1 Inch Morris Aiming Tube

[rainer308]

I had the opportunity to get an item named "1 Inch Morris Aiming Tube Subcaliber Cartridge". The description says, that is is for a .23 Morris Cartridge.
Does somebody know more about this device and its use?

 

[sgdbdr]

The Morris Aiming Tube - History, usages, designs and patents

Historic Arms Resource Centre facility for British and Commonwealth Enfield and other Miniature calibre training and small-bore TARGET RIFLES (BSA- Birmingham Small Arms Co.), conversion units and accessories with representation of other nations' training rifles, plus Postal League competitions...

www.rifleman.org.uk

 

[adrian]

Below are some 1-inch diameter Elswick Aiming Rifle projectiles, two intact and one deformed by impact. As with Morris Tubes being used for small arms to enable aiming practice with affordable sub-calibre ammunition, so too some guns, such as breech loading rifled ordnance, employed a sub calibre device for similar purposes.

 

[Alan1]

The sub-cal for, in particular, Naval large calibre ordnance are rare birds indeed.
Here is a pic of a Webley WG revolver, in 450/455 calibre, together cased with a Morris Tube adapter for cheap practice purposes. These are not exactly common, but were popular amongst service pistol competitive shooters for gaining the skills needed without incurring the expense of full-bore ammunition.
I am grateful to Museum staff for permission to use this photo. The poor quality of the picture is entirely down to me.
Alan1.

 

[rainer308]

Thanks for the above information. I am aware, that this item was used for some kind of subcaliber-device or subcaliber-shooting of larger guns. A further investigation didn´t show much more facts. I couldn´t find more information or pictures or whatever, which confirms this. So maybe the "headstamp" can help. There is a war-department broad arrow together with the number 50 (it is not 5C). Does this number tell more information? What is the reason of this number? Is there a manual which describes the meaning of this number. I can´t imagine, that it tells that it is the year 1950 as a possible invention-date!
Any information is appreciated.
Thanks