90 
FOREST AND STREAM 
me. 
THE INTERNATIONAL, MATCH. 
T HE Excel!live. Committee of the National Kiflc Asso¬ 
ciation has forwarded to Sir Henry Halford the 
following letter, which fully defines their position on the 
question of the international Match. They lake the broad 
ground that the “invitation," havftig been extendod to all 
nations, it would be impossible to exclude Ireland and 
Scotland, should they desire to compete through separate 
teams. A strong point is made in the fact that the Irish, 
through being the holders of the Eleho Shield, are prncti 
cally the champions of Great Britain, and their exclusion 
from our contest would not settle the question of the 
world’s championship:— 
Nbv York, March 13th, 1876. 
Sm Henry Halford, Member of Council Jfational Rifle Association , and 
Captain of the British Teai/c— 
Hear Sm—Your Idler of February 14tli came dnlytohand. I de¬ 
luvial answering in order to bring it before our Board of Directorial 
their regular meeting of the present month, and write under their in¬ 
structions, which I now have the honor io do. 
Your association will better comprehend the posilion of our Board 
and the reasons why we cannot properly adopt your suggestion as to the 
course we should take in reference to teams from the British Isles, out¬ 
side of Smttund. when I state the origin of the proposed International 
match, and briefly call your attention to the action taken by our Board 
in furtherance thereof up to the present time. It was the desire of the 
United States Centennial Commission to make a rifle tournament one of 
the features of the Exhibition, and pur association was requested to un¬ 
dertake its management. Accordingly, at. a regular meeting of our 
Board, the following resolutions were adopted:— 
Besotted y That in furtherance of the steps a!ready taken for a grand 
International competition on the occasion of the Centennial anniver¬ 
sary of American Independence, and Tor a proper observance of such 
anniversary on the part of this association, a scries of rifle matches be 
inaugurated, to take place during the summer or autumn of 1876, and a 
general invitation be and hereby is extended to riflemen of all countries 
to participate. 
Evolved, That the T resident and Secretary be authorized and requested 
to notify, in the name of this association, riflemen of England, Ireland, 
Scotland, France, Germany, Austria, the Dominion of Canada, the 
South American States, ana all countries having rifle associations or. 
clubs, or the opportunity presented to them to participate in the compe¬ 
titions instituted. 
Onr President and Secretary complied with the request contained in 
the foregoiug resolution by sending a copy of the same to every rifle asso¬ 
ciation and rifle club whose address could be obtained, throughout the 
world, regardless of nationality or territorial location. These resolu¬ 
tions were accompanied by an official letter, signed by oar President and 
Secretary, cordially transmitting the same, and etatiug, in subtauce, that 
while there would be matches at short distances for military and other 
arms, the principal match “would be for the championship of the world, 
at long range, open to teams of eight from each country. 11 We must, 
therefore, assume t hat t he official communication described above its now 
in the posossion of every known rifle association or club. A strictly 
technical construction of the foregoing conditions—viz: “Open to teams 
of eight from each country”—would undoubtedlly require Great Brittain 
and Ireland and the English Provinces to be represented in the match in 
qiirstion by one teamonly. This was not our intention. We intended 
the match io be free to all; in the broadest sense. We mentioned par¬ 
ticularly England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Dominion of Canada, that 
each might, have an opportunity to send a team. In adopting this course 
we had Ireland especially in mind. Remembering onr contests with her 
in 1874 and 1875. and the pleasant inieieonisc they afforded; and being 
also aware of the fact that Ireland, in holdiug the Eleho shield, stands 
Jorl.h at present as champion of the British Isles, .vedid not thiuk wc 
could with propriety-and we know we could not injustice to our own 
feelings—ftx Buch conditions as would necessarily exclude her from rep¬ 
resentation. _ . 
Onr telegram to yon of January 18th—“Any team you organize w ill 
be accepted— English. Irish, Scotch, or mixed’ 1 —was not intended to 
give you the option of sending either one or three Learns from England, 
Ireland, and Scotland, but was intended to give you, ns the deputed rep¬ 
resentative of the National Rifle Association, the privilege or bringing 
over a team of any character you choose to organize, leaving Scotland 
and Ireland to accept or decline our liivkatiou as they might elect. No 
furi her or other action in the premises than aa above appears haa been 
taken by our association. If Scotland and Ireland, or either of them, 
are not disposed to accede to the propositions of your National Rifle 
Association, we do not see -what action we could properly take that 
would force their compliance. It Is obvious that at this late day we 
cannot recall our invimtions, nor can we change the eonaitions of the 
match. Scotland and the Dominion of Canada have accepted 
and we shall deeply regret if England dees not accept on her own 
behalf, and affora us the pleasure or meeting upon our grounds a 
purely English team. Onr invitation was not designed to bear in any 
aspect the appearance of a challenge. We organize a match, provide 
a tuneable trophy, invite all to come and compete, and propose to call 
the winning team champions of the world. It is our judgment that 
a single team from England, Scotland, and Ireland, combined, would in¬ 
crease the chances lor American success, simply because there would 
be t wo Jess teams in the field. Our desire, ko*e\er, to sec a largo num¬ 
ber of competitors exceeded our desire to win. Nevertheless, if Eng¬ 
land, Scotland, and Ireland, should agree together to send over an Im¬ 
perial team, we shall coidially welcome them io the match. 
Please pardon, the iengtn of my corarauuieation, and be assured of my 
high esteem and regard. Yours, very truly, 
Geoucus S. ScHGiiMKRuort.\\ Jn. 
Secretary National Rule Aetociution. 
Affiliation. —The following Rifle Clubs have already 
affiliated with the National Rifle Association uuder the 
terms of a resolution passed February 1st, and which lias 
been already published. Copies of the circular containing 
the resolution can be had liy addressing G. S. Schemerhorn, 
Jr., Secretary N. R. A,, No. 93 Nassau street, this city.— 
California Rifle Association, San Francisco, Cal.—David 
Wilder, Secretary, 28 Merchants Exchange. 
Notwicli Rifle Club, Norwich, Coun.—R. N. Parish, 
Secietary, 49 Water street. 
Seventh Regiment Rifle Club—II. H. Marcy, Secretary, 
New York City. 
Massachusetts Rifle Association—C. A. Sawyer, Secre¬ 
tary, Boston, Mass. 
Fulton Rifle Association — O. D. Fowler, Secretary, 
Stockton, Luzerne County, Pa. 
Middletown, Connecticut, Rifle Association—F, C. Smith, 
Secretary, Middletown, Conn. 
Spoil,sman’s Club of Taunton—Henry P. Copeland, 
Secretary, Taunton, Mass. 
In addition to the above, the Amateur Rifle Club, the 
Yonkers Rifle Club, and a number of other prominent Clubs 
have announced their intention of affiliating, so as to be 
represented by delegates in the May Convention. 
National Rifle Association.— A meeting of Board of 
Directors of the National Association was held on Tuesday 
last. Col. AVingate, on behalf of the Range Committee, 
reported that measures were being taken for the erection 
of a barrier 200 yards to the rear of the targets at the 
Creedmoor range, and that other improvements were being 
made for the coming season. 
The following amendments to the regulations were 
adapted: No stirrup constructed of metal or other sub¬ 
stance, connected to ihe rifle by straps of any kind, for the 
purpose of taking up or lessening the recoil of the rifle, 
wi 1 be allowed in any matches of this association. In all 
mulches breech loading rifles must be loaded lit the breech 
only, lu all military matches each team will be limited to 
an average of one minute and a half per shot, for each 
squad, to complete itB score. In all cases the gun shall he 
held clear of the ground. The meeting then adjourned. 
CoNi.iN’s Shooting Gallery— 930 Broadway. — The 
twelfth competition for the Forest and Stream badges 
was shot March 9tli, 1876. The first badge has been shot 
for by some of the best shots in tlie city, and Mr. Clias. 
A. Checver won it for the third time, after a very close 
contest with AY. B. Farwell, L. C. Bruce, C. E. Blydcn- 
burgli, Tlios. Lloyd, D. L. Beckwith, T. C. Noone, and 
many other “crack" shots. It is a splendid victory for Mr. 
Checver, and we take much pleasure in congratulating him 
upon his skill with the rifle, which is deserviug of the 
badge. Alt'. L. V. Sone won the second badge for the last 
time after shooting oil the lie with Mr. C. G. Peters. Air. 
•J. G. AYright won the third badge finally. The following 
is a summary of the contests for the badges, commencing 
Oct. 14lh, 1875, and ending Alarch 9th, 1876:— 
3d badge, "inners,” 2d badge,“centres,” 
v. Minors. winners. 
ffm. Keein.12.,G W. Hamilton... 
(‘has. A. choever. ..11.. Robert Miley. 
W. B. Farwell.45..L. L\ Bruce. 
Thomas Lloyd.44. A. Marsh. 
I). L. Beckwith_44..1.. V Sane..... 
L. V . Bruce.44. L. V. Sone. 
T. C. Noor.e.13..A. G. Ilellwig. 
('. IS. 13eydenliurgh.43..G. \V. Yale. 
Cbas A. Checver..42..J. B. Blydcnburzh. 
\V. n. Farwell.48..T. C. Banks. 
J. Woodwind.46..C. G. Peters. 
CIms. A Checver..41. C. G. Peters. 
Sone and Peters shot off lie for second badge, Sone winning. 
Miley's Sallery—No. 2G Court street, Brooklyn.— 
The following are the best scores made to date in the 
tournament for the Brooklyn Championship at the above 
gallery, ten shots, off-hand:— 
1st badge winners, 
winners. 
..<1. E. Whitluv. 
. O. W. Smith. 
...!. Wavdeil. 
■ C. Bluckie. 
..A. B. Abed. 
..J. O. Wricht. 
..K. N. DeWilt. 
..J. Woodward. 
..11. B. Bl| den burgh. 
..11. A. Forrester. 
,1. O. Wriglu. 
O. Wright. 
Total 
.4!) 
Name. 
J. Beebe. 
II. Fisher... 
f.V. Pike. 
Name. 
J. B. Blydenburg, 
.T. F. Burns. 
J. W. Wallis. 
F. H. Holton. 
J, V. Scttlley.46 
There is also a match progressing, which is shot in ly¬ 
ing down position, hut as each of the contestants wltose 
scores have been sent us have made ihe full limit, of 50 
points each, it promises to be Tatlier difficult of decision. 
Syracuse.—T he Sixth Division Rifle Association, 
whose headquarters are at Syracuse, was formed late last 
season, and immediately leased ground sufficient to build 
a 1,000-yard range, and since that time has built an embank 
ment 250 feet Jong by thirty high. Everything will be in 
readiness for business in the early spring, and they antici¬ 
pate developing a number of first class shots the coming 
season. The Nevada Badge will be contested for on this 
rattge, if any company challenges the present holder, viz: 
A Company, Forty-eighth Regiment. The officers of the 
association are as foflovvs: President, Maj. Gen. Daniel 
AVood; 1st Vice President, Lt. Col. James Alanning; 2d 
Vice President, Col. J. Dean Hawley; Treasurer, Lt. Col. 
George N. Crouse; Secretary Quartermaster, G. AY. Ed- 
ards. , 
Some Fine Shooting in India.—T he Sporting Gazelle 
has the following:— 
A letter has been received by the Secretary of the Na¬ 
tional Rifle Association of Scotland from Capt. Horatio 
Ross, the late Captain of the Scotch Eight, staling that his 
son, Mr. Hercules Ross, the champion rifle shot in India, 
was to be home this year on leave, and that lie intended to 
compete, for a place among the Scotch Eight for the Eiclto 
Shield match. Air, Ross has just been successful in car¬ 
rying off the handsome Cup offered by the Viceroy of In¬ 
dia, with a tolal score of 141. The conditions were ten 
shots at each of the 800, 900, and 1,000 yards ranges, with 
two sighting shots at each; and the following was the score 
he made, it being understood that the two first are sighting 
shots, and do not count in making up the aggregate.-— 
600 yards.55, 55455 5 455 5—48 
900 yards.65, 5 55555555 5-50 
l,u00 yards.54, 5 2 2 5 3 5 5 3 3 5 -43-141 
The same journal comments on the proposed Interna¬ 
tional Match as follows:— 
“The Council of the Scottish National Rifle Club, do 
dining to listen to the advice of Sir Henry llalford and 
the National Rifle Association, have resolved to send a sep¬ 
arate team to engage in the International shooting contest 
to be held at Philadelphia in connection with tbe Centen¬ 
nial rejoicings. Sir Henry thinks the surest way to secure 
victory is to select ODe team from among the English, 
Scotch, and Irish rifle shots; while the Scottish Couucil 
are of opinion that the British Empire ought to be repre¬ 
sented by three separate teams, aDd that if it send three 
separate eights it will have a belter chance of securing the 
international trophy than if it send one united eight. Mr. 
J. 11. A. Alacdonald, of the Queen’s Rifles, Edinburg, and 
Capt. of the Scottish Tweuty, has been chosen Capt. 
of the Scotlish-Ainerican team." 
—Creedmoor was formally opened yesterday the loth 
inst. _ _ 
Milwaukee, March 7th, 1876. 
Editor Forest and Stream :— 
On Friday last the Brflinet., tbe Milwaukee Rifle Club made the fol¬ 
lowing scores at tho500 yard range:— 
Name. Score. Total. 
Bangs.. .5 5555535 1-5 50 
Fielding. , .!> *5 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 49 
Meanier. .3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 45 
Turner.5 3 2 4 4 5 4 5 4 5 41 
The competition for the Brodltead priv.es commences on the first of 
April. The prizes are two Held glasses, one to bo shot for at 200 yards, 
two sighting and ten scoring shots. The other at. 500 yards, two sighting 
and ilfieen scoring shots, each to be won three times. E. Remington & 
Son's has presented to the club one of their new model navy revolvers 
handsomely flnished and mounted. This prize will he shot for at 1.000 
yards, competition to commence in A 
RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIP OFTHE WORLD, 
separate Legislatures, and separate Governors. If England, Scotland, 
Ireland, and Canada be each allowed a separate team, and the United 
States only one team, docs not that work to the disadvantage of the 
Americans by placing four teams against their one. 
I see a Northwestern Rifle Association is to be organized in Chicago 
March 29th. Would it not be as appropriate to have a team representing 
the Northwest as one representing Catmdaf Again, an Englishman, 
Scotsman, or Irishman, who has emigrated to Canada can shoot in t!io 
International Team match, bnt if be has been unfortunate enough to 
emigrate to New ,York or Chicago, aud become au American citizen 
he is ruled out. What would be the objection to allow the rorelgu-born 
citizens of the United States to organize and about a team. It may be 
that the old contrymon who have beon transplanted to America can 
heat, both the native horn Americans, and also those "Britishers" who 
never left the coniines of their own little island. 
I have no doubt the committee did the best they could, bntT cannot 
:e how the contest can be for the championship of Lhc world, when the 
millions or foreigners in the United Stales can have no chnnco to try 
for it. Wisconsin. 
[VVc commend the above to the officers of the National 
Rifle Association.—E d.1 
Milwaukee, March 5th, 1876, 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
I hnve read with much interest the conditions on which the Centennial 
matches are to he conducted, as published in your paper of 2nd last. 
The conditions of the International Team Match suggest to my mind a 
few pertinent empiiri ee. The conditions say it shall be open to riflemen 
of all countries. This raises tho question what is a conntryl Are Eng¬ 
land, Scolluud, and Ireland, all ruled by one queen and one Legislature, 
separate countries'! Is Panada also to be regarded sol If this i: 
swered in the affirmative, then 1 would ask;why may not l’ensylvniila, 
Ohio, and Illinois be regarded as separate commonwealths. They have 
mne 
and 
$un. 
GAME IN SEASON IN MARCH. 
Wild duck, geese, brant, 
FOR PLOIUDA. 
Deer, Wild Tar key, Woodcock, Quail, Snipe, Duck*, uiid Wild Fowl. 
Game in AIarket. —Ducks arc being received quite 
freely from the Great South Bay, in the vicinity of Baby¬ 
lon, L. I,, and prices are rather lower. Canvas backs aver¬ 
age about $3 per pair; red-heads, Sj!la$1.50; mallards, 75c.; 
broad bills, 50c.; black ducks and widgeons, 75c.; brant, 
$1.25a$1.50; geese, $la$1.25 each. 
—Advices from Florida state that tho wild fowl have 
gone to more northerly latitudes. 
—A correspondent writing Atarch 9th from Peotone, Ill., 
says that geese and ducks are now quite plenty in that 
section, 
—The ice has commenced to break up in the “duck re¬ 
gions” of Central New York, though hut few ducks have 
been seen as yet. 
—A Toledo (Ohio) letter of the Gth instant says that, the 
lakes and rivers art* quite free of ice, pigeons are beginning 
to fly, and flocks of geese are occasionally seen. 
—The following officers were elected at the annual meet¬ 
ing of the Worcester (Mass.) Sportsmen's Club, held last 
weelij—President, L. G. While; Vice Presidents, Jerome 
Marble and Geo. B. Buckingham; Secretary, Stodman 
Clark; Treasurer,Alba Houghton; Executive Committee— 
Isaac Fislte, J. AI. Drennan, A. G. Alaun, and S. Foreland. 
Testing Cartridges.— Our correspondent “Brandon," 
of Bald Alouittain, N, J., has been making some experi¬ 
ments with rim fire cartridges, using 300 of different manu¬ 
facturers in a Smith and Wesson revolver. The result for 
penetration he gives as follows:— 
U. S. C. Co.’s 2.35: WlnebCa-ter. 2 20; U. M. C, Co., 1-85. After the 
first fifty shots were fired with the Winchester tho arm was deaued. Then 
firing fifty of the U. S. Co.’s make, it was again cleaned. AfLer firing 
fifty of the U. M. Co.’s, I continued firing 160shots, making the lost 200 
n* rU \wlhont cleaning. 1 ' 
He remarks that hitherto lie has found the Union Mc- 
talic Co.’s rather superior to the others. As regards foul¬ 
ing, there was little difference between tile Union Aletalic 
Co. and the United States Co., tbe Winchester fouling the 
most. At the conclusion of the 200 rounds, without clean¬ 
ing, .the easy working of the cylinder was not much af¬ 
fected. 
‘Out of the 300 cartridges fired, eleven railed among the Winchester's, 
: each of the other kinds. These all exploded tlpou the second trial 
without shifting them in the chamber. As to accuracy, I had no way of 
judging it, as I had not a proper rest. A bullet from each make would 
occasionally turn sideways after penetrating tho first hoard. Range 10 
yards; cartridges, .22 calibre. Will not some or your readers give ns 
their experience with these, or other make, of a larger size, say rifle sizes 
from .32 to 46.” 
An experiment of this kind, however, made with but 
100 cartridges of each make should by no moans be taken 
as a test of quality. If tried agaiD with a similar number 
of each the conditions might be exactly reversed. Tbe 
small sizes of rim-fire cartridges are much more liable to 
deteriorate and become damaged than the larger ones, par¬ 
ticularly when they have been kept in a place where the 
lubricant melts and works its way into the shell. We 
know this to be a fact from experience at Conlin's gallery,. 
where there are probably more .22 cartridges used titan any 
other place in the country. Here the experts ivho shoot 
constantly will often notice that a box of cartridges will 
run poor throughout, (as to the shooting), and it will gen¬ 
erally be found to be the last box of a lot- Afost of the 
.22 cartridges are now used and manufactured for gallery 
rifle practice, aud it has been shown that when a very 
strong powder is used the shooting is not so accurate. 
Hard Shot vs. Soft. —Our readers will remember that 
a short time since we published the result of some experi¬ 
ments with hard and soft shot. A correspondent now sends 
ns from Richmond, Ya., a communication, for which we 
regret we have not space, showing that in the trial, or 
rather in the tabulated results, the proper allowance was 
not made for the difference in the number of pellets be¬ 
tween a charge of hard shot and" a similar cue of soft, 
•wliieh would increase the pattern made by the soft shot 
very materially. As regards penetration, by carrying out 
the Eitine rule of proportion, lie- liuils that “the whole dif¬ 
ference in 37 shots for penetration is hut 4 59-270 sheets 
better for hard than soft shot, aud thinks that if this rule 
is applied iu alltrlflls where one sit u I i larger than the oth¬ 
er, Hie results will show that it is not the shut which causes 
til', variation, if there he any. 
