Cool, never knew Canada issued Winchester '94s to citizens during WWII

[skorpion]

Just learned that during WWII, there was a fear in Canada of the Japanese invading through the rural west cost. As a result, the Canadian gov't issued civilian volunteers Winchester Model 94 rifles to utilize in defending the homeland in the event she was invaded.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...ester-94-wwii/

Canada’s western coast was sparsely populated and the concern was that the Japanese would take advantage of so much untamed wilderness to invade. The citizens of British Columbia and the Yukon territory were convinced that they would be the best defense against the impending invasion due to their familiarity with the land.

[Richard Simmons]

I too had never heard of this but then again there is probably a lot about Canadian history I don't know. England had it's Home Guard that I believe was armed with the P13 Enfield and some U.S. M1917's in 30.06 as well as various other second line weapons. I guess given the frontier nature of the west coast of Canada the Winchester was a good choice.

[ready]

Can you imagine the gov dropping weapons to civilians nowadays?

[alismith]

Can you imagine the gov dropping weapons to civilians nowadays?

To jihadists, yes; to US civilians, no.

[Schuetzenman]

Count me in as never heard of the Canadians passing out 94's before.