Chaparral NWMP Carbine wins a competition

[RattlesnakeJack]

Howdy:

Have just returned home from competing at the 5th Annual Grand Muster of the Grand Army of the Frontier held at Ord, Nebraska, on 3, 4 and 5 October. 

I am pleased to announce that I placed First in the Black Powder, Lever-Action Big Bore class of the Long Range Rifle event, using my Chaparral NWMP carbine. 

Matter of fact, I had performed rather poorly in this event with the primary rifle I used for the Main Match competition (a .577-450 Martini-Henry) and entered this other class with my '76 more or less on a whim ...  All I had along for ammo was 15 "fire-forming" rounds that I had not yet shot off, and that left me with barely enough ammunition to compete, since the event required three scoring shots on each of five gongs placed at various ranges.  In the circumstances, I was unsure how these rounds would perform (though the others I had fired previously seemed to have been quite consistent, and accurate) and was unable to take any of the three separate sighting shots allowed on each gong .... but still managed the most hits! (7 out of a possible 15)

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

WHOOPEE!!   YAHOO!

I don't bad mouth Chapparal either.

[Icebox Bob]

Congrats ! ! !  I'm still fire-forming as well but getting some great shots off (without as much consistency as I hope to when I get a stock of well-formed brass).

From the 3rd Canuck Chapparal NWMP amigo.......
Icebox

[Chris Wildhunter]

Congrats ! ! !

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I was told that Gary aka "the Grey Fox" is getting a Chappie NWMP carbine.  Same source says he got 60 cases directly from BERTRAM. With a lot less hassle than getting the same legal product from out of the US!

Now I'm thinkin' we can get a NWMP Carbine match going, all to ourselves here in Victoria.

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

If you can talk the folks in Courtney BC into having one at the Canadian SASS Regional and I'll bring mine!

COG

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Why don't you talk it up with the shoot organizer, "High Country Amigo".  Go to the Chinook Country thread on fas in BC for his contact info.

Who else will be attending with an NWMP carbine?  The Grey Fox will likely be there, I'm not certain myself, though.

For Rattlesnake Jack;  Do you have any info on old NWMP qualification matches?

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

Sir Charles,

I e-mailed High Country and asked if it would be possible to do an impromptu side match if a few people showed up with NWMP carbines.  I haven't received an response yet.

As to who's gonna show up with one, well I will.   Left mine home last year because they didn't have a long range match but if there's a chance I can shoot it I'll bring it.

P.s.  Does Gray Fox have a scabbard for it mounted on his horseless carriage yet?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I'll find out tomorrow, when Victoria has its first match of 2009.

[RattlesnakeJack]

For Rattlesnake Jack;  Do you have any info on old NWMP qualification matches?

Unfortunately not.  As you probably know, the full 16-page 1886 NWMP  "Manual and Firing Exercise for the Winchester Carbine and Enfield Revolver" is reproduced as Appendix 2 in Phillips and Klancher's "Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police, 1873 - 1973", and I could certainly provide you with a scan of that if you don't already have it.  It is essentially Parade Drill, however, and doesn't give any details of the kind you are seeking.

"Arms & Accoutrements ...." (and other references) indicate that at some point instructions were issued that the then-current British Mounted Infantry Manual  would thereafter be the only drill followed by members of the Force.  I have no idea where a copy of that manual might be located, and in any event doubt that any marksmanship qualification details it might contain would be  meaningful in the NWMP context, since of course at that time British Mounted Infantry would have been armed with the .303 Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield (adopted in 1882 and 1888, respectively.)

Perhaps the RCMP Museum or Historian could be of assistance regarding specific marksmanship qualification details ....

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I attended the first match of the Victoria Frontier Shootists.  No results yet, But I will post them in Chinook Country.

I spoke to "The Grey Fox".  He hasn't received his carbine from Marstar yet.  He was cool to the idea of a separate event for the NWMP carbine, as he feels that events should be INCLUSIVE.  For example he is all for the idea of a rifle caliber lever action rifle match in which the various models would compete, Marlin 95,Win 76, & Win 86, etc. (If a separate challenge occurs between owners of a certain model, well that's their thing.  My interpretation, not Gary's)  I, myself, may not make it to Courtney.  "Me Troublin'" wishes to limit me to one more match this year!

BTW;  Gary Kangas, aka "The Grey Fox" circulated copies of the WILD BUNCH class procedures, for regular SASS events.  In fact he competed, in a class of ONE, in WB.  He used a 1911, a '97, and a '92.  If you know Gary, he is quite a showman, and dressed the part well.  I'm not sure how many pards want to join the class, at least yet, but there was some interest.  Frinstance, I already have all the required gear!

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

I have not received a response from High Plains Amigo yet, I imaged they have too talk about it.  I agree that a long range lever action rifle match would be the best option but they didn't  list one as a side match this year nor did they last year.  The problem last year was they did not have access to adequate range facilities.  I'm assuming it's the same situation this year.   That's why anything we did would be just for fun.  Hell as far as I'm concerned any body can shot anything.  I'm just looking for an excuse to drag my NWMP carbine into Canada.

I was on Gray Fox's posse at last years Canuck Regional, I was the tall one from Oregon.  And yes he did make an impression, (but not as much as the guy in the Soiled Dove out fit at the awards dinner).  I particularly liked his lawn mower modifications.

[Crotchety Old Grouch]

Just got the following e mail refe the Canadian SASS Regional.   Note the section in bold print.

Howdy Everyone



Thanks to all who have registered  for the SASS 2009 and just a reminder to those who haven't SASS 2009 is just over a month away.



You'll see many changes at Boomtown – the Saloon interior has seen many improvements over the winter – the jail – Boot Hill graveyard – to name a few.



We have had requests for a long range rifle side match, even though we only have a 100 yd. rifle range available, we will accommodate the best we can, so bring along your rifles and ammo.



Both Friday and Saturday evening after the dinner – join in the fun at Boom Town for a good old fashioned sing-a-long – bring your instruments.



Only 1 more space available at the Shooters Clinic – see the web site for more details.



A few changes have been made on The Valley Regulators web page  valleyregulators.com – check out the link to Lars photo's of Show Down in the Valley.



One last very important reminder – check to make sure your SASS membership is up to date.





See you the long weekend in September

Little Edgy aka Ed Gee

So  I'll be bring my NWMP Carbine anyone else?