Home Guard Dummy Rifle

**Roger M** · 09-13-2018, 09:21 PM

I have been given a Home Guard Dummy or parade rifle for use in training. I believe it came from Haslemere Home Guard.

It is crudely cut out of a piece of 8x2 with a band saw but has been finished quite nicely. It is missing the end of the barrel and some varnish. I assume the red band is depicting the issued rifles have .30-06 ammunition not the standard .303.

It is photographed with a WW1 Rifle Valise which I picked up locally.

**Rescue190** · 09-13-2018, 11:41 PM

I have seen several wood dummy rifles from the WWI Era for the US M1917 Rifle All of them included the bayonet area with a blunt end. Looks like you have nice item. Are there stamps on the trigger guard? Looks like there is some type of stamps or writing in the 2nd pic.
John

**Roger M** · 09-14-2018, 09:19 AM

Unfortunately the marks that look like writing are rough saw marks, nothing else that I can see.

This dummy certainly had a barrel end at some point as it is broken and the remains of much glue which has tried to hold it in place. I am trying to decide whether I should sand it back, drill and insert a dowel.

**Rescue190** · 09-14-2018, 12:16 PM

I would leave it as it may have been broken during a training exercise in lieu of playing with after.
John

**Roger M** · 09-16-2018, 10:17 PM

I recently picked up this Home Guard Greatcoat in an absolutely disgusting state full of moth and insects. Obviously not allowed into the house !

I am saving the arms with the badges which should look quite ok when mounted in a frame. Its good that it is from a local (Alton) Home Guard Division which covered our area. According to the home clearance guy it still had live ammunition in the pocket.