4 = 
I 
-A.pril 3 
% 
THE nWL 
Gallery Shootio^:. 
Gallery shooting as an aid to the acquirement of skill on the part 
of the rifleman, should not be underrated by those more or less ad- 
vanced in the art of sharp-shooting. A properly appointed rifle 
gallery is a new thing, as are many other matters connected with the 
modem scientific use of the nfle. In many minds the mention of a 
rifle-gallery snggests the dangerous nuisances generally attached to 
travelling shows and fair grounds, where a set of fantastic wooden 
figures, representing preposterously fat Dutch girls, or gaily- 
painted veterans, as slim as lamp-posts, are set a few feet from a 
rude counter, at which the lustics who have come to see the sights 
exhibited their incapacity as shots in trying to smash most tempt- 
ingly exposed clay pipes. Air guns were most commonly nsed. the 
pointed wads being of all s zes and weights, the charge of air force 
variable and the ntmost uncertainty in every part of the rude process. 
In some cases sma 1 rifles were in use. going off in a weaki&h sort of 
a way and doing about as well in the hands of the poorest as in 
those of the best shots; as no attempt to secure accuracy was spec- 
ially aimed at io the making or loading of the weapons. 
Combined with these miserable little side shows were more mis- 
erable “ refreshment stands, all uniting to make a rifle-gallery a 
synonym for child’s-play and petty gambling on the results of the 
comparative incompetency of companies of semi-boozy pleasure (?) 
seekers. 
But there was a kernel of valuable possibility in the institution 
which under proper culture and attention is blooming and will still 
more in the future show itself in a general recognition of the merits 
of these enclosed ranges. To condemn galleries altogether because 
they had once sustained this questionable companionship is akin to 
refusing to recognize a man's merits because they had once been 
wrongly applied. To look upon galleries as petty matters nnworthy 
of the attention of the long range shooter, is to refuse to enjoy a 
boat-race because it is not a yacht regatta, or to look upon squirrel 
shooting disdainfully because it is not buffalo slaying or deer stalk- , 
Ing. Gallery sport and onen air shooting are, as it were, chapters 
in the same story or branches of the same art. There is a connec- 
tion between them, and a vital one too, if they are both need aright. 
This supposes, oS course, that the gallery is up to the times in all 
its appointments of rifles, etc. The good gallery marksman ought 
to be the good range shot, provided he makes the proper allowances 
for the change in some of the details, as the windage, the heavier 
charge, etc., in passing from one range to the other. 
The he-it evidence that galleiy practice has the merits we are 
claiming for it, in, at least, starting men on the road to becoming 
good marksmen is the adoption of these ranges in the regimental 
armories. During the previous winter much powder was burnt at 
the drill-room galleries, and the result was seen in the improved 
shooting of those who took part in the practice, when they shot at 
Creedmoor during the summer. But there is a sport in gallery 
practice per even if no farther out-door sport be engaged in, there 
is a pleasure and excitement in the shooting contests of the gallery, 
sufficient to warrant their more general introduction as places of in- 
nocent amusement. To those so inclined a match of this sort is 
fully as interesting as a game of billiards, or any other game requir- 
ing a clear eye and a steady hand. 
What the ideal gallery should be in all its extent we shall ^ot at- 
tempt to write, but as an example of what has been accomplisheJ, 
and the best too that we have, the gallery of Mr. James S. Conlin, 
Ko. 930 Broadway, Xew York, may be described. The fittings, the 
modes of shooting, and what has been there achieved will show 
what may he expected under the judgment of a practical rifleman 
as every gallery master should' be. Mr. Conlin has had a long ex- 
perience in this his chosen profession, and can tell many an inter- 
esting story of brilliant blunders, or of fine scoring done under his 
own notice. 
He opened his first gallery at Bamum's American Museum, the 
old famous show house at the comer of Ann street and Broadway, 
November The fire which destroyed the whole concern 
suspeudcd shcoting at that gallery. July 13. 1S6^. Barnum sprang 
phoenix-like, into public notice with a new museum, on Septem- 
ber 6, of the same year, and Mr. Conlin was provided with a gallery 
therein. On March 3, this new house was burned in the 
great “icicle” fire, this paradoxical designation having reference 
to the gorgeous ice festoonery with which the ruins were hung 
by the freezing of the water *hrown on to quench the flames. 
To this display Mr. Conlin contributed a $5,000 gallery. On 
August 31, 1S68, he opened at Wood's Museum, and on Decem- 
ber 15,18tiS, opened a branch gallery at 47 Nassau street, to accom- 
modate the down-town patronage which had become both large and 
urgent. On April 23. 1S71, the up-town movement brought him to 
2:id street and Broadway, where a range of 125 feet in length was 
opened. The expiration of the lease, necessitated a move, and on 
May Isl, 1872, the present gallery was opened. 
This has become one of the features of the town, as well known 
to the riflemen as Creedmoor itself. Located in a readily ticcessi- 
ble part of the city, and kept above any approach to rowdyism, it is 
resorted to by all the crack-shots, wito make it a sort of gossip- 
exchange and experience meeting. Here the last match, and the 
coining one are talked about. How so-aud-so has a new rifle and 
what improvements are upK>n it. Learned discussions upon mirage 
and parallax, and such advanced theories of the pre-ruphaelite school 
of Creedmoorites. are heard, and the farther-off from matter of-faci 
experience the ai'gument gets the more luminously wise the poorer 
shots become. Those who talk better than they shoot (and.they are 
not a few » find congenial listeners in those who shoot even poorer 
or not at all, while all the time the crack of the gallery rifles and 
the ringing of the bull's-eye bell shows that some one is enjoying the 
privileges of the place. 
The fittings of the gallery are indicative of its occupancy and pur- 
pose. On one side are a series of gun-closets, coDiaining a perfect 
m^azine of ^ins of all sorts and sizes. Many valuable rifles are 
brought from lime to time to >Ir. CVulin for repair or overhauling. 
TheRigby rifle of Lord Massereene of the Irish parly occupies one 
niche in safe keeping while its owner is making his pigeon-shooting 
rounds through the West. Belies of one suit or another are fastened 
up about the gallery. Sample paper targets showing some ex&a. 
ordinarily good run of shots: while several large frames are filled 
with ornamental memorandum cards, on which individual exploits 
are recorded. One ticket tells how John Smith on a certain date 
made 180 bells in 200 shots. Another how Samuel Jones hit 10 con- 
secutive bullets, and so on. Ladies names are not at all rare on the 
lists, while names often seen on the Creedmoor rolls are frequent in 
these scrolls of gallery honor. In every case the date is given and 
the utmost care has been observed to have the register accurate, so 
that implicit confidence can be placed on its truthfulness. The re- 
cords run back over a space of nearly 10 years and are probably the 
best arranged exhibit in the world, both in the qnality and variety of 
the feats accomplished. Below will be found some transcripts from 
them, under the several descriptions of shooting. 
Inscriptions of wise saws on the walls give text to the shooting. 
One legend runs “No carcfnl man will ever think of shooting with- 
out keeping a record of his practice. - Capt. HrcUon." Another 
from Capt. Nolan a hero of Inkerman, suggests its Irish origin in 
the cart-before-the-horse style in which it inculcates observant prae- 
tice by saying “ Unless a man finds out, and remembers why he 
misses, he will never know how to hit,” which is somewhat akin to 
advising a skater to remember carefully why he falls in order to 
learn how to skate. 
When the Insh riflemen were here last fall, they made a resort of 
Conlin's gallery, tried their skill and were particularly pleased with 
the bullet shooting, which they saw for the first lime and considered 
the finest test of accurate shooting. One of the invariable rules of 
the gallery is that the guns are leaded, cocked and banded to the 
shooter by the mau in charge, who keeps his eye upon the piece 
until it is discharged, never allowing it to point other than into the 
tunnel. At present, only breech-loading pieces are used, all having 
a uniform bore of .22. Among the armament of the establishment 
is a military Remington, with regulation sights, length of barrel. 6 
lb. trigger pull, etc., but with the reduced bore made by inserting 
a false barrel witbin the large one. This is much used by National 
guardsmen. w*ho become habituated to the w'eapou before wasting 
their efforts at out-door practice. A sporting Remington, adapted 
for gallery practice, an Allen, Wesson and Sharps' rifle are all 
found. A military Sharps similarly altered to the Remington men- 
tioned, is also at hand. 
Mr. Conlin in the early part of his experi nee used the old 
fasbioued gallery, so dangerous to the marker and assistant, that one 
boy was shot through the arm and another through the heart while 
in his employ. The result was a study on his part how to avoid such 
fatalities, and the production of the present “ safety gallery,” on 
which letters patent were granted to Mr. Conlin June 16, 1868. By 
using.it the possibility of accidental y schooling the attendant is en- 
tirely obnated, besides simplifying the process in many respects. 
The old fashioned gallery, when an attempt was bad as special pre* 
caution, was a cylindrical barrel of iron, abont tw*o feet in diameter, 
something like a lenethy piece of stove-pipe set horizontally; at 
one end the firer stood, the target being at the other extremity. 
After a few rounds the enclosed space became partially filled with 
smoke and obscured the targets. In Mr. Couliu's gallery this cylin- 
der is shorter, extending but i bout thirty feet. This length is suf- 
ficient to prevent any side glancing shuts from e.scaping through the 
partitions, while any further length of cylinder would be worse than 
useless. Beyond the 30 feet tube the space is enlarged up to the 
target 75 feet off. To reach this it is necessary, of course, to enter 
and cross the line of fire. This is done at a side door which is 
faced with iron, and in opening to allow* the entry of the attendant 
presents an impenetrable plate of iron before the target, completely 
cutting off any attempt at aiming. So long as the boy remains 
at the target the door is open to him, and closes off the sight of the 
target from the firer .When all is again ready he leaves the dan 
gerous enclosure."’ shotting the door after him, and exposing the 
target again io*view. Wires with bells attached convey the orders 
promptly and without confusion from the firing end to the target 
boy. Arrangements are made for proper ventilation, and many 
minor handy appliances are added: a shorter distance range for 
pistol practice being also arranged. The target proper in former 
days^w*as a slab of stone, repeatedly white- w ashed to present a clean 
face. Mr. Conlin discarded this and substituted an iron slab, upion 
which is a coating of white lead and cil; the bullet impinging upon 
it gives a clear black spot, readily visible op to 125 feet. In the centre 
of the plate ii a three inch orifice. This constitutes the boll’s eye 
for the general run of shooting. A ball passing through it strikes a 
small plate beyond, and this falling communicates w’ith and rings a 
bell, immediately above the shooter's ahead, informing him of the 
result of his shot. The me hanism is very simple indeed, not likely 
to get out of order, and the pulling of a knob close at hand brings 
the flap behind the bull's eye back into position, ready for the next 
shot. 
The styles of shooting are very various indeed. The first and 
most common is that of “ ringing the bell.” This is done by shoot- 
ing from the shouliler off-hand, no rest being allowed except occa- 
sionally for ladies use. Two modes of holding the rifle are practiced. 
The flrst aud that most generally adopted by tyros is that of hugging 
the rifle and firing it in a cramped position, the right elbow is kept 
close to the side, the head is brought over on the rifle, and the left 
hand supports the rifle immediately under or even behind the lock, 
the left elbow resting on the breast or chest. The second position 
is a superior one. that always chosen by the best off-hand shot, and 
one equally adapted to field and gallery usage. It is the r^ulation 
army p»)siuon less cramped, more graceful, and in every way more 
advantageous than the first position. The right arm from the 
shoulder to the elbow is horizontal and straight out; the rifle stock 
is pressed well np against the shoulder: the head very little in- 
clined towards it: the left hand seizes the rifle at the first ring (if a 
military arm) well forward of the rear >ight, and no support is de- 
rived from the chest. The sights, of coirse, vary as in open range 
shooting. This is deliberate shooting, the time of aiming being at 
the option of the shooter. Among the results accomplished at this 
style of shooting, at three inch bull's eye, the following may be 
quoted: 
Wm. Hayes 
G. W. Hamilton .. 
Cbas. A. Cheever . 
S. Redfield 
H. A. Gildersleeve 
Wm. R. Rerasen... 
Wm. SiJherhom... 
Geo. B, Wood 
175 consecutive bells 
,155 
. 75 ” ” 
47 
35 
31 
30 
30 
Wm. Joues 30 
Wm. Jasper 29 
C. E. DeForest 26 
E. Searing 25 
Thos. Theall ^ 
Henry Fulton 22 
D. R. Offley 22 
E. Ralph 22 
J. N. Shuster 22 
A. B. Frieze 19 
J. W. Sagemau 19 
Wm. Hamlin )9 
J. H. Smith, 18; R S. Putnam, 13, and (Jeo. Irwin, 17, all at 75 
feet. Dr. Putnam made 25 consecutive and W. S. Gales 20 consecu- 
tive shots at 125 feet. The number of bells in a certain number of 
shots, not necessarily consecutive, is another mode of estimating 
merit. The record in this way shows: 
Geo. Crouch 
. . .ISO bells ont of 200 shots at 75 
feeu 
B. D. Herrick 
....61 ■’ 
’ 04 
” <0 
\V. S. Gales 
..... 61 ” 
" 72 
" 125 
Geo. Allen 
42 ” 
■’ 50 
” 75 
James A. Vorrick 
40 ” 
” 50 
” 75 
Wm. Havilaud 
M ” 
’■ 38 
” 75 
F. Scott 
34 ” 
” 36 
” 75 
J. F. Doyle 
31 ” 
” 34 
" 75 
W. Connor 
.. .. 29 ” 
" 30 
” lO 
Capt. Dovle 
28 ” 
” 30 
” 75 
Garrett Ueudrickson 
27 ” 
” 30 
” 75 
F. Seymore 
24 ” 
” 25 
” 75 
D. D. Tice 
23 ” 
” 24 
” 75 
T. Feisummores 
23 ” 
” 25 
” 75 
T. W. Hartfleld 
23 ’’ 
” 24 
” 75 
James l>odd 
22 ” 
” '24 
" 1^ 
T. Burelis 
22 ” 
” 24 
” 75 
H. G. Mendellson 
’’ 24 
” 75 
** 
J. B. Metcalf 
21 ” 
” 24 
” 75 
” 25 
” 75 
W. W. Kinnard 
20 ” 
” 25 
’• 75 
Edward Beunett 
20 ” 
” 25 
” 75 
J. W. Sageman 
... , 19 ” 
” 20 
” 75 
** 
Frank Rarasley - 
19 ” ’ 
20 
” 75 
L. L. Uepbum 
10 " 
” 12 
” 75 
T. S. Dakin 
15 ” 
'* 18 
” 75 
” 
The ladies record show that the “ belles” may ring 
considerable skill. 
Mrs. A. A. Sherman made 12 consecutive bells at 75 
Mrs. T. S. Dakin made 17 bells in 22 shots. 
Mrs. J. S. Couiin 10 ” 12 ” 
Miss 0. Boussen 7 g »» 
Miss Annin Wing (8 yrs) 7 ” 12 ” 
the bell with 
feet. 
The boys have also tried their hand aud given an inkling of what 
the coming generation of marksmen are to be. 
Eugene Higgins, 12 years, made 36 conaecutive bells, and 47 out 
of 48. 
Rich A. Peabody, 15 years, made 34 consecutive bcUs. 
John D. Cheever. 15 years, made 28 consecutive bells. 
Wright Sailers, 14 years, made 14 consecutive bells, aud 16 out of 
17 shots. 
Lloyd Salters, 11 years, made 7 belle in 12 shots. 
In some cases the marksmen desire a smaller bull’s eye than the 
three inch one, and by slipping in a collar the orifice is made two 
inches or one inch. To many it appears to be as easy a work to hit 
these r^uced bull's eyes as it is to strike the larger oue. 
G. W. Hamilton, 1 inch bull’s eye, 10 consecutive bells. « 
Peter Gilsey, 1 
H. Harris, 1 
W. A. Sherman, 1 
John Trageser,Jr 1 
J. B. Morse, 1 
J. Jackson, 1 
8 
6 ” ’ 
10 out of 12 shots. 
8 ” 10 ” 
6 ” 8 ” 
6 ” 8 ” 
Baron H. Von Bethman, 1 inch bull's eye, 5 out of 6 shots. 
Shooting at the word of command is a favorite style among snap 
shots, who value rapidity as well as accuracy of shooting. In this 
the marksman holds his gun in the hollow of bis left arm, cocked 
andloaded. “Are you ready? ” cries the gallery man. “Yes, ’’an- 
swer the waiting shooter. ” Fire — 1, 2, 3,” says the drill-master in 
a clear and deliberate voice At the word “ Fire” the rifle is raised 
quickly to the shoulder, aim takeu and the shot delivered before 
the three numbers are finished. Generally, it is made before “two’' 
is said. To excel in this, of course, requires a quickness of sight 
not neces.«ary in deliberate shooting. It Is not so much practiced, 
but some fine samples are shown: 
(jen. W. E. Strong, Chicago, 65 consecutive bells. 
Dr.Putuam, Saratoga,(125 ft) 25 ” *’ 
Baron Von Bethman, 16 ” ” 
Will Seawood, 
John S. Smith, 
D. C. Falkerson, 
H. P. CarringtOD, 
Henry Biglow, 
Robert Huntq^, 
B. L. Woodruff, 
C. R. Gridley, 
Chas. Tefft, * 
10 
22 belle 
out of 25 shots. 
18 ” 
” 20 ” 
13 " 
” 20 ” 
10 ” 
” 12 ” 
10 ” 
” 12 ” 
10 ” 
” 12 ” 
8 ” 
” 10 ” 
5 " 
rt *' 
J. Wilson MacDonald made 20 consecutive bells at a 1 inch bull’s 
eye, and 41 out of 45 shots, at the word of command. 
Wheel and command is another variation. In this the rifleman 
holds his weapon in a “ present arms ” attitude, with his back to 
the target. The formula of command is the same as before, but at 
the word “Fire” he wheels right about to face the target, brings 
his piece into position, and fires as before. This is a relic of duel- 
ling days, when the superior ability to wheel about and fire quickly 
and accurate meant life to you and death to your adversary. 
Shooting and raising the rifle is another change. In this the 
loaded rifle is placed upon the floor, muzzle toward the target, the 
marksman standing alongside of it. At the word “ Fire,” as before, 
he stoops down, picks up the weapon, and fires at the aumber. 
James Watson, at this style, made eight consecutive bull's eyes. 
Henry Carbore made 6 out of 8, and A. S. Shephard 5 out of 6. 
All the above are ordinary bellshootiug; one part of tbe bull’s eye 
counts as high as any other. Occasionally a second disk is raised 
some distance before the principal one. To ring the bell it is nec* 
essary to make the bullet pass directly through tbe center of 
the front hull's eye. A fraction of variation causes such an angle 
to be described by the bullet as prevents it from reaching the sec- 
ond or counting bull's eye. W. Searing shot through a 2 in. ball's 
eye at 50 feet distance and bit 10 bull's eyes out of 12 shots at 125 
feet. W. D. Nicholson, under similar conditions, bit 10 out of 12. 
J. W. Carson, with the bell at 75 feet, made 8 out of 10, and Henry 
Andrews made 6 consecutive bells. 
