Research Press

Historical Firearms, Long Range Target Shooting & Military History

A firing point at Wimbledon, 1870

LRML

Long range muzzle loading - a sport for the discerning rifleman seeking to participate in a challenging and ultimately very rewarding discipline.

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Hex Bore

Whitworth Research Project for the study of Whitworth rifles and artillery. Whitworth's experiments revolutionised rifle design. 

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The Creedmoor Era

In the 19thC, international long range rifle matches at Creedmoor Rifle Range received widespread public interest and press coverage.

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Rifle Volunteers

The Volunteer Force was established in 1859. From 1881 territorial regiments included regular, militia and volunteer battalions.

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The Story of Creedmoor
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Research Press Digest 2024

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Category: Publishing
Written by Research Press

Research Press DigestMarking the 150th anniversary (1874 – 2024) of the momentous first rifle match between Ireland and the United States of America, and following the story over the succeeding 40 years. This is an historical record of the formative years of international long range target rifle shooting. It tells the story of Creedmoor and the international matches of the 19th century, and the revival of the Palma Match in the early 20th century. Two chapters discuss firearms; one considers the Creedmoor rifles of 1874, and the second, the changes in competition rules made by the National Rifle Association in the UK during the 1890s. The latter saw the demise of the black powder rifle. The closing chapter, originally published in 1911, provides a fascinating insight into the development of Target Shooting sports, and how rules had to adapt to the advances in design of rifles and ammunition. $14.95 USD. View on Amazon

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Wimbledon & the Volunteers

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Parent Category: Marksmanship
Category: National Rifle Association
Written by David Minshall

Mention Wimbledon today and tennis will be the sport that springs to mind; in the latter part of the 19th Century however, the foremost sport would have been rifle shooting. From 1860 until 1889 the National Rifle Association (NRA) held their annual rifle meeting on Wimbledon Common, with attendance in the thousands… and that was just the riflemen! So who were these riflemen and what were they doing at Wimbledon?

During the late 1850's there was growing apprehension as to the prospects of French invasion of Great Britain, and newspapers, particularly The Times, continued to fuel the debate as to the formation of a Volunteer Force for home defence. Finally, on 12 May 1859, the Government issued a circular authorising Lords Lieutenants to raise Volunteer corps. There was an immediate rush of Volunteering, but it was not expected to last. Anticipation was that as the feeling of apprehension as to national security diminished, the vitality of the Volunteer force would lessen, and after a lapse of a few years the whole force would disappear...

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Challenge from Ireland to America, 1873

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Parent Category: Marksmanship
Category: The Creedmoor Era
Written by Research Press

New York Herald, 22 November 1873

The National Rifle Association in Great Britain was established in 1859 and held its first Annual Rifle Meeting in 1860. In 1862 and originating from a challenge between English and Scottish Rifle Volunteers, the first Elcho Shield match was held, with the teams of eight shooting at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. In 1865 an Irish team was allowed to compete for the first time, and in 1873 Ireland won.

Buoyed by their success in beating England and Scotland, Ireland wanted further laurels. Unaware of the existence of the American NRA (established in 1871), a challenge to the 'Riflemen of America' for a long range rifle match was sent on behalf of Irish riflemen to the editor of the New York Herald. It was published on 22 November 1873.

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Creedmoor Chronology

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Parent Category: Marksmanship
Category: The Creedmoor Era
Written by David Minshall

1871: The National Rifle Association (NRA) was granted a charter by the State of New York on 17 November 1871. The first president was Gen. Ambrose Burnside.
1907: Creedmoor closed as a rifle range in September 1907, 34 years since its opening. Its abandonment was due to the encroachment of suburban residences and the need of the ground for building purposes.

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The Record Long Range Score

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Parent Category: Firearms
Category: Long Range Rifle Fire
Written by C. W. Hinman

This fascinating article by Maj. C. W. Hinman first appeared in Arms And The Man, 4 March 1915. It offers insight into long range rifle shooting in the US during the 1880s, and is a rich resource for contemporary detail on practices of the time.

David Minshall has added some biographic notes on Hinman, and leaves the reader with a stimulating puzzle!

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