The National Rifle Association, a Sketch of Its History and Progress, 1859-1876 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. 1865-66. Controversies on the Expenses of Wimbledon--Conference of Managers of All-Comers' Meetings--The Simultaneous Matches--Gun-makers' Trial--Dispute with the Birmingham Small Arms Company--Adoption by the Government of the Snider System of Conversion--The Winter Meeting--Nomination of Captain Lewin Hill--Attitude of the Council--Retirement of Captain Flood-Page--The locale of the International Enfield Match--Lively Discussion--Institution of Breech-loader Prizes--Increase of Enfield Prizes--The International Enfield Contest at Edinburgh--Competition with Telescope Rifles at Gravesend--The Seventh Prize Meeting--Captain Costin--Belgian Gardes Civiques--Festivities--Number of Entries--Angus Cameron--Military Breech-loaders--Magazine Rifles--Rapidity Competitions--Prize Presentation and Review. HE autumn and winter succeeding the Prize Meeting of 1865 were seasons of considerable activity and agitation in the little world of riflemen. As we have mentioned in the last chapter, there had for some time been an increasing feeling that Wimbledon was too expensive for the ordinary run of Volunteers, and a certain number of persons thought that the further development of local meetings for All-Comers was absolutely necessary in order to maintain the popular love for rifle-shooting. Among some of the advocates of this course there were no doubt to be found one or two who seemed to be actuated by a feeling of jealousy, and almost hostility, towards the National Rifle Association, as was evidenced by the wording of a circular proposing the formation of a new "Volunteer Association" for arranging local meetings for All-Comers, under a guarantee fund. But that this feeling was not in any way shared by most of those who wished to see the Wimbledon Meet...