52 
-A.pril 24r 
THE B1FL 
The International .Hatch. 
The Joint Committee having in charge the International match 
held its regnlar weekly meeting on Friday, the 12th inst., at the 
office of the Chairman. 
In :he call for subscriptions and leports from the several mem- 
bers on what progress they had made in securing contributions. 
Col. Wingate announced that he had received a check of $500 from 
A. T. Stewart, per Judge HiJt:)n; also a check for $2.5 from J. W. 
Masurj’, of 111 Fulton street, and the payment of $100 by Adjt.- 
Gen. Franklin Townsend. 
Col. Wingate said he had received a letter from Capt. J. J. 
Mason, of the Ontario Any Rifle Association, acknowledging 
the receipt of the acceptance of the Canadian challenge by the 
Amateur Rifle club, as published in the J^ports34an some weeks 
since. Col. Wingate offered the following letter from India for the 
consideration of the Committee: 
Branxton HorsE. Pooxa, i 
East Ixi>ie>. Jan. 20. 1875. j" 
G. TT. WingaU: 
Dear Sir,— The report of the International match between 
America and Ireland has just been received iu this country, and 
riflemen hete are much struck with the statement that the Ameri- 
cans used breech loaders made by Remington atid Sharps. Jf this is 
the case will you request Mc^srs- Keiuiugioii and Sharp> to forward 
to me their price lists, with a detailed account of their respective 
long range rifles, at their earliest convenience, so as to admit of 
rifles being ordered to arrive in lime to use at our Indian Wimble- 
don in beptember next. 
I should be glad to know if we can arrange a simultaneous rifle 
match between India and America towards the fall of the year, six 
to eight of aside; ten shots at 2U0, 400, oUU yards w'ith .btt bore 
rifles, on one day, and ten shots at 800, 900 and 1000 on the follow- 
ing day with match rifles; the whole in any position. I should be | 
glad to hear from you on the subject, and trust you will excuse me 
lor troubling you on the matter referred to, as the Arms are not 
known here. 
I am, Dear Sir. faithfully, 
Adam bMiTU, 
Honorary Secretary Poona Rifle Club. 
‘ On motion the letter was referred to the Amateur Rifle Club, after 
which the Committee adjourned, as neither the sub-committee on 
the days of the opening matches nor the Transportation Commit- 
tee were ready to report in folk 
[Pooua, or Poonah, from which the letter above quoted is dated, 
is one of the principal garrisoo stations of the Briti^h army in India. 
It is situated about seveuty-flve miles southeast of Bombay, aud is a 
centre of considerable interest in military practice. We doubt not 
that the soldiers and officers stationed there could show some 
fine rifle scores* — E d. R. axd G.] 
At the meeting held on Friday last, the 16th inst., the foUowine 
letter was received aud laid before the members by the sub-commit- 
tee on trausportaiioD : 
IxMAX Steamship Company, April 13. 
To ttu Joint Comniittu qf the Amateur Bijit Club and yational iLiJtt 
Association : 
Gentlemen : I write to inform you that we have received instruc- 
tions from Liverpool, by cable, to tender free passage out and back 
to the members of the association who may be selected for the com- 
ing match with the Irish Riflemtn. The number, we uuleistaud. l^ 
limited u> eleveo, and as our steamer City of Chester, which sails on 
June 5, is a very popular steamship, it uoula be vsell to come to an 
early decision, so ihat we may reserve the best accommodativ»Ds for 
the part)'. JOH2s G. DALE. 
This very generous offer of the Inman Line authorities is due in 
great measure to the exertions of Mr. A. Alford, connected with 
the house of £. Remington Sous. It lifts a oad from the shoul- 
ders of committee and it shows the generous fedling on the other 
side respecting the visit of the American riflemen. The amount of 
accommodation needed by team is no small matter m the most ac- 
tive part of the traveling season and too much crc'dit cannot be given 
to Mr. Dale, the agent, and his company. The offer was thankfully 
accepted. 
Mr. Herman C. Poppenhausen on behalf of the North Shore A 
Central Railroad of Long Island sent a package of 250 passe? on ibe* 
road to be used by men who were practicing for places on the team. 
31ajor Leech cent his U7uai weekly bulletin and announced thai 
proper measures would be taken to meet the team at the harbor of 
Queenstown. 
Immediately on the adjoummeut of the joint committee, a meet- 
ing of the executive committee of the Amateur Rifle club was held 
iu which Capt. Bruce stated that Mr. J. F. Luther of 79 Nassau 
street, the donor of the prize, was ready to make and present a first 
class article for the contest of the club members. On motiou ofMr. 
Alford the badge was accepted with thanks, and the terms on which 
the Competitions should be conducted made similar to those of iLe 
Amateur Long Range badge of last year \^ou by Mr. Hepburn. The 
Poonah letter was laid over for future consideration, and the com- 
mittee adjourned. 
The American Team in Ireianu. 
The Reception Committee on behalf of the Irish people to accord 
a hearty welcome to the American team are working \^ilh a will, 
while on this side the Atlantic our own joiol committee are leaving 
no stone unturned to send off the team with the best prospect of suc- 
cess. What the result will be when the combined effect of the twe 
committee's work falls upon the beads of the selected meu, it i- 
hard to furtell, but if they are not kept under strict di&vipliue. uni 
maintain, if necessary, even a surly indiffereoce to invitations of 
all sotis, looking to any julliflcatiun, if this strict watch is not kept 
upon the condition of the men, a sad tale of defeat will be cableu 
across the oceau, when the great match is completed. To give some 
faint idea of what a series of festivities have been already laio 
down, we quote the report from the IrUh Tunes^ of Dublin. The 
session referred to was held on March 31. and since then, we learn 
the programme has been vastly amplifled: 
On Weduescay, there was held a meeting of the “Reception and 
Euiertaiuincnn.,ommiitee*’ to rcc‘eive and discuss the programme, 
to be f jUowed during the return visit of the American Rifle Cham 
pious lo this country. Maurice Brooks, M. P., occupied the chair. 
As we have had au opportunity of reading the programme, allhougl. 
some changes may yet be made in the arrangement, we think th 
puolic would be iulerested in know ing what entertaiumeuts, recep- 
lious, aud festivities will in auy ev*ent cake place. 
A deputation of t^e Irish Rifle Club Association will proceed to 
QueeustowD, so as to welcome the American team before they dis 
embark to become ^be guests of the Irish people. Visits to most 
of the public Institutions and buildings of Dubliu are arranged. 
Next follows an excursion to the Vartry Waterworks, which every 
one knows is a homephrase, meaning a glorious and most jo\i^ 
feast, at which very little 5 artrj* w ater is imbibed. As the Ameri- 
cau team intend to* visit us in the leafV momh of June, they will be 
taken through tie most delightful portions of the connty of Wick- 
low. A grand concert will be given in the Great Hall of the Exhibi- 
tion l*alace, but ibe » ommitlee have not as yet decided to accom- 
pany the battle choruses by ?alv( s of field artillery, as the Ameri- 
cans did at Boston. The vfsiior' will be treated to* a steam trip on 
Dublin and Kitliuey Bays and if possible, will vi-it Ixird Talbot de 
Malahide. A special performance is to be given at the Theatre 
Royal, and a trip to the Curragh Camp is arranged and General Sev- 
monr will, no doobt be ]>ersQa led to give a Grand Divirinnal Field 
Day. The camp is exp^ted by that time to contain 10,000 to 14.000 
cavalry and infantry. with a proportionate complement of artillery. 
The Lord .Mayor has announced his intention to give a grand ban- 
a uet in the Round-room of the hospitable Mansion House. The 
[on. M. Vernon is already preparing for a garden-party in the 
beautiful grounds of Clotarf Castle A banquet will also *be given 
in the Common's Hall of the Universiry of Dublin by the Fellows, 
Senior and Junior of Triuity College. There wUl be flower-shows 
and two or three balls, where we rely upon our Irish ladies to cap- 
tivate every handsome, manly fellow of that American temn. We 
would like to have the pleasure of escorting one or two of the party 
who may have wives in New’ York, as the sail remnant of the force 
to the Qaeen>iown jetty. 
We f incy the Reception Committee have ent out work enough for 
themselves and enjoyment for the expected vi?itors It bad to be 
done, and must be done right well. The tiuth is that the members 
of the Irish Team, all steady men. were whisked up and down 
through the L'nited States by * people whose hearts are as large as 
their country is powerful. Some of our champions got lost for a 
while, and with great difficulty per?uaded their hosts to let them 
drop down to the coast one by one. The h'*spiiality ?hown every- 
where, and by all classes, in America, to the Irish Team, was un- 
bounded and munifleent. We must return the generosity of the 
American hosts to the very otmo>t of our power. The fact that 
Major Leech has undertaken the direction of the reception, etc., is a 
guarantee that everything will be done iu a style worihv of the oc- 
casion and of Ireland. 
Tbe Short Ran?e Tournament. 
The contest among the expi-rts in gallery shooting which has 
been going on for a month back at the shooting rooms of Mr. Jas. 
S. Conlin. y30 Broadway, N. Y., was bronght to a very snccessfol 
finale on Monday evening last. Each of the competi'ors and mem- 
bers of the highest 12 were invited to be present at that time and 
witness the finishing np. Accordingly a company of first c ass 
short-range r flemen were present at th.at time. The targets were 
set on exhibition, the list of the snccessful shootists was posted np, 
and everything and everybody was satisfactory. During the month 
all who were so included took a turn at the paper ring target, and a 
very large number of trials were made, several thousands, we under- 
stand. after winnowing out all the lesser degrees of merit and leav- 
ing nothing but the crant de la emne. The following was declared 
to be 
THE SHORT RANGE TEAM. 
Nilson MacDonald 8 T-8 
L. C. Bmce 9 5-8 
Marsh 10 1-4 
\Vm. Hayes 10 3-8 
G. W. Hamilton 10 5-8 
Chas. A. cheevvr 11 3-16 
Thos. Lloyd 12 7-16 
1 Alex. Ronx 13 
i J. T. B. Collins 13 1-8 
I G. W. Y.le 13 5-8 
I . Noone 14 1-4 
I W. A. Sherman 15 1-2 
After the announcement of the result the whole company dined 
together. Mr. Conlin made a brief spceeh. Mr. John Rigby had 
thought snfHcienily of the tonrnament, and sent on a special prize 
for the best aggregate at three targets. Mr. MacDonald in addition 
to that of 8 7-8 made also target at 10 11-16 and 11 3-16 inches, show- 
ing the least aggregate and he was accordingly the winner of the 
Rigby pin. Mr. MacDonald responded in a first class off-hand after 
dinner speech, chiding the younger men mildly for allowing the 
elderly shots to carry off tbe palm. He should respect the badge of 
victory on account of the number of the competitors, as well also, 
on account of the fame of many of those antagonists as first class 
short range shots. He hoped that the present reunion wonid be the 
birth date of a new short range club, which snonld devote its labor 
lo off hand shooting at distances ranging from 25 to 200 yards. He 
was prond too of the day. It recalled memories of the deeds of 
Concord and Lexington. The 19th of April, now the Centennial- 
day of the opening gun of the Revolution is an appropriate time 
to take a survey of the progress which has been made in the make 
and use of small bore fire arms since the old fiint lock of those 
days and oar finished breech-loaders now in nse. Other speeches 
followed from the writers of the sporting-press and the like, and at 
a late hoar the UiUTnament of 1875 was voted a success. 
Rifle Notes.— At the annnal meeting of the Dish American Rifle 
club of New York city, held on Friday, April 17. a roll of ofiicers for 
the ensuing year was elected as follows; President, General F. F. 
Millen; Vice President, Colonel Bethel Barton; Secretary and 
Treasurer. Edward Brown; Executive Committee, J. J. O'Kelly, 
General Millen, Major P. M. Haverty, Colonel Borton, Dr. C. J. 
Maguire, Captain Jerome Collins and Adjntant W. U. Morphy. The 
annual subscription is fixed at $3 00. and the initiation fee at $5 00. 
Ir was resolved to hold the first match for the clnb badge on Satur- 
day, May 8. at Creedmoor, the terms to be 2 sighting and yscorin" 
shots each at 200 and 500 raids; weapons, any military rifles. 
Tne Sevenih Regt. “shells’’ have already been competed lor this 
season with Sergt. \Y. B. Coughtir, the Secretary of the Amateur 
Rifle club, as winner, with a very poor score. 
A I entcnnial Schutzenfesi is contemplated in Philadelphia; crack 
aiarksmen have been invited from all portions of the w orld, the first 
ir grand prize being $5,000 gold. 
The spring meeting at Creedmoor has been fixed for Tnnrsdav, 
Friday and Saturday. May 27. 28 and 29. The provisionalpro- 
_ramme adopted w as as follow s. It may, however, be extended in 
many re.spccts, before the days named: 
T’Airrst/fli/. J/ay 27.— Directors’ match, open to all Dinctors and 
Honorary Directors of tbe National Rifle Association; disiance. 200 
ya Os. two siL'hting and five scoring shots; entrance fee. $1; prize. 
Directors’ gold oadge. Second match, same range; two sighting 
shots and seven scoring shots; entrance fee. Jl; prize not deter- 
mined. 
Friday. May 28.— Third match ; Leech Cup; distincc. 800, 900 and 
1.000 }ards; no sighting shots; no previous practice on the day of 
the match; fifteen 'hots at each range; the trophy to be held' for 
the space of one year by the winner. 
.So/trrriay. Jfaj 29.— Fourth match: military short range; di.'tance. 
2 0 yards; two sighting and seven scoring 'shots; prize not deter- 
mmrd. Fifth match; military long range match; distances. 500 and 
600 yards; two sighting and seven scoring shots at each tUstance; 
prize, a Rcmingion Long Range Criedmoor Rifle. 
The name of Ex-Govemor Horatio Seymonr of New York, is put 
forward as a possible Captain of the American Rifle Team. Gov. 
Seymour is a thoronghly posted sportsman, is a member of many 
sporting and game societies, and a member of the N. Y. State Fish 
Commission. 
From the West and South-West come tidings of rifle clubs in the 
field, at practice, while Creedmoor is yet a wild morass, or semi- bog, 
where shoal water boats are still in order. The putting up of the 
fence promises to delay the opening this year, as the embankment 
slide did last year. 
A new clnb based on tne pattern of the American Rifle Club, but 
exclusively short range, would be a success. 
“Xick” on Shooting Positions. 
The question of position in shooting is a rising one in rifle cir- 
cles, and proaiiscs to create, before lODg a reaction, which it were 
well if tbe Board of Directors should recognize In time and take 
some steps towards the examination and consideration of the sub- 
ject, if not to a positive code of rales on this particnlar point in rifle 
shooting. Tbe professional papers are beginning to discuss it. 
Among the habitues of Creedmoor it is tbe common talk, and mean- 
while the shooters are, one after another, with the kindly docility 
of a flock of sheep, following in the lead of bell-weather F , and 
twisting themselves np into most grotesque attitudes in order that 
every portion of the body and all the extremities may be bronght 
into service in steadying the shooting weapon. 
The spread of this practice is in great measure due to the non- 
existence of any definite law or regulation prohibiting it. Altbongh 
odd and various positions had been previously mentioned in the 
works on rifle-shooting, they had not been adopted bj the frater- 
nity at large, and the range anthorities where they restricted the 
shooters to any position, excluding artificial rests, never intended 
nor expected to see the growth of any such wide 8pre:id infection of 
ngliness in position, as has now settled down upon tbe long range 
shooters. Last year at Creedmoor, what we may call the foil twist, 
was assumed by but one marksman, be made a magnificent score, 
and logically or otherwise, one and all conclude that it was the p> 08 i- 
tioD that accomplished the success and at once dropped into it, and 
with tbe opening of practice this year, the patent back-action mode 
seems to be almost universal. Those who have heretofore stead- 
fastly adhered to the honest and (as far as ground crawling can be) 
graceful belly position and made withal good scores at it, are now 
seen bucking themselves np into an indescribable contortion in 
which the left hand appears to be making a backward grade at the 
right ear, the body describes a series of parabolic diabolic curves, 
tbe legs, wind in and out among each other in a bewildering way, 
while the feet appear as if trying to effect a passage into the rifle- 
man's breeches pocket Tbe result of all this acrobatic postaring 
is to leave a narrow channel into which the rifle is inserted and it 
finds at last fine point of steadying support and then when tbe 
rifleman has thus complacently resolved himself into a fixed rest 
machine, a bead is drawn, tbe trigger is pulled, a bull's eye bit, of 
course, results, and the marksman uncoils and pnffeth himself up 
exceedingly, and takeih to himself the credit of being a fellow of 
mighty nerve and clear eye, whereas be may be nothing of the kind, 
he made of himself a sort of complementary machine to his gun, 
and the combined mechanism, worked as we wonid say. “like clock- 
work" simply because tbe whole was to all intents and purposes a 
homogeneous piece of machinery. 
The position known as the “Fulton position," as that gentleman 
was the first to introdnee it on the lawn at Creedmoor, is moreover 
vicious, as well on account of its nondescript character, as being 
liable to abuse. What it will ultimately lead to, if not checked, 
nobody knows, or ^ hat further contortions some specially mistaken 
long-legged, spider-built, bnllct-beaded marksman may throw into 
it. During the past winter the rifle manufacturing companies have 
been doing some decidedly queer work in tbe way of turning out 
weapons to fit into the anatomy of the rifleman, when wound np 
into his chosen position : 'ere long shall see elongated stocks, 
pistol grip in odd places, sights pnt to order along tbe slock and * 
barrel nntU for sbonlder-sbooting the piece of ordnance (we can no 
longer candidly call it a rifle) has become utterly valueless, charges 
o! powder may go op with the other charges and tbe Insinuation of 
a prominent New York journal, made last sommer, that the long 
range riflemen at Creedmoor shot rather small cannon than legiti- 
mate rifles, will receive an emphatic verification. Tbe first fruit of 
the changes Is new and by tbe shifting of tbe rear sight to the heel of 
the stock one or tw’o of the Irish Rigbys of last summer carried this 
mark of degeneration and the infection is spreading among our 
national marksmen. 
The adoption of the Wimbledon target system by the Board of 
Directors of our American Association, opens np another field of < 
speculation, bringing in the torso position very prominently. Un- I 
der tbe new rujes of 1875, at Wimbledon, it is reported, any position 
may be assumed at any distance and now we may only wait for a ' 
short range shoot, “according to the regulations of the range” to • j 
see the crawling disciples peppering away at 200 yards in a lying i 
position. This will be running tbe thing down pretty low into the j 
ground, but it will come if the matter is not checked. ! 
The first thing the new short range clnb should do when organ- ] 
ized is to administer a decided snob to this serpentine way of wind- 
ing ronnd a rifle by making it a condition that all their matches be 
shot in a fair, off-hand, from the shoiilder, fashion. 
In military competitions too. the new position will lead to misnn- | 
derstanding, while it is undoubtedly advantageous in securing 
steadiness, it cannot be made a regnlation position, and in tbe forth- j 
coming orders from the Inspector General's office for the military 
practice of the summer of 1875, this pmint. among others, must be 
covered by positive prohibition, or trouble will most certainly ensue 
and CO’ fusion result in the veterans; if uniformity was so impera- 
tively necessary as to cause a unanimous abandonment of the old 
system for tbe new one of marking, is it not equally necessary on 
the score of nniformity to have it distinctly stated what po-itions 
may and what may not be assumed by riflemen? Weights of rifles, 
bights, trigger-pulls, calibres, etc., are all specifically defined. The 
manner of loading was left open and advantage was taken of 
omission to degrade a breech-loader into a muzzle loader ■>- ; t : : 
powder down its month. This innovuii >n w very pnnii. y inki o 
np by the breech-loadir.g r f* i 1 • . i « * | , • • « • . . > . , . n 
1 
