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The following is from Major H. Hesketh-Prichard's "Sniping in France". This is an excellent book which describes how in the early days of WW I the German snipers dominated the trenches, this resulted in the British creating a sniper school and this basic training is what the majority of modern military sniper training has developed from. Yes, this is where the Ghillie suit first came to be used by snipers.

"We obtained from the old German trenches a number of the large steel plates from behind which the German snipers were wont to shoot, and these I took home with me to England, for I had obtained a week's leave before taking up my new duties.

I preceeded to try on these plates all kind of rifles, from the Jeffreys high velocity .333 to heavy elephant guns of various bores, and was delighted to find that the bullets from the .333, as well as the elephant guns, pierced them like butter. Here, again, Col John Buchan came to my assistance, and obtained for me a fund, to which Lord Haldane, Lord Glenconner and Lord Finley kindly contributed the money, and which enabled me to purchase the necessary rifles. Later on, Mr St. Loe Strachet, the editor of "The Spectator", continued to keep up my fund, which really was of incalculable value to us, and out of which everything from dummy heads purchased at Clarkson's to foot ball jerseys for the splendidly- appointed Sniping School, which finally eventuated, were purchased."

I am not trying to debate what bullet/cartridge would or would not penetrate the steel plates, we do not know the quality of the steel, the thickness or even the ranges. I will try my .470 and 9,3 x74R on some steel and report back.

Ian Skennerton in "The British Sniper" writes:

"Many units purchased their own express rifles privately and there are records of .416 Rigby and other Rigby and Jeffery Nitro Express cartridges been used. RIFLES OF THIS TYPE WHICH WERE PURCHASED THROUGH THE WAR OFFICE WERE MARKED WITH THE BROAD ARROW".

Remember we were at war, no time for special production runs, I am sure the order was "go out and purchase anything that you think will do the job". There was obviously no attempt to standardise on caliber let alone manufacture, action barrel length or engraving or the lack of engraving. These were the days when City's purchased machine guns to give to their local Regiments to give them extra fire power, so purchasing an extra rifle or two from any availably funds, Regimental or donations, was the norm, not the exception. I can just imagine my local town sending a truck down to Colt Canada to pick up a few extra guns to ship to our boys overseas!

John

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