Model 1904 "Irish" Mannlicher Bolt Action Rifle from Steyr, Austria dated to the Early 20th Century on display at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland
With the rise of groups recruiting and arming volunteers to fight for home rule and independance for Ireland from the British Empire, some Irish did the same to resist such ideas. The Ulster Volunteer Force was formed in 1913 and much like the revolutionary forces, looked to arm their volunteers with whatever weapons they could acquire. Many of the UVF forces were equipped with smuggled Model 1904 Mannlicher bolt action rifles made by Steyr Arms in what was the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The British Empire had mixed opinions of these volunteers as they supported those who opposed Irish independance but the UVF also tried to steal weapons and ammunition from British army depots. When that wasn't working, a number of members smuggled Austrian firearms and ammunition through the port in Larne. With the outbreak of the First World War, most of its members went on to volunteer in the army or conscripted as a home defence force.
Photographs taken by myself 2026
