Dec. 3, 1904.] 
FOREST . Aiw STREAM; 
4?g 
Fixtures* 
Jan. 16-20.— Pittsburg, Pa.— First annual tournament of the 
Iroquois Rifle Club. 
The Rifle in Italy. 
The National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice is 
collecting information from various governments as to what is 
being done in the same direction in other countries. An inter- 
esting description of what the Italian Government is doing for 
the promotion of rifle practice has been received: 
"In 18S2 the Italian Government organized an association for 
the purpose of teaching all citizens how to properly handle the 
military rifle. This organization is under the supervision of the 
Secretary of War, who has his headquarters at Rome. As soon 
as there are 100' members affiliated in any community, a branch 
is formed. Every citizen above sixteen years of age making an 
application with bona fide certificate, on the payment of 60 
cents a year-, becomes a member. 
"Total or partial, exemption from military duty is given to 
members who have profitably taken shooting lessons for two 
years before the call to arms. A student cannot get his diploma 
or attend any university unless he presents the shooting booklet, 
proving that he has attended the shooting exercises of his society. 
"As soon as a branch society is formed, it takes the name of 
the National Rifle Association — society of the city or town where 
it is located. The members meet and elect an executive board, 
which holds office for two years. This board is composed of three 
men for every 100 members, five for 200, seven for 500 and nine 
for 1,000 or more members. The Italian Government also ap- 
points a commissioned officer over each society, who has the 
same authority as the other members of the executive board. 
"In the vicinity of each branch society, by the order of the 
executive board and under the supervision of a military engineer, 
there is built a shooting ground: If the society cannot pay the 
expense of making and maintaining it, such expense will be 
paid, one-third by the city, one-third by the county, and one- 
third by the Government. This is a law of the country. 
"The Government gives each branch, according to the number 
of members, sufficient rifles, and sells the ammunition at cost 
price. Many complaints were made that the cartridges for the 
small caliber rifles were too powerful for safety at the ranges, 
and three years ago the Government experts made a cartridge for 
practice' only which shoots accurately up to 300 yards and costs 
something less than a cent each. The difference between the 
regular and the reduced cartridges is as follows: Regular car- 
tridges, weight of bullet 10.50 grains, filled with solenite 2.28 
grains; reduced cartridges, weight of bullet 7 grains, filled with 
ballistite 1.1 grains. The reduced cartridge looks the same as 
the regular, except that the metallic outside part of the bullet has 
an opening the size of a square millimeter, which is filled with 
sand. 
"The day for practice is always Sunday, so the workingman 
can always attend the meetings without losing a day's work. A 
military instructor attends each meeting to teach the rules of 
shooting, cleaning of the rifle, and the individual and company 
drill. The instructor is an officer of the army, and all shooting 
is carefully watched by him. There are separate targets for the 
picked marksmen. 
Every year there are community matches; every two years, inter- 
county matches; and every five years a national match. This 
latter match, with few exceptions, is held at Rome, and the 
occasion is made a legal and popular holiday. Representatives of 
each branch of the society and of the army and navy attend. 
The Government gives free railroad tickets to representatives; 
other marksmen who attend are allowed 75 per cent, discount on 
cost of tickets. In the last match, which lasted fifteen days, 
about 20,000 men took part. There were 300 targets, and all the 
officers in charge of the shooting were from the regular army. 
The points were marked ticket by ticket in the pit and by the 
range officer, each controlling the other. There were about 2,000,- 
000 cartridges shot. The list of prizes had among its donors the 
King and Queen of Italy, members of Parliament, the cities, the 
counties, the Government, ladies of nobility, etc. The King 
always opens the match. At the last meeting he made a 3, which 
is the possible; then a 2, and 0. He said, laughingly, T am not 
sure that I made the first two shots, but the last one I am SHre 
1 made.' The giving of the prizes is attended by the civil and 
military authorities, regiments drawn up in full dress, and a large 
crowd from the city. The King gives the prizes to the first three 
men in each class." 
Miniature Versus Setvice Rifles. 
The chief complaint against our service rifle when used in 
combination with the Morris tube for work at miniature ranges 
is that is sets up a false standard of shooting. The very fact 
that the service rifle is constructed to fire powerful military car- 
tridges means that the sights are primarily set so as to comply 
with the behavior of the full-power cartrdige at long distances. 
The Morris tube gallery ammunition does not, therefore, leave 
the barrel so as to strike the bull at 25yds. when the sights are 
properly aligned. It, therefore, happens that the average per- 
formance of a marksman using the service rifle as a miniature 
weapon is far below the true merits of the shooter and the 
ammunition. It is for this reason that in the case of a substantial 
proportion of the miniature marksmen of the country the rela- 
tions with the National Rifle Association are strained. The latter 
body aims at insisting on the use of the service weapon, whether 
or not it is suitable for the work to be done, whereas the practical 
exponent of miniature rifle club shooting persistently urges his 
right to select for miniature shooting the combination of weapon 
and ammunition which is best capable of recording on the target 
the degree of skill exercised by the individual. 
If the service rifle and Morris tube combination was as effective 
proportionately at short ranges as the same weapon shooting full- 
power ammunition is at the longer distances, we should side 
with the National Rifle Association. On the other hand, if a 
weapon costing anything from one-fifth to one-half the price of 
the service rifle and Morris tube combined, and firing ammu- 
nition 50 per cent, cheaper, can produce superior shooting, our 
sympathy must, of course, be accredited to those who desire that 
the selection of weapon shall to a great extent rest with the in- 
dividual competitor. At tournaments and other gatherings which 
are intended to promote rifle shooting as a national pursuit, and 
hot merely to uphold mistaken fads, the policy adopted in re- 
gard to rifles and ammunition should be the one that represents 
the greatest good for the .greatest number. 
• To make our argument clear, we may suppose that a dozen 
rifles are fitted with Morris tubes, and that a series of ten shots 
are fired from each of them at 25yds., using a table rest to 
insure perfect steadiness of aim, So far as possible, the shooter 
should take a perfect sight, touching the lower edge of the bull 
with the tip of the foresight. The position of the group of shots 
which results should then be noted.- The figure of merit of each 
rifle would then be represented by the smallriess of the area 
containing the shot holes, and the distance of its center from 
the middle of the bull. It is not unfairly condemning the service 
rifle to suggest that the shots would neither occupy a small area, 
nor would they center around the bull. The weapon ceases to be 
a service weapon if the foresight is thrown right or left to 
produce central shooting at 20yds.; in the same way it is inad- 
missible to lower the sight below the adjustment for so-called 
point blank shooting. With a rifle shooting high and to one 
side it is impossible to cultivate satisfactory shooting, and if any 
proof of this contention were needed it would only be necessary 
to quote the bad scores which are the rule rather than the 
exception at ordinary drill-hall practice. A separation of 3in. 
between the two widest shots in a series of seven rounds fired at 
25yds. does not, on account of its frequency, stir the instructor 
to wrath. Such results are not to be wondered at if the idiosyn- 
crasies of the rifle demand that the shooter should aim off the 
bull in order to hit it. This no doubt is necessary in the absence 
of a wind-gauge when shooting at military distances, but here 
at least the shooter has some kind of confidence that if disturbing 
conditions are absent, and provided he has found the correct 
elevation for his back-sight, all properly aimed shots should 
strike the bull. It is then and only then that the shooter feels 
assured that every serious divergence from the bull is due to some 
fault of his own. 
When ar sportsman purchases a deer-stalking rifle from one of 
our leading gun makers, it is, as a matter of course, taken down 
to the range, where it is fired, usually at 100yds., from a table 
rest. An extraordinary amount of specialized skill has been 
developed by the class of shooting expert who carries- out 
this test. Our own reports of these weapons give frequent evi- 
dence that ten shots from a well-made rifle will fall nicely 
within a 3in. square when firing at 100yds. A gun maker would 
be about as likely to send out a weapon throwing its group of 
shots a foot high and 3in. to the left at 100yds. as to com- 
mit any other folly likely to take away 80 per cent, of the 
efficiency of the weapon. It is, therefore, the work of the gun 
maker's shooting expert to adjust the two sights so that the 
accuracy of the weapon shall be of real use to the sportsman by 
making the average line of travel of the shots coincide with the 
line of aim. This is the essence of rifle shooting as we under- 
stand the term. No one can cultivate perfection in the manipula- 
tion of the rifle unless the line of the sights is correctly related 
to the line of the barrel. On the other hand, while we believe 
that fixed sights have many advantages for sporting rifles, which 
are likely to be used by many shooters who are not scientific 
riflemen, there is a good deal to be said in favor of leaving the 
rifle club enthusiast to adjust his own sights. 
The miniature target is fired at under conditions which are 
totally dissimilar to those which obtain in the pursuit of wild 
game. The bull of the target represents a mark as small as the 
human eye can well appreciate, and its area allows for very 
little deviation on the part of the shooter, let alone inaccuracy 
in the sighting of the rifle and the dispersion of the shot. In 
this way it happens that a minute error in the sighting may 
produce a serious divergence from the point of view of the score 
made. In so far that no two shooters will obtain exactly the 
same results from the same rifle, it is not remarkable that the 
fixed sight adjustment of a weapon sold for a few pounds will 
leave much to be desired from the point of view of the con- 
sciencious shooter. Ignorance on the most elementary matters 
must of necessity exist among every body of learners, and it is 
not, therefore, remarkable that of the many thousands of shooters 
we have in this country there are very few who really understand 
what a rifle should do and how to make it do it. An American 
arms catalogue puts the question in a nutshell in the following 
words: "The test of accuracy in shooting is the close grouping 
of the shots. If the shooter can make a close group, this group 
can be brought to any desired locality by adjustment of the 
sights." In these two short sentences we have the alpha and 
omega of miniature rifle shooting. — Field (London). 
New York Scbuetzen Corps. 
The second gallery shoot of this club took place Friday evening, 
Nov. 25. Scores follow: G. Ludwig 484, Gus Zimmerman 478, 
F. Facompre 471, B. Zettler 409, D. Peper 409, C. Meyer 464, 
O. Schwaneman 462, H. D. Meyer 459, H. Mordbruch 459, P. 
Heidelberger 458, M. Lackman 455, A. W. Lemke 454, J. H. 
Meyer 453, H. B. Michaelson 452, J. Wellenbrock 452, Capt. J. H. 
Hainhorst 450, G. Thomas 449, C. Roffman 447, H. W. Mesloh 447, 
S. C. Seigers 446, J. H. Kroeger 446, W. Dahl 444, H. Gobber 
444, N. C. L. Beverstein 444, F. Ronn 439, C. Koenig 437, J. 
Bradley 435, G. W. Offerman 435, J. Paridies 435, F. W. Diercks 
434, Dr. C. Grosch 433, H. Beckman 432, VV. Schults 432, S. H. 
Martins 428, C. J. Brinckman 429, H. C. Hainhorst 427, H. Hesse 
427, Geo. Zimmerman 427, G. J. Voss 427, H. Meyer 423, C. 
Schmitz 423, L. C. Hagenah 422, J. C. Brinckman 422, J. N. 
Herrman 421, R. Ohms 417, W. J. Behrens 417, C. Wahlman 417, 
C. Maven 414, M. J. Then 413, C. H. Ficken 411, N. W. Haaren 
410, H. Quaal 409, Capt. J. G. Tholke 407, Von der Leith 406, M. 
V. Divingelo- 406, A. Lederhaus 405, J. Jantzen 404, H. Decker 
403, H. R. Caplan 402, H. Hoenisch 402, D. Ficken 395, H. 
Offerman 392, F. Schultz 390, W. Schaeffer 387, G. Junge 382, 
D. Dede 379, Nic Jantzen 371, G. N. Bolken 370, J. F. R. 
Ernest 366, C. Boesch 364, J. N. Tonjes 360, F. Gobber 353, 
Geo. Wehrenberg 322, P. Prange 299. 
Bullseye target: J. C. Bonn, 30 degrees, G. J. Voss 36, H. 
Offerman 50, G. Ludwig 55, O. Schwaneman 59% Geo. Zimmer- 
man 67%, N. W. Haaren 67%, H. Nordbruck 69%, C. Koenig 79, 
H. Beckman 79%. 
William sburgh Shooting Society. 
This organization held a very successful open-to-all gallery 
tournament on the Hamburg Avenue range Nov. 26 and 27. 
Shooters from New Jersey and Staten Island appeared on the 
scene the second day, giving the local experts some pretty stiff 
work in order to remain in the front ranks. Scores follow, all 
shooting off-hand on the %in. ring target: 
R Gute 75 73 73—221 Wm. Rosenbaum.. ..72 72—144 
P Muth 74 74 73—221 Martens .. 73 71—144 
L C Buss 74 73 73—220 Owen Smith 73 71—144 
A Huberlick 73 73 73 — 219 Spariing 72 72 144 
Zeigler 73 73—146 J Kaurman 72 71—143 
M Dorrler 74 72—146 G Worn 72 70—142 
W A Tewes 73 73—146 F Kost 71 71—142 
P J Donovan 73 72—145 
Premiums for the most rings: P. Muth, $5; F. Kost, $3; L. C. 
Buss, $2. 
Greenville, Ohio, Rifle Club. 
The Greenville (O.) Rifle Club held a shoot on Nov. 24, only 
a few men taking part. The conditions were: 12 shots, 200yds., 
off-hand, possible 120: Katzenberger 87, Smith 73, Heteler 68, 
Wilson 67. 
Cincinnati Rifle Association. 
The following scores were made -in regular competition by 
members of the Cincinnati O., Rifle Association at Four-Mile 
House, Reading road, Nov. 20. Conditions, 200yds., offhand, at 
the 25-riug target. Hasenzahl was declared champion for the 
day, with the good score of .';26. Payne was high on the honor 
target with 70 points. Mr. John W. Coleman a former member 
of the Miles Standish Rifle Club, of Portland ;vle., was a visitor 
at the range, and before the day was over, made formal applica- 
tion for membership. We are pleased to ej.tend him a cordial 
welcome into our midst, and we trust he will spend many a 
pleasant hour with us. Mr. Strickmier visited the range and shot 
a score with Mr. Odell's rifle. It was quite a treat to have his 
genial form in our midst, and we trust he will not stay away 
so long again. The scores: 
Hasenzahl 226 221 217 216 212 
*- a / n , e 222 221 219 215 209 
y del 221 218 216 201 200 
£ estler 220 2i9 217 2l5 213 
£ run , s : 220 2X4 213 209 209 
atrickmier 217 
Tvounstine 1 '. 2x2 ±97 1% 188 184 
^reitag „. 196 194.192.189 189 
Harlem LdVpe dent Corps. 
Wednesday evening, Nov. 23, the Harlem corps 'held full sway 
on the Zettler ranges. A baker's dozen participated in the race 
for high scores on the ring target. 
Ring target: Hy. Koch 451, A. Feigert 450, G. Thomas 444, 
A. Miller 443, J. VV. Bmmenoerg 425, H. Bthrman 421, C. Wolf 
410, H. Hollworth 406, W. Mensch 382, C. Hopi 3,9,- L. Lewenson 
366, J. Hollroeth 246, F. Lauzer 171. .<> 
Bullseye target: A. Feigert 23 degrees, C. Hopf 72, A. Miller 
86, J. VV. Blumenberg 99, G. Ihomas loO, H. Hpllroeth 160, C. 
Wolff 180, Hy. Koch 206, J. Hoiiroeth 244. 
Massachusetts Ri.le Club. 
Long range match, 1,000yds. : VV. Charles 46, F. Daniels 45, F. 
Carter 43, 1. James 40, T E. Russeil 36. 
German ring target: A. N eider 219, F. C. Fitz 203, F. H. West 
197, M. T. Day 195, R. Berry 194. 
Pistol match: E. E. Palridge 94, W. A. Smith 90. 
Military revolver match: K. L. Dale 29, S. C. ' Sampson 27, J. 
W. Bickwell 46, J. B. Hobbs 44, S. D. Martin 41. ' 
Standard American target: R. L. Daie 95, S. C. Sampson 87, 
M. T. Day 80. - - 
Wliamsturgh Rifle Club. 
The following scores were shot on the Hamburg, avenue range 
at the regular semi-monthly practice shoot. All shooting at 75ft. 
offhand, on the 25-ring target: G. Worn 248, 247; P. Andrassey 
244, 245; M. Baal 243, 245; C. Zeigler 244, 244; ' H. Hubaieck 243, 
243; J. Kaufman 243, 246; F. Kost 242, 242; M. Mertens 243, 239; 
J. Ruhk 235, 237; G. Gnrara 236, 235; J. Kiefer 220y229; W Kantz 
220, 220. 
Independent New York ichudzen Corps. 
The regular practice shoot of this society was held Thanks- 
giving evening, Nov. 24, on the Zettler ranges, Capt. Zim- 
merman securing a total of 490 out of the possible 500. Scores 
follow: Gus Zimmerman 490, L. Schmidt 484, A. Begerow 483, 
F. Liegibel 480, L. C. Hamerstein, Jr., 474, H. D. Muller 465,' 
Jacob Schmid 465, F. A. Young 457, E. Kiefer 456, B. Eusner 454, 
H. J. Rohrens 444, J. Geo. Bauer 411, E. Gartner 402, F. C 
Halbe 390. 
Zettler Rifle Club. 
This group of expert target shooters again " met at head- 
quarters, 159 W. 23d Street, Tuesday evening, Nov. 21. Scores 
follow: L. C. Buss 1219, L. P. Hansen 1212, R. Gute 1208, C. 
Zettler, Jr., 1204, C. G. Zettler 1203, H. Zettier 1197, L. Maurer 
1189, H. Fenworth 1186, B. Zettler 1188, F. J. Herpers 1154, Geo. J. 
Bernius 1142. 
Rifle Notes. 
At the regular weekly shoot of the Miller Rifle Club, Hoboken, 
Capt. W. A. Tewes succeeded in securing the possible 250 on 
the German ring target, ohhand, at 75ft. : But twice has this 
feat' been accomplished on this range. 
After but a brief illness Mr. Joseph Moore, for many years 
chief scorer of the Creedmoor range, died of pneumonia Nov. 
16. His congenial ways won for him a host of life long friends, 
who deeply mourn his loss. 
K 
Mr. Alfred I. DuPont, of the well-known powder concern, was 
accidentally shot while on a hunting trip in V irginia the past 
week. While his condition is not considered dangerous, there 
is a possibility that he may lose one of his eyes. Mr.. DuPont 
was at once taken to Philadelphia, where he is under - treatment 
at" the University Hospital. 
The official figures showing the results of rifle practice for the 
year 1904 of the National Guardsmen on the various Si.ate ranges 
gives the 7th Regiment the lead by a wide margin, 9S7 men 
qualifying as follows: 615 marksmen, 206 sharpshooters, 130 experts 
and 46 distinguished experts. A showing of this kind speaks for 
itself, no comment being necessary. 
» — 
If you want your shoot to be announced here send a 
notice like the following: 
Fixtures. 
Dec. 6-8.— Salina, Kans. — Anderson's tournament. 
Dec. 17.— Lakewood, N. J.— Ad-day shoot of Mullerite Gun Club. 
A. A. Schoverling, Sec'y. 
1905. 
Jan. 1.— Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Gun Club annual shoot. 
Jan. 17-20.— Hamilton, Can., Gun Club hve-bird tournament J 
Hunter, Sec'y. 
Jan. 23-28.— Brenham, Tex.— Sunny South Handicap. 
Jan. 31-Feb. 2.— Taylor, Tex.— Central Texas Handicap. 
Jan. 31-Feb. £— Taylor, Tex.— Central Texas Handicap tourna- 
ment. C. F. Gtlstrap, Mgr. 
Feb. 6-9— Houston, Tex.— Len's Grand Southern Handicap. Alf 
Gardiner, Mgr. 
June 8-9.— Dalton, O., Gua Club annual tournament Ernest F 
Scott, Capt 
