Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-07
Rifle Matches at
Sea Grit Range
Experts Will Gather for Eight Days
of Competition Early Next
Month.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 6-From Camp
Perry, o., where the national rifle matches
will be shot, a large number Of the state
and regular service teams will so to Sea
Girt, N. j., to compete In the matches OF
the New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania State Rifle associations. which will
be shot simultaneously from September ;
to IL inclusive. Governor Fort will open
his summer home for a time during the
matches and there will be the usual num-
Der Of distinguished visitors. The associa-
ton Of American In~ternationa Rifiemen.
which is limited TO members, alternates and
officers Of International teams, will hold
its annual banquet during the matches and
there will be other social functions at the
clubhouse Of the New Jersey State Rife
association. both OF a formal and Informal
character. A historic match will be re-
vived this year under the auspices Of the
international Riflemen, who are the creme
de Ia creme of the shooting world.
1t is the Nevada match, which has not
been shot for fifteen years. In the early
los some Nevada enthusiasts put up q
trophy for long range shooting at 600. 900,
and 100 yards. 1t is composed Of Ne
vada's products, gold and silver. and cost
$500, with q sentimental value far in excess
For some reason the match was abandoned
in 1894, after havinS been shot from 1877
TO that date. Since then the old Spring.
field rifle has been abandoned, having beer
succeeded by the Krag and then by the
new Springfield. Black powder has given
way to smokeless and so rapid have beer
the improvements in ammunition that the
general efficiency of the 1909 ammunition
over that of 1908 is estImated at not less
h 10 per cent. Experts are tired of the
1000 yards range, where "centers" are toe
numerous to attract more than passing
notice and are looking forward with pleas
ure at trying Uncle Sans new rifles and
ammunition at 100 yards for the first time
The winner of the Nevada trophy will be
required to give a bond OF $500 for its safet,
and will receive a bronze medallion OF II
to become his trophy. There will also be
a number of cash prizes.
Another interesting new matche will bc
the Maxim long range match at 1000 yards
In which the Maxim 'silencer' is per,
mitted. Mr.. Maxim has given 500 and 8
gold medal for this match, which will b,
shot under the auspices Of the Fennsyl
vania State Rifle association. The money
will be distributed in twenty-seven prizes
the last ten TO go TO tyros.
Another match Of particular interest Il
that originated by Hugo Neuberger, o
New York. a Swiss gentleman and natur
ally devoted to rifle shooting. The condi
lions provide that the competitor must drol
out as soon as he misses the bulls eye. tn,
prize. a handsome bronze of William Tell
with his boy, going to the competitor max
ing the greatest number of bulls eyes. Thi:
match will be shot at 500, yards.
Riflemen will be interested in knowing
that the conditions at Sea Grit this year
term as "tyros" those who have never wcr
a first prize in a national or state associa'
ton meeting. Heretofore no one has beer
admitted to tyro matches who ever won q
first, second or third prize.