76 
G.B. Troth 
Figure 2 The ownership marks of the Enrolled 
Pensioner Force. These marks are on the butt 
plate tang of a Snider-Enfield Mk II‘* used 
by them between 1870 - 1880. (Photo D. 
Elford). 
"W.A. over E.F. over number" (See Figure 2). They 
were engraved in their own series beginning again 
at one, with the highest number noted being 194. 
Again, stand numbers observed and manning 
levels indicate that about 250 were received." 
These more modem arms were also issued where 
the need was greatest (i.e., Fremantle and Perth), 
replacing the Enfields which were then loaned to 
the volunteers. 12 The obsolete smoothbore muskets 
of the Albany, York, Northam, Greenough and 
other outstations were never replaced by breech¬ 
loaders. It was only the reduction of the Force in 
1878 that caused these outstation arms to be 
recalled, and after total disbandment of the E.P.F. 
in 1880, they were sold, on January 3rd 1881. 13 
The successor to the Enrolled Pensioner Force 
was designated the Enrolled Guard and mustered 
50 pensioners. The new force received E.P.F. 
Snider-Enfields with their marks unaltered, the 
remainder being loaned to the volunteers, also with 
e*- 
their marks intact. It is thought that, being Imperial 
arms on loan, these marks could not be altered b-v- 
the colonial government. The Enrolled Force 
existed until 1887. During the years 1874 - 188^ 
the E.P.F. and later the Enrolled Guard never too 1 ^ 
the opportunity to modernise their arms byr 
adopting any of the newer types such as the 
Martini-Henry. 14 
THE VOLUNTEERS 
The earliest volunteers were the Swan Rivet- 
Volunteers of 1829 and possibly the Gentlemen 
Volunteers of 1830. These groups were armed with, 
weapons of types unknown, but may have 
included those arms listed in the stores of the 63rd 
Regiment. As the colony was under the protection 
of Imperial troops their role was actuallv 
redundant and was therefore short lived, lasting 
only until about 1830 or 1831. 
The Western Australian Volunteer Force proper 
began in 1861 and was a response to the 
announcement that Imperial troops would be 
withdrawn from garrison in Western Australia by 
1863. The first two corps were raiseci 
simultaneously, being the Metropolitan Volunteer 
Rifles and the Fremantle Volunteer Rifles. The 
Metropolitan Volunteer Rifles, (also referred to in 
the records as the Perth Company and the Perth 
Rifles), consisted of 100 men who were issued 
initially with "Colonial muskets and 
accoutrements" borrowed from the Colonial 
Store. 15 These were probably spare Pattern 1839 ot 
1842 muskets originally sent to the E.P.F. in 1855. 
On 13th September 1862 the M.V.R. were issued 
with "100 new Enfield muzzle-loading percussion 
rifles recently received as a gift from England" 
These Enfields were Pattern 1853 long rifles, the 
standard British service arm, part of a shipment ot 
"200 Enfield Rifles...received from England per the 
Bride for the use of the Volunteers". 17 From the very 
beginning of the volunteer movement the careful 
recording and issue of arms was undertaken. 
Barlee, the Colonial Secretary noted on the 9th 
August 1862: 
"The arms shall be marked prior to issue in order to 
admit of each stand being identified...Places of Arms 
will have to be fitted up in Perth and Fremantle". 18 
This stand of arms was definitely marked prior 
to issue as a letter dated August 12, 1862 from the 
Colonial Secretary to Lt. Col. Bruce, the 
Commandant of the W.A. Volunteer Force shoe's 
It reads: 
"His Excellency the Governor will feel obliged by 
your making all the necessary arrangements in regard 
to the marking and issue of the Rifles received per the 
"Bride" for the Volunteers...The Comptroller General 
(of Convicts) has been requested to send to Perth two 
convicts who can be employed in marking the arms in 
such manner as you may direct". 1 '' 
