*British, WWII, Home Guard Dummy Training Rifle with Named Proficiency Certificate – Private J. Higham, 50th Battalion Lancashire Home Guard*
An interesting and highly evocative Second World War Home Guard training grouping, comprising a full-length wooden dummy training rifle accompanied by its original framed Home Guard Certificate of Proficiency awarded to Private J. Higham of “B24” Company, 50th Battalion Lancashire Home Guard.
The rifle is a purpose-made drill and training piece, constructed largely from wood with simple steel fittings to replicate the handling and balance of a service rifle. It features a ball-ended bolt handle, fixed dummy magazine, simplified trigger assembly, sling swivels, and a long wooden fore-end with metal barrel sleeve and muzzle section. The stock is clearly marked “W ↑ D” (War Department broad arrow), confirming official military ownership or inspection. A period webbing sling remains attached.
Included is the original framed Certificate of Proficiency, dated 1944, issued under Home Guard regulations. The document records Private J. Higham’s successful completion of training subjects including rifle instruction, grenade work, Sten gun training, and supporting military skills. The certificate bears signatures including that of Major Frank Molloy, adding a strong personal and regional connection to Lancashire Home Guard service during the later war years.
Together, the rifle and certificate form a compelling survival illustrating the practical training methods employed by Britain’s wartime citizen soldiers, where non-firing or dummy rifles were widely used for drill, weapon familiarisation, and proficiency testing when live arms were limited.
Approx. Measurements – Overall length: 132 cm.
Historical Note:
During the early years of WWII the British Home Guard faced severe shortages of serviceable firearms. To allow new recruits to train effectively, large numbers of dummy rifles were produced from wood and basic steel components. These enabled instruction in handling, aiming, and parade drill while preserving live rifles for operational duties.
Certificates of Proficiency such as this were awarded after candidates passed formal examinations in weapon handling and basic military knowledge. The inclusion of rifle, grenade, and Sten gun subjects reflects the increasingly standardised training syllabus adopted by the Home Guard by 1943–44. Named and documented examples are increasingly sought after, particularly where the training weapon survives alongside the recipient’s paperwork.
*Condition*
The dummy rifle shows clear period service wear consistent with prolonged training use. The wooden stock and fore-end display scuffs, dents, handling marks, and age-related cracking, particularly around the butt and action area, with some shrinkage and surface losses visible. Metal components show oxidation and surface rust throughout, with wear to exposed areas. The dummy bolt is present and moves as photographed, but as a training rifle it is non-firing and intended purely for drill and instruction. The fixed dummy magazine and simplified trigger assembly remain in place. The period webbing sling is attached but shows age and wear. The stock marking W ↑ D remains clearly visible. The accompanying certificate displays age toning, folding lines, staining, and edge wear consistent with wartime paperwork but remains legible and displays well within its frame. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
WWII Home Guard dummy training rifle marked W↑D, accompanied by named 1944 Certificate of Proficiency to Private J. Higham, 50th Battalion Lancashire Home Guard — an evocative wartime training grouping.
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