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. The match commenced at 11am., with the entry of twenty contestants. Each was to fire 15 shots at each distance, 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.
Archives
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.
Long Range Rifles, Bisley, April 2025
April shoot at Bisley with MLAGB 300 yard Rifle Championship for Enfield rifle and target rifle, and two days of practice at 600, 900 and 1,000 yards.
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.
Spring 2025 Update
A brief news update on Whitworth research, and illustration a newly recorded Whitworth sporting rifle of 1860.
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.”
Sharps Rifle Co. Archive
Serial number documentation from the original records of the Sharps Rifle Company.
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.
Whitworth Database Updates – 2024
Whitworth Research Project – database management summary 2024.
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.
Long Range Rifles, Bisley, October 2024
The Long Range Rifles (LRR) Branch of the MLAGB had their final competitions of the year at Bisley on 25/26 October 2024. A good day shooting was finished off nicely with the Annual Dinner and Prize Giving. Friday was a practice day shooting at 300 and 500 yards. Saturday there were two 600 yard matches, the Rigby Cup and the Whitworth Cup – the former is for muzzle loading target rifles, and the latter only open to hexagonally bored Whitworth rifles.