CHAPTER XIII
RELOADING AMMUNITION
The factory-loaded ammunition for pistols is so excellent that little is to be gained by hand loading. It is sometimes desirable, however, to use special loads that are not furnished by the factories, and such ammunition must be loaded by hand. Then, too, many persons prefer to reload ammunition for economical reasons. In order to do this successfully, considerable experience and skill are necessary. The first attempts at reloading are invariably unsatisfactory and disappointing, and sometimes result disastrously. Extreme care and close attention to details are absolutely essential, especially if smokeless powders are used. It is much the safest and best plan for those who are unfamiliar with reloading to observe and study the methods used by skilled persons, and, if possible, have their first work supervised by an experienced person.
_Primers._--The primers are made of copper and brass and are adapted for either black or smokeless powders. The primers for pistol and revolver cartridges are made more sensitive than for rifle cartridges. If, by mistake, rifle-cartridge primers are used, there are likely to be many misfires. The original pasteboard boxes in which the cartridges or shells are purchased invariably have labels designating the kind of primer that should be used in reloading them.
The quality of the primers affects the results to a much greater degree than most persons imagine, especially in reduced or gallery charges. In handling or in transportation the priming composition is sometimes loosened, dropping out of some of the primers and leaving them considerably weaker than the rest. On opening a new box, empty it carefully, and if any appreciable quantity of loose priming is found, the primers should not be used for ammunition intended for fine shooting.
_Shells._--The shells are generally made of brass with a solid head containing a pocket for a primer. There is considerable variation in the thickness of the metal from which shells are made by the various manufacturers. Since the outside dimensions must be the same in order to fit the chamber, it follows that the inside diameter of the shells will vary. When the shell is to be crimped a slight difference in the size is unimportant, but for fine target work using black powder, it is preferable not to crimp the shell. In the latter case the bullet must fit sufficiently tight so that it will not be dislodged by the recoil of the arm.
The size of the bore, when adapted to the same cartridge, varies a trifle, also, with different manufacturers. With the slight difference in the size of the shells it is therefore generally possible to select a make of shell the size of which will be just right to hold snugly in position by friction a bullet that exactly fits the bore of the arm. These refinements in the fit of the bullet and shell are important in securing good results with reduced loads.
In pistol and revolver shooting, the shells may be reloaded many times with smokeless powders. The small charge and the consequent reduced pressure do not seem to render the shells brittle and unsuitable for reloading, as is the case with the shells of many of the high-pressure rifle cartridges.
_Bullets._--In the large ammunition factories the bullets are made by the swaging process, with heavy machinery. They are, in consequence, very uniform in density and size. They are packed in boxes of twenty-five and fifty and are lubricated ready for use. While very few persons are able to mould bullets as good as those factory-made, when bullets of a particular shape, weight, or temper are desired, they must be moulded.
The Ideal Manufacturing Company’s dipper and melting pot[17] are useful for this purpose. The best quality of lead in bars or pigs should be used. If the bullets are to be hardened, “block tin,” which may be had at any hardware store is alloyed with the lead. Weigh the proper quantity of each metal to give the desired proportions. Melt the lead in the pot over a steady fire and then add the tin. At this stage add a small quantity of tallow or beeswax to the molten metal (about the size of a .45-caliber round bullet) and stir briskly with the dipper. This will flux the mixture and make it flow better. After both are melted immerse the dipper and allow it to acquire the temperature of the melted lead. Then fill the dipper and, with the nozzle horizontal, raise it two or three inches above the surface of the lead in the pot. With the mould in the other hand, turn it sidewise and bring the pouring hole of the mould to the nozzle of the dipper. Then, with the mould and dipper in contact, tilt or turn both in this position until the dipper is over the mould and the nozzle vertical as shown.
The weight or pressure of the lead in the dipper is thus utilized to force the lead into and completely fill the corners of the mould. It will be necessary to mould forty or fifty bullets before the mould acquires the proper temperature and casts first-class bullets. All imperfect bullets should be thrown back into the melting-pot. Experience has shown that the best results are obtained when the lead and mould are at such temperature that two or three seconds elapse before the lead solidifies in the pouring hole after the nozzle has been removed from it. Do not allow the lead to get red-hot, as it oxidizes very rapidly and more dross forms on its surface at that temperature. The dross should be skimmed off frequently and not allowed to collect in the dipper. A new mould will not cast perfect bullets until the surfaces in contact with the lead are free from oil and have become oxidized, assuming a deep blue color.
Provide a soft surface for the bullets to fall upon after releasing them from the mould, as they are easily deformed while hot. The sliding top or “cut-off” should be operated by pressing down the lever end on a board or table, or striking the lever with a small wooden mallet. The mould is then opened, and the bullet drops out. If the bullet sticks in the mould, strike the empty half of the mould on the outside, directing the blow toward the bullet. This will jar the bullet out of the mould without difficulty. Never strike the mould with a hammer or any hard substance, and never attempt to pry a bullet out of the mould or touch the interior surface with an iron implement, tool, or anything that will mar it. The least indentation of the sharp edges of the mould will cause the bullets to stick and make them imperfect. After using the mould, oil the exterior and the surfaces of the joint while warm, wrap in a dry cloth, and keep in a dry place where it will not rust. It is a good plan to leave the last bullet (with the neck cut off) in the mould until used again.
The fit of the bullets is very important. Nearly all the bullets for revolver cartridges were originally designed to be used with black powder. Many of them were slightly under size and have concave bases which upset sufficiently, on the ignition of the regulation powder charge, to fill the grooves of the barrel. Reduced charges of black powder, and smokeless powders, even in full charges, seldom upset the bases of these bullets, and the powder gas escapes around the sides of the bullet, which is known as “gas cutting.” This is fatal to accuracy. For smokeless powders and reduced loads the concave cavity at the base of the bullet must be large enough to reduce the thickness of the outer rim of the bullet and weaken it so it will be expanded sufficiently by the powder to fill the grooves of the barrel; or the diameter of the bullet should be increased so as to produce the same effect.
A simple test to determine the fit of the bullet is to force it into a clean barrel, and then hold the barrel in the direction of a window or bright light. If light can be seen in any of the grooves around the bullet, it is too small for smokeless powder. The remedy is to have the bullet mould reamed out and enlarged so the bullets will be the proper size.
To determine the actual diameter of the bore of a pistol or revolver, oil the inside of the barrel liberally and then force a bullet into it a couple of inches. With a short wooden cleaning rod, hold the bullet in that position while you drive against it with another rod from the opposite direction, swaging it so as to fill the barrel. This must be done gently and carefully so as not to strain or injure the barrel. The bullet is then driven out and carefully measured with a micrometer gauge.
Many who mould their own bullets prefer to order the mould to cast the bullets the exact size to fit the barrel; while others prefer to have the mould cast the bullet one or two thousandths of an inch too large, and then pass them through a sizing tool, reducing them to the correct size. The latter method insures absolute uniformity.
For smokeless powders the bullets are generally cast a little harder than for black powder, the proportions being from 30 to 1, to 20 to 1, of lead and tin, respectively. To secure good results, the bullets should not vary more than 1/200 in weight.
The next operation after moulding the bullets is to lubricate them. A good lubricant may be prepared by melting together 1½ lbs. of Japan wax, 1 lb. of mutton tallow, and 1 lb. of vaseline. The bullets should be set in a shallow pan, bases down, and with a small space separating them. The lubricant can then be poured around them until it rises high enough to fill the top cannelure. After cooling, the bullets are cut out of the lubricant by forcing them into the mouth of a specially prepared shell with the top or head cut off. Each bullet is picked up in this way and then pushed out with a round rod. Any lubricant on the base of the bullet should be removed with a cloth before loading. An excellent machine for lubricating bullets is made by the Ideal Manufacturing Company. The machine sizes and lubricates the bullet at one operation. It is rapid, clean, and performs the work perfectly.
_Powders._--American powder manufacturers have no uniform practice in regard to designating the different grades of powder, sizes of grains, etc. The powders that give the best results under certain conditions must therefore be classified. The following black powders are best suited for ammunition in which the charge is ten to twenty grains:
American Powder Mills Rifle Cartridge No. 4.
Hazard Powder Company’s “Kentucky Rifle F F G.”
E. I. Dupont de Nemours & Company’s “Dupont Rifle F F G.”
Laflin & Rand Powder Company’s “Orange Rifle Extra F F G.”
King Powder Company’s “Semi-smokeless F F G.”
When the charge is less than ten grains in weight, one size finer grain of the above powders should be used; and for charges heavier than twenty grains, one size coarser grain will give the best results.
Lesmok powder, now so extensively used for .22-caliber rim fire ammunition, is a combination of black powder with high-grade gun-cotton.
For reduced or gallery charges, the high-grade quick-burning shotgun powders are sometimes used, such as “Hazard’s Electric,” “Dupont’s Diamond Grain,” etc. These powders should not be used in full charges, and if compressed in the shell will give very irregular shooting.
Smokeless powder differs from black not only in composition but also in the phenomena that attend combustion. Special conditions are therefore created which have an important bearing on the results. Smokeless powders are divided into two general classes, designated as “bulk” and “dense,” the former having approximately the same strength as an equal bulk of black powder, while the same quantity by bulk of the latter may have from five to ten times the strength of black powder.
The bulk powders may be used very much the same as black powder, except that they should never be compressed. No air space is required between the powder and the bullet. Dupont’s Smokeless Rifle Powder No. 2 and Hazard’s Smokeless Rifle Powder No. 2 are good examples of the bulk powders. Dupont’s R. S. Q. is a bulk powder that has recently been introduced. It gives fair results in pistol and revolver ammunition in full charges, but is not as well adapted for reduced or gallery loads. It requires an air space for the best results.
The dense powders, such as Bullseye, Du Pont Pistol No. 3, Walsrode, and others, on account of their concentrated form, must be manipulated with great care and precision. The same quantity by bulk as black powder of any of these would in many cases cause disaster. Special shells with an annular crease, which only admits the bullet a certain distance into the mouth of the shell, and providing an air space, should in all cases be used with these powders.
Nearly all varieties of smokeless powders require a certain amount of confinement in order to secure complete combustion, and do not give good results unless the shell is crimped securely to the bullet.
A table giving the proper charges is supplied by all the manufacturers of smokeless powders, suitable for revolver and pistol shooting. These charges should in no case be increased. If it is desired to adapt a smokeless charge to a special bullet, which gives good results with black powder, the approximate equivalent in smokeless powder can easily be calculated from the powder company’s table of charges. If the calculated charge does not give good results, compare the penetration of the smokeless charge with the black powder charge, and modify the former until it gives approximately the same penetration as the latter. If this does not correct the difficulty, the fit of the bullet should be investigated, and possibly it may have to be increased in size slightly and hardened before the best results will be obtained.
No attempt should be made to secure higher velocities or greater penetration with the ordinary lead bullet than is obtained with black powder. Such results can only be produced with hard alloy or jacketed bullets, special rifling, etc., and in arms designed to withstand the severe conditions incident to such augmented effects. Excessive charges in regulation arms, besides being extremely dangerous, are likely to cause the bullet to strip the rifling and lead the barrel.
The most recent activity in the matter of smokeless powders is the series of experiments with the U. S. Government pyro-cellulose formula. The powders are cut to such dimensions as will fit them for both pistol and rifle cartridges. This powder has the advantage of causing much less erosion than the nitro-glycerine powders and for that reason will probably appeal to the ammunition manufacturers and consumers, to such an extent as to secure its adoption, if the experiments now in progress prove to be satisfactory from a ballistic standpoint.
_Reloading._--Suitable tools for reloading are furnished by the Ideal Manufacturing Company, Smith & Wesson, and the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. These usually consist of one or more combination tools, with which the various operations may be performed with rapidity and precision.
In reloading ammunition the one thing to be borne in mind above all else is _uniformity_. No matter how excellent may be the quality of the powder, or how perfect the bullets, if there is any variation in quantity, size, etc., the results will surely be irregular and disappointing. The bullets should be of the same diameter and weight, the mouth of the shells of uniform size, the powder accurately measured, and all the details in the operation of loading each shell should be as nearly identical as it is possible to make them.
Shells that have been loaded with black powder will corrode very rapidly if not properly and promptly cared for. The primer should be extracted from the shells as soon as practicable after firing. The shells should then be immersed in hot soap-suds and stirred around briskly until thoroughly washed. If it is desired to brighten them or to remove corrosion, add one tablespoonful of sulphuric acid to each quart of suds. Rinse the shells in two clean boiling waters by agitating them as before, and then dry them by exposure to sunlight or mild heat. Intense heat will draw the temper of the shells and ruin them.
If the shells were originally crimped they will have to be opened with the tool so as to admit the bullet without shaving off or abrading its surface. The Ideal Manufacturing Company can furnish a special plug, screwed to the tool, by which the primer may be extracted and the mouth of the shell opened in one operation, the tool automatically releasing the shell from the plug, thus making the operation of opening the mouth of the shell rapid and easy. In the case of smokeless powders the cleaning of the shells is not so important, but is desirable, as some of the powders leave a sticky residue which interferes more or less with the reloading process.
After the shells have been cleaned and dried the new primers may be placed in position. In doing this be sure to seat them firmly on the bottom of the pocket and below the surface of the head of the shell. This will prevent misfires and premature explosions.
The measuring of the powder charge is the most important detail in reloading ammunition. There are several devices to measure powder that are convenient and fairly accurate. Those furnished by the Ideal Manufacturing Company, designated as No. 5 or No. 6, and those made by H. M. Pope are the best.[18]
The usual method is to measure the powder with a charge cup that is supplied with the reloading tools. A quantity of the powder should be poured from the can into a small box and the charge cup dipped into it and filled. With a thin lead-pencil tap the cup lightly two or three times on the side to settle the powder uniformly. If the powder settles below the top of the cup dip the cup into the powder again and fill it, being careful not to tilt the cup so as to disturb the powder already in it. Strike off the powder in the cup with the pencil and pour it into the shell. By measuring the powder in this way and verifying it by weighing each charge in a delicate balance, a high degree of skill may be acquired in a short time. Ordinary revolver charges should not vary more than one-tenth of a grain in weight.
The charge cup method is preferred by many in measuring smokeless powders, as some varieties, being coarse grained and light in weight, are liable to form large voids. Such voids are invariably corrected when the charge cup is tapped and the powder settles.
After the desired quantity of shells has been primed and charged with powder, the bullets, properly lubricated, are started into the shells by hand and then one by one the cartridges are placed in the reloading tool, which seats the bullet and crimps the shell.
In reduced black powder charges, when the bullet is seated below the mouth of the shell, the tool should be adjusted so as not to crimp the shell.
In loading cartridges in which the shells are not crimped on the bullets, it is very important that both the shells and the bullets should be absolutely uniform in size, so that the fit, and consequently the friction, of the bullets in the shell will be the same in all cases. By reloading some of the shells oftener than others or with different charges, the expansion of the shells will vary and the bullets will fit more or less tightly. Such ammunition when fired will vary in elevation. It is well to begin with new shells using the same load in them and reloading them the same number of times. Even with the same charge and under apparently identical conditions a few of the shells will expand differently. This variation will, however, be readily discovered in seating the bullets with the tool. Cartridges in which the bullets seat with greater or less effort than the average should be carefully separated from the rest and not used when fine shooting is required.
In reloading ammunition with spherical or “round” bullets the neck of the bullet should be up, opposite the powder side. In this position the neck is always in sight, and any turning of the bullet so as to bring the neck on the side and in contact with the barrel will be apparent and can be corrected. All round bullets should be at least 1/1000 of an inch larger in diameter than the bottom of the grooves of the barrel. This causes them to deform slightly on the circle of contact with the barrel, and creates a narrow cylindrical surface around the bullet, securing a better bearing and greatly increasing the accuracy. It also insures the tight fitting of the bullet in the shell, preventing it from being displaced by the recoil. If round bullets fit loosely, or if there is the slightest imperfection in the bullet where it comes in contact with the shell or the barrel, “gas-cutting” will result and hot lubricant is liable to pass by the bullet into the powder charge. In either case the accuracy is impaired.
When round bullets are used, the lubricant must be applied after they have been seated. This can best be done with a small brush. The brush is dipped into melted lubricant and then passed around the bullet where it is in contact with the shell. Too much lubricant is undesirable. At least three-quarters of the surface of the bullet should project above the lubricant. By keeping the lubricant at a constant temperature, the quantity adhering to the brush will be approximately the same and the results uniform.
In reduced loads, when black powder or “bulk” smokeless powder is used, the bullets may be seated so as to just touch the powder charge; never so as to compress it. When “dense” smokeless powder is used, a suitable air space must always be provided. This is necessary both when round or conical bullets are used.
With all forms of conical bullets and when using either “dense” or “bulk” smokeless powder, in full or reduced charges, better results are invariably obtained by seating the bullets in the regulation position and crimping the shells moderately and uniformly on the middle of the front band of the bullet.
Ammunition for automatic pistols may also be reloaded by hand, but there is much less economy than in reloading other ammunition. When the full charge is used, a metal-cased bullet is required which must be purchased from the manufacturers. Reduced loads with lead bullets will operate in some of the pistols only. An overcharge of powder for a lead bullet will lead the barrel and is liable to cause difficulty with the mechanism, and accidents. Only experienced persons familiar with the operations of loading the rimless shells and whether or not the arms will operate with the charges they propose to use, should attempt reloading this ammunition.
APPENDIX I
THE UNITED STATES REVOLVER ASSOCIATION
This Association was founded on March 5, 1900, and incorporated in January, 1904. It is the recognized national organization of the revolver and pistol marksmen of the United States of America.
Its objects are: to foster and develop revolver and pistol shooting; to establish and preserve records; to classify arms; and to encourage and conduct friendly matches between members and clubs in this country, as well as with the marksmen of other countries.
The officers of the Association, excepting the secretary, serve without pay. There is no initiation fee. The annual dues are only $1.00. The membership, scattered from Maine to the Philippines, Alaska to the Canal Zone, includes all the well-known shots of the country.
The Association has conducted five international revolver matches, all of which were won by the United States. It selects the members of and is responsible for the United States teams in the Olympic and all other international matches. It has established the Annual Outdoor and Indoor Championship Matches, the U. S. R. A. Indoor League and provided suitable trophies and medals. It has formulated uniform rules and regulations governing pistol and revolver shooting. In the record books of the Association are inscribed and preserved all the scores in the Annual Championship Contests, the individual and team league series, the scores of contestants, shooting for rating medals and the “best on record” performances, together with details concerning the arms and ammunition used. The Association also publishes the _U. S. R. A. Bulletin_, a monthly devoted to all subjects of interest to the members, the subscription for which is included in the annual dues.
The Association is financially self-supporting. It has an increasing surplus in the treasury, which is devoted to the purchase of new trophies for additional matches.
All who are interested in pistol and revolver shooting, and who are in sympathy with the aims and purposes of the Association, are cordially invited to join it. Forms of application for membership and other information will be supplied by the Secretary-Treasurer on request.
The officers of the Association for 1915 are as follows:
President: Col. W. H. WHIGAM, Chicago, Ill. 1st Vice-President: Capt. R. H. SAYRE, New York, N. Y. 2nd Vice-President: C. C. CROSSMAN, St. Louis, Mo. 3rd Vice-President: C. W. LINDER, San Francisco, Cal. 4th Vice-President: Dr. R. J. MULLIKIN, Baltimore, Md. 5th Vice-President: Dr. H. E. SEARS, Boston, Mass. Secretary-Treasurer: J. B. CRABTREE, Yalesville, Conn.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I--_Name_
The name of this organization shall be the United States Revolver Association.
ARTICLE II--_Object_
The object of this association shall be the encouragement of revolver and pistol shooting.
ARTICLE III--_Membership_
The membership shall consist of three classes: Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members.
Any reputable citizen of the United States is eligible for membership.
Any reputable person interested in revolver and pistol shooting is eligible for Honorary or Associate membership.
Members and Associate members may be admitted by vote of the executive committee and by paying the regular dues. Honorary members may be elected at a regular meeting of the association and shall be exempt from dues.
Honorary and Associate members shall be entitled to all the privileges of the association, except the right to vote.
[See Art. VII for Life membership.]
ARTICLE IV--_Officers_
The officers of this association shall be a president, five vice-presidents and a secretary-treasurer, who shall constitute the executive committee. They shall be elected by a majority vote by ballot at the annual meeting of the association, and hold office for one year or until their successors are elected.
ARTICLE V--_Duties of Officers_
The president shall preside at all meetings of the association and may call meetings of the association at any time, one week’s notice by mail being given of such meeting by the secretary-treasurer. The approval of the president shall be necessary on all bills before they are paid. The vice-presidents in the order of their seniority shall perform the duties of the president in his absence and shall have responsible charge, subject to the executive committee, of the affairs of the association in their respective localities. The secretary-treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings and take charge of the correspondence of the association. He shall receive all dues and pay all bills approved by the president, and keep account of all the funds of the association. The executive committee shall have charge of the affairs of the association, shall elect members, appoint State governors to act as local representatives of the association, and shall have power to accept, decline, or issue challenges by a majority vote. Any member of the executive committee unable to be present at any meeting may vote by mail.
ARTICLE VI--_Vacancies in Office_
In case a vacancy should occur in any office, the remaining members of the executive committee shall have power to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE VII--_Dues_
Section 1. The annual dues shall be one dollar, and shall be payable on election to membership and thereafter on the 1st of January in every year.
Section 2. Members in arrears for dues for a period of more than two years shall be suspended, but may reinstate themselves in full standing by paying their arrears in dues. Members may not resign from the association when in arrears for dues.
Section 3. The secretary-treasurer shall notify each member in arrears before placing his name on the suspended list.
Section 4. Any member of this association in good standing may become a Life Member by vote of the executive committee and by paying into the treasury $25, such funds to be used by the association for the purchase of trophies.
ARTICLE VIII--_Annual Meeting_
There shall be an annual meeting on the third Monday of January in each year, at which meeting the election of officers and members of the executive committee shall take place. Members not able to attend this meeting may send their ballots by mail to the secretary-treasurer, who shall deposit each ballot in the name of the absent member, and they shall be counted as if the member were present. Only members not in arrears for dues shall be entitled to vote. If there should be more than two candidates for any office, the candidate receiving the least number of votes shall be retired at each ballot until an election results. In case of a tie the presiding officer shall have the deciding vote.
ARTICLE IX--_Quorum_
Ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
OUTDOOR MATCHES
MATCH A--REVOLVER CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; distance, 50 yards; 50 shots in strings of ten shots on five Standard American targets, 8-inch bull’s-eye, 10-ring 3.36 inches; arm, any revolver within the rules; ammunition, any; the score must be completed in one hour or less from the time of firing the first shot; entrance fee, $5; to members not in arrears for dues, $3; no re-entries.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, the championship silver cup (value, $200), to be held by the winner until the next annual competition; inscribed on the cup, in raised ornamental letters, is, “This Cup Represents the Revolver Championship of the United States of America”; the name of the winner, the year and the score are also engraved on the cup each year; to the winner is also awarded a gold medal (value, $25), with the same inscription on the reverse side as appears on the cup.
_Second_, a gold and silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a silver and bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fifth_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal of the same design is also awarded to every competitor, not a prize winner, making a score of 425 or better.
STATE PRIZES.--For more than three entries in any State the association awards three prizes emblematic of State honors: _First prize_, a silver and gold medal; _second prize_, a silver medal; _third prize_, a bronze medal. For three entries, only the first two prizes are awarded.
Winners and Scores
1900 A. L. A. Himmelwright 422 1901 John A. Dietz 419 1902 Thomas Anderton 438 1903 J. E. Gorman 454 1904 Dr. I. R. Calkins 451 1905 John A. Dietz 455 1906 John A. Dietz 444 1907 John A. Dietz 445 1908 R. H. Sayre 462 1909 Dr. I. R. Calkins 455 1910 Dr. John R. Hicks 458 1911 George Armstrong 467 1912 A. M. Poindexter 467 1913 A. P. Lane 467 1914 A. P. Lane 458
MATCH B--PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; distance, 50 yards; 50 shots on five targets as in Match A; arm, any pistol within the rules; ammunition, any; the score must be completed in one hour or less from the time of firing the first shot; entrance fee, $5; to members not in arrears for dues, $3; no re-entries.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, the championship silver cup (value, $175), to be held by the winner until the next annual competition; inscribed on the cup, in raised ornamental letters, is, “This Cup Represents the Pistol Championship of the United States of America”; the name of the winner, the year and the score are also engraved on the cup each year; to the winner is also awarded a gold medal (value, $25), with the same inscription on the reverse side as appears on the cup.
_Second_, a silver and gold medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a bronze and silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fifth_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal of the same design is also awarded to every competitor, not a prize winner, making a score of 435 or better.
STATE PRIZES.--The same as in Match A.
Winners and Scores
1900 J. B. Crabtree 427 1901 Thomas Anderton 453 1902 Thomas Anderton 463 1903 Thomas Anderton 457 1904 E. H. Kessler 464 1905 John A. Dietz 465 1906 John A. Dietz 448 1907 P. Hanford 455 1908 J. E. Gorman 468 1909 Dr. I. R. Calkins 464 1910 John A. Dietz 462 1911 Parmly Hanford 466 1912 L. P. Castaldini 461 1913 Dr. I. R. Calkins 469 1914 George Armstrong 476
MATCH C--MILITARY CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; distance, 50 yards; 75 shots in strings of five shots on fifteen targets as in Match A; each string must be shot within the time limit of 15 seconds, taking time from the command, Fire; misfires and shots lost on account of the arm becoming disabled while firing any string will be scored zero; if a shot is fired after the time limit has elapsed, the shot of highest count will be deducted from the score; no cleaning allowed; arm, any military revolver, or any military magazine pistol within the rules; ammunition, the full charge service cartridge, or equivalent factory loaded ammunition approved by the executive committee, brought to the firing point in unbroken packages; the score must be completed on the same day; no sighting shots will be allowed after beginning the score; entrance fee, $5; to members not in arrears for dues, $3; no re-entries.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, the championship silver trophy (an elaborate silver bowl, value $450), to be held by the winner until the next annual competition; the trophy bears the inscription, “The Military Revolver Championship of the United States of America”; the name of the winner, the year, and the score are also engraved on the trophy each year; to the winner is also awarded a gold medal (value, $25), with the same inscription on the reverse side as appears on the trophy.
_Second_, a silver and gold medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a bronze and silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fifth_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal of the same design is also awarded to every competitor, not a prize winner, making a score of 500 or better.
STATE PRIZES.--The same as in Match A.
Winners and Scores
1900 R. H. Sayre 300[19] 1901 R. H. Sayre 325[19] 1902 R. H. Sayre 579 1903 R. H. Sayre 565 1904 Thomas Anderton 585 1905 Thos. LeBoutillier 504 1906 R. H. Sayre 583 1907 R. H. Sayre 536 1908 C. F. G. Armstrong 568 1909 Col. W. H. Whigam 580 1910 Col. W. H. Whigam 591 1911 A. P. Lane 605 1912 Dr. J. H. Snook 621 1913 Dr. J. H. Snook 625 1914 C. M. McCutchen 627
MATCH D--MILITARY RECORD MATCH.--Open to everybody; distance, 50 yards; five consecutive strings of five shots under the same conditions as Match C; entrance fee, $2; to members not in arrears for dues, $1; entries unlimited.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, a gold trophy, a laurel wreath surrounding a scroll, mounted on an ebony shield; (value, $150); between the scroll and the wreath is a ribbon on which, in raised letters, is, “The United States Revolver Association”; at the top of the scroll is engraved, “Military Record Match.” The name of the winner, the year, and the score for each year are engraved on the scroll below; this trophy is held by the winner until the next annual competition, and is to become the property of the competitor winning it three times.
_Second_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal of the same design is also awarded to every competitor, not a prize winner, making a score of 175 or better.
This match was instituted in 1902. Being a re-entry match, it affords good practice under the same conditions as Match C.
No State prizes are awarded in this match.
Winners and Scores
1902 Thomas Anderton 206 1903 Thomas Anderton 202 1904 Thomas Anderton 206 1905 Thos. LeBoutillier 178 1906 Thos. LeBoutillier 192 1907 Thos. LeBoutillier 191 1908 C. F. G. Armstrong 194 1909 C. F. G. Armstrong 204 1910 Samuel Peterson 215 1911 A. P. Lane 208 1912 Dr. J. H. Snook 212 1913 C. M. McCutchen 217 1914 Dr. J. H. Snook 221
MATCH E--MILITARY REVOLVER TEAM MATCH.--Open to one team of four men from any regularly organized Rifle or Revolver Club, the police force of any city, or any Regiment, Battalion, or separate organization from any of the organized Military or Naval forces of any civilized country.
Distance, 50 yards; five consecutive strings of 5 shots each under the same conditions as Match C; arm, any military revolver or magazine pistol within the rules; ammunition, full charge factory loaded, brought to the firing point in unbroken packages; entrance fee, $15; to affiliated clubs, $10; no re-entries.
PRIZES: _First_, the Winans Trophy (a “Broncho Buster” in bronze, mounted on an elaborate red porphyry marble base; value, $500). The name of the winning club or organization, the year and the score, will be engraved on the base. The trophy to be held by the winning organization until the next annual competition. A silver and gold medal will also be awarded to each member of the winning team, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Second_, a silver medal to each member of the team, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a bronze and silver medal to each member of the team, with an inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a bronze medal to each member of the team, with an inscription on the reverse side.
This match was instituted in October, 1908, when Mr. Walter Winans (Life member) presented the association with an appropriate trophy.
Winners and Scores
1909 Squadron “A,” N. G. N. Y. 698 1910 1st Cavalry Ill. N. G. 708 1911 1st Cavalry Ill. N. G. 725 1912 Denver Rev. Club 774 1913 Denver Rev. Club 776 1914 Denver Rev. Club 799
MATCH F--POCKET REVOLVER CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; 25 shots at 50 yards in strings of 5 shots on five targets, as in Match A; each string to be fired within 30 seconds after the command, “Fire.” Arm, any pocket revolver of .32 or larger caliber or any pocket magazine pistol of .25 to .38 caliber inclusive, weighing less than 1¾ pounds within the rules; cleaning not allowed; ammunition, the same as Match C. Entrance fee, $4; to members not in arrears for dues, $2; no re-entries.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, a gold medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Second_, a silver and gold medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a bronze and silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fifth_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal will also be awarded to any competitor not a prize winner making a score of 175 or better.
STATE PRIZES.--For five or more entries the following prizes will be awarded: 1st prize, a gold and silver medal; 2nd prize, a silver medal; 3rd prize, a bronze medal.
Winners and Scores
1909 C. W. Klett 203 1910 C. E. Orr 202 1911 A. P. Lane 211 1912 Dr. O. A. Burgeson 208 1913 Col. W. H. Whigam 210 1914 Dr. J. H. Snook 214
GRAND AGGREGATE MEDALS
In addition to the regular matches the association awards Grand Aggregate Medals to the contestants making the highest aggregate scores in Championship Matches A, B, C, and F, as follows:
_First_, a gold medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Second_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
The grand aggregate will be computed by adding the total scores of the Matches A, B, and F, and one-fifth of the total score in Match C.
The grand aggregate medals are considered the highest honors in the gift of the association.
Winners and Scores
1909 C. Dominic 1187.8 1910 A. P. Lane 1215.8 1911 A. P. Lane 1236. 1912 Parmly Hanford 1228. 1913 A. P. Lane 1261. 1914 A. P. Lane 1242.
INDOOR MATCHES
REVOLVER CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; distance, 20 yards; light must be artificial; 50 shots on ten Standard American targets, bull’s-eye 2.72 inches and 10-ring 1.12 inches in diameter, respectively; arm, any revolver within the rules; ammunition, any. The score must be completed in one hour or less from the time of firing the first shot. Entrance fee, $5; to members not in arrears for dues, $3; no re-entries.
NATIONAL PRIZES: _First_, a silver cup (value, $40), bearing the names and scores of the winners, to be held until the next annual competition, the cup to become the property of the person winning it three times.
_Second_, a gold and silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Third_, a silver medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fourth_, a silver and bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
_Fifth_, a bronze medal, with inscription on the reverse side.
A bronze honor medal will also be awarded to any competitor, not a prize winner, making a score of 425 or better.
STATE PRIZES.--The same as in Match A of the Outdoor Matches.
Winners and Scores
1901 W. E. Petty 439 1902 W. E. Petty 439 1903 W. H. Luckett 437 1904 Sidney E. Sears 478 1905 Sidney E. Sears 461 1906 Sidney E. Sears 451 1907 Wm. G. Krieg 454 1908 R. H. Sayre 454 1909 R. H. Sayre 455 1910 Oscar I. Olson 461 1911 C. C. Crossman 455 1912 Dr. J. R. Hicks 457 1913 P. J. Dolfin 469 1914 Dr. W. E. Quicksall 457
PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; distance, 20 yards; light must be artificial; 50 shots on ten Standard American targets; bull’s-eye 2.72 inches and 10-ring 1.12 inches in diameter, respectively; arm, any pistol within the rules; ammunition, any. The score must be completed in one hour or less from the time of firing the first shot. Entrance fee, $5; to members not in arrears for dues, $3; no re-entries.
NATIONAL AND STATE PRIZES: The same as in the indoor Revolver Championship, except that honor medals are awarded for scores of 435 or better.
Winners and Scores
1901 R. H. Sayre 433 1902 R. H. Sayre 448 1903 Thomas Anderton 460 1904 E. H. Kessler 450 1905 R. H. Sayre 451 1906 John A. Dietz 447 1907 John A. Dietz 455 1908 R. P. Prentys 455 1909 Frank Fromm 456 1910 R. H. Sayre 454 1911 George Armstrong 473 1912 A. P. Lane 469 1913 Dr. C. H. Wilson 465 1914 Dr. J. H. Snook 468
POCKET REVOLVER CHAMPIONSHIP.--Open to everybody; 25 shots at 20 yards in strings of five shots on five Standard American targets; each string to be fired within 30 seconds after the command, “Fire.” Arm, any pocket revolver of .32 caliber or larger, within the rules. Magazine pistols not allowed. Ammunition, full charge, factory loaded, brought to the firing point in unbroken packages. Entrance fee, $4; to members not in arrears for dues, $2.
PRIZES.--The same as in Match F of the Outdoor Matches.
Winners and Scores
1909 Wm. G. Krieg 190 1910 Dr. M. R. Moore 202 1911 Col. W. H. Whigam 195 1912 John A. Dietz 205 1913 Hans Roedder 206 1914 Dr. J. H. Snook 213
MATCH G NOVICE LIMITED RE-ENTRY MATCH.--Open to all amateurs who have never won an important prize in pistol or revolver contests. (Winners of prizes in National contests and first and second prizes in State contests, all expert shots, etc., are barred.) Twenty-five shots at 20 yards in five strings on five Standard American targets. Time, 30 minutes to complete the score after firing the first shot. Arm, any revolver or any pistol within the rules. Ammunition, any. Entrance fee, first entry, $3; to members not in arrears for dues, $2. There may be four re-entries at $1 each, but the score for the last re-entry only to count.
NATIONAL AND STATE PRIZES:--The same as in Match F of the Outdoor Matches.
Winners and Scores
1913 R. S. Everett 231 1914 Robert Mills 229
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES OF THE U. S. R. A.
1. _General Conditions._--Competitors must make themselves acquainted with the rules and regulations of the association, as the plea of ignorance will receive no consideration. The rulings and decisions of the executive committee are final in all cases. These rules are for general application, but will not apply in cases where the special conditions of any match conflict with them.
2. _Classification of Arms._--(a) Any Revolver. A revolver of any caliber. Maximum length of barrel, including cylinder, 10 inches. Minimum trigger pull, 2½ pounds. Sights may be adjustable but they must be strictly open, in front of the hammer and not over 10 inches apart.
(b) Any pistol. A pistol of any caliber. Maximum length of barrel, 10 inches. Minimum trigger pull, 2 pounds. Sights may be adjustable but they must be strictly open, in front of the hammer and not over 10 inches apart.
(c) Military revolver or pistol. A revolver, or a magazine pistol, that has been adopted by any civilized government for the armament of its army or navy. Maximum weight, 2¾ pounds. Maximum length of barrel, 7½ inches. Minimum trigger pull, 4 pounds. Fixed open sights. Rear sights of magazine pistols may be adjustable for elevation only.
(d) Pocket revolver. A revolver having a maximum weight of 2 pounds. Maximum length of barrel, 4 inches; Minimum trigger pull, 4 pounds. Sights and model must be such as not to hinder quick drawing of the weapon from the pocket or holster.
3. _Loading, Firing, Timing, and Cleaning._--In all revolver and pistol matches the weapon must not be loaded until the competitor has taken his position at the firing point. The barrel must always be kept vertical or pointed towards the target. After the target is in position and a match or record score has been begun, in case of an accidental discharge or of defective ammunition, if the bullet comes out of the barrel it will be scored a shot. The timing in matches C, D, E, and F will be as follows: The competitor standing at the firing point with the arm loaded, not cocked, and the barrel pointing in a direction not less than 45 degrees from the target, will signify to the scorer when he is ready to begin each string. The scorer, stop watch in hand, will then give the command, “Fire,” _after which_ the competitor may cock and aim his weapon and shoot his string. At the expiration of the time limit the scorer will announce “Time.” Misfires will be scored zero, only in Matches C, D, E, and F. Competitors may clean weapons in Matches A and B, and in the corresponding Indoor Championships, but no time allowance will be given for time spent in this way. All competitors will be required to finish their scores within the time limits specified, except in cases of accident, when the time may be extended at the discretion of the executive committee. Blowing through the barrel, to moisten it, will be considered cleaning.
In revolver matches the arm must not be used as a single loader or loaded so as to use a limited number of chambers in the cylinder. The cylinder must be charged with the full number of rounds for which it is chambered, and these must be shot consecutively. If scores are shot in ten shot strings, the cylinder shall be charged first with six rounds and then with four rounds. If the cylinder only contains five chambers, then the ten-shot strings may be shot in two strings of five each. In Matches C, D, E, and F and indoor or gallery events, the arm shall in all cases be charged with five rounds.
4. _Position._--The position shall be standing, free from any support, the pistol or revolver being held in one hand, with arm extended, so as to be free from the body.
5. _Arms._--Any revolver or pistol which in the opinion of the executive committee complies with the conditions specified in the various matches will be allowed to compete in those events. Revolvers or magazine pistols that have been adopted by any government for the armament of its army or navy, or such as in the opinion of the executive committee are suitable for military service, will be allowed in Matches C, D, and E. Among the arms which may be used in these matches are the .38-caliber Smith & Wesson or Colt Military; .44 Smith & Wesson, Military or Russian model; .38, .44 or .45 Colt New Service; .45 Smith & Wesson Scofield; .44 or .45 Colt, Single Action Army, Webley & Scott Mark IV, and the following magazine or automatic pistols: Colt, Webley & Scott, Luger, Borchardt, Mannlicher, Mauser, Mors.
6. _Sights._--In open sights, the notch of the rear sight must be as wide on top as at any part. Aperture or peep sights or any covered or shaded sights will not be allowed. The use of a notch for the front sight will not be permitted. Sights may be smoked or blackened if desired. Sights on military arms, if modified to suit individuals, must remain strictly open, strong and substantial, and suitable for military use.
7. _Trigger-Pull._--The trigger-pull as specified in the various events shall be determined by a test weight equal to the minimum pull applied at a point three-eighths of an inch from the end of the trigger and at right angles to the pin through the trigger.
8. _Ammunition._--In Matches C, D, E, and F, and in the medal competition, where full charge ammunition is required, it may be the product of any reputable manufacturer. It must in all cases be brought to the firing point in unbroken boxes, with the label of the manufacturer intact.
9. _Targets._--The 200-yard Standard American rifle target No. 1 (containing the 4-ring), with an 8-inch bull’s-eye and showing in light lines the rings of the International Union target, shall be used in all matches at 50 yards. The scores will be counted on the Standard American target. The diameters of the rings of the Standard American target are as follows: 10-ring equals 3.36 inches; 9-ring equals 5.54 inches; 8-ring equals 8 inches; 7-ring equals 11 inches; 6-ring equals 14.8 inches; 5-ring equals 19.68 inches; 4-ring equals 26 inches; rest of target 28 inches by 28 inches counts 3. The same target reduced so that the bull’s-eye or 8-ring is 2.72 inches in diameter and the 10-ring 1.12 inches in diameter, including the 4-ring 8.84 inches in diameter and the rest of the target 9½ inches by 9½ inches, counting 3, shall be used for all matches at 20 yards.
10. _Marking and Scoring._--In all matches new paper targets shall be furnished for each competitor. Not more than ten shots are to be fired on any target at 50 yards, and not more than five shots on any target in Matches C, D, E, and F, and for all shooting at 20 yards; the shot holes in all cases to remain uncovered and left as shot. Bullets touching, striking, or within a line on the target are to be scored the count of that line. The eye alone shall determine whether a bullet touches or not.
11. _Ties._--Ties shall be decided as follows: (1) By the score at the longest distance; (2) by the score at the next longest distance; (3) by the fewest number of shots of lowest count; (4) by firing five shots each under the same conditions as the match and these rules in regard to ties, until decided.
12. _Supervision._--The shooting in all the U. S. R. A. events must take place in the presence of at least two witnesses familiar with the rules, one of whom must be an authorized U. S. R. A. officer. This officer shall certify that each contestant has complied with all the U. S. R. A. regulations as to distance, weapon, time, ammunition, etc., noting same on the blank spaces provided on the score cards, and both witnesses shall sign the targets and said score cards in duplicate for each contestant.
13. _Protests._--Any person who believes that an injustice has been done, or who dissents from the decision of any authorized executive officer of the association, may enter a protest on depositing $1 with said officer. Such protest must be in writing, in duplicate, and must be made within 24 hours after the incident on which it is based. One copy to be handed to the executive officer of the club or organization conducting the matches and the other copy to be mailed to the secretary-treasurer of the U. S. R. A. All protests will be investigated and passed upon by the executive committee, and, if sustained, the protest fee will be returned; otherwise it will be forfeited.
14. _Records._--The shooting for records shall, when practicable, be done on the grounds or in a gallery of a regularly organized shooting association, military organization or club, and in the presence of at least two witnesses familiar with the U. S. R. A. rules, one of whom shall be an officer of the U. S. R. A. New targets of regulation size shall be used. The foregoing rules and regulations and the conditions governing the championship matches of the U. S. R. A. must in all cases be observed and followed. The record score shall begin with the first shot after the shooter has announced his intention to shoot for record; only the first ten shots will apply to the 10-shot record; the first twenty shots to the 20-shot record, and so on to 50 or 100 shots, as the shooter may elect. Such scores (multiples of 5 or 10 shots) for record must in all cases be completed within the same proportional time limit as is specified for the corresponding championship match; thus, in Match A, for example, the first 10 shots within 12 minutes, the first 20 shots within 24 minutes, etc. After finishing the record score, the targets shall be identified and signed by the witnesses as above designated. The witnesses shall also prepare and sign a certificate of prescribed form, which, with the detailed score and all targets, shall be forwarded to the U. S. R. A., addressed to the secretary-treasurer. If all the conditions, rules and regulations have been complied with, the scoring correct, and if the score is higher than or equal to any previously made under the same conditions, it will be declared a new record. The score will then be entered as such in the record book of the association, and the shooter formally notified to that effect.
METHODS AND CUSTOMS TO BE FOLLOWED IN CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL COMPETITIONS OF THE U. S. R. A.
The conditions under which local clubs may be authorized to conduct Championship Matches of the U. S. R. A. are as follows:
There must be not less than six members of the association residing within twenty-five miles of the proposed place of holding the contest and there must be not less than three entries in Championship Matches A, B, or C, or five entries in Match F. In matches offering National and State prizes the same entrance fee includes eligibility to both honors.
On the application of six or more members in good standing under the prescribed conditions, a U. S. R. A. official designated as the “governor” is appointed by the Association’s executive committee and vested with the authority to supervise all Association shooting. The appointee is usually a member nominated by the local members. Besides supervising all the U. S. R. A. contests, the governor is the official representative of the Association in his locality, and has the custody of all supplies and the distribution of prizes, medals, etc. By this arrangement the U. S. R. A. members in all sections of the country obtain the same privileges and benefits and equal opportunity to enter the matches and competitions.
The U. S. R. A. will furnish numbered and certified targets and score cards, and will provide the prizes for the U. S. R. A. Championship and re-entry events; the club or organization to pay the expressage both ways on targets and all other supplies, to furnish the shooting facilities and conduct the contests free of expense to the association and turn over to the secretary-treasurer all the entrance fees for the U. S. R. A. events. This plan has in all cases given satisfactory results, because the practice shooting of the contestants in the local re-entry matches usually affords sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of the tournament.
When a competitor wishes to shoot in any of the events, he should exhibit his latest membership card (if a member) to the officers in charge, and after paying the entrance fee, a regular ticket or duplicate score card (furnished by the United States Revolver Association) is filled out and issued to him, which is his receipt for the entrance fee. His score need not necessarily be shot immediately after issuing the ticket. Competitors have the option of shooting in the order in which they pay for their entries. Tickets not used are forfeited: no entrance fees shall be refunded.
The requisite number of targets are issued when the competitor wishes to shoot his score. These must be numbered consecutively, they must have the competitor’s name and the number of his score card written on them for identification, and must be shot in their numerical order.
The targets are usually tacked at the corners on alternating frames covered with canvas, over which heavy paper is pasted. Each target is left in position until the required number of shots have been fired at it, each shot being spotted and marked as fired [no pasters to be used]. When a string has been finished the target is lowered and the alternating target raised in position. After the score is completed the targets are brought to the firing point and delivered to the range officer.
When a competitor wishes to shoot his score, his arm must be inspected and passed by the officer in charge, who must see that it conforms with the rules and requirements of the event in which it is entered. Competitors who wish to enter in any of the events are urged to have their arms examined by the executive officer or committee in charge of the matches as soon as possible, so that in case there should be any exceptions made to the sights, the trigger-pull, or any other details, there will be an opportunity to have these exceptions corrected so as to comply with the requirements when the official test and inspection is made before shooting the score.
In Matches C, D, E, and F the scorer should have a reliable stop watch, so that the timing will be accurate. It is well, whenever possible, to have two men time the competitor, so as to have an additional check. A new target must be furnished for each string of five shots at each range. According to the rules, if a competitor starts to shoot a string of any score and his arm becomes disabled from any cause, those shots which reach the target within the time limit after the command, “Fire,” will be counted as the complete score for the five shots. In the case of a disabled arm, the officer or committee in charge may allow the competitor to complete the remaining strings of his score with another arm. Shots on the paper target outside of the 4-ring count 3; shots missing the paper target count zero. After completing the score, when the duplicate score cards are filled out, the contestant takes the duplicate and the range officer retains the original record.
All unused targets and score cards are also to be forwarded to the secretary-treasurer, with a complete detailed account of entrance fees, supplies, etc.
In the Medal Competition only those targets that actually count for medals are to be witnessed, certified and forwarded to the secretary-treasurer for verification and record.
In order that the conditions may be uniform and eliminate as much as possible the special conditions in regard to wind, etc., that may exist at the different places where the matches may be held, the shooters should be protected at the firing point by a shelter. This may be either the regular shooting house of the club, or, if the shooting is done in the open, by a suitable tent or temporary frame structure having an opening in the direction of the target; the other three sides being inclosed. The building or tent should be large enough to accommodate also the officer or committee in charge of the match, so that the shooter may be at all times in sight of the officer in charge of the range at the time the score is made. A table of suitable size should be provided near the firing point for holding ammunition and for the convenience of the competitor to clean his arm in those events where cleaning is allowed. The firing point should be plainly marked and so located as to be at least two feet from any timbers, guards, ropes, tables, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS TO U. S. R. A. OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS
Supplies consisting of numbered and certified targets, score cards, record blanks, a copy of the rules and regulations, etc., will be furnished by the secretary-treasurer on the requisition of the local U. S. R. A. representative. Such supplies shall be used only in the matches, and all used and unused supplies shall be returned to the secretary-treasurer at the close of the contests. The target and supply account of the club must balance.
A governor or other officer of the U. S. R. A. will be appointed in each locality where the matches are to be held to act as range officer, represent the association, and have charge of the contests. This governor or officer shall _personally measure the range to verify the distance_ and see that all the conditions of the matches are strictly complied with. He will also see that at least one other person familiar with the rules is present to witness all the shooting and he shall certify to the correctness of each score and the conditions, by signing the score card when the score is completed, and all the targets of each competitor shall be signed by both witnesses.
The other duties in detail of the governor or officer in charge of the matches are as follows: When a competitor expresses his intention of entering a match, a score card is made out in his name and delivered to him on the payment of the higher entrance fee (unless the competitor exhibits a membership card bearing the date of the current year, in which case he is entitled to the lower entrance fee). These score cards are to be issued in numerical order, and when more than one contestant wishes to shoot at the same time, the man holding the score card first issued is entitled to the preference of position and time. When the contestant is ready to shoot, he hands his score card to the governor or other officer of the association, who thereupon issues the required targets numbered consecutively, with the name of the competitor and the number of his score card written on each target for identification. The arm of the competitor is then inspected to make sure that it complies with the rules and regulations. The sights must be carefully inspected and the trigger-pull tested by weighing in _just before the score is begun_.
The records for which blanks are provided on the score card with reference to the arm, ammunition, etc., must all be filled in. The competitor’s first target may then be placed in position. As soon as the contestant begins his score, the time is taken from the firing of the first shot in Matches A and B and in the Corresponding Indoor Championships, and the entire score must be completed within one hour from this time. Scores in Match G must be completed within 30 minutes after firing the first shot. In Matches C, D, E, and F the time is taken from the command “Fire,” and the five shots must be fired within the specified time limit in each case and a record is made of the actual elapsed time of each string which must be written on the corresponding targets later when they are brought to the firing point. The announcing of intermediate times or seconds is not allowed.
Ten shots are to be fired at each target in Matches A and B, and five shots at each target in Matches C, D, E, F, and G, and in all the Indoor Matches. After the score is completed, the separate targets are scored in regular order as shot and the value of the shots as filled in the score card are checked from the targets, _making corrections from the targets, if mistakes have been made by the markers_. After filling in and signing the score cards, the duplicate is handed to the competitor and the original preserved for record. The targets are then signed by the governor and preserved until the expiration of the period during which the matches are held, when all targets, original score cards, and all other supplies, used and unused, are to be sent to the United States Revolver Association, addressed to the secretary-treasurer.
It is recommended that all scores after being shot, verified, etc., be wrapped in paper in separate packages, marked with the competitor’s name, and that no one be permitted to handle and examine these targets after they have been scored and certified to.
THE U. S. R. A. LEAGUE
The League is an alliance or compact between the clubs participating, the details and conditions of which vary slightly from year to year, being embodied in a signed contract.
Any locality having six or more paid-up members in the Association may apply for the appointment of an official U. S. R. A. representative and by accepting the conditions and signing the contract, enter a team.
U. S. R. A. LEAGUE AGREEMENT FOR 1914-15.
_Entrance Fees._--Each club with paid-up affiliation in the U. S. R. A. shall pay an entrance fee of $10, others $15; this to cover cost of prizes only.
_Expense._--The association shall furnish all targets to the clubs and shall pay the transportation from the association to the clubs and pay for all necessary telegrams to or from the secretary-treasurer, and an accurate account of these charges to be kept by the secretary and the amount to be charged back to the clubs, each club paying an equal amount. This is not to exceed $10.
Secretaries of the clubs where shooting nights and distance will permit are to use the mail, others the telegraph in the cheapest form. Results of the week MUST reach the secretary by noon of the next Monday after the shoot. The press has no use for stale news. Clubs shall pay a fine of $1 for each failure to report on time; the fines to go into the club fund for expenses.
Targets are to be sent to the various clubs prepaid. Only clubs which guarantee to stay through the series will be allowed to enter.
_Shooting Night._--Clubs may shoot on one or two evenings of the week most convenient for them, but it must be the same evenings each week all through the match, unless a change be authorized by the secretary-treasurer. Any club may be allowed at the discretion of the executive committee to divide their shooters into two divisions and have two shooting nights a week. The membership of the divisions must be kept distinct, that is, a man may not change from one division to another and each division must have its regular shooting night. Matches not shot according to the above may be forfeited.
_Teams_ to consist of five men, but each club may at its option shoot in any match from five to ten men and pick the scores of the highest five. _Qualifications_, _paid-up membership in the U. S. R. A._ and good standing in the local club. _A man may shoot on the team of but one club._ The scores of members in arrears for dues may be forfeited.
_Conditions._--Revolvers and pistols will be allowed on equal terms, but both must comply with the U. S. R. A. rules. Five strings of five shots each will be required for each man. Target, Standard American. Distance, twenty yards. Each individual score to be completed within twenty-five minutes from the time of firing the first shot.
_Scoring._--Official scoring to be done by the secretary-treasurer. In close matches, where the count of doubtful shots will determine the winner, at least two of the members of the executive committee shall be called upon to assist the secretary in scoring these shots.
_Supervision._--Members of the executive committee and U. S. R. A. governors shall supervise matches within their jurisdiction, and certify that all U. S. R. A. conditions have been fulfilled. _Any score not so certified may be protested_, by any competitor and at the discretion of a majority of the executive committee may be thrown out.
Individual and club ties to be shot off.
_Protests_ from the decision of any U. S. R. A. official may be made in writing to the secretary-treasurer, if mailed within 48 hours after the decision has been brought to the attention of the person or persons feeling aggrieved. Each person concerned in making the protest must forward $1, which will be returned if the protest is sustained, otherwise forfeited to the association treasury.
_In General._--The series to begin as quickly as arrangements can be made. Matches to be shot weekly.
Targets will be furnished marked for identification, and must be used only for the match assigned and for no other purpose. For obvious reasons match targets must be jealously guarded and their individual identity carefully preserved. Clubs may purchase from the U. S. R. A. similar targets for practice purposes.
Scores on mixed targets may be forfeited.
Clubs will be classified in groups of four matches to begin the week of ..........
Entries to close ..........
_Fraud._--Any person found guilty by the executive committee of the U. S. R. A. of cheating, evading or attempting to evade the regulations governing these contests, shall be debarred from all U. S. R. A. contests until reinstated by a vote of the members at an annual meeting of this association.
We hereby agree to all the above conditions and make application to enter a team in the U. S. R. A. League. Our preferred shooting day of the week is ..........
Signed: ..........
Date: ..........
Witnesses:
RECORDS
The following records have been made under the United States Revolver Association rules since their adoption:
REVOLVER, 50 YARDS
_50 Shots_:
April 26, 1903--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 458 Sept. 7, 1904--Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass. 465 June 6, 1911--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 467 Nov. 26, 1911--John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y. 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10--94 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10--96 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10--94 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10--95 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10--96 -- 475
_30 Shots_:
April 26, 1903--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 273 Sept. 7, 1904--Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield Mass. 284 Nov. 26, 1911--John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y. 284
_20 Shots_:
April 26, 1903--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 185 Sept. 7, 1904--Dr. I. R. Calkins, Springfield, Mass. 188 Nov. 26, 1911--John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y. 190 Oct. 3, 1913--A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y. 191
_10 Shots_:
April 26, 1903--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 94 Oct. 3, 1913--A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y. 96
REVOLVER, 20 YARDS
_50 Shots_:
March, 1902--W. E. Petty, New York, N. Y. 439 June 11, 1903--Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y. 464 March 4, 1904--S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo. 95 96 96 95 96-- 478
_30 Shots_:
March, 1902--W. E. Petty, New York, N. Y. 271 June 11, 1903--Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y. 275 March 4, 1904--S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo. 287
_20 Shots_:
March, 1902--W. E. Petty, New York, N. Y. 177 March, 1903--Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y. 178 June 11, 1903--Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y. 184 March 4, 1904--S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo. 191
_10 Shots_:
March, 1903--Dr. W. H. Luckett, New York, N. Y. 93 March 4, 1904--S. E. Sears, St. Louis, Mo. 96 June 11, 1904--J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass. 98 Nov. 15, 1907--C. C. Crossman, St. Louis, Mo. 100
MILITARY REVOLVER, RAPID FIRE, 50 YARDS
_75 Shots_; in strings of 5 shots in 15 seconds:
Sept., 1902--Lieut. R. H. Sayre, Sea Girt, N. J. 579 Sept. 16, 1904--Thomas Anderton, Creedmoor, N. Y. 585 Sept., 1910--Col. W. H. Whigam, Chicago, Ill. 591 Sept., 1911--A. P. Lane, Sea Girt, N. J. 605 Sept., 1912--Dr. J. H. Snook, Columbus, O. 621 Sept., 1913--Dr. J. H. Snook, Columbus, O. 625 Sept., 1914--C. M. McCutcheon, Denver, Col. 9 9 8 8 7--41 10 9 9 9 8--45 10 10 8 8 7--43 10 10 9 8 8--45 9 9 9 8 6--41 -- 215
9 9 9 8 8--34[20] 9 8 8 8 7--40 10 10 9 8 7--44 10 9 8 8 7--42 10 10 9 9 8--46 -- 206
10 9 8 8 6--41 10 9 8 9 6--42 10 9 8 6 6--39 10 10 9 8 7--44 9 9 8 8 6--40 -- 206 --- Grand Total 627
_25 Shots_; in strings of 5 shots in 15 seconds:
Sept., 1902--Thomas Anderton, Sea Girt, N. J. 206 Sept., 1910--Samuel Peterson 215 Sept., 1913--C. M. McCutchen, Denver Col. 217 Sept., 1914--Dr. J. H. Snook, Columbus, O. 10 10 9 8 8--45 10 10 10 9 7--46 10 9 9 8 7--43 10 9 9 9 7--44 10 9 9 8 7--43 -- 221
POCKET REVOLVER, 50 YARDS
_25 Shots_; in strings of 5 shots in 30 seconds.
Sept. 1909--C. W. Klett, San Francisco, Cal. 203 Sept. 1911--A. P. Lane, New York, N. Y. 211 Sept. 1914--Dr. J. H. Snook, Columbus, O. 10 10 9 8 6--43 10 10 9 9 7--45 10 9 7 7 5--38 10 9 9 8 8--44 10 10 9 8 7--44 -- 214
20 YARDS (INDOORS)
March, 1909--W. G. Kreig, Chicago, Ill. 190 March, 1921--Dr. M. R. Morse, St. Louis, Mo. 202 March, 1912--John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y. 205 March, 1913--Hans Roedder, New York, N. Y. 206 March, 1914--Dr. J. H. Snook, Columbus, O. 213
PISTOL, 50 YARDS
_50 Shots_:
April 4, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass. 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10--99 9 9 10 10 10 9 10 9 9 9--94 9 10 10 9 9 9 10 10 10 10--96 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9--99 8 9 9 8 10 9 10 10 9 10--92 -- 480
_30 Shots_:
March 21, 1903--E. E. Patridge, Walnut Hill, Mass. 287 April 4, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass. 289 Feb. 1, 1914--F. J. Dreher, Denver, Col. 291
_20 Shots_:
March 21, 1903--E. E. Patridge, Walnut Hill, Mass. 192 April 4, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass. 193 Feb. 1, 1914--F. J. Dreher, Denver, Col. 196
_10 Shots_:
March 21, 1903--E. E. Patridge, Walnut Hill, Mass. 96 April 4, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Walnut Hill, Mass. 99 Feb. 1, 1914--F. J. Dreher, Denver, Col. 100
PISTOL, 20 YARDS
_50 Shots_:
March 2, 1902--Lieut. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y. 448 March, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass. 460 March 25, 1908--L. R. Hatch, Portland, Me. 462 Dec. 1, 1909--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 471 March, 1911--George Armstrong, Seattle, Wash. 473 Jan. 25, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 478 March 4, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10--99 10 10 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 10--97 10 10 10 10 9 9 10 10 8 10--96 10 10 10 9 10 10 9 10 10 9--97 9 9 10 9 10 8 9 10 10 8--92 -- 481
_30 Shots_:
March, 1902--Lieut. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y. 260 March, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass. 276 March 20, 1908--Lieut. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y. 278 March 25, 1908--L. R. Hatch, Portland, Me. 279 Dec. 1, 1909--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 283 March, 1911--George Armstrong, Seattle, Wash. 284 Jan. 11, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 287 March 4, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 292
_20 Shots_:
March, 1902--Lieut. R. H. Sayre, New York, N. Y. 173 March, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass 189 Dec. 1, 1909--J. E. Gorman, San Francisco, Cal. 192 Jan. 11, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 193 March 4, 1912--George Armstrong, Portland, Ore. 196
_10 Shots_:
March, 1903--Thomas Anderton, Boston, Mass. 92 March 24, 1906--John A. Dietz, New York, N. Y. 93 March 24, 1906--J. B. Crabtree, Springfield, Mass. 95 May 18, 1908--F. L. Hayden, Portland, Me. 97 May 20, 1910--A. M. Poindexter, Red Bank, N. J. 100 April 16, 1914--Dr. D. Atkinson, West View, Pa. 100
APPENDIX II
NATIONAL PISTOL MATCH
This match is an annual contest, authorized by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and is conducted under the auspices of the National Rifle Association of America. In alternate years the match is held at a National shooting tournament, at a State or Federal range having sufficient facilities. These National shooting tournaments have been held at Camp Perry, Ohio, and Sea Girt, New Jersey. At these tournaments, in addition to the National Pistol Matches, there are a number of other pistol and revolver matches with extensive prize lists.
Every other year the National Pistol Match is conducted in connection with the National Divisional Matches, which in 1914 were held at Sea Girt, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Sparta, Wisconsin; Fort Reily, Kansas; and Portland, Oregon.
The following are the conditions of this match:
(a) Open to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, cadets United States Military Academy, midshipmen United States Naval Academy, the Organized Militia, the Naval Militia, members of the National Rifle Association of America and affiliated clubs, members of the United States Revolver Association, universities, colleges, and military schools and colleges.
(b) Distances and classes of fire:
SLOW FIRE (30 SECONDS PER SHOT)
Yards 2 scores (7 shots each) 50 2 scores (7 shots each) 75
RAPID FIRE, (30 SECONDS PER SCORE)
2 scores (7 shots each) 25 2 scores (7 shots each) 50
RAPID FIRE (15 SECONDS PER SCORE)
2 scores (7 shots each) 15 2 scores (7 shots each) 25
(c) Targets: Target L will be used for all firing.
(d) Position: Without body or artificial rest; one hand only to be used.
(e) Arm: Colt’s automatic pistol, caliber .45, government model; trigger-pull not less than six pounds.
(f) Ammunition: The Ordnance Department shall manufacture and issue ammunition for use in preliminary practice and in the National divisional pistol matches; all such ammunition to be as nearly as practicable of the same date of manufacture and of the same quality.
(g) Sights: No alteration of sights will be allowed. The front or rear sights may be blackened according to the judgment of the competitor.
(h) Cleaning: Pieces can be cleaned upon the completion of the score. In competitions at more than one distance, cleaning will be permitted between distances. While such cleaning will be permitted, it will not be required.
(i) Procedure, Rapid Fire; Pistol: The officer in charge of the line will command “Load.” The magazine will be inserted in the pistol, the pistol loaded with one cartridge therefrom, and the safety lock engaged with the thumb of the right hand. When all is ready in the pit, the targets to be fired will be drawn fully down (the rear targets being blank or targets of another class than those being fired upon) and a red flag hoisted at the center target. When the red flag is displayed, the officer in charge of the firing line will command “Ready,” when the safety lock will be disengaged and the position of “Raise pistol” assumed.
The firing line being ready, the pit is signaled or telephoned “Ready on the firing line.” When this signal is received in the pit, the red flag is waved and lowered, and five seconds thereafter the targets appear. At exactly the proper number of seconds after the target is in position the range officer commands or signals “Down,” having preceded this command two or three seconds by the warning command or signal “Ready.” The target must be fully exposed and stationary for the number of seconds called for in the match and then must be withdrawn as quickly as possible. The number and value of the hits and the number of misses will be signaled in the usual manner after the score has been fired.
In case of a defective cartridge or a disabled pistol, or when more than seven hits are made on the target, the score will be repeated. In case a competitor fires on the wrong target only such shots as he may have fired on his own target will be counted on his score. He will be given misses for the remainder of his score.
Rules: As laid down in the Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913, except as herein modified.
Prizes: One gold medal to the competitor making the highest aggregate score, one silver medal to the competitor making the second highest score, and one bronze medal to the competitor making the third highest score in each National divisional competition. To be eligible to win a prize in any National divisional pistol match, a competitor must be a resident or a member of an organization located within the division in which the competition occurs. No competitor shall be eligible to win prizes in more than one National divisional competition.
APPENDIX III
TARGET PRACTICE REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT
(_In Effect After Jan. 1st, 1914_)
The following is a digest of the target practice prescribed for the U. S. Army, using the regulation Colt automatic pistol, caliber .45, with service ammunition, as given in the “Small Arms Firing Manual” (War Department Document No. 442).
A very excellent and complete program for target practice is contemplated.