PCMR rifles & bits&bobs

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carlos

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PCMR; Pacific Coast Militia Rangers. A volunteer, unpaid, un-uniformed local patrol and "coast watch" program in BC and the Yukon during WW II. They were armed mostly with a special purchase of Winchester '94s, and some Marlins. Other than that they were issued a helmet and an armband. An active gunclub outside of Victoria is still named the South Vancouver Island Rangers, SVIR.

I have a re-finished Winchester marked with the "C-broad arrow" and have just acquired a pristine Marlin Safety Model 1936 which I discovered also had the butt and action stamped with the C broad arrow.

Is there anyone studying and collecting Ranger gear?
 
My father was in a Ranger company at Nitnat Lake. Issued a Win. Model 94. Logging camp foremen had Mk.2 Sten Guns. A Mk.1 Bren was at the camp for coastal protection. Dogtags, a "dry-bak" jacket, two 20 round boxes of Remington 160gr.FMJ were issued. No helmets, arm bands or other gear was allotted. Some Ranger Companies were equipped with Model 64's, and Boys .55 cal A/T rifles.
 
Carlos

My gunshow partner specializes in PCMR, Leo has an extensive PCMR collection and much data concerning the PCMR, he will be attending the Kamloops gun show this spring and usually brings a small portion of his collection for display purposes and loves to talk PCMR.

Leo also says the rangers wore the floppy canvas hats with insignia badge as well as the mentioned Ross/sten and Brens and either the P14 or P17-just forget now.

I'll let Leo give out his personal info if required as he does not post on CGN
 
I have quite a few PCMR pics, from the days when they had M-17's. Can't post them here as my Photobucket account is screwed. They had armbands, hat, and coat. Some guys got the horrid old Ross, and I know of one guy that "lost" his overboard in order to get a better rifle. Seems like the older guys got stuck with the Ross. The M-17 was not very popular either, most guys wanted the '94 carbines.

They were practical minded fellows back then, and had no interest in playing soldier with infantry rifles. They wanted easily carried, accurate rifles that they could hunt and survive with, and there is no better rifle for that purpose than the '94. There must have been a pretty smart character in charge of procuring the equipment for the PCMR, even their uniform was much more practical than the current ranger garb. Waterproof coat and a real hat beats a dumb hoody in the woods any day, and a '94 is a lot better in the bush than a Lee-Enfield.
 
BUSHMAN79 said:
I have quite a few PCMR pics, from the days when they had M-17's. Can't post them here as my Photobucket account is screwed. They had armbands, hat, and coat. Some guys got the horrid old Ross, and I know of one guy that "lost" his overboard in order to get a better rifle. Seems like the older guys got stuck with the Ross. The M-17 was not very popular either, most guys wanted the '94 carbines.

They were practical minded fellows back then, and had no interest in playing soldier with infantry rifles. They wanted easily carried, accurate rifles that they could hunt and survive with, and there is no better rifle for that purpose than the '94. There must have been a pretty smart character in charge of procuring the equipment for the PCMR, even their uniform was much more practical than the current ranger garb. Waterproof coat and a real hat beats a dumb hoody in the woods any day, and a '94 is a lot better in the bush than a Lee-Enfield.
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having used all sorts of milsurps in the woods the lee enfield in my fav but that said they where issued what ever was at hand really the RCMP most likely had some over stock of 94's this was really like a militia

the fact that later on they issued boys ATR rifle should show that because by the time they got them it was most likely moved to anti meteral rifle
 
They actually had the M-17 and Ross first, then the government made a special purchase of '94's and 336's especially for the rangers. I lugged an old SMLE around for years on my adventures in the woods, as well as various Mausers, a Springfield '03, P-14, Mosins, a Berthier, a Lebel carbine, etc. And after all of them I ended up sticking with a '94 in .30WCF.

All of the bolt rifles tended to clog up with needles when they drop from the trees in summer, the No.4 L-E was the worst. Needles would collect between the rib on the bolt and the side of the receiver. If you needed a fast shot, forget it, as the bolt would not open until you blew the needles out. If it was raining, even worse, the wet needles cling to the metal. The various Winchesters always worked, as the action closed up tight and kept debris out.

I have read other threads where people sneer at the '94, saying they won't extract reliably, etc. but that is ridiculous. As long as it is kept somewhat clean, the extraction will never fail. Even if it does, the old '94's had scallops on each side of the extractor, so you could push it down with a finger. Also, the lack of clubby woodwork and handguards made maintenance much simpler. 94's hold their zero unless you whack the sights really hard, or the butt gets loose. The fact is, the Lee Enfields etc. might be great for infantry in a full on war, but for guys like the PCMR the 94 was likely close to ideal.
 
they where issued what ever was at hand really the RCMP most likely had some over stock of 94's this was really like a militia

The PCMR M94s were specifically purchased for the PCMR and are in the low 1,300,000 serial number range.
The RCMP had only a small number of M94s.
The PCMR cap badge features a M94 carbine.
 
carlos said:
PCMR; Pacific Coast Militia Rangers. A volunteer, unpaid, un-uniformed local patrol and "coast watch" program in BC and the Yukon during WW II. They were armed mostly with a special purchase of Winchester '94s, and some Marlins. Other than that they were issued a helmet and an armband. An active gunclub outside of Victoria is still named the South Vancouver Island Rangers, SVIR.

I have a re-finished Winchester marked with the "C-broad arrow" and have just acquired a pristine Marlin Safety Model 1936 which I discovered also had the butt and action stamped with the C broad arrow.

Is there anyone studying and collecting Ranger gear?
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I am curious as to what model Marlin 1936 you have that is PCMR marked. I have one of each model that is marked. The Rifle , Carbine, and Sporting Carbine.
 
Hi
Might be a dumb question but did they issue no 4 mk 1 Lee enfields I have a pcmr win 94 and know what symbol to look for and the "C" with 3 arrows is on my enfield it is also marked MP I'm guessing military police I'm not really a milsurp guy not up on this stuff
Thanks
Bill338
 
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bill338 said:
Hi
Might be a dumb question but did they issue no 4 mk 1 Lee enfields I have a pcmr win 94 and know what symbol to look for and the "C" with 3 arrows is on my enfield it is also marked MP I'm guessing military police I'm not really a milsurp guy not up on this stuff
Thanks
Bill338
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MP on a No.4, stamped on the left side of the receiver at the charger bridge = Mounted Police
 
It is my understanding that the PCMR was the first Cdn. organization to be issued the Sten when it became available.
 
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