The NWMPolice had very practical rifles at  their formation in 1873. No doubt some of the officers in Moncton had their own personal rifles at home or could have borrowed such from the many available in Moncton but were prohibited by  rules from doing so. This whole court case was the result of senior managers having lost the ability to properly manage after being given direction after four were lost in Mayerthorpe. Years of foot dragging and excuse making are not likely gone.