Pistol and Revolver Shooting

atically practised in the army and navy, in order to maintain and improve the proficiency of the men as marksmen. Target-shooting

remely inaccurate. When, however, a few individuals developed sufficient skill to obtain fine shooting, their performances were considered phenomenal. Among the first to obtain a high order of skill with the muzzle-loading pistol in the United States was Captain John Travers of Missouri. He was

s became prominent as pistol shots. The latter subsequently joined Captain Travers in a t

public exhibitions of his skill with the pistol and revolver. While in Portugal in 1882 he was knighted by the King in the presence of a notable assemblage, and made a chevalier of an ancient military order. In his exhibitions

that meeting a revolver match was scheduled to be shot at 25 yards on the 200-yard Standard American Rifle Target. It was a re?ntry match, with the three best scores of five

ts Rifle Association at Walnut Hill. Chevalier Paine was a competitor in this matc

e instantly popular all over the country. It was soon found that the arms possessed remarkable accuracy, a

ig. 68.-E. E. Patridge F

eir work, and made careful and elaborate records of all the important scores that were made in the United States from 1886 to 1900.[11] It was at his suggestion that Chevalier Paine essayed to fire the first 100-shot score at 50 yards on the Standard American T

evalier Ira Paine

Chevalier Ira

, F. E. Benn

7, F. E. Ben

, F. E. Benn

Chevalier Ira

Chevalier Ira

7, W. W. Ben

actory-loaded full charge ammunition; trigger pull, 3 pounds; Standard American Target with 8-inch bull's-eye; distance, 50 yards. On the fifth day of the match, and while 9 points in the lead, Chevalier Paine entered a protest and withdrew. Mr. F. E. Benn

score of 915. This record was not excelled until June 1, 1901, when C. S. Richmo

ertain the possibilities of the arms, the accuracy of the ammunition, the effect of fouling, etc. About 10,000 rounds were fired, Mr. Carlin used a butt-stock attachment, telesco

t 100 yards, groups of 10 shots were obtained with the .32-44, and the .44 caliber S. & W. Russian, varying from 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter. At 200 yards, the .44 S. & W. Russian gave the best results; a number of g

ese tests furnished the first definite information as to the real capabilities of the revolver, and had a far-reaching and salutary influence on pistol and revolver shooting. They demonstrated to the ma

bronze-was modeled by him. The match was conducted by Forest and Stream. The trophy was won, after a spirited competition, by Doctor Louis Bell. Under the conditions of the match, the winner was to defend his title tw

tandard conditions, and with an arm complying with certain established rules. The records of pistol and revolver

n Fig. 71.-R. H. Say

e-shot pistol, on the Standard America

Sh

. E. Bennett, Wal

8, F. E. Ben

90, F. E. Be

E. Gorman, San F

1, J. E. Go

E. Patridge, Wal

Sho

E. Bennett, Waln

E. Gorman, San F

1, J. E. Go

Anderton, Walnu

03, T. Ande

their own rules and adopted independent standards as to targets, weapons, etc. This resulted in endless confusion and dissatisfaction when matches between clubs were attempted. Rumors of a challenge from the revolver marksmen of France for an intern

ry, inviting them to join in forming a national revolver association at a meeting called at Conlin's gallery, March 5, 1900. Replies were received from t

sdiction, formulated rules to govern pistol and revolver shooting, and inaugurated the annual championship matches. These are

ablished uniformity in arms, rules, etc., and has encouraged and conducted many friendly matches betw

ig. 74.-George Armstro

with each club in the League during the winter season. Medal prizes are awarded by the association according to the percentages of matches won to matches shot, similar to baseball leagues. The League

This match attracted world-wide attention, and was won by the United States. The conditions of the match were as follows; Ten men on a side; the Americans to shoot at Greenville, N. J., and the Frenchmen in Paris. R

scores of the members of bo

ch T

en

get

er

et G

o

oy 244

habannes 2

aure 24

tinne 23

lary 24

auchat 2

chneider

au 239

ité 233

bé 226

2387 24

ican

en

get

er

et G

o

ietz 26

etty 25

ayre 25

lder 239

erhouse 2

ercy 244

dson 222

abtree 2

mith 22

mmelwright

2410 24

s led by

ole of France it represented Paris alone. About June, 1902, it was suggested that a second international contest be held, and the French gentlemen began at once to gat

ject of considerable negotiation by corresponde

each on the Standard American Target at 50 yards. Each side to appoint tw

It was originally agreed upon that the match was to take place on June 30, 1903, and the American team shot their scores on that day. Owing to delays in transportation, the targets inte

nch

stelbajac,

t Py, Sai

y, Marse

oreaux, R

-Paget, D

auchat, Ve

-Dorian,

ray, Pa

assio,

ocq, P

rette,

ier, Pa

me, Pa

Paroche,

ori, Pa

total

ican

n, Duluth,

r, New York

e, Boston

Jr., New Yo

, Springfie

, Springfiel

l, Boston

n, Boston,

ee, Springfi

s, Springfie

dge, Boston

ork, N. Y. (Score

rey, Boston

, 2d, Bosto

é, Boston,

total

ans le

hot much more evenly than the Frenchmen, and that the skill

ination trials were conducted under the auspices of the United States Revolver Association resulting in the selection of the following team: I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass.; C. S

y concentric rings one inch apart, bull's-eye containing 10, 9, 8, and 7 rings; 60 shots in strings of 6 shots; 2 sighting shots allowed; position standing, right or left hand with

stablished, and all other conditions of the matches were governe

the match wa

ited S

Gorm

Calk

A. Di

Axte

9

lgium

ed King

rance

weden

ollan

reece

isted of A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y.; H. E. Sears, Boston, Mass.; P. J. Dolfen, Springf

actically the same conditions as the for

ited S

. La

Sear

Dolf

Diet

9

wede

ed King

ussia

reece

y competitors of the different nations, Mr. Lane and Mr. Dolfen won first and second places with scores of 499