The New York herald., 1873-11-22
PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.
Challenge from ireland
to America.
A Team Of the Members Of the Irish Rifle
Association VIII Cross the Ocean and
Meet an Equal Number Of Repre-.
sentative American Shots.


sentative American Shots.
1t IA no doubt we'll established that wherever inn,
portant tests Of skill are made with firearms.
whether OF the shotgun or OF the rife, the
thousands in this country who love the amuse.
ment and glory In the reputation OF being consid-
cred superior marksmen, evince the greatest in
terest In such trials. IL matters but little to the
intelligent portion OF this class OF Americans
whether these contests take place across the ocean
or within the limit OF the United States 1t is all the
same they watch with eagerness the result OF the
competition, and accord the victors that praise
which is due to successful efforts. There are so
many excellent marksmen in the United States
with the rifle, who fully know the great ad-
vantages due to Its skilful use, and the
peIents TO be derived from the healthlul and
manly exercise OF ride shooting, that they are
In friendly accord with the same class
OF men all the world over, and hence interest
themselves in any achievement they may be
accredited with Thus year after year the rife
shooters OF this country have watched with
marked degree OF eagerness. the annual trials OF
skill at Wimbledon, where the famous long-range
shooting Tor the challenge shield given by Lord
Elcho In 1862 brings together many OF the best
shots OF Great Britain armed with the most highly
finished and delicately fitted match rInes. And
when the result is received by the American rife
shooters the progress OF the competition Is
eagerly discussed, while the scores made are
narrowly scanned, for 1t is wen known that since
the trophy was first shot for It has been In the
possession Of English teams eight tmes Scotch
teams three times and team from Ireland once
that being at present, and won by them in July
last alter competing nine times against the pick Of
the best small-bore shots Of Great Britain.
r.r- vsn1 Et~hks
turned to Dublin, and the subsequent interesting
ceremony OF Ireland taking possession OF the
shield. which was done with great pomp and pa
geantry need not be repeated here, as 1t viii be
remembered by many. 1t was great day Tor Old
Ireland, and the friends OF the victorious Eight
claimed with commendable pride, that had the
Irish competitors enjoyed the same advantages as
the English and Scotch during the twelve years
the trophy has been shot for their success would
be nothing to boast oil 'but when IN IL emembered
that the English and Scotch teams are recruited
27 gentlemen In two cluDs-one IN Belfast and one
in Dubin-the chances OF the competitors are shown
to be maniiestly unequal But the lrisnmen who
place TOUR times were not content with this baked
victory. In the lace OF great odds and constant
cnangi In the personnel OF the team, they strug-
ged until perseverance and industry and devotion
were rewarded by triumph as well deserved as It
was unequivocal.' And, winding up the we'll
wishes and praises bestowed upon the victors the
same tice from which the above extract is taken
says:-"On all sides there Is ground Tor congratu
lation, ior new courage and new strivings after
skill.n
And here is the point. The picked members of
the Irish Rifle Association, having vanqushed their
OLD opponents OF England and Scotland, are look
ing for other foemen worthy their meeting, and
thus are casting their eyes to these shores find
ciation Mr.. A. Blennerhassett Leech, OF Dublin,
has forwarded to the HERALD challenge to the
rfemen OF America from the rlnemen OF Ireland,
represented by he association in question, and
from winch he Will select team which he will
match against an equal number oil American rife
shots, TO shoot III the United States, In the autumn
OF 1874. In a letter accompanying the challenge
Mr.. Leech writcs:-
1t is likely bring to successful Issue interna
ona rife match which beg TO propose between Ire
At the great rie pasetng held annually at Wimbledon
team OF eisht :shmen shooting with Irish made rifles
This year bes the picked sghts of England and Scot
As the great America nation has long enjoyed a
to that the enclosed challenge from Irish rnemen
and L 50 team would ID e organized to visit the United
Here is a chance for the famous shots In the field
OF sport in this country, and from the pernsal OF
the challenge herewith IL will be found that there
are no nampering conditions imposed, the only re-
strictions being those that would be expected In
the event OF such match.
TIE CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE TO THE RnIExES AxEnicA FROM THE
RIrLxxya or iSrLANr. RrrREsEsIrp rY THE MEABERs
Mr.. A. Bennernassett Leech, founder in 1867 of the
team Which he viii match against an eoasl NUMBER Of
the representative American rifle shots to shoot in the
United states, in the autumn OF 1874 on the following
conditions
Target, scoring Sesame as adopted by The National
Rifle Association OF Great Britain at Wimbledon 1873
wlen the Irish eight the internatona al match for
the Elcho Shield. beating Eng land and Scotland.)
Ronges-8oJ 800 loo and 100 YARDS
RQss-Any not exceeding 10 pounds weight but with
out telescope sights or hair triggers
Postioa.Any, but no arthcial rest permitted either
for the rifle or person of the shooter.
The American team to be composed exclusively of rife
born The United states and 10 shoot with rifles of
Anne manufacture.
The Irish team will shoot with rides by Rgby Of Dub
lin.
this challenge given to decide the title the rife
championship of the world Mr.. Leech will require
cent TO be put down. not tor the sake OF rirng
pecuniary gain but that the Irish
will meet the representative shots of America.
Mr. Leech desires to draw the attention Of the Ameri
can the that the of Great Britain
bid the formation in Ireland of rifle similar TO those
which exist In numbers in England and scotland
and that any skill acquired by r shmen in rife shooting
Is the result OF vdua exertcn under dcntes aris
ing from discouraging legislation.
DUBLIN. Oct 81 1878 ARTHUR B. LEIGH
The question Of accepting this challenge will
doubtless be Immediately considered by the lead
ing rife shots in the country. II brought about IL
win create intense interest and do much to aid
the efforts Of the Ma tional Rifle Association and
make Creedmoor more popular, perhaps, than 1t
has been. Could not the officers OF the association
find team OF rife shots in the unitei States that
would prove the victors In such matchf 1t is
~fr n ehn Aatn