Fellow Sharpshooters

Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the New York Amateur Rifle Club, representing the "Riflemen of America" victory over the Irish Rifle Club (1873 winners of the Elcho Shield over England and Scotland) in the first International long range shooting competition at Creedmore, Long Island.

The Americans used Sharps and Remington breechloaders, rushed into production and made especially for the contest. The new rifles were first tested during the U.S. trials in July and August. It was at this time the American team was also learning to master wind and distance challenges of shooting at extreme ranges; the targets were 800, 900, and 1000 yards, (the longest distance the NY team members had previously shot was 500 yards!).

The American's won the challenge by a mere 3 points; the winning shot fired by John Bodine, whose injured hand (cut by an exploding ginger ale bottle-hope it wasn't Vernors) was wrapped in a handkerchief.

Listed on GunBroker is an original Sharps Creedmore rifle, the description is below:One of the icons in the collecting of original Sharps rifles is the Model 1874, Hartford production 'NUMBER ONE SHARPS CREEDMOOR' rifle. These deluxe long range target rifles were built by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Connectict in 1874 - 1875 and were intended to compete in international target competitions at ranges of 800 to 1000 yards.

This rare and important 'Sharps No.1 Creedmoor' rifle, accompanied by its original cased Creedmoor sights, was shipped from the Sharps factory to their agents 'J. P. Moore & Sons', New York City on April 1, 1874 being one of the first 'Creedmoor' rifles produced. It is most likely this rifle was actually used in the first Creedmoor match in Sept.,1874.
Here's the link for an original Creedmore Sharps for sale:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/sharps-rifles---antique/excellent-sharps-1874-hartford---39-number-one-creedmoor--39--rifle.cfm?gun_id=101320219

Here's the chronology of the events leading up to today's competition.

https://researchpress.uk/marksmanship/creedmoor/creedmoor-chronology/

Sharps rifles continued to contribute to the United States shooting teams victories (the last, a Sharps Borchart 1878).

David Minshall has created an excellent website devoted to long range shooting. I've found his historical and practical marksmanship information invaluable. I purchased his newest book on the Creedmore (and subsequent competitions from 1877-1890), a good read!

Bill Skillman
Michigan Companies
Berdan Sharpshooter Survivors Association