East Timor, Iraq, the first Gulf War, the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), and Afghanistan.

 

The AUG (Armee-Universal-Gewehr (-Army Universal Rifle) is a select-fire in 5.56x54mm NATO calibre and is a short-stroke piston operated action with a rotating bolt - in 'Bullpup' configuration. - They can be converted to use a left-handed bolt. The armys magazines are available in 30 round and 42 round capacity.

Note: The AK or "Kalash" system is a long-stroke piston system with a larger diameter bolt.

The NZ and Australian versions use a 1:7 twist rate for use with the SS109 NATO round and fire from a closed bolt. There have been various complaints of poor accuracy - particularly when used in Afghanistan. The NZDF have been said to have as many as 13,000 AUG rifles - but are currently reported to be seeking interested quotes for supply of 8,800 replacement battle rifles.

The NZ Ministry of Defence is quoted as having said " the AUGs are not powerful enough to identify accurately adversaries and ineffective at ranges greater than 200 metres." - The Steyrs have an inbuilt telescopic-sight of 1.5 multiplication.

It is unlikely that our Government will allow the NZDF to sell their old AUGs either to another nation or at home to local shooters.

The Irish military who have some 6,000 AUG rifles have similar complaints about their guns - but are seeking to modify their rifles by fitting improved optical sights with greater magnification and better night vision capabilities. - Their existing 'Tritium' sights will have dimmed to a quarter of their original brightness.

There are 'civilian' versions of the Steyr AUG on sale currently in NZ.  However way back in the 1990s I was told by the head of the Police Firearms Office that I would never be permitted to sell such a rifle in NZ as a Steyr Factory Agent while they were the Defence Force issue arm.

- What will they select as replacements? - I bet it won't be AK47s.- My guess would be an AR15 platform - as being more politically correct.

Marty K

Gun Digest Book of Survival Guns:

I've been reading the 'Gun Digest Book of Survival Guns - Tools & Tactics for Disaster Preparedness'  by Scott W. Wagner.

 - You'll be thinking that I don't seem to do much else other than lay around reading all the time - but you'd be right!! - I must also add that as a Police licenced gun-owner here in New Zealand I have no thoughts of using firearms for self defence - but as an endorsed 'general collector' I do maintain a healthy interest in the functionality of all firearms.

This book is a worthwhile read and covers the whole topic thoughtfully - I do take exception to having the old testament bible stories quoted to me as factual justification for being prepared ("they laughed at Noahs Ark" and all that) - and he does labour the point a bit about Chinese communists constantly seeking ways to undermine the American way of life by "sending us poisoned dog food .."

No Room for The Dinosaurs - shame.

 

Wagner chooses the direct-gas-impingement AR15 type rifle as his primary survival rifle (fitted with a bayonet)(in case it jams??)  - but he does later concede that the semi-auto versions of the AK47 are designed with simplicity and reliability as the primary requirements - and that the AK "is chambered for what I consider to be the ultimate intermediate battle cartridge, the 7.62x39mm."

- Wagner also observes that two AKs can generally be bought for the cost of one top-line AR15.

Still - we've all got our prejudices or inbuilt preferences that we have been conditioned ("brain-washed") to believe - so I forgive him - in a Christian manner.

Overall, this experienced police officer writes much common-sense and has insightful observations to make - such as pointing-out that some 300 duty police officers absented themselves from their duty posts when New Orleans was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina - leaving the population to try survive entirely by themselves.

He also points-out that during the six day Watts Riots in Los Angeles (1965) - Korean owned businesses were immune from the looting because they were guarded / defended by their armed owners and staff (- not by law-enforcement teams).

Well worth reading this book - as long as you can walk-through the little piles of "god and country" without getting your feet smeared.

Marty K

.22" Rimfire Revolvers for Self Defense in USA:

I'm still patiently (!) waiting for my Ruger SP101 8 shot Revolver to land from the US of A and I'll be looking forward to handling it and reporting on its capabilities and more importantly - its trigger weight and usability.- While I read many American stories about self-defence - here in New Zealand licenced shooters are specifically instructed by Police that they require that we have no intent to use firearms for self-defence.

I get Greg Ellefritzs e-mailed Active Response Training Blog Posts and the latest contained a link to an article about self defence use of carrying the .22 Revolver in preference to both the semi-auto .22" and indeed - the use of other larger calibre heavier hitting rounds.

S&W J-Frame Model 317 8 Shot  .22" R/F Revolver.

This story by Dr. Martin D. Topper points-out that there are many folk who just can't manage the larger firearms - perhaps due to arthritis or injury,- or simply due to not being comfortable managing the larger and noisier handguns. - Another very good reason for preferring a .22" is simply the lower cost of running the small calibre - especially if you practice with your gun regularly - as you should. 

Ruger LCR Revolver.

- An interesting aside here is that our New Zealand Police have a requirement that all endorsed target pistol shooters must attend their club range and shoot a minimum of twelve times a year. - This is perfectly reasonable and sensible - and I'd be happy to go every week if I could - But I do observe that their own police officers - whos lives, (and those of the public) may depend on competence with their Glock weapons - are not required to regularly train or practice other than an occasional (annual?) 're-qualification exercises'.

RUGER SP101 8 Shot Revolver.

Dr. Topper says that there are very good reasons why maybe as many as 20 Million .22" Handguns are owned in America (according to the US Bureau Of Justice Statistics). - They may not be the very most effective of firearms for stopping a deadly attack - but they are effective and easy to shoot accurately.

- He claims that there have been nearly 4,600 .22R/F shootings in America in the last 30 years and he recommends the use of CCI. Stinger ammunition.

The Ruger SP101 in .22" Uses The Same Speed-loader as the S&W.

It is certainly correct that a .22" Revolver with 8 chambers will be more reliable than a semi-auto in that chambering - my experience is that a .22" semi-auto pistol is a great tool for practice at clearing stove-pipe jams and other failures to feed - and as the semi-auto pistols normally hold only 10 round magazines there is little loss of capacity with the revolver - although re-loads will be slower. - Unless you invest in 8 round 'Speed Loaders' and train with them.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

IPSC Shot-Timer Smart-Phone Apps:

I've used several different brands of 'SHOT TIMER' for competition use in Practical Shooting - and way back when I was hopeful of being competitive - for training practice. A quality Shot-timer may also be connected to control turning targets etc.-  They all worked well for me - other than:

 A/- The bloody battery would almost always be flat when needed: and..

B/- My timer used to record two shots for each  round fired until I cured the bouncing shot sound in our underground range by hanging carpet loosely from top-to-bottom on the range side walls to absorb the echo.

- However there is a 'new kid on the block' - a 'Shot-Timer App' for smart-phones.

There seems to be at least a dozen options available by Googling and they are mostly free.

- At this point in the discussion I have to point-out that my real knowledge of such Apps is even less than my usual smidgeon - as I don't own a "smart-phone" - because I'm too un-smart to bother with one! - However - if you use a smart-phone and have got a shot-timer App loaded - please let us know how well it works for you (add a comment to the post). Cheers.

Marty K

Pastafarians Licence Photos Questioned:

I have to 'fess-up that for many years I maintained that If I was to ever support an organised religion - it would be The Salvation Army as they actually seem to go out and try to help folk by running shelters and feeding them etc. - And despite their name- I don't believe that they've ever started or supported a war anywhere.

- Any way - I hereby announce that my allegiance has shifted to the Pastafarians, The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Here in New Zealand a wise gentleman has required that his drivers-license photo be recorded with him wearing on his head - the religiously significant symbol of his religion - a spaghetti- strainer.

Our NZ officials seemed to have respected Russells religious sensitivities completely - as reported on our TV after the 6.00 o'clock TV3 news.

However - over 'The Ditch' in South Australia, an Adelaide man - Guy Albon has attempted to insist on his Pastafarian faith being equally recognised on his Firearms Licence:

Problem: - Guy reports that his four guns and firearms licence have been confiscated by police after they noticed his licence photo when he was renewing endorsements for pistol shooting.

The misguided  Police are insisting that Guy undertake a psychological test ( - he passed) and get another photograph taken without his pasta-strainer headwear. The Australian Police have warned Mr Albon that if he went to get another photo with the colander - his guns would once again be confiscated.

Guy says that his Drivers Licence will be due for renewal shortly and he will wear his colander once again. - Quote: "What are they going to do - take my car away?"

I am going to buy my own personal pasta-strainer at first opportunity - but regret that my licences are all up-to-date.

 - But I will make my personal pastafarian headwear available to any locals needing it for their car or firearms licence.

Marty K

NZSAS Corp.Willie Apiata VC voted most trusted again:

NZ SAS Corporal Willie Apiata was awarded the very first Victoria Cross For New Zealand for his bravery under fire in Afghanistan in 2004. His name and achievement were publically released when he was photographed - once more in action - in Kabul Afghanistan in 2010 by a French photojournalist Philip Poupin. - The identity of all members of SAS forces are usually strictly preserved as secret - to protect them from the risk of revenge attacks.

Note: there are 21 New Zealand holders of the Imperial Victoria Cross from earlier conflicts.

Willie Apiata now works teaching outdoor adventure skills to young people and continues as a member of the NZSAS Reserve Forces. He was voted as New Zealands most trusted public figure for the fourth time in the recent 10th Annual NZ Readers Digest Trust Survey.

As a strong supporter of our Armed Forces and Police I whole-heartedly approve and agree with his awards and his selection again as the most trusted well known New Zealander.

I can't help but observe that while the majority of our citizens are said to be strongly anti-gun and distrusting of gun owners - they have voted - for the fourth time - to choose a trained armed warrior as their most trusted fellow citizen.

Cap Badge of the New Zealand Special Air Service.

The NZSAS Regiment has responsibility for undertaking overseas Special Operations missions and domestic Counter-Terrorist operations and was awarded in 2004 the United States Presidential Citation for their activities in Afghanistan.

I really am intrigued that a member of this regiment - whose cap-badge symbol is a banned import double-edged fighting dagger - can maintain such high esteem with general folk.



  2010 Afghanistan Photo by Poupin.

It's good that we still retain some sound judgement of who to trust and who to be proud-of.

 -We should all take note that our New Zealand politicians scored 47th - as being "self-seeking and tiresome" - the same score as sex workers !

 - Is "incongruous" the word I'm that I'm looking for - to describe a currently anti-gun country that so positively endorses one of their famous armed fighters?

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

AR15 Book points to AK47 as Best Rifle ?

- Just been reading the Gun Digest Shooters Guide to the AR-15  - I bought it from Book Depository in England. - They sell books so much cheaper than we have to pay here in New Zealand book-shops and they send them world-wide postage free.

- I've been researching about which popular mid-range rifle is the best-buy, and which calibre is the very best and most versatile choice. - And this book has really helped me to decide.

Masterpiece Arms MPAR556 Gen.II Sporting Rifle. A 'side-charger' AR

 No - That's NOT my choice! - Very nice though and no doubt an excellent tool in the right environment.

- Here are some influencing quotes from the well researched & detailed book:

"Kept well lubricated and generally clean, a properly configured AR firearm system is a versatile and reliable tool for battle."

Gas Impingement: " This gassing of the mechanism or, as some shooters call it, "pooping where it eats," is considered a problem and is why we now have ARs that are driven by a piston."

"One of the most reliable battle rifles of all time is the AK-47. Like the AR, the AK runs on gas, but instead of using direct gas to operate the action, the AK uses the gas to drive a piston/rod attached to the bolt carrier. This rod essentially does what the gas in a gas-operated AR does and pushes the bolt carrier to the rear, cycling the action. The gas in the AK is then vented to the outside and, so never enters the action area of the rifle."

"In addition to having a great reputation for reliability, the AK also has  an equally bad reputation for inaccuracy. In close quarters this isn't an issue, but if you are trying to hit a man-sized target or something smaller at several hundred yards with an AK, all I'd say is  good luck."

A Russian built SAIGA 7.62x39mm AK in 'sporting' configuration for NZ.

(No registration required as not an "MSSA" - no free-standing pistol-grip, no bayonet-mount, -five-round magazine fitted)

- Five 7.62mm holes all touching each other on the target at 50 yards - this AK shoots better than I do! - If I need to shoot out beyond 200 yards I'd also need new glasses and a tripod mounted bolt-action sniper rifle.

 

Hickok45 Tries Both AK & AR on Range.

- Buying an AK in 7.62x39mm also removes the problem of how to get an AR adapted to fire an effective short/mid range .30" calibre round ( 300 AAC Blackout or 7.62x40WT or .30 Remington AR or 6.8 Remington SPC or 6.5 Grendel or ..)

Cheap standard ball ammunition and re-loaders don't have any trouble working-up subsonic loads for use with a silencer fitted 7.62x39 AK. - And don't forget that sound-moderators tend to improve accuracy when fitted.

 - If you really feel the need for a bolt-action 7.62x39mm for longer range use you can always get a British SMLE .303" converted to accept standard AK magazines and have the chamber re-cut with a spring-loaded extractor. - Not an expensive conversion.

Enfield Conversion takes standard AK Magazines (Including x30 round capacity bananas.)

-Of course anyone shooting an unfashionable AK in 7.62x39mm Russian will have to grow immune to ugly looks and 'stupid comments' from anti-communists who haven't yet heard that Russia is no longer communist and is as free-market, corporate, free-enterprise and millionaire blessed as anywhere!

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

CARTRIDGES - Double-barreled Revolvers - 'White Powder':

At the range last Sunday - Jxx was answering a newbys question about "bullets" by explaining that the .38" Special  revolver round was actually .357"diameter - and that a nice old cartridge - the 38-40 was named for being a .38" bullet loaded in front of 40grains of black powder, - but actually was a .40" diameter bullet !

 

.50"BMG (Browning Machine Gun), 300Win Mag (Winchester Magnum), .308 Winchester, 7.62x39mm Russian, .556x45mm NATO (.223"), .22"R/F.

These named cartridges with the one dollar note illustrate only six of the many different ways of naming rounds.

- It's always nice to be able to clarify and explain things for new shooters so that they can go home and tell their mates all about it and clear-up any "misinformation" that non-shooters may have picked-up from the media or movies. !!

 - You know - the sort of stuff that reporters breathlessly and sincerely blurt-out when on camera - with pretend rain-drops trickling down their make-up and a hand-held fan ruffling their hair - "The gunman was seen carrying a double-barrelled-pump-action- Assault-Rifle ..."

 - So we've established that cartridge naming is a wee bit confused.

One of the early metallic cartridge firearms was the Spencer Repeating Rifle - its original cartridge was named after its chamber dimension - .56 inch and the cartridge was known as the No.56 cartridge. - the bores varied between .52" to .54". Then they started making derivatives in new sizes of bullets so the original loading became the ".56-56" (Why?) and others were called 56-52, 56-50, 56-46, and the most popular - the 56-52 logically? used a .50" diameter bullet !! - What did the 56-50 use?

- Maybe the best way to try to explain cartridge names is to say it's rather like peoples names - in that there are as many reasons for picking a name as there are people.

                              

       Hmm, what are we going to call these then ? (SPP-1M 4.5mm Underwater Rounds)
                         - how about 'knitting-needles'?

Some are derived from bore diameter, some from rifling groove diameter, (some from chamber dia.). - Some are called after the manufacturer who helped develop the rounds (Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Glock(45GAP) etc.). Modern designations may be measured in the metric system of bullet measurement x cartridge case length eg. 7.62x39mm. but that name sometimes has "Russian" added.

Researching this stuff also threw-up the detail that the replacement propellant for the original 'Black Powder' was known as 'White Powder'  (poudre-blanche). - I don't recall seeing "smokeless powder" being called that before - so there you go - you can always learn something new eh..

                                LeFaucheux 30 round Double Barrelled Revolver.
            That's a real prototype - a double-barrelled revolver for reporters to quote!

                                                  38 Special cartridge loadings.

-The question that our visitor had asked me was "what's special about the 38 Special?" and I had to reply that I didn't know. - So I've had a look on line and there is an excellent Wikipedia page on the 38 Special that tells how it was introduced in 1898 as an improvement of the .38 Long Colt round - that had been found inadequate when used against Moro warriors in the Philippines War conducted by America . - I guess that was what made it "special" - that it was meant to work better. - But then it was later again further improved by being slightly lengthened and up-powered into the .357"Magnum. (That's not to mention the even longer .357"Maximum !).

Marty K

Shooting / Range CLOTHING & shoes.

Believe me - in the twenty-five years that I've been shooting targets at pistol clubs - I've seen some bloody stupid dressers!

                     Very nice too (two!) - but painful when hot brass drops-in.

- Joking apart - I have had a hot shell-case flick down my open shirt neck and it's very distracting and fairly painful. You need to think about these possibilities when gun handling.

                          Great for hot weather at the beach - But NOT for shooting!

If a very hot .45" or 10mm shell ejects and bounces to land on your foot - how do you maintain a safe muzzle direction and finger-off-trigger hold while the hot brass is sizzling between your toes? - Seen it happen!

I've also seen a joker allowed to shoot a IPSC style club match while wearing loose 'jandals' or flipflops - who stumbled when they twisted sideways under his foot - and just managed not to shoot himself (or anyone else luckily) - he was disqualified from shooting for the rest of that day.

Basically - all you need is sound shoes that are suitable for running if you shoot IPSC style and tough wearing jeans that you may get muddied when shooting prone or kneeling, and a covering top/shirt that allows full movement without restriction. Shorts are fine as long as you don't mind gravel-rash when you go down on the ground.

Serious static 'bulls-eye' shooters can wear specially designed shooting boots or shoes:

 
 
                     European Shooting Boots.

-Flat soled and square toed for stability both standing and kneeling - stiffened at the ankle - and no doubt five times the price of ordinary footwear! - you'd have to move like a show-pony to avoid stubbing your toes. - My idea of good footwear is a "Timberland" shoe or boot with a grippy sole.

- For jeans I really like "Dickies" carpenters jeans. They are heavy 'duck' canvass - can be bought with double knees - and have very useful 'rule pockets' that are nearly perfect as magazine pockets for a left-hander.

                 'Dickies' "shooting" pants complete with sewn-in Mag pouches.

- here in New Zealand I import my 'Dickies' from Amazon USA - they end-up costing less than local shop-bought items and are much heavier material and better quality.

- The other option is 'Cargo Pants' sometimes called 'Combat Pants'  - These are baggy and  loose fitting pants having multiple flap closed patch pockets - some with accordion folds - and you can also buy shorts versions. Most offerings here in NZ tend to be offered as a style choice rather than a genuine heavy-duty wearing "tool". - Good tough items might make a great choice for shooting use..

                                                    Cargo Pants Shorts.

- EMT pants with multiple zippered pocket arrays could prove great too.

My shooting vest with trophy badges - I can still get the kepi (or is that a forage cap?) hat on - but the vest seems to have shrunk somewhat !!

And of-course - the wearing gear not so far detailed - good hearing protectors and safety glasses are essential - unless ..

                                          Surely this was not for real ?

Marty K

"DRIP Rifle" or 'Pop-Off' Rifle WW1 Gallipoli ANZACS:

When the ANZACS troops were withdrawing from Gallipoli they devised a crafty scheme to disguise the fact that their trenches were emptying of men - by setting-up their Lee-Enfield SMLE .303" rifles with delayed action firing systems using expedient materials.

                    DRIP or 'Pop-Off' Rifle. Gallipoli Peninsula 17 December 1917.

Lance Corporal W C Scurry of The 7th Battalion AIF is said to have thought-up this idea and was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal after being mentioned in dispatches - and was promoted to Sergeant.- He was later promoted to Captain but was badly wounded.

                                                     Museum Display.

The device worked by setting-up two mess tins or kerosene tins - the bottom tin empty and attached to the rifle trigger by string and the upper tin filled with water having random holes punched in its base - allowing the water to trickle into the bottom tin. When the lower tins water weight rose enough it would pull the trigger firing the gun.

These devices worked so well to maintain delayed random fire from the trenches that 80,000 men managed to slip from the trenches and were evacuated from the beaches with few casualties.

An "old school" English born temporary Major-General Alexander Godley (appointed as Commandant of the New Zealand Armed Forces in 1910) received credit for the successful withdrawal  and was made a Knight Commander of The Order of the Bath - despite his poor standing with the men and general lack of oversight in military tactics.

                               General Sir Alexander Godley at Gallipoli 1915

Godley apparently excelled at hunting and polo (and knew which knife to use when eating fish) but is not renowned for his later military successes during WW1 around Ypres, The Somme, or Passchendaele - with a history of failed offensives and heavy losses in a sea of mud that resulted in no small part from his failed preparations.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

Periscope Rifles. World War 1 ANZACs at Gallipoli.

I wrote about the 'Krummlauf' and 'Cornershot' devices earlier (3rd March 2014) - but now realise that I should have included World War 1 periscope devices in the story - so here goes.

It is not known who or even which side in the conflict first had the idea, but soldiers on both sides seem to have been using periscopes from early in the 1914-1918 war.

Sergeant William Beech - May 1915

2nd Battalion Australian Imperial Force 

 

Rifleman and Spotter using a periscope.

 

During the Gallipoli Campaign Sergeant Beech joined together a SMLE .303" rifle and a periscope on a timber frame (he was a builder/foreman in civilian life) using the mirrors image to align the rifles sights on target - and used a string to pull the trigger. These 'periscope rifles' are reputed to have been useable out to a hundred yards range.

 

 

This type of arrangement was soon widely adopted by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who set-up an expedient production unit on the beach at Anzac Cove.

 

                                                                

                                                           

I can remember playing with a toy cardboard periscope as a kid - maybe my dad made it for me or bought it.

- Way back in history Johannes Gutenberg (he of early printed books) marketed a form of periscope in the 1430s for use in crowds at religious festivals.

 

 

               Array of Periscope Trench Rifles from Springfield Armoury.

 

I used to protest that it was laziness that was the "mother of invention" but this proves that indeed it is "necessity" for sure.

 

Marty K