Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “history”
PARRIS-DUNN CORP. – CIVILIAN DRILL RIFLES Following the completion of their military contracts for the Parris-Dunn Training Rifle in 1943, they continued making a similar model for the civilian market. In 1949, William Dunn retired and sold the company to Cecil Parris. Parris renamed the company the Parris Manufacturing Company and continued to produce toy guns and drill rifles in …
The Parris-Dunn Variant This Parris-Dunn variant is unusual in many ways. This configuration is previously unknown and subject to speculation. At this time I believe that it is an early prototype of the Navy model. It is known that when the US Navy approached Parris-Dunn about producing a training rifle, they wanted several design changes from the Army model. Four …
THE PARRIS-DUNN TRAINING RIFLE Victory 1942 model Mark I Navy model Unfortunately, no Parris-Dunn production records still exist, so all of the information relating to them has been pieced together from other sources. An early employee by the name of Maurice O. Greimann wrote short article in 1984 concerning the Parris-Dunn Corp and his information has been invaluable. In 1943 …
UNITED STATES TRAINING RIFLE CO. The US Training Rifle Co. produced a non-firing training rifle during World War One. At the start of the war there was a severe shortage of serviceable rifles for training purposes. Krag rifles were brought out of storage and put into service as training rifles even though they could not fire the1906 cartridge. This shortage …
The Boys Brigade (Dummy Rifles) The first Boys Brigade was started by Sir William Alexander Smith on October 4, 1883 at Free Church Mission Hall, Glasgow, Scotland. His purpose was to develop “Christian manliness” by the use of semi-military discipline and order. He desired to promote habits of obedience, reverence, discipline and self respect in the young men of his …
The Francis Bannerman History You can find a very complete but concise history of the Bannerman family and information relating to Bannerman Island by clicking here. Most of the later Bannerman catalogs had a one page history called “Blowing Our Own Horn”, that is a good example of his promotional ability. His catalogs were widely advertised in pulp and sporting …
EARLY DRILL RIFLES Trap Door Springfield This drill rifle came from a military school that had used it for many years in parades. The rear sight had been removed a hole drilled through the barrel at the rear sight screw location. The firing pin was removed. It is unknown whether it was purchased from the supplier that way or whether …
By Malcolm MacPherson NON-FIRING DRILL & TRAINING RIFLES BACKGROUNDThe terms drill rifle and training rifle are often used interchangeably. There are subtle differences between the two and some specimens do not fit well in either category. However, I feel there needs to be some distinction made between the two. A more specific definition and correct usage will help differentiate between …