Even our Military was poorly prepared. Armed with Ross Rifles, but only a few rounds of ammunition for each one, if the Japanese had landed, the orders were "Fire your five rounds, then run."
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Baloney, the military on the West Coast was better equipped than our soldiers at war. I have pictures from 1942 taken at the RCAF flying boat stations. All No.4's in the hands of the Army guys there, and Stens and Brens, as well.
The most common rifle in the PCMR seems to have been the US M1917, at least on the Queen Charlotte Islands. I have seen no Marlins, either in pictures, or in person. Quite a few Winchester 94's, though. Never seen a PCMR 94 with a saddle ring, and don't expect to. The saddle ring was discontinued before the PCMR was formed.
A few PCMR's got the old Ross rifles, but they don't seem to have been common. In fact, I know of only one, and the fellow that had it was very disgusted, as everyone else in his unit got M1917's, which he said appeared to be brand new.
There was never a shortage of ammo, and the rangers amused themselves by shooting seals, sea lions, and gulls. One fellow told me of how they would all open up on the sea lions, which were sun bathing on an island, every time they went by in their boat. The RCAF Cansos would also strafe them, and even drop bombs on them for practice!
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My father was a logger on Vancouver Island. The logging camp became a "Ranger Company". Issue weapons were Win. Model 94's, Mk.2 Stens, and 1 Bren gun. Ammunition was Remington 160gr.FMJ. Every ranger was issued two boxes, bring back the empties, you received 2 more. Looking through 1942 -1943 issues of "The Ranger", there are pictures of rangers at the firing line using saddle ring carbines. Personally, I have never seen a broad arrow "C" stamp on a saddle-ring. I sold a stamped model 64. Never seen PCMR stamped rifles, just licence plates! The Fishermans Reserve had .50 Brownings mounted on some of the faster boats. At wars end my father had the option of purchasing his issue 94 for $5.
