The History of the Swindon Rile Club

SSbC

History of Swindon Rifle Club and Smallbore Shooting

Origins of Swindon Rifle Club

The earliest known record of Swindon Rifle Club appears in the National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA) scoresheets of 1914, where team names and rankings are listed. At that time, all members were recruited from the Wiltshire Yeomanry regiments based in the Swindon area. A strong competitive core within these regiments formed the foundation of the club, particularly with the aim of competing at a national level.

Following this initial record, the next documented evidence dates from the late 1940s. A note attributed to 1947—its exact year identified retrospectively through calendar matching—was written by the club secretary of the time, Jack Ward.

Jack Ward remained a driving force within Swindon Rifle Club well into the 1970s. His influence on the club was considerable, both administratively and socially. A personal recollection from this period notes that when his wife stopped shooting, her rifle was later purchased by a new member—marking their own entry into the sport.

Military Connections and Identity

Swindon Rifle Club has strong historical ties to the military. During the Second World War, the club was associated with the 5th Wiltshire Rocket Battery (1939–1945). The club badge reflects this heritage, incorporating the image of a bowman firing into the air—an insignia used by the Rocket Battery.

Attempts have been made to gather further information from the local Territorial Army unit, although no response has been received to date.

Club Structure and Early Facilities

At its peak in the early years, Swindon Rifle Club fielded multiple teams, ranging from A through E, each supported by reserve shooters. This reflects both the size and competitiveness of the club during that period.

For many years, the club shot on a Territorial Army (TA) range before relocating to a range owned by British Rail. This facility was located within the old British Rail Fire Station, associated with the railway works—either the Great Western Railway (GWR) engine works or the carriage and wagon works.

The British Rail Range

A significant development came when British Rail constructed a new indoor range within an entrance tunnel adjacent to the original facility. Swindon Rifle Club moved into this new range alongside British Rail. The arrangement was such that British Rail retained ownership of the land and buildings, while the club held the official range certification.

The construction of the range was robust:

• One side consisted of a stone retaining wall with ground level above

• The opposite side was built from railway sleepers covered with 12 mm steel plate

• The end wall was stone, faced with steel

• The ceiling comprised steel beams with pre-cast concrete infill

While structurally very safe, the range was extremely loud when in use. An improvised noise reduction attempt involved fixing egg boxes to the walls at the firing point. In practice, this did little to reduce sound and instead tended to catch the ejected cartridge cases.

Relocation and Formation of a New Club

Around 1988, the railway works site was sold to Tarmac. With uncertainty surrounding continued access, and having observed how even British Rail was affected by the sale, the club anticipated eviction.

As a result, Swindon Rifle Club relocated to the range at Shrivenham, alongside British Rail shooters and others.

At the time, this move was mutually beneficial. The Shrivenham range needed active clubs, and Swindon needed a secure home. Over time, this collaboration evolved into the formation of the Shrivenham Small Bore Rifle Club.

This new club incorporated several former organisations:

• Swindon Rifle Club

• British Rail Rifle Club

• Pipers Rifle Club

• Rebels (Woolworths)

• Lands Lambert (Lands Fenchurch)

The merging of these six clubs created a stable, if smaller, organisation—one that remains stronger collectively than any of the individual clubs would have been alone.

The club later registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), helping to manage operational costs, albeit with increased administrative requirements.

It is hoped that the club will continue to thrive for many decades to come.

— Larry A. Gilbert, circa 2004

The Development of Smallbore Rifle Shooting

Early Origins (Pre-1900)

Rifle shooting began as a practical skill used by hunters and the military, evolving from earlier traditions of archery. During the 19th century, shooting clubs gradually formed national federations.

Switzerland established one of the earliest federations in the 1820s, followed by England, France, and Germany in the mid-19th century, and the United States in 1871.

International competition soon followed:

• Shooting events were included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896

• The first World Championships took place in 1897

Much of this early international development is credited to Pierre de Coubertin, a French shooting champion and key figure in the revival of the Olympic Games.

At this time, rifles used in competition were typically military or hunting firearms. Manufacturers such as Anschütz (founded 1856) and Walther (founded 1886) were only just beginning their development, initially producing pistols and sporting arms rather than specialist target rifles.

Expansion in the UK (1900–1910)

In the United Kingdom, civilian shooting developed largely from military necessity, particularly around the time of the Second Boer War (1899–1902). There was concern that the general population lacked sufficient marksmanship skills in the event of invasion.

To address this:

• The British Rifle League was formed in 1900

• The Society of Working Men’s Rifle Clubs (S.M.R.C.) followed in 1901

These organisations promoted the use of smallbore (.22 calibre) rifles, which were:

• Cheaper to purchase (around £1 at the time)

• Less expensive to use

• Suitable for shorter, more accessible ranges

Legislation initially posed a barrier, with gun licences costing 10 shillings annually. However, from 1906, members of affiliated clubs were exempt from this fee, greatly increasing accessibility.

Internationally, the International Shooting Sport Federation (then known as the Union Internationale de Tir) was established in 1907.

War and Recovery (1910–1930)

By 1914, many civilians in the UK had acquired shooting skills through club participation, and many went on to serve during the First World War.

The war disrupted international competition, and the governing body temporarily dissolved. After the war:

• Shooting organisations were re-established (ISSF reformed in 1920)

• The 1920 Olympics featured a record number of shooting events

• Tensions arose between professional prize shooting and Olympic amateur rules

These tensions led to shooting being excluded from the 1928 Olympic Games.

Growth and Conflict (1930–1950)

Shooting returned to the Olympics in 1932, although in a reduced format. During this period:

• The first woman competed at international level (Catherine Woodring, USA)

• UK shooting grew significantly, with over 2,000 clubs

During the Second World War:

• Club numbers increased again, supported by the Home Guard

• Many modern clubs trace their origins to this period

In 1947, the S.M.R.C. became the National Small-bore Rifle Association, which continues as the sport’s governing body in the UK.

Modern Era (1950–Present)

Post-war developments transformed smallbore shooting into a highly refined international sport:

• Equipment became increasingly precise

• Manufacturers such as Anschütz and Walther led innovation

• New competitors like Feinwerkbau, MEC, and HPS entered the field

Participation trends shifted:

• The number of UK clubs declined as military necessity faded

• However, recreational and competitive shooting remained strong

Gender inclusion also evolved:

• From the 1960s, ISSF events became mixed

• Olympic events followed suit between 1968 and 1980

• Today, separate men’s and women’s events are standard

Technological improvements in rifle accuracy eventually led to a reduction in target size by approximately 20%, ensuring meaningful differentiation between top competitors.

Conclusion

From its origins in military training and early 20th-century competition, smallbore rifle shooting has developed into a precise and widely practised sport.

Swindon Rifle Club’s history reflects this broader evolution—from military roots and local competition to adaptation, relocation, and eventual integration into a modern multi-club organisation.

Its legacy lives on through the continued activity of the Shrivenham Small Bore Rifle Club, carrying forward over a century of shooting tradition.

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