The Washington times., 1933-08-16
OPEN SERIES
AT QUANT|CO
TODAY

OOH
Reminders of the days of the
middle '70's when American rifle
men made their sensational debut
In international competition, two
famous old silver cups are among
the many trophy awards for
which upwards of 5000 rifle
nlarksmen throughout the coun-
try will contest in the national
.30-caliber rifle championship
competitions this year.
District, Virginia and Maryland
shooters open their regional event
today, the Middle Atlantic Shoot,
at Quantico. The shoot will close
Saturday.
The oldest of the trophies is
the Leech Cup, which was pre-
Sented to the association in 1874
by Major Arthur Blennerhassett
Leech, internationally noted rifle
man of Ireland. The other is
the Wimbledon Cup, which came
to the association the following
year as a gift from Princess
Louise on behalf of her mother,
Queen Victoria of England. Both
cups, which are masterpieces of
the Silversmithing art of that
period, have been in annual COM
petition among American rifle
men since 1875.
irish Rifle Captain
Major Leech was the captain
of the Irish rifle team which
in 1873 vanquished teams of
England and Scotland by thereto
fore unparalleled scores. Spurred
on by this unprecedented dis
play OF craftsmanship skill, the
team issued challenge to the
United States. The challenge
was accepted despite that rifle
shooting as an organized sport
had been started in this country
only two years before and the
American shooters were untried
over the long ranges Of 800, 900
and 1000 yards which were spec
ified for the event.
The match was fired Septem-
ber 26, 1874, over the N. R. A.
range at Creedmoor, Long Island,
N. Y, a famous shooting ground
that is now only a memory. Vic
tory for the visiting contingent
seemed a foregone conclusion in
the minds of the experts, but
the American shooters, undaunt-
ed by the adverse predictions,
fought shot for shot and ended
with victory by the small but
sufficient margin of four points.
AS a mark of tribute to the
victorious marksmen and as
token of goodwill, Major Leech
then presented the cup that
bears his name.
Fire Return Match
The following year, the Amer
lean team fired return match
against the Irish team at Dolly
mount, Ireland, and again won,
this time with even more points
to spare. From Dollymount, the
Americans went to the once fam
GUS Wimbledon ranges in England
to compete in the British indi-
Vidual matches. A pleasant and
friendship-sealing outcome of this
visit was the gift of the Wimble-
don Cup.
Through these historic trophies
a great Irish rifleman and sports
man and formerly world-famous
British rifle range are commem
Grated among riflemen Of this
country. Each year the cups are
shot for, the Leech Cup at 800,
900 and 1000 yards, and the VIM
bledon cup at 1000 yards. There
have been marksmen who have
won the trophies more than once,
but none who has won either tro-
ply two successive years, and un-
less precedent is broken the two
handsome symbols of victory are
due to change hands when the
national 80 caliber rifle and pistol
matches, which will be staged in
a series of State tournaments, are
completed this fall.
The Leech Cup matches will be
fired today in the Middle Atlantic
shoot, while tomorrow the Wimble-
don matches are listed. Schedule:
THURSDAY. AUGUST II
Wimbledon Cup. $500 a m.
Coast Guard 500 a m.
Scott Trophy, 1000 a. m.
Regimental Team. 1880 p. m.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 1S
Herrick Team, 1880 a. m.
A. e. F. Rumanian, $3.50 p. M.
N. r. A. Ind Pistol 900 a. m.
Ind Service Pistol, 1000 a. m.
N r. A. Pistol Team, 1880 p. m.
Service Pistol Team. 500 p. m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
Presidents Shoot. 500 a. m.
Nat Match Course, 1880 p. m.