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In 1862 and originating from a challenge between English and Scottish Rifle Volunteers, the first Elcho Shield match was held at Wimbledon. This comprised teams of eight shooting at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. Rule changes in 1865 allowed an Irish team to enter, and in July 1873 Ireland won the match for the first time.
Buoyed by their success in beating England and Scotland, Ireland wanted further laurels. A challenge to the ‘Riflemen of America’ was published in the New York Herald on 22 November 1873. The challenge was taken up, on behalf of American riflemen, by the Amateur Rifle Club of New York.
150 years ago today, on 26 September 1874, the great match took place at Creedmoor before an estimated audience of five thousand people. The riflemen were each to fire 15 shots at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. No sighting shots or artificial rests were permitted. The targets were as per those used at Wimbledon in 1873; the three feet square ‘bull’s eye’ was in the middle of the ‘centre’, measuring six feet square, with a three feet wide by six feet high ‘outer’ at each end of the target, the whole measuring six feet high by twelve feet wide. Scoring was ‘bull’s eye’ 4, ‘centre’ 3 and ‘outer’ 2.
The Irish team, using muzzle loading rifles manufactured by John Rigby and Co., Dublin, Ireland, were: Major Leech (Captain) - Dr. Hamilton, E. Johnson, J.K. Millner, J. Rigby, Capt. Walker and J. Wilson.
The American team fired breech loading rifles and comprised: G.W. Wingate (Captain) - Col. Bodine, H. Fulton, L. Hepburn (Remington rifles) - Gen. Dakin, Col. Gildersleeve, G.W. Yale (Sharps rifles).
The Americans made a strong start at 800 yards, taking the lead on 326 points against the Irish team on 317. As the ranges increased in distance, so the Irish began to claw back points. At 900 yards the Americans scored 310 whilst the Irish finished on 312. The American's lead was gradually eroded further at 1,000 yards, where the Irish finished on 302 points for a total of 931. The Americans were still shooting. By the time it came to the last shot to be fired, the Irish were leading by one point.
John Bodine was the last man to shoot. The pressure must have been tremendous, with thousands of spectators straining to see the shot on which American victory depended. Bodine pulled the trigger, then there was the four second wait for the bullet to travel the thousand yards to the target. “Clap!” That welcome sound as the lead bullet flattened on the iron target, indicated a hit. Then came the marker indicating a bull’s eye! The American’s had won, and Bodine was carried off in triumph. The final scores were America 934 and Ireland 931.
The American team win gave the art of long-range shooting a considerable boost in the country. This was the first of series of team matches that set the sport upon a world stage, with international press coverage, and thousands of spectators in attendance.
The article ‘Creedmoor and the International Rifle Matches’ looks briefly at the origins of the National Rifle Association in America and the establishment of Creedmoor Rifle Range. It continues with an overview of the international long range rifle matches.
David
Buoyed by their success in beating England and Scotland, Ireland wanted further laurels. A challenge to the ‘Riflemen of America’ was published in the New York Herald on 22 November 1873. The challenge was taken up, on behalf of American riflemen, by the Amateur Rifle Club of New York.
150 years ago today, on 26 September 1874, the great match took place at Creedmoor before an estimated audience of five thousand people. The riflemen were each to fire 15 shots at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. No sighting shots or artificial rests were permitted. The targets were as per those used at Wimbledon in 1873; the three feet square ‘bull’s eye’ was in the middle of the ‘centre’, measuring six feet square, with a three feet wide by six feet high ‘outer’ at each end of the target, the whole measuring six feet high by twelve feet wide. Scoring was ‘bull’s eye’ 4, ‘centre’ 3 and ‘outer’ 2.
The Irish team, using muzzle loading rifles manufactured by John Rigby and Co., Dublin, Ireland, were: Major Leech (Captain) - Dr. Hamilton, E. Johnson, J.K. Millner, J. Rigby, Capt. Walker and J. Wilson.
The American team fired breech loading rifles and comprised: G.W. Wingate (Captain) - Col. Bodine, H. Fulton, L. Hepburn (Remington rifles) - Gen. Dakin, Col. Gildersleeve, G.W. Yale (Sharps rifles).
The Americans made a strong start at 800 yards, taking the lead on 326 points against the Irish team on 317. As the ranges increased in distance, so the Irish began to claw back points. At 900 yards the Americans scored 310 whilst the Irish finished on 312. The American's lead was gradually eroded further at 1,000 yards, where the Irish finished on 302 points for a total of 931. The Americans were still shooting. By the time it came to the last shot to be fired, the Irish were leading by one point.
John Bodine was the last man to shoot. The pressure must have been tremendous, with thousands of spectators straining to see the shot on which American victory depended. Bodine pulled the trigger, then there was the four second wait for the bullet to travel the thousand yards to the target. “Clap!” That welcome sound as the lead bullet flattened on the iron target, indicated a hit. Then came the marker indicating a bull’s eye! The American’s had won, and Bodine was carried off in triumph. The final scores were America 934 and Ireland 931.
The American team win gave the art of long-range shooting a considerable boost in the country. This was the first of series of team matches that set the sport upon a world stage, with international press coverage, and thousands of spectators in attendance.
The article ‘Creedmoor and the International Rifle Matches’ looks briefly at the origins of the National Rifle Association in America and the establishment of Creedmoor Rifle Range. It continues with an overview of the international long range rifle matches.
David
