Vol. VI.— No. ’2*. 
New SerlcB— No. 100. 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 4, 1876. 
Established A. D. 1871. 
$4.00 a year, lOc. a copy. 
LATE THE AWJERflCAH SPORTSMAf^. 
THE RIFLE. 
V 
THE AMERICAN CEP. 
Among the interchange of courtesies between the 
American and Irish Riflemen, the presentation of the 
American Cup was a pleasant episode. When the Irish 
Rifle Team were in this country, Major Leech did a very 
handsome act in leaving behind him the elegant silver 
trophy, now known as the “ Leech Cup.” As now 
provided for, this will enter as a part of the spring com- 
petitions at Creedmoor each year, serving the double 
purpose of giving the American riflemen a test of merit 
and of assuring to the popular Major a lasting memento 
to coming generations of riflemen. 
The American Cup was instituted in the same spirit, 
though all personality was removed by its being a gene- 
ral cup, provided and presented by the Team at large. 
The presentation was made at the distribution of prizes 
after the Irish rifle meeting, the ceremonj’' taking place 
at the Exhibition Palace, Dublin, on the evening of 
July 3. The place was crowded, and amid the collec- 
tion of silverware there displayed, the American Cup 
stood out in good form. Col. Gildersleeve made one of 
his usual happy speeches in the tendering of the gift 
“ to the Riflemen of Ireland,” and at the conclusion of 
the exercises the trophy was very favorably criticized. 
It IS of solid sterling silver, from the art rooms of Messrs. 
Tiffany «fc Co., wbo were awarded the task of preparing 
it, after the submission of competitive designs from 
several large establishments. The Irish Rifle Associa- 
tion had made no assignment of the prize, but will 
doubtless make it a long-range gift, to be won and held 
from year to year. 
The engraving around the bottom part of the body 
represents the rude or early state of the country, and on 
top the figure of America is typical of the high state of 
civilization we have arrived at. The figure on the side 
is that of Victory ; on the side are also the American 
eagle, laurel, shamrock and Sharps and Remington 
rifles, and emblem of Excelsior. 
Height with figure, 25i inches, height, with base, 33f 
inches; weight, 112.30 oz.; shields, 6.60 oz. 
Chicago Rifle Club. 
Chicago is never behind the times; as we have already 
intimated, she has a rifle club in formation, and the 
committee, Messrs. H. W. 8. Cleveland, O. C. Black- 
mer, S. W. Burnham, H. H. Handy and W. C. Dyer, 
have rapidly effected an organization. Their report 
contains the following judicious remarks on the conduct 
and management of rifle practice: 
In order to the successful accomplishment of the ob- 
ject, it is essential that the work be systematically con- 
ducted under the direction of competent instructors, 
and in accordance with the rules and regulations gen- 
erally adopted by similar associations, with whom we 
hope ii^time to compete. Thus we should insist upon 
shooting without any artificial rest, and with such de- 
scription of sights and weight of pull to the trigger as 
are generally adopted, for if we favor ourselves in these 
respects in our home practice, we shall enter at a disad- 
vantage into any contest where they are not allowed. 
For the same reason, in selecting grounds for a range, 
seek a sheltered spot where we escape 
the influence of wind, but rather one where we are forced 
to train ourselves to allow for wind and other vicissi- 
tudes of weather, which is one of the most important 
parts of a marksman’s education. We wish to train 
men to develop the wonderful powers of the rifle, under 
all possible circumstances to which they might be ex- 
posed in hunting or the field of battle. We regard this 
training as a species of manly culture, which tends to 
the development of the best condition of physical and 
mental power, for it affords the best possible system of 
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