Buoyed by their success in 1873 by beating England and Scotland in the Elcho Shield match, Ireland wanted further laurels. Unaware of the existence of the American NRA (established in 1871), 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.
Author: Research Press
Research Press publishing
Research Press has published several books via Amazon, has a free download Journal available, and a library of free download pdf files.
Research Press Digest 2024
Marking the 150th anniversary (1874 – 2024) of the momentous first rifle match between Ireland and the United States of America, and following 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.
Archival Research
One of the great joys of archival research is handling original 19th century documents.
2023 Joe Hepsworth Long Range Match
The 2023 Joe Hepsworth Long Range Black Powder Rifle Match will be held at at Camp Atterbury, IN., November 4th & 5th, 2023. Shooting is at 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards. Permitted rifles: Any safe original or reproduction traditional muzzle loading or cartridge style firearm in the mid to late 1800’s era of International Rifle Matches shooting black powder.
NRA(UK) Trafalgar Meeting 2023
Trafalgar Meeting, Bisley, Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd October 2023. This is the premier UK event for historical firearms.
2023 NMLRA All 1000 yard
NMLRA September 2023 Black Powder Target Rifle Match, Camp Atterbury, 1000 yards.
2023 BPTRA Creedmoor Nationals
This is the premiere longrange BPTR match in the Black Powder Target Rifle Association. 2 days of shooting 800, 900 and 1000 yards. Then we finish on Sunday with 2, 15 shot strings at 1000 yards. Look for the best BPTR competitors in the country to attend this event.
Sir Joseph Whitworth & Company, 1888
Following Sir Joseph Whitworth’s death in 1887, ‘Sir Joseph Whitworth & Company’ was restructured.
The Whitworth is not a ‘Minute of Angle’ Rifle
Misunderstanding of figure of merit has resulted in exaggerated claims of Whitworth rifle accuracy.
2023 NMLRA’s Terpstra/Swallow Long Range Match
NMLRA June 2023 Long Range Match, Camp Atterbury, IN. 800, 900, 1000 yards. Any safe original or reproduction traditional muzzle loading or cartridge style firearm in the mid to late 1800’s era of International Rifle Matches shooting black powder.
A Semi-military Whitworth Rifle (C778)
The finely engraved semi-military rifle C778 was sold by Rock Island Auction Co., 20 May 2023. There was a batch of these engraved rifles with spur trigger guard made around this time (c1862). This particular rifle was formerly in the George W. Wray Jr. collection, Atlanta History Center. It was subsequently sold by Poulin Auction Co, Fairfield, ME, USA, in October 2019.