The Creedmoor Era

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In the latter part of the 19th century the Creedmoor Rifle Range, Long Island, New York, USA, was the venue for a number of international long range rifle matches that received widespread public interest and much press coverage.

Creedmoor Chronology – Key dates and events charting the rise and demise of Creedmoor Rifle Range.

Creedmoor and the Palma Trophy Match 150th Anniversary – Research Press Digest 2024 marks the 150th anniversary (1874 – 2024) of the momentous first rifle match between Ireland and the United States of America, and follows the story over the succeeding 40 years. This is an historical record of the formative years of international long range target rifle shooting. It tells the story of Creedmoor and the international matches of the 19th century, and the revival of the Palma Match in the early 20th century. Some 19th century riflemen saw the transition of their black powder muzzle loading match rifles of the 1870s, evolve through the development of single shot breech loading rifles, and finished their shooting career with magazine fed bolt action rifles firing ammunition loaded with smokeless powders.

Creedmoor and the International Rifle Matches – This article looks briefly at the origins of the National Rifle Association in America and the establishment of Creedmoor Rifle Range. It continues with an overview of the international long range rifle matches.

Creedmoor Range, 1874 — Plan showing the Creedmoor Range in 1874

Creedmoor, History of the Range – An early article on the occasion of the first annual Prize Meeting of the National Rifle Association. [1873]
Challenge from Ireland to America, 1873 – Buoyed by their success in winning the Elcho Shield in 1873, Ireland wanted further laurels. A challenge to the ‘Riflemen of America’ for a long range rifle match was sent on behalf of Irish riflemen to the editor of the New York Herald. It was published on 22 November 1873.
Irish Challenge Accepted by the Amateur Rifle Club of New York – In November 1873 a challenge to the riflemen of America from the riflemen of Ireland for a long range competition was published. It was the Amateur Rifle Club of New York City that accepted the challenge on behalf of American riflemen.
Planning the International Rifle Match – In February 1874 Arthur Leech wrote to George Wingate, with the programme of the proposed international rifle match between Ireland and America.
To The Riflemen Of America – It was intended to organise an American team of picked riflemen, and the Secretary of the Amateur Rifle Club, F.P. Fairbanks, issued a circular to all native-born Americans.
American Team Selection and the Amateur Rifle Club – By 1 July 1874, the Amateur Rifle Club had no response to their circular seeking prospective team members, other than from their own club.
American Team Trials, 1874 – Competitions were held at Creedmoor during July and August 1874 to shoot for places in the team and less than thirty men took part. The twelve highest were all members of the Amateur Club and these formed the team and reserve.
The Irish Team sail, bound for the USA – The Irish rifle team journey to the USA began on Sunday 6 September 1874. The party arrived in New York harbour about noon on 16 September and were greeted by a deputation consisting of members of the National Rifle Association and Amateur Rifle Club.
The Gauntlet Thrown Down – In September 1874 letter by Major Leech was published in the New York Herald. It concluded with a challenge for 1875: “Finally, I have once more, on the part of the Irish riflemen, to throw down the gauntlet to one more peaceful battle with the American riflemen, on the same terms upon which the match was shot at Creedmoor; the return match to be shot in Dublin in the month of June, 1875; the team to consist of not more than eight or less than six men, at the option of the Americans.”
Dollymount, 1875… planning – The International American and Irish Rifle Match was scheduled for the 29th June 1875 at Dollymount, Ireland. April was time for making plans for team selection.
Dollymount, 1875… first US team trials – The first competition for places on the team to represent the United States in the International Match at Dublin set for June 1875, took place at Creedmoor Range on 24 April 1875. Each was to fire 15 shots at each distance, 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.
Dollymount 1875… US team trials close – The series of four trials competitions to select the US team for Ireland concluded on 5 May 1875.
Dollymount, 1875 – The return rifle match between American and Irish riflemen took place at Dollymount Range, about two miles from Dublin, Ireland, on 29 June 1875. The six man teams fired fifteen shots each at each of the three ranges of 800, 900, and 1000 yards. The final team scores were America 967, Ireland 929.
Centennial Celebrations – The year 1876 was an important one for America, being the centenary of the declaration of independence. Huge celebrations were planned, with exhibitions and festivities to be held at Philadelphia, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) in America wanted to be part of them.

Long Range Black Powder Rifle Target Shooting – a facebook group. Long range target shooting with the percussion muzzle loading rifle and black powder cartridge rifle. Historical study and shooting today. 19th Century competition at Wimbledon, Creedmoor and Dollymount. Rifles, ammunition and equipment. Riflemen and Gunmakers.

‘The Beginnings of International Rifle Match Shooting‘ was marked by General George W. Wingate in an article published in 1901. It primarily covers the 1874 Ireland vs USA match at Creedmoor, and was written at a time when the Palma Trophy Match was seeing revival. The article is published in Research Press Digest 2026.

International Military Rifle Matches

Shooting competitions between the Rifle Volunteers of Great Britain and the National Guard of America were agreed for 1882 and 1883.

Rifle Volunteers vs National Guard (1882 & 1883) – Introduction to the events and teams

Rifles & Ammunition

Articles on muzzle loading and breech loading rifles and their ammunition can be found in the Firearms collection. Reference should also be made to Long Range Rifle Fire for broader studies on the subject.

Creedmoor rifles (top to bottom): Remington, Rigby, Sharps

Creedmoor Rifles, 1873 – American manufacturers responded to the need for a long range target rifle.
The Creedmoor Rifle, 1876 – Contemporary information on the basic form and ammunition for the American long range rifle.
American Rifles, 1877 – Here Irish gunmaker John Rigby offers his observation on Remington and Sharps Creedmoor rifles. [1877]
The Science of Long Range Shooting – Edwin Perry shares in his Modern Observations on Rifle Shooting (1880), some of the major changes / advancements at Creedmoor, in particular regarding bullet alloys.

Amateur Rifle Club

The Amateur Rifle Club of New York city was established in 1873. It was this club that accepted the Irish challenge to riflemen of America that led to the series of international long range rifle matches.

‘Amateur Rifle Club’ Origins – Early reports on the establishment of the club
Amateur Rifle Club Gold Badge – On 12 July 1873, the Amateur Rifle Club of New York held at Creedmoor their first contest for the Club’s Gold Badge. The competition was fired at 500 yards, seven shots to count, and with rifles not over ten pounds in weight.
Amateur Rifle Club Long Range Badge – On 30 May 1874 competition began for the Long Range Badge of the Amateur Rifle Club of New York. Eighteen contestants were entered for the match, twelve used rifles by Sharps and six used rifles by Remington.