I4r8 
June S 
THE RIFLE. 
The Spring Meeting, X. R. A. 
The spring meeting has come and gone, and Creedmoor for a tim« 
was supremely brisk. Fine weather was had on all the days set 
apart for the shooting. The scores made were on the whole very 
satisfactory. Everything went off smoothly and well, and in every 
way the meeting may fairly he called a success. The use of the 
new targets puts it out of our power to draw any rigid comparisons 
between the shooting performed at the previous spring meetings 
and that just past. At 200 yards it was generally found that the 
new target made it mure difficult to get as good a percentage as at 
the old style; at the longer range, say at first-class target, the in- 
creased value of a bull's eye with the allowance still made of the 
whole target for outers, made a large score more easily attained. A 
new common-sense target with an improved system of marking is 
very much to be desired, and Creedmoor is yet sufficiently young to 
introduce such an improvement. In all fine marksmanship a ring 
target is the only fair one, with rings as close as the distance will 
allow, and in place of the unreliable disks, more confusing as their 
numbers are increased, some application of electrical annunciators 
should be put in practice, expediting, simplifying and giving a 
trustworthiness to the signals which they now sadly lack. The mere 
savin" of tim e would co"upensate for the expense, especially at 
long range, and avoid the use of glasses, so liable to be used for 
purposes of coaching, and leaving the marksmen when in a match 
where outside assistance is prohibited, helpless and confused. 
THE LIRECTORS’ MATCH. 
The meeting opened on Friday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, by the 
shootin" of the Directors’ Match. This match was instituted last 
year, by a vote of the Board of Directors, Col. G. W. Wingate 
bein" the first to hold it with a score of 17 in 20 at the old target. 
It is open only to Directors and Honorary Directors of the Xatioual 
Kifle Association. It is to be shot for annually at the spring meet- 
ing and held during the year by the winner. W e reproduce a cut of 
the badge from a former number of our joumaL 
The day was a good one for off-hand shooting in so far as tne 
wind which was quite strong blew directly from the sixth quarter, 
at the back of the marksman, and not materially affecting his aim. 
13 of the 22 members on the Board of Directors competed. The 
shooting was interesting if not extra good. The majority of the 
men used the new military weapons recently introduced by the 
Sharps and Remington companies, made especially for match shoot- 
ing, caliber 45, and falling within the military designation only in 
the fith trigger pull and open eight. Major Fulton and £. H. San- 
ford tied on the 1st place. Under the^old rule the badge would have 
gone to the latter gentleman, but now all ties being shot off, Mr. 
Fulton made a bull's eye, while Mr. Sanford scored on center, tak- 
ing second place. The full score is presented in the following 
SCMMART. 
Creedmoor. L. I., May 28.— Second annual competition for the 
Directors’ badge; open to members of Board of Directors of the Na- 
tional Rifle Association; distance 200 yards; position, standing: 
entrance fee, $1; weapon, any military rifle; number of sighting 
shots, 2; number of scoring shots, 3: match b^an at 3:30 o’clock p. 
M. ; atmosphere clear and bright; wind strong from sixth quarter; 
highest possible score, 25“. Won last year by G. W. Wingate. • 
Major Henry Fulton, Remington Military, cal. 45 2 4 5 3 3 — 17 
E. H. Sanford. Esq., Sharps Military, cal. 45 3 5 3 3 3—17 
Gen. W. G. Ward, Ward Burton, cal. 50 5 0 3 3 4 — 13 
Col. H. A. Gildersleeve, Sharps Military, cal. 45 4 2 4 2 2 — 14 
Capt. J. G. Story. Sharps Military 3 0 2 4 3—12 
Col. G. W. Wingate, Springfield new model 4 0 2 3 3—12 
Gen. T. S. Dakin, Sharps Military 0 3 2 3 3 — 11 
Gen M. T. McMahon, RemingWn Military 0 2 5 2 2—11 
Col. John Ward, Remington Military 5 2 2 2 0—11 
Gen. Alex. Shaler, Sharps Military 0 0 4 2 2 — 8 
Gen. J. B. Ward ward, sharps Military 2220 0 — 6 
Col. Richard Vose, Remington Military 0 0 2 0 4 — 6 
Gen. K. Knox, Remington Military 0 0 0 0 0—0 
THE SHORT-RANGE MATCH. 
Immediately succeeding the Directors match came the short range 
match in which any rifle was allowed. Here again Major Fulton 
was successful, using hie long range Remington target rifle which 
has done such good service in hia hands at the long ranges. He not 
only took first place hut distanced all competitors with the magnifi- 
cent score of 33 in a possible 35, a run which it will be a long time 
before its equal will be made. The wind at the time had somewhat 
moderated, still coming from the 6th quarter. It was among the 
last shots made and was done, it is said, as an after thought on 
Major Fulton’s part, he not intending to enter this match, in addi- 
tion to the discharge of hia duties as Executive officer of the meet 
ing. The number of ties was considerable. For 3d place T. R. 
Murphy and R. C. Coleman, tied on 27, but on shooting off Mr. 
Murphy made 4 to Coleman 0, and took precedence for 6th place. 
Klein, J. L. Price and Mr. Schneelock tied at 24, but on shooting off 
they stood Klein 4, Price 3 and Schneelock 2. For the 9th place 
the contest was between Pyle, Ba-'ker and Madison. Pyle made a 
centre while Barker and Madison led again on outers; shot again and 
tied in the same way, on the 3d shot Barker making another outer 
and M adison missing, taking last place. The medal which Major 
Fulton wins is one of the finest yet given at Creedmoor, It was 
given by Mr Geo. Wilkes of the Spirit of the Timer, and is a heavy 
solid gold ornament folly 1 3-4 Inch in diameter; on one aide is the 
well-known head piece of the Spirit, the horse-shoe, horse-head, 
etc., surrounded by the word “Creedmore, 1875.” On the reverse 
the inscription will read; "let Prize Short Range Match, won by 
Major Henry Fulton, May 28; the whole surrounded by the words: 
“Spirit of the Times Medal— Creedmoor, 1875.” 
THE LEECH CUP COMPETITION 
Was the big thing of the meeting. It came off Saturday, May 29th. 
At 11 o’clock 25 entries had been made, some however, after firing 
a few shots, withdrew, and the names given below are all who fought 
the battle to the end. Capt. Willard Parker, acted for Major Fulton, 
as Executive officer. The assignment of target was made by chance 
and this may have had something to do with the day's result, those 
who had become habituated to the best .target, by always appropri- 
ating it to themselves, found that they were on strange ground at the 
other target and without the coaching assistance of a glass, did not 
come up to their average. Several shots too were fired on wrong 
targets. The new style of marking was employed for the fir it time, 
at a long range match . All the team were out, and a comparison of 
scores was thus afforded with those now being made by the Irish- 
men competing for piacea on the Irish team. The wind during the 
day was not a very bad one, but still would bear watching. Several 
of the less experienced shots missed once or twice duiing a lull at 
one period of the match . 
Severai mishaps occurred, the most serious happening to Mr. E. 
H. Sanford who was firing a Remington Target .Rifle in some way; 
as he thinks hy allowing a wiping wad to remain in his piece, or it 
may be, by the slipping forward of the bullet on the insertion of the 
cartridge, an air space was formed between the charge and the ob- 
struction. and the weapon placed in danger of bursting; as it was. 
the barrel was swelled and readered useless, compelling Mr. San- 
ford to retire on an otherwise good score. Mr. Canfield also dis- 
abled a weapon, the neck of the cartridge coming off and remaining 
in the rifle barrel ; attempts to blow the ohstrnctlon out only poshed 
it up, and the passage of a loose bullet in from the muzzle only 
plugged the barrel up entirely, and a new gun had to be taken. The 
same accident happened to another rifleman, but in bis case the ob- 
struction yielded to the push of another charge. Mr, Holland lost a 
good shot through the inadvertence of a marker in using an outer 
or black disk to mark a center shoL Under the stupid, old-fash- 
ioned marking system, the color of the disk decides, and two 
points were tbns lost to him. Yale had attempted his usual 
trial of endurance of traveling all night and shooting all day, 
and made of course a low score. Gen. Dakin was unwell, 
and did not match his usual efforts. On coming back to the 
1000 yards range and opening fire at this point the scores 
stood with Fulton 6 points ahead, and Cols. Gildersleeve and 
Bodine close behind. The Major who bad been ahead so many 
times became over-confident; he reckoned, however, too soon; be 
was away from bis usaal target, with no glass, and after chaffing his 
friends and acquaintances about blm, the shooting began. His first 
shot was a miss; it was the first one he had experienced daring the 
day, while Col. John Bodine already treading on his heels, made a 
bull’s eye. From this point the duel between these two experts be- 
came interesting. Col. Gildersleeve also taking a close rub ready to 
step in when either ol the giants fell. Fulton fired in savage earn- 
est, bat he proved himself unable to fire under the stress of a close 
competition, while “Old Reliable” went steadily on pouring in shot 
after shot about the ball’s eye. It was a repetition in the pure ex- 
pectant watching for each shot of the closing moment of the great 
International Match, as Mr. Fnlton broke down and spoiled an oth- 
erwise good score, in a certain measure, by overdoing himself. He 
had not that iron command of his nerves which enabled Col. Bodine 
to make that memorable “last shot” on Sept. 26, 1874. Falton. 
who had so often held the plume of victory, saw it provokingly slip 
past his grasp, and when the scores were footed up he bad actually 
succeeded in putting himself into 3d place. Col. Gildersleeve tying 
him on the aggregate and taking precedence by having the best 1060 
yards scora. The result pleased all, and Col. Bodine was again the 
lion of the hour. Major Falton was too easily impressed by the 
excitement of the spectators and he lost command of himself. Mr. 
Coleman did very well, and as this is the first general match in 
which he has participated, his coolness shows that he is gaining ex- 
perience rapidly. The full scores of the sheoting are presented in 
the following 
snOCART. 
Creedmoor, L. I., May 29, 1875.— Second day of the spring meet- 
ing Natienal Rifle Association; first yearly competition for the 
“Leech Cup,” open to all native-born citizens of the United States 
and all resident members of the National Rifle Association, regard- 
less of nationality; distance, 800, 900 and 1,000 yards; position any, 
withont artificial rest; rounds, fifteen at each distance, without 
sighting shot; weapon, any rifle within the rules; prize. Leech Cup, 
to be held during the year, and championship $kl gold badge; 
wind, slight from fifth quarter; highest possible score, 225. 
COL. JOHR BODINE. 
800 yards 5 4 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 3-65 1 
900 “ 5 5543544545555 5—69 V205 
lOUO " 554455554555455-71 ) 
COL. H. A. QILDERSLEEVE. 
800 yards 5 4 5 4 4 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 4 5 5—69 ) 
900 “ 4 4 5 3 5 5 4 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5— 63). 196 
lOOO “ 5 3 5 5 3 5 5 4 3 3 5 5 5 5 8—66) 
NAJOR HENRY PCLTON. 
800 yards 4 5445555554545 5—70 1 
900 “ 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 3 5 4— 70 V198 
1000 “ 0 3 5 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 4 2 3 4 5—58 ) 
B. C. COLEMAN. 
803 yards 3 4545544425356 5—63 ) 
901 “ 3 4 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 5 4 5 5— 68). 195 
1000 342535555546445—64) 
L. L. HEPBURN. 
800 yards 2 5 4 5 4 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 4 5 5-68 1 
900 “ 55 5 4 5.'3 3 5;5555 4 33— 65 -191 
1000 “ 5003455 5,5 55353 5—58 ) 
A. V. CANPtELD, JR, 
800 yards 2 5545545545355 0-62 ) 
900 “ 453 03 335 <5 45 4 55— 58 >177 
1000 “ 0 3 2 5 4 5 3 4 5 3 4 5 5 5 4—57 j 
CAPT. L. C. BRUCE. 
800 yards 3 3 4 4 5 4 5 5 5 4 5 5 0 3 5—60) 
900 0 3 5.4 4 5 3 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 3— 56).176 
1000 “ 44 544 334 4550555—60) 
n . S . JEWELL. 
800 yards R555555555554 5^2 — 66 ) 
900 “ 343 3.3 4 512 5054345—53 -176 
1000 “ 4 4 0 2 5 5 3.4 5 5 4 5 5 3 3—57 ) 
O. W. TALE. 
800 “ 0 55245454 5 5;.5:4 5 5—63 ) 
900 “ 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 5 5 5 5 4— 57 }.165 
1000 “ 53032405255b434-^) 
^GEN. T. S . DAKIN. 
800 “ 23535 55553345 53—61 ) 
900 “ 3 4r30 5 255335 4 4 5— 51 }. 160 
1000 “ 3 3 0 4 3J3 4 3 4 3 3 5 3 3 4— « ) 
GEORGE CROUCH . 
800 “ 33 3 4535535545 3 5—61 ) 
900 “ . 523532504330553—18 -154 
1000 “ 0 0 5 3 3 2 2 3 0 4 5 5 5 3 5 — 45) 
A. ANDERSON. 
300 yards 3 4 333550553555 3-51 ) 
900 “ 3 4453255545530 0—53 V151 
1000 “ 3 5403243425040 5—44 ) 
COL. B. E. VALENTINE. 
800 yards 5 03305555355245— 55) 
90:1 “ 4 40520454453 2 4 5—51 >.147 
1000' “ 4 0 0 2 2 3 4 2 4 4 0 5 4 3 4—41) 
J. S. CONLIN. 
800 yards 3354323445 5 543 4-.57 ) 
900 “ 3 033b 4 4 4 4 5 4 5 3 5 3—50 -145 
1000 “ 0 0 5 3 4 3 2 0 0 4 5 3 4 3 2-38 ) 
GENERAL J. V. MESEROLE. 
800 yards 25535300540044 4—44 ) 
900 “ 5 454 3 353553442 5-60 V140 
1000 “ 4 000040540534 3 4-36 ) 
W. E. FAR WELL. 
800 yards 2 5 4 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 5 2 3 4 2-56 | 
9«X» “ 3245234404 n 525 4—47 vlSS 
1000 “ 5 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 2 4 3 3 0 5 4—35) 
JOSEPH HOLLAND. 
800 yards 3 3554522544354 5—39 ) 
.9 0 “ 3 4 5 4 4 3 5 3 3 3 0 5 3 0 0-45 >.136 
1000 “ 0 300434320r 3 2 3 5—32 ) 
A. ALFORD. 
800 yards 3 0044350250435 5—43 ) 
900 “ 5 4 435333402304 2-45 UlS 
luUO “ 24230040520003 2-27 ) 
A. 8. FOWLE. 
800 yards 0 0002324445534 2— 3« ) 
WO " 4 0 4 4 5 3 5 3 5 4 3 2 5 5 3—65 Vlll 
1000 " 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 3 3 2 0 2 0-18) 
W. W. SKIDDT. 
800 yards 0 2204004045 3 30 0—27 ) 
900 “ 3 3 4 0 5 4 5 0 4 2 3 0 4 4 0—41 >.98 
1000 “ 50024205024202 0-30 ) 
E. B. SANFORD. 
800 yards 4 4 5 5 5 0 4 5 0 3 0 3 5 4 5—52 ) 
900 “ 3 3 0 5 5 4 4 3 5 4 0 5 5 4 3—53 >. 
1000 “ 4 5 3 3 5 0 0 retired. ) 
THE MILITARY MEETING. 
The military short and long range matches closed the spring 
meeting on Monday. The military short range match was open to 
volunteers of the National Rifle Association and to all members of 
the National Guard, State of New York, in uniform. Distance, 200 
yards; position, standing; seven rounds, w.th the privilege of two 
sighting shots; weapon, any military rifle. The principal onzes 
were; — First, a building lot at Creedmoor, valued at $200; second, 
life membership in the National Rifle Association (transferable) and 
$25 in cash; altc/gether eleven prizes, value $317. There were 101 
entries. The winning scores were: 
1. LieuL F. W. Hofle.. 
2. Colonel G. D. Scott. 
3. J. H. Stearns 
L Capt. H. B. Smith.. 
5. Wm. Beavan 
6. E. H Sanford 
7. John Corry 
8. Gen. T. S. Dakin... 
9. J. L. Price 
10. J. T. B. Collins 
11. J. J. Meagher 
.4 3 5 2 3 5 4-26 
.4 3 4 4 3 5 3-2 1 
.3 3 5 3 5 3 3-25 
.4 3 5 2 4 5 2—25 
.4 5 3 0 4 3 5-24 
.2 4 2 5 5 3 2-23 
5 4 3 4 3 4 0—23 
.3 4 2 3 2 5 4—23 
.3 4 4 4 3 3 2-2:1 
3 4 3 3 3 4 3—23 
.3 5 2 3 3 2 5—23 
The military long range match; distances 500 and 600 yards; po- 
sition, any, without artificial rest; seven rounds and two sighting 
shots at each distance; weapon, any military rifle; eleven prizes, of 
the aggregate value of $395, including a long range Remington pre- 
sented by Remington cc Sons; value $150. The second prize, a tel- 
escope, presented by J. \V. Gail, value $80. The third was a life 
membership (transferable) in the National Rifle Association, and 
cash, $25; value $50. The prizes were taken by the following 
Tarde. 
Total* 
1. 
Anderson 
..32 
45,5345 3. 
..29-61 
2. 
W. S. Smith 
..32 
j 600—5 4 5 5 3 3 3. 
..28-60 
3. 
J. L. Price, 
. 26 
) 600—3 5 4 4 5 5 4 
..30—56 
4. 
Gen. T. S. Dakin 
..32 
(600—3 2 5 4 5 2 2. 
..23—55 
5. 
Capt. W. Lindsay 
..28 
)600 - 3 4 5 3 5 4 2.. 
..26—54 
6. 
J. T. B. Collins 
..32 
1 600-4 5 2 3 4 4 0.. 
..22—54 
7, 
A. Wood. 
..2T 
1 600-4 4 5 2 5 3 4.. 
. 27-54 
8. 
Captain H. B. Smith 
... J 500—4 4 4 5 4 3 3.. 
. 27 
) 600—5 5 0 4 4 4 4. 
..26-53 
9. 
CoL H. A Gildersleeve 
. j500— 3 4 4 5 4 4 4.. 
..28 
(600-4 4 5 4 0 5 3.. 
..25—53 
10. 
H. S. Jewell 
..26 
■(600—4 4 5 3 3 2 5. 
..26—52 
11. 
E. H. Madison 
... \ 500—4 4 2 3 3 5 3.. 
..24 
(600 - 5 4 3 5 3 3 5.. 
..28—52 
The Team 
Practice. 
At the Team Shoot on Wednesday the 26th ult., the scores held 
along well, the high man being Col. Bodine, who bad come on the 
range and by shooting his 800 yard score last managed to run up an 
aggregate of 162 points exceeding his record at the International 
match. The wind, in the early part of the day especially, from 
the target to the men, a new phase, which required a new study on 
the part of the marksmen, Scores in full were as follows: 
COL. JOHN BODINE — REMINGTON SPORTING RIFLE. 
800 yards 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4-59 ) 
900 “ 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 3— 53 >162 
1000 “ ,...2 2 4 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 4—50) 
