TARGET-SHOOTING
In the development of firearms and ammunition, target-shooting has always
occupied an important place. It is regularly and systematically practised
in the army and navy, in order to maintain and improve the proficiency of
the men as marksmen. Target-shooting, with many different styles of
firearms, under prescribed rules and regulations, has also become
extremely popular with civilians.
Target-shooting was indulged in extensively with the rifle before it
became popular with the pistol and revolver. The shorter barrel, and the
greater difficulty in acquiring skill with the latter weapons, were
doubtless responsible for the mistaken idea, long prevalent, that these
arms were extremely 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 well known as an expert pistol shot as early
as 1860. In that year Captain Travers shot an interesting individual match
in St. Louis at a distance of 100 feet. Fifteen china plates, nine inches
in diameter, were used as targets. Captain Travers broke 11 out of 15,
while his opponent broke but 9.
In 1865 Colonel William F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill) and Captain William P.
Schaaf of St. Louis became prominent as pistol shots. The latter
subsequently joined Captain Travers in a three years’ tour of the United
States, giving exhibitions in nearly all the large cities.
About 1880 Ira Anson Paine, a native of Massachusetts, attracted attention
by his fine marksmanship with the pistol. In 1881 he went abroad, and for
a number of years he traveled over the principal countries of Europe,
giving 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 Chevalier Paine used a Stevens Lord Model pistol and a
Smith & Wesson revolver. His skill with these arms was so far in advance
of his contemporaries that he was popularly supposed to accomplish many of
his feats by trickery.
Target-shooting with the pistol and revolver, as a sport, may be said to
have originated at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association at
Creedmoor in 1886. During that meeting a revolver match was scheduled to
be shot at 25 yards on the 200-yard Standard American Rifle Target. It was
a reëntry match, with the three best scores of five shots each of any
contestant to count. In this match three scores of 48 out of 50 were made,
the highest individual aggregate of three scores being 143 out of a
possible 150.
The same year a similar match was announced at the fall meeting of the
Massachusetts Rifle Association at Walnut Hill. Chevalier Paine was a
competitor in this match, and made 50--49--49==148 in six entries. The
next best three scores equalled 142.
These matches proved so interesting and successful that target-shooting
with the pistol and revolver became instantly popular all over the
country. It was soon found that the arms possessed remarkable accuracy,
and as the skill of the shooters improved the distance was increased to 50
yards retaining the same target.
[Illustration: Fig. 67.--John A. Dietz]
[Illustration: Fig. 68.--E. E. Patridge]
[Illustration: Fig. 69.--Sergt. W. E. Petty]
Mr. A. C. Gould, editor of _The Rifle_, and _Shooting and Fishing_, was
the first one to recognize the possibilities of the pistol and revolver,
and became greatly interested in the performances with these arms. He
assisted and encouraged the shooters, witnessed their 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 Target, scoring 791 points. This shooting was done
with a finely sighted .44-caliber Smith & Wesson Russian Model Revolver,
regulation full charge ammunition, and a 2½-pound trigger pull. A keen
rivalry for the 100-shot record soon sprang up, resulting as follows:
Oct. 15, 1886, Chevalier Ira Paine at Walnut Hill 791
March 7, 1887, Chevalier Ira Paine " " " 841
Nov. 4, 1887, F. E. Bennett " " " 857
Nov. 14, 1887, F. E. Bennett " " " 877
Dec. 5, 1887, F. E. Bennett " " " 886
Dec. 17, 1887, Chevalier Ira Paine " " " 888
Dec. 22, 1887, Chevalier Ira Paine " " " 904
Dec. 23, 1887, W. W. Bennett " " " 914
This rivalry led to a long newspaper controversy, and culminated in the
famous Paine-Bennett revolver match. The conditions were as follows:
Stakes $1000.00; 100 shots per day for six consecutive days; Smith &
Wesson Russian Model Revolvers, .44 caliber; factory-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. Bennett continued shooting, as stipulated in the match, scoring 5093
points for the total of the six days. The protest was referred to the
National Rifle Association, which decided in favor of Mr. Bennett,
awarding him the match and the championship of America.
In practising for this match Mr. F. E. Bennett, under the same conditions,
made a score of 915. This record was not excelled until June 1, 1901, when
C. S. Richmond of Savannah, Georgia, scored 918 points under substantially
the same conditions.
During the summer of 1890, Mr. William E. Carlin, assisted by Mr. Hubert
Reynolds, made a very elaborate series of tests with the revolver and
various kinds of ammunition, to ascertain 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, telescopic
sight, and sand bag rest; and Mr. Reynolds verified Mr. Carlin’s results
from a machine rest. All the shooting was done with black powder charges
in Smith & Wesson revolvers.
The best groups were made with the .32-44 S. & W. Revolving rifle
cartridge; a number of the 10-shot groups at 50 yards, measuring 1¼
inches to 1½ inches in diameter. Tests were also made at ranges of 100
and 200 yards. At 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 groups of 10 shots being obtained measuring 8 inches
to 12 inches in diameter. These tests were considered most remarkable at
that time, as such accuracy was not expected of barrels of only 6 inches
and 8 inches in length.
Prior to these tests, the possibilities of the pistol and revolver were
judged solely by the shooting of a few expert shots, which of course
included the personal dispersion error of the individuals. These 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 marksmen and the manufacturers
of the arms that fine shooting approximating to that of the rifle was
possible with the revolver, by developing the necessary skill in shooting
and perfecting the ammunition.
A very interesting revolver match for a trophy offered by Mr. Walter
Winans took place in 1892. Mr. Winans is a noted American revolver shot,
residing in England, and the trophy--an American cowboy executed admirably
in 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 two years before the trophy became his property. The trophy was won
successively by George E. Jantzer and Sergeant W. E. Petty. Sergeant Petty
defended the trophy successfully for two years, and now holds it
permanently.
A record, or “best on record,” is the highest recognized score of any
given number of shots fired under certain standard conditions, and with an
arm complying with certain established rules. The records of pistol and
revolver shooting in the United States were carefully established and
compiled by _Shooting and Fishing_ until the year 1903.
[Illustration: Fig. 70.--J. E. Gorman]
[Illustration: Fig. 71.--R. H. Sayre]
[Illustration: Fig. 72.--A. F. Lane]
The record performances with the single-shot pistol, on the Standard
American Target, at 50 yards, are as follows:
100 SHOTS--
Sept. 22, 1888, F. E. Bennett, Walnut Hill, Mass. 906
Nov. 10, 1888, F. E. Bennett " " " 934
Sept. 10, 1890, F. E. Bennett " " " 936
Feb. 25, 1900, J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 939
May 26, 1901, J. E. Gorman " " " 942
March 1, 1902, E. E. Patridge, Walnut Hill, Mass. 942
50 SHOTS--
Nov. 10, 1888, F. E. Bennett, Walnut Hill, Mass. 470
Feb. 11, 1900, J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 471
May 20, 1901, J. E. Gorman " " " 474
Dec. 7, 1901, T. Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass. 476
April 4, 1903, T. Anderton " " " 480
Under the stimulating influence and encouragement of _Shooting and
Fishing_, pistol and revolver shooting became a popular pastime and by
1900 numerous clubs had been organized throughout the country.
Unfortunately, the marksmen of each locality made 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 international contest were also rife at this time. There was,
therefore, an urgent need for a national organization to exercise general
jurisdiction over the sport; formulate uniform rules, regulations, and
standards, and to receive and act upon challenges.
A number of revolver enthusiasts met in Conlin’s shooting gallery, New
York City, in February, 1900, and issued a call to the revolver shots of
the country, 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 thirteen states and thirty-five gentlemen
responded in person to the invitation. The United States Revolver
Association[12] was organized at that meeting.
This association, with the support and coöperation of all the leading
shots of the country, immediately assumed national jurisdiction,
formulated rules to govern pistol and revolver shooting, and inaugurated
the annual championship matches. These are shot simultaneously in
different parts of the United States, thus giving everybody an opportunity
to enter the competitions.
The influence of the association on pistol and revolver shooting has been
very beneficial. It has established uniformity in arms, rules, etc.,
and has encouraged and conducted many friendly matches between clubs, thus
bringing the shots in different parts of the country in closer touch with
each other.
[Illustration: Fig. 73.--J. H. Snook]
[Illustration: Fig. 74.--George Armstrong]
[Illustration: Fig. 75.--P. J. Dolfen]
The most important activity of the association in recent years has been
the inauguration of the Indoor League Matches. Clubs in all parts of the
United States enter into an agreement to shoot a match 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 has become exceedingly popular and
twenty to thirty clubs participate in the contest annually. The League
agreement varies somewhat from year to year. The 1914 agreement will be
found in the Appendix.
_International Matches._--The U. S. Revolver Association also negotiates
and conducts all the international matches. The first of these matches was
between France and the United States and took place on June 16, 1900. 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.
Results to be cabled. Each side to appoint an umpire to witness the
shooting of the opposing side. Each man to shoot 30 shots on the French
target at 16 meters and 30 shots on the Standard American target at 50
yards.
Following are the complete scores of the members of both teams on the two
targets:
FRENCH TEAM--
On On
French American Grand
Target Target Total
M. Dutfoy 244 253 497
Comte de Chabannes 240 250 490
M. M. Faure 241 248 489
Paul Gastinne 238 251 489
Comte Clary 247 241 488
Capt. Chauchat 243 241 484
Com. Dilschneider 236 242 478
P. Moreau 239 236 475
M. Trinité 233 239 472
M. Labbé 226 240 466
---- ---- ----
Totals 2387 2441 4828
AMERICAN TEAM--
On On
French American Grand
Target Target Total
J. A. Dietz 263 260 523
W. E. Petty 259 252 511
R. H. Sayre 253 251 504
B. F. Wilder 239 263 502
G. W. Waterhouse 253 246 499
L. R. Piercy 244 241 485
W. G. Hudson 222 250 472
J. B. Crabtree 225 244 469
W. A. Smith 224 240 464
A. L. A. Himmelwright 228 232 460
---- ---- ----
Totals 2410 2479 4889
Americans led by 23 38 61
The first match did not satisfy the revolver experts of France, who
claimed that the French team was not national in its character, that
instead of representing the whole 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 gather material for a
representative team. The army, the navy, and the revolver and pistol clubs
of France united in their efforts to organize as strong a team as
possible.
The conditions of the second match were the subject of considerable
negotiation by correspondence and as finally agreed upon were as follows:
Fifteen men on a side. Each man to shoot 60 shots in 10 strings of 6 shots
each on the Standard American Target at 50 yards. Each side to appoint two
umpires to witness the shooting of their opponents. Results to be cabled.
The American marksmen assembled at the Walnut Hill range of the
Massachusetts Rifle Association, near Boston, devoting three days to
preliminary practice shooting and selecting the team. 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 intended for the French team did not reach
them promptly and their side of the match was shot several days later.
The members constituting the teams and their respective scores are as
follows:
FRENCH TEAM
Comte de Castelbajac, Libourne 547
Commandant Py, Saint Omer 542
M. Dutfoy, Marseilles 541
Captain Moreaux, Rennes 529
M. Moline-Paget, Dieppe 526
Captain Chauchat, Versailles 524
M. Keller-Dorian, Lyons 522
M. Feugray, Paris 509
M. Despassio, Lyons 503
M. Lecocq, Paris 502
M. Caurette, Ham 502
M. Louvier, Paris 496
M. Balme, Paris 469
Adjutant Paroche, Rennes 466
M. Sartori, Paris 462
----
Team total 7,640
AMERICAN TEAM
O. I. Olson, Duluth, Minn. 554
B. F. Wilder, New York, N. Y. 543
R. S. Hale, Boston, Mass. 540
J. A. Dietz, Jr., New York, N. Y. 534
W. A. Smith, Springfield, Mass. 532
C. S. Axtell, Springfield, Mass. 530
Louis Bell, Boston, Mass. 527
T. Anderton, Boston, Mass. 523
J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass. 519
I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass. 519
E. E. Patridge, Boston, Mass. 517
R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y. (Score shot in Paris) 515
J. T. Humphrey, Boston, Mass. 513
W. S. Amory, 2d, Boston, Mass. 512
C. L. Bouvé, Boston, Mass. 511
-----
Team total 7,889
Americans led by 249
A careful analysis of the scores shows that the Americans shot much more
evenly than the Frenchmen, and that the skill of the three high men on
both teams was approximately equal.
The next international match participated in by the revolver shots of the
United States was the Olympic Games Match at London, England on July 10
and 11, 1908. Preliminary and elimination 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.
Axtell, Springfield, Mass.; J. A. Dietz, New York, N. Y.; and J. E.
Gorman, San Francisco, Cal.; R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., Captain. The
conditions of the match were as follows:
Any revolver or pistol with open sights; any ammunition; trigger pull
unrestricted; distance, 50 yards; international target, 10 ring, 2 inches
in diameter, rest of target divided by 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 arm extended; maximum number of entries from any country in
individual contests, 12; maximum number of entries from any country in
team contest, 1; teams to consist of four men each.
A time limit of four minutes for each string of five shots was
established, and all other conditions of the matches were governed by the
rules of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain.
The result of the match was as follows:
1st--United States:
J. E. Gorman 501
I. R. Calkins 473
John A. Dietz 472
C. S. Axtell 468
---- 1914
2d--Belgium 1863
3d--United Kingdom 1817
4th--France 1750
5th--Sweden 1732
6th--Holland 1637
7th--Greece 1576
The next Olympic Contest was held at Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912. The
American team consisted of A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y.; H. E. Sears,
Boston, Mass.; P. J. Dolfen, Springfield, Mass.; and John A. Dietz, New
York, N. Y.; R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y., Captain.
The match was shot on July 2nd, under practically the same conditions as
the former Olympic Match and resulted as follows:
1st--United States:
A. P. Lane 509
H. E. Sears 474
P. J. Dolfen 467
J. A. Dietz 466
---- 1916
2d--Sweden 1849
3d--United Kingdom 1804
4th--Russia 1801
5th--Greece 1731
In the individual match which was shot on July 1st under the same
conditions, and participated in by over fifty competitors of the different
nations, Mr. Lane and Mr. Dolfen won first and second places with scores
of 499 and 474 respectively. Mr. Sears won 7th place with a score of 459,
and Mr. Dietz 9th place with a score of 454.