Dollymount 1875… US team trials close

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Written by: David Minshall

The return international rifle match between Irish and American riflemen, was scheduled for June 1875 at Dollymount Range, near Dublin, Ireland. The first of the US trials to select their team had taken place at Creedmoor on 24 April. The second trial was set for 28 April, but was postponed due to a heavy rain-storm. Nearly all the competitors had arrived at the range, in the hope that the weather would clear by noon, but with no cessation of the storm, the match was postponed until 30 April.

There was a field of twenty contestants in the first match, but only fifteen entries on the 30 April for the second. The conditions were not favourable for fine marksmanship: a stiff breeze in the morning increased until near a gale, which lasted the greater part of the afternoon. Shooting was again at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards, and at the close of the contest the scores for the first two competitions were added together. T.S. Dakin headed the field, with H. Fulton and H.A. Gildersleeve close behind and well ahead of the other shooters.

The third competition took place on 1 May, with afternoon showers, and a changeable wind that necessitated frequent alterations of the wind-gauge. There were sixteen entries, plus several members of the Amateur Rifle Club also taking part for practice. After the close of this match, H. Fulton was heading the aggregate scores, followed by H.A. Gildersleeve and G.W. Yale.

The final competition for places on the team took place at Creedmoor on 5 May. There were only thirteen entries, a number of competitors having withdrawn after it became certain that they would be unable to secure a place in the team. Although a clear bright day, riflemen had to contend with a testing strong wind blowing down the range from, alternating from south-east to south-west. As at the close of the third competition, Fulton, Gildersleeve and Yale headed the aggregate scores.

US Team Rifles at Dollymount, 1875

Dollymount 1875, US team rifles and equipment

With the close of the trials, the Executive Committee of the joint committee of the National Rifle Association and Amateur Rifle Club met to make the team selection. Messrs. Fulton, Bodine, Gildersleeve, Dakin, Yale, Hepburn, Coleman, Canfield and Jewell secured positions on the team in the order named. In addition, Messrs. Bruce, Ballard and Sandford were requested to practice with the team such that they may be prepared to fill any vacancies that may occur. Colonel Gildersleeve was subsequently elected Captain of the Team.

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