Interesting discussion ... especially in view of my acquisition of Chapparal Arms repro NWMP carbine
in the original .45-75 chambering! (Dang thing arrived the day before I left for Muster, so I've only
had limited opportunity to fondle it, so far ...
)
Although this configuration of the 1876 winchester is best known for its service as the primary Mounted
Police longarm from 1878 through 1905 (with many remaining in service until at least 1914) it is not so
well known that approximately 700 of them also were issued to troops by the Department of Militia &
Defence during the 1885 North West Rebellion.
There were approximately 6,000 troops involved (west of the Great Lakes) in the North West Rebellion
campaign - the majority of those were "Active Militia" from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia (i.e. "part time"
militia, mobilized for the emergency) together with most of the "Permanent Militia" units (i.e. "full time" militia,
who were the closest thing Canada had to an actual army at that time - it had just been formed in 1883
at a total authorized strength of only 750 men, with Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery components.)
All of these men, being serving Militia, would already have firearms (mostly Snider-Enfield rifles and carbines)
on issue to them. However, many more firearms firearms were also issued to Provisional Militia units raised
in the North West specifically for service in the conflict or to Home Guard units in various communities in
the North West. (Additionally, I presume that mobilized Eastern Militia units would also have been issued
replacement firearms for any on issue to them which were found unserviceable prior to their departure for
the West.)
Winchester carbines/rifles were issued to mounted provisional units (e.g. the Dominion Land Surveyors
Intelligence Corps, the Moose Mountain Scouts, and the Rocky Mountain Rangers - these were officially
constituted military units, although they served un-uniformed.) The Model 1876 Winchester was also issued
to the Permanent Militia cavalry unit (the
Cavalry School Corps Troop A) and the two Active Militia cavalry
units (the
Governor-General's Body Guard and the
Winnipeg Cavalry Troop) serving in the North
West, in replacement for their single-shot Snider-Enfield cavalry carbines.
Here is a period photograph of some members of the
Governor-General's Body Guard (now the
Governor-General's Horse Guard) in camp at Humboldt, District of Saskatchewan, NWT, during their
service in the 1885 Rebellion. The '76 Winchester carbines are clearly visible ...
(Click thumbnails to enlarge ...)
It should also be noted that many of the Provisional mounted militia units (notably the Rocky Mountain Rangers)
were only issued firearms "as needed" - enlistees in most of these units were expected to provide their own
firearms, mount and other gear, if possible ... For example, the general terms under which the raising of the Rocky
Mountain Rangers was authorized by the Minister of Militia & Defence included the following:
"The arms to consist of 1 revolver Mounted Police pattern or any other serviceable Revolver in their possession.
One Winchester carbine or other serviceable Carbine or Rifle in their possession.
1 Cartridge belt with knife attached (M.P. pattern.)
(A limited deficiency in Arms to be supplied by Government, but the conditions of enlistment to require them furnished
by the men.)" Here is a period photograph of a member of the Rocky Mountain Rangers, an irregular (i.e. non-uniformed) mounted
unit of mostly ranchers and cowboys. Although the lever has been erased for some reason (presumably during
re-touching or whatever) his rifle is clearly of the NWMP pattern ...
Here is a photograph of a group of Rangers on patrol - the rifles carried NWMP-fashion across the saddle pommel
on the horses on the left appear to be NWMP-pattern, but the rifle held by the man kneeling in front is clearly
a non-issue half-stocked model ....
Here is a group of NWMP scouts and Rocky Mountain Rangers, photographed at Fort McLeod ...
To show what I meant about the rifles being carried across the pommel "NWMP-fashion", here is a photograph
of a North West Mounted Police rig of the period (western-style stock saddles were used) followed by a period
photo of a NWMP Constable and his mount ...
Here are a few more period images ....
First, Officers and Scouts of the Rocky Mountain Rangers photographed at Medicine Hat -
Notice that most of them are carrying their rifles across the saddle pommel, and that the fellow on the left, at least,
definitley has the NWMP-pattern Winchester. On the far right is Chief Scout "Kootenai" Brown ....
Here is a Rocky Mountain Ranger Patrol formed up on the outskirts of Medicine Hat - "Kootenai" Brown is in the lead
farthest from the camera, with Captain Lord Richard Boyle riding beside him. At the far left (flanking the column) is
Major John Stewart, C/O of the RMR, with Lord Boyle's brother Lt. Henry Boyl riding beside him .... Again, many of
the men in this photo are carrying their rifles across the pommel -
Getting back to the NWMP and their Winchesters, here are a couple of interesting photos of members of the
NWMP contingent who were sent to London in 1897 to attend Queen Victoria's 60th Jubilee celebration (60th
year of her reign) -