Dollymount, 1875… planning

The ‘return’ international rifle match between the riflemen of American and Ireland was scheduled for the 29th June 1875 at Dollymount, Ireland. April was time for making plans for team selection.

Leutmann’s Forgotten Bullet

Overlooked, unknown or forgotten is the work of Johann Georg Leutmann (1667-1736), who in 1733 described the use of elongated balls, with a conical cavity at the base. Leutmann’s egg-shaped ball predates that suggested by Robins in 1747, and the much later adoption in the 19th century of what today is often referred to as the Minié principle.

The Evolution of Gun Making

Peter Smithurst’s two volumes on ‘The Evolution of Gun Making’ provide a comprehensive and well illustrated study on the subject, giving a unique insight into military gunmaking of the 18th and 19th century.

News

INDEX. Bulletin is the Research Press newsletter. The bulletin board posts share notices, news, information, history and events.

The Gauntlet Thrown Down

In September1874 letter by Major Leech was published in the New York Herald. It concluded with a challenge: “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.”

Base Plugs for Enfield Rifle Bullets

The Pattern 1853 Rifle Musket originally used Pritchett’s cylindro-conoidal bullet. Trials in 1855 gave cause for concern about the rifle’s performance. Subsequent trials resulted in the adoption of a variety of base plugs for the bullet; an iron cup, box-wood plug and finally clay plug.

Research Press Digest 2025

The military smooth-bore flintlock musket and round ball ammunition saw general issue well into the 19th century, finally being supplanted by the percussion rifle firing a hollow based self-expanding bullet. This volume explores rifle development during this remarkable period.