348 
FOREST AND STREAM 
of Irish character nnd aspirations in the United States than 
has hitherto beet' the case.” 
On the 80th nit. the Spencer Cup, free to all comers, 
was shot for at Dollymount ltange. Messrs. Bruce, Yale, 
Dakin. Gildersleeve, Ballard, Coictnnn and Cnnflckl, of the 
American team, and all the members of the Irish team and 
Shooting Club took part. Th<- contest resulted in another 
victory for the Americans. R. C. Coleman won the cup, 
making a score of 47 out of a possible 00. The range was 
1,000 yards. Gildersleeve and Yale also wou prizes during 
the day’s shooting. 
Col. Gildersleeve in handsome terms. The Col., being 
called for, spoke with pleasure of the reception they had, 
and presented Alderman Manning with a flask made of the 
same silver as the American Cup. This called forth great 
cheering, the Alderman and nearly all present being taken 
by surprise. A similar flask was presented to Major Leech. 
When the dinner was ended the whole parly were driven 
to Dalkey, where they speut the remainder of the evening 
at. the residence 'of Alderman Manning. Col. Gildersleeve 
received an official letter from Belfast, informing him that 
on Tuesday evening arrangements luul been made for a 
In the contest for the Abercorn Cup on the followmg day i promenilde concert nnd fireworks at the Botanic Gardens, 
our countrymen again part.c.patod, but were not success- ond for (he nexl morn ing a trip down Belfast Lough is 
fid. The match was not conclude until the 2d, when Mr. | pn)miscd . Yesterday afternoon the American team were 
Edmund Johnson of the Irish team won by a total score j t0 competc !lt ciamlebroke in a match with short rifles, 
of 388 Messrs. Bmbv and Pollock made Imd.er scores ■ ^h man firing fifteen shots at a range of !, 000 yartls. The 
of 383. Messrs. Rigby and Pollock made higher scores, 
but as they had been winners before, the cup was awarded I 
to Johnson. Of the Americans, the best scores were as * 
follows: Fulton, 371; Gildersleeve, 3G9 ; Bodinc, 304; 
Coleman, 360. The Americans won several all corners’ j 
prizes on this day. The weather was bad for the riflemen, i 
Rain fell, nnd there was a high wind. 
The Dublin journals, referring to Major Leech's retire- 
ment from the captaincy of the Irish team, concur in say- 
ing that Ireland is indebted to Major Leech for long range 
shooting, which lie established in the face of great diffi- 
culties. 
The official score of the International rifle match 
at Dollymount gives Dakin 52, instead of 51 at the 1,000 
yard range, aud makes the number of poiuts by which the 
American beat the Irish team 30, instead of 38. 
Ou the 3d the shooting for the All Ireland Challenge 
Shield took place at Dollymount. The competitors were 
four members each of the Dublin, Belfast., and New York 
Clubs. The ranges were 1,000 and 1,100 yards, in each of 
which every participant had twenty shots. The shield was 
won by the Dublin marksmen, the score standing: Dublin, 
Amateur, New 
York, 558; 
Belfast, 521. 
Tlie follow 
wetc the scores 
— 
nrnuN ctrn 
Name. 
1,003 yard*. 
1,100 vords. 
Johnson 
. . .711 
iG 
Pollock 
. . . .77 
76 
Hamilton 
... 71 
in 
R'gby 
81 
48 
Tout 
3)3 
251 
813 
Grand total 
AMATEUR, NEW 
TORN. 
564 
Name. 
1.000 yard*. 
1,100 vnrds. 
Gildersleeve 
Dakin 
- 
. ... M 
«; 
Fulton 
;ti 
-si 
Bodme ... 
.62 
78 
Total 
... 281 
277 
231 
Grand total . 
558 
BELFAST CLUB 
Name. 
1,000 yards. 
1,100 vards. 
Wilson 
ss 
59 
Wolkington 
66 
4!) 
F niton 
7(1 
63 
Lee 
... 72 
M 
Tolal 
296 
gd* 
206 
Grand total — 
. . ..521 
Mr. Wilson, of the Belfast club, won the Wilkes Cup. 
Messrs. Coleman and Gildersleeve, of the American team, 
made four bullseyes each at the 500 yards in the contest 
for the Hundred Guinea Cup, presented by the London 
Dramatic New*. Coleman won the fiual shot, but the cup 
goes to Gildersleeve under the rules, as Colenaau won the 
Spencer Cup. A strong and irregular wind blew during 
the shooting, but no rain fell. There was an immense 
crowd present at the place for the distribution of the prizes. 
The Lord Mayor of Dublin presided, and the Lady May- 
oress distributed the prizes, which included badges for the 
American team. The Lord Mayor, Major Leech, and Sir 
James Mackay made speeches congratulating the Ameri- 
cans on their victory. Major Leech said the victory would 
serve as an additional tie between t lie two countries. Col. 
Gildersleeve responded. lie thanked the Lord 3Iuyor and 
all others in Dublin and Ireland generally for the warm 
hospitality and generous applause that had been accorded 
bis countrymen, and assured them that the occasion would 
never he forgotten by the Americans. At the conclusion 
of his remarks he presented an elegant cup of American 
silver aud manufacture to be shot for annually by the Irish 
riflemen. The gift was enthusiastically received. 
In the afternoon Mr. Vernon entertained the party at 
Clontarf Castle. On l he 4th several of the Americau ri- 
flemen dined at the residence of Mr. Milner, of the Irish 
team, and others at the residence of Mr. Waterhouse. The 
usual sentiments were proposed by lire hosts, the most 
honored being “The day we celebrate.” The American 
team have been invited to a banquet iu Edinburgh. The 
closing festivities in honor of the team took place on Mon- 
day. The party made an excursion through Wicklow, ac- 
companied by Alderman Manning, Major Leech, members 
of the Lord Mayor’s family, and other leading citizens of 
Dublin. After visiting the residence of the Earl of Pow- 
crscourt, the parly made a halt at Ilargle, near the well 
known Powerscourt Waterfall. There a sumptous banquet 
was given under a large tent erected for the occasion. 
Alderman Manning presided, and on proposing the toast 
to “Our American Visitors,” said he was delighted to wel- 
come them at this beautiful spot amid the scenery of Wick- 
low. In offering the toast he coupled with it the name of 
Gen. Dakin, whose record was so honorably connected 
with the success of the American team. The toast was 
drunk with cheers and the band played the “Star Bpangled 
Banner.” Gen. Dakin responded happily, complimenting 
prize is a silver cup, presented by the Mayor nnd citizens 
of Belfast. The day will conclude with a banquet in the 
Town Hall. An excursion will bo made to the Giant’s 
Causeway on Thursday (to-day), and the party will return 
in time for a performance in the evening at the Royal The- 
atre. On Friday the Americans will he taken to places of 
interest in aud around the city, and on the evening of that 
day will take their departure for Glasgow. 
—The telegraph reports that. Major Leech has resigned 
his position as Captain of the Irish Team. Although this 
proceeding is only in accordance with a long since avowed 
determination, it is unfortunate at this particular time, ns 
conveying an impression that some dissatisfaction might 
exist in the mind of the gallant Major with regard to the 
late match. Such, we are sure, is not the case, ns far ns 
the mere question of defeat is concerned, for Major Leech 
is too polished a gentleman, and loo friendly in feeling to- 
wards the visitors to display pique at the result. But the 
Irish area remarkably oulspokeu people, nml if the reports 
which reach us from that side as to the dissatisfaction ex- 
hibited towards tlieir representatives are correct, the Major 
cannot be blamed from retiring from an ungrateful office. 
American Rifle Association.— T his association held a 
meeting on Monday on the grounds of Captain Coburn at 
Eastchester, near Mount Vernou. Three matches in all 
were contested, full particulars of which we give below: — 
■'Subscription Match"— Dislnnce, 20) yard-*; any rifle withiu the rules; 
, entrance fee, Si- 
Name. Score. I Name. Score. 
E. Curdoze 2 4 4-1 5.. 19 Sureonnt Madden 41422 ,15 
P. Hyde 2 4 3 4 5. .18 J. .1 C. Clink .4 2 5 2 2 . 15 
F Hyde. 2 4 5 l 4.. 18 Colonel Underhill 3 5 5 0 2 15 
Adjutant Swain 1 2 2 5 5. .lK|Ci<ptatn J. J. O Kelly. 2 2 3 5 2 14 
Hon C. M Schelffclin.3 4 3 1 3 . 1? i lion . C. M Scheiffelfn 4 3 0 4 3 M 
Ciipt. F. Whittaker 5 5 2 3 2 . 17;LIeutermnl Gee 5 2 4 3 0. 14 
Adjmant Swain 5 5 3 4 0. . 17| ■ aptaiu E. Barker .0 2 4 5 2 , I , 
O W . Smith .4 3 4 0 5.16 Ed. Guv 2 4 0 1 3 13 
n>m " M. Scbi ifleliu.O 4 4 4 4. .16 A. T. Decker 0 3 113 13 
K II. Holt* n 0 5 3 5 3. lit] A. W. Peck. ...2 4 2 2 2,! 12 
J. II. Stearns ...2 8 2 8 5.. I5|\Viu. S. Beaver. . ,3 0 2 2 5., 12 
“Westchester Match"— For cope vs hied at $40 and $10 respectively, dlc 
tance, 200 yards; military rifle. 
Snore. 
Name 
2 » 5 3 3.. 17 A. W. Peck 
3 2 4 4 3. . I 61 G Thorn 
Name. 
J. H steams.. 
I nptain E. Barker. 
Captain C F. Robbins 3 5 3 2 2..I8|Wni. S Thompson. 
Win S Beavers.. 0 I 5 2 5. .16 K. Cardoze .. 
II P Carrington 1 2 2 2 4. 1l| Lieutenant Gee. 
Captain A McOweii . 0 5 2 3 3 . . l3|Sergeant Madden 
Score. 
.0 4 3 U 5. 
I 3 o 5 0 
II 5 8 3 0 
.3 2 3 0 3 
8 2 3 0 1 
. .2 4 2 0 3 
"All Comers' Match"— Distance, 200 yards; any lifle, 
Name. 
G. W Smith 
Cant K. Barker 
J. J. C Clark. .. 
Sergeant Madden. 
Col. G. W. Scoit. 
Sergeant Buckbee. 
Score. 
3 0 8 3 5. 1 1 
5 0 3 2 4 .14 
4 2 0 3 2. II 
1223 0.11 
0 3 3 2 8 .10 
4 2 2 3 0 10 
Score. I Name. 
4 5 5 4 3 21 F. Ilvd- 
2 4 3 5 4 18 A. W Peck. 
5 8 2 2 4. . lli’.I . G. Best. 
.8 8 2 5 2 15|G. Thorn 
2 4 3 4 3 15 iK. Wliltlakci 
.3 3 0 4 4.. 14 E. Curdoze 
We understand, though not officially announced, that the 
next match will be in about two weeks at the permanent 
range of the association, when the range will be formally 
opened. 800 yards is its length, but arrangements are be- 
ing made to extend it to 1,000 yards. For a young associ- 
ation, supported by its officers principally, without any aid 
from the Stale, they have made great heudway, and we 
trust their efforts may be crowned with all the success 
which they anticipate. A noteworthy feature of the 
meeting, and ouo worthy of imitation elsewhere, was the 
attention paid to visitors and press representatives. 
Yonkers Rifle Club.— A t a special meeting of the 
Yonkers Sportsmen's Club, held on Thursday eveniug last, 
the following resolutions were adopted:— 
Resolved, That such members of 1 lie Yonkers Sports- 
men’s Club who desire to practice rifle shooting, ;hall be 
allowed to organize themselves into a subdivision of the 
same, to be known as the Yonkers Rifle Club, with power 
to establish such rules and regulations for their general gov- 
ernment as they may deem proper, and to enjoy the use of 
the rooms of the Yonkers Sportsmen’s Club. 
Resolved, That none others than members of the Yonk- 
ers Sportsmen’s Club shall be eligible for election ns mem- 
bers of the Yonkers Rifle Club. 
Mafty of the members of the Sportsmen’s club have been 
practicing with the rifle at ranges extending up to 300 
yards, and will soon extend their efforts to 500 yards. Tlieir 
success at the first named distance lias been very encourag- 
ing, ami the new club is expected to turn out some first- 
class marksmen. 
— V few members of the Amateur IlifleCliib conUn led on 
Saturday for a badge, to be w on uuder wliat ure known as 
the bullseye conditions. Any rifle was permitted, and the 
distance 800, 000, and 1,000 yards; fifteen shots at cuch 
range. The peculiarity of the match was, that the largest 
number of bullseyes inude in the aggregate at all the dis- 
tances constituted the winning score. Mr. L. Geiger, of 
Ilion, N. Y., was the winner, making 18 bullseyes out of a 
possible 45. Mr. A. Anderson scored 17; II. 8. Jewell, 16; 
A. J. Reunion, Jr., 13, (i. W. Smith, 10; W. B. Furwcll, 
7; W. II. Bergen, 3. The total scores were— Geiger, 174; 
Jewell, 171; Anderson, 158; Farwell, 146; Smith, 138; 
llennion, 127, and Bergen, 47. Coinpluint was made that 
the train of the Central Railroad was forty-eight minutes 
behind time in starling for Hunter's Point. 
“POINT BLANK AND POINT BLANK 
RANGE” EXPLANED— CORRECTION. 
EniTon FonssT and Stiieam: — 
In yonr lust (July 1 number) I observe nn error In my definition* "iRki - 
and "second" to point blank and point blank rung*-. This requires , 
rcctlon, else the gist of llie article will be lost, and myself, ) f, Mllh 
jceteil to a Just broadside of criticism. As published, the definitions ilo 
not agree with the explanations on which they are based, and Ibis will 
greatly confound the reader. Toe one word "range" appearing in n,„ 
"lirsl" definition instead of the "second," pervert* the meaning of boil, 
definitions, as will be socn by inference to the article already published 
Please make the necessary correction in your next number by publish. 
Ing ns conspicuously ns may be the following:— 
“First"— By point blank is meant Hie second point where the Iriij.-r . 
lory or curve of the ball in its falling flight Intersect* or cuts the Hue of 
sight. (ScocasoS.) 
Notr — This mathematical point In theory and science, corresponds i , . 
the exact centre of the target in practice. 
"Second"— By point blank range is meant the straight lino or shorten 
distance from llie picco lo the point blank (or cut as above.) is,, 
case 3.) 
Note -This distance is horizontal In gunnery practice, nnd goiiernliy 
In nil long runge shooting. Bunt may be oblh|iie In practice, nnd yet 
virtually comply with the conditions of long range firing. The horlxonial 
distance is measured along the level ground from the piece to the target 
Both in theory and practice the distancos are Hie same. Oi.li St:oi r 
The errors are not ours.— [E d. 
§m e ‘"iff §"»■ 
GAME IN SEASON IN JULY. 
Woodcock, Snipe, Cnrlcw, and Bay birds. 
THE DITTMAR POWDER. 
W E publish below a number of letters on the subject 
of this explosive, some of our correspondents ar- 
guing for and some against it. We would recommend Mr. 
Dittmnr to adopt the suggestion of “Herbert" and have u 
chemical analysis of his powder made and published. We 
last week printed his explicit directions for the handling 
nnd use of this explosive, nnd we trust that the adoption 
of these will result in putting an end to those accidents to 
guns, &c., which we are now called upon too frequent I v lo 
notice, and which are probably caused by a want of tins 
information : — 
West Famhnoton, Maine, Jnno ‘20th, 1875, 
Editor FonEST and Stream:— 
I have been watching with some Interest the brief account* that have 
recently appeared in your paper of experiment* In various parte of the 
country with the Dittmnr powder; nud if It will add nnyiliing to the gen- 
eral stock of information concerning a compound which, In sonm cm>e< 
at least, has proved Itself abundantly able to speak for Itself, you nml 
the reuden* of FOBR6T and Stream are welcome to my own Hide expe- 
Hence, and that of a friend or two, who tried mine of tin- same lot. 
In the first trial of It I mnde nse of an nnrient horse pistol, that hurt 
withstood the shock of "glorious Fourths" probuhly ever since there 
was 0 Fourth to celebrate. Into this tried and (l)rusty weapon I pm 
about enough of Dittmar in kill a medium sized mouse, and drove the 
charge down well with a paper roil to hold it. Toe result was the explo- 
sion of Hie cap, wltn very little additional report, nml a Mule smoke 
There was scarcely any fouling of the barrel. For the next trial I used 
rather more of the powder, well driven (town, ond also added a sin, Ml 
charge of shot; the whole making apparenily a fair charge for a pun 
ridge. But on mature reflection, after llie explosion, I should judge u 
might answer for a well developed ostrich, or a small drug store In Bo. 
ton. There was a very perceptible recoil on the part of the pistol, ami 
the No. 0 shot were driven tuto a board so far that a repent Urn of the 
experiment was considered needless at that time. Afterwards n friend 
of mine consented to try 11 little of the “mlxiur” In his rifle He w 1 
very much delighted with its cleanliness, power of pcnvrntlon, light r, 
port, etc., until I gave him a small charge which had been wet and after- 
wards dried in Hie open air. This he succeeded in getting oil quit* 
effectually also, nnd I may add ho soorjod equally pciu-lrntad with the 
result of it, though, judging by the "corner" he made in swearword-, 
dot delighted o* much ns he was before. On examination, we found 1 hat 
ho had hurst his heavy rifle barrel and blown the tube out, the latter 
sinking him on the head. This proved so satisfactorily that we did not 
pursue our investigations any further on Hint day, nor on subsequeiii 
days. Wo conclude Hint the new powder is peculiar, nml ' Dun." -im 
the bursting of his favorite rifle, spouks very feelingly upon the snhji - 
whenever It Is up for discussion, C 
IIanniiial, Mo., Jiiuo 28lh, 1875 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
While many who have tried the Dittmar powder speak well of it, no 
and perhaps the wise ones, report adversely. A writer iu a late spm' 
ing paper states that in two Instances guns had been “torn open I" 1 " 1 
breech to muzzle," bnt provoklngly omitted to give any pnrtlciilni" 
regard to the accidents. If such have occurred they should by all nicsu 
be given In full detail, so that not only the sportsman could be on tie " 
guard, hut the manufacturer could examine Into the cause, and, If p"- 
ble, obviate it. A recent writer in Forest and Stiieam slates that Hie 
combustion la Instantaneous; such being the ease it docs not seem t>"- 
sible that greater pcueiralion can he mnde hy the Ditimnr than by 1 1 1 
black powder, a mi although the statement seems to have been made o> 
dldiy, I mnst confess to a little skepticism in regard to It , I have fi 11 
it stated that a bullet penetrated six inches more of solid wood <* 1th I’ 
than with black powder. If the combustion was Instantaneous, could 
that superior penetration have been possible? If tho new exp.orive 1 
as dangerous as represented, it Is highly Important that some careful and 
scientific experiments should bu mado with it to determine beyond 1 
doubt whether or not its use la attended with great danger. I for 01 ■ 
would not care to spoil a fine gun for curiosity sake. Would not Font? 1 
and Stiieam do a good thing for the sportsmen at large to have the neu- 
ter scientifically tested? Sonic three months since the writer ol»tinu*-*t * 
couple cans of the new powder, one marked No. 15 lino and the oili*' 
No. 15coarse. I used a few chnrgcs # of four drucluns measure, Well 11 
down, and closely confined In a !2A metal shell, with u heavy No, 0 felt 
wad and a thin curd board ovnr the powder, well pressed down; il"' 
charges were tired at ducks; little smoke, light report, ond slight recoil 
Now, I vent uro to say Hint had tho combustion been Instantaneous 1 
would have been laying ou my hack looking at the stars very soon after 
tho explosion. Later In the season I used 3J drachms, shaken down ■ 
before, with same wadding, Tho powder was put Into now niet« |,lc 
shells which had never been used; th« result some as bofore I found ij 
very satisfactory In snipe shooting; there was no trouble with the el " 1 
sticking. One of the shells Is now before mo, ucver having been H"‘ 
hut once; there Is scarcely nny residuum left in if, and the corrosion 1* 
very slight. In regard to the expansion of Hie shell I admit that the K"" 
used was a heavy one for Ihu gauge (12,) tho weight being pom" 
with double bolt and top fastening. I have carefully examined 'J" 
shells, nnd I can find no Indications of extraordinary pressure. ‘ " 
primers certainly do not Indicate It. I thought, however, that the P"" 
dcr was too quick, und so wrote Mr. D., and he bus sent Uiu a eumi 1 1 
