A History of Drill and Training Rifles Part 12

The “HAUBERT, H.” – Dummy Training Rifle

This training rifle is somewhat of an anomaly. The butt plate is marked as follows:

HAUBERT, H. DUMMY TRAINING RIFLE

It appears to be identical to the Model B-M-30 “Senior Drill Team” Trainerifle that was produced by the Parris Mfg. Co. following WWII. Due to the fact that there is a fixed rear sight this rifle was probably made about 1960. This “training rifle” is certainly a drill rifle. It would be interesting to know who Haubert, H. was and what connection he had with the Parris Mfg. Co. It seems likely that Haubert purchased a small quantity of these drill rifles from the Parris Mfg. Co. and had his name stamped on the butt plate.

US NAVY TRAINING RIFLE – Model 1903-A3 Springfield

The following images are from “The Springfield 1903 Rifles” by William Brophy.

DETROIT COMPOSITION COMPANY TRAINING RIFLE

This training rifle was made by the Detroit Composition Company. Nothing is known about the company at this time. It is patterned after the 1903 Springfield rifle. It weighs 6 1/4 lbs and is 43 ½ inches long. This is slightly lighter in weight but very close to the Springfield dimensions. This is one of the better reproductions of 1903 Springfield rifle. The barrel muzzle, front barrel band, and front sight are made in one piece out of cast iron. This casting also has a stacking swivel and a bayonet lug. The receiver, rear barrel extension, and the rear sight base are also cast as one piece. There is no barrel section running through the stock. The trigger guard is formed from a steel strip. It has a functional bolt with an operational safety. The bolt handle, safety, and cockling knob are made of cast iron. The bolt body is a steel shaft. When the bolt is operated, it cocks the striker and the trigger will release the striker shaft when the safety is released. There is no cartridge chamber or firing pin. The rear sight has a functional slide. The butt plate is also made of cast iron and has the name and address cast in place. The stock is made of walnut and very well shaped and finished. There are no serial numbers or markings on any part of the rifle other than the butt plate. It was originally purchased from a man who stated that it was made early in the 1900’s for the Detroit Armory. I would speculate that they were made between 1915 and 1920. It seems probable that a relatively small number of these training rifles were made at the start of WWI and used by trainees at the Detroit Armory. To date, no advertisements or contracts have surfaced for these training rifles.

From the paper, Non-Firing Drill and Training Rifles, by By Malcolm MacPherson

The next installment: Indiana Quartered Oak Company