The Hardingstone Rifle Club originated from the Hardingstone District Home Guard which was 11th (Hardingstone District) Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment. (This comprised A Coy - Billing, B Coy - Roade, C Coy - Duston, D Coy - Yardley Hastings, E HQ Coy - Hardingstone House and F Coy - Kislingbury.) "Miniature Rifle shooting" was an important element of military training since the lower travel and ammunition costs enabled more shooting practice than was the case with the military weapons. When the Home Guard was stood down in 1944, many units including the Hardingstone District, with official encouragement, formed Miniature Rifle Clubs and continued smallbore rifle shooting.