CHAPTER VI.
FORTY-ONE YEARS’ TARGET PRACTICE.
THE first experience of the “City Guard” in rifle, or rather musket, practice, was on July 4, 1854, at Martinez. Upon that occasion the members shot for an elegant gold watch, which had been donated by a friend of the organization. One shot only was allowed each man at a target placed sixty yards distant. The firearm used was the one then carried by the corps. This shoot was not the regular one as required by law.
The company journeyed to the Oakland side of the bay on the 18th of August following, for its regular medal and prize competition. This is where the “Clark” medal first made its appearance, and constituted the chief prize.
The gun used in the early days of target practice, and as issued by our State to the company, was the old style muzzle loading, smooth bore percussion musket, model of 1842, with a very long barrel, one upon the muzzle of which an average size man could easily rest his chin while standing, the butt of the piece being on the ground. The caliber of this firearm was .69 of an inch. Members were allowed to use any charge powder they wished, the bullet being round. This musket superseded the old “flint lock.” No dependence could be placed upon it for close shooting, however, even at the short range of those days. It continued to be the principal arm of the California service until 1865, when an improved musket was issued.
The regulation target consisted of a one-inch board painted white, 22 inches wide by 6 feet long in the clear, to represent the size of a man, without taking the outline of one. The bull’s-eye was black and round, 4 inches in diameter, andplaced equidistant from each edge of the target, and two feet from the top. Three shots were allowed each man, their value being determined by “string measure,” that is, the distance from center of bullet hole to center of bull’s-eye. The aggregate of each man’s three shots was taken, and the one with the shortest “string” took first prize, the next shortest the second, and so on. All misses, and there were many of them, counted forty-nine and one-half inches, this being the distance from the bull’s-eye to the extreme lower corners of the target. Many times did the average number of hits fall below 40 per cent of the shots fired.
Other styles of targets were sometimes used by the company, but when this was done it was an exception to the general rule. A round target, two feet in diameter, occasionally met with favor, and upon one or two days of that period the company put up a target which represented the figure of an Indian warrior, nicely painted, bearing the usual bull’s-eye. The guests, as a general thing, fired away at a round target about thirty inches in diameter.
Three judges, usually officers of other military organizations, and selected from the guests of the company, and who were generally stationed at a safe distance from one flank of the target, did the marking and scoring. A shot having been fired, they hastened to investigate the result, and, finding a hit, would duly measure it, plug up the hole with a wooden or cork plug furnished for the purpose, and number it to correspond with the man shooting, also numbering the target alongside the shot. Before retiring they would indicate the shot to the firing point by pointing at it, and if a miss by waving a white handkerchief. The judges kept the score by recording the value of each shot in a book kept for that purpose against the man’s number. After the close of the competition, then would the winners be declared, and prizes distributed at once. It took a long time for a company of say forty or forty-five men to shoot under these conditions. This is why only three shots were allowed.
An elegant lunch was always provided by the members of the “City Guard” upon the shooting days, and the commissary wagon was loaded down with all good things that money could buy. In the evening it was the usual thing for them to entertain their guests at a banquet given at some well-known hotel of the city. These excursions cost a great dealof money, which was generally provided for by assessing the members. This custom remained in vogue for quite a number of years. In 1861, when the “City Guard” became Company “B” of the First Infantry.
1860 brought with it the first change in the regulation target, by the addition of a vertical and a horizontal black stripe, four inches in width, each passing through the bull’s-eye, thus dividing the target into four parts. The writer notes that upon one or two occasions this black stripe, of only one and one-half inches in width, divided the target into four equal parts. The United States targets were twenty-two inches wide by six feet high, for distances, from one hundred and fifty yards up to two hundred and twenty-five, the material being of white cloth, or canvas, stretched upon a frame, generally made of iron, sometimes of wood; the width of the target, as did the width of the black stripes, increased at the longer ranges, one thousand yards being the extreme. Our range remained as it was previously, sixty yards, as the regular army already had the rifle that was not issued to us until 1865.
The United States Government, in 1855, after satisfactory tests made at the Springfield arsenal, adopted the Springfield percussion muzzle-loading rifle, caliber fifty-eight, with the length of barrel at forty inches, rifled with three grooves, making a half turn in its length. The bullet was of lead and cylindro-conical in shape, with expanding base, and weighed five hundred grains. Sixty grains of powder was the regulation charge. This rifle, together with the bayonet, weighed about ten pounds. Ten years after its adoption, or in other words, on February 20, 1865, the “City Guard” received its quota. The shooting distance was then increased to one hundred and fifty yards. In 1866, the following year, the rifles remaining in the arsenal were changed to breech-loaders, and the regular army furnished with them, but California did not receive any.
The first competition for prizes between teams from the different companies composing the First Regiment took place on September 12, 1865. These teams were of three men each, with three shots per man. The “City Guard” carried away the second prize, with a score of 92.02 inches, not counting one miss. Company “C” took first prize, also making one miss.
Ladies attended the State shoot of the company for the first time, by invitation, on November 12, 1866, also the shoots of 1867 and 1868, the latter being a regimental affair, held May 8th, at Schuetzen Park, Alameda. Upon this occasion the targets were, on account of limited space, close together, and it became necessary that pits be dug at their base for the accommodation of the judges; it was so arranged that the targets slid down into these pits to be marked and plugged. All marking and scoring was done on the same principles as before described. The width of the target was increased at this shoot to twenty-four inches.
1869 found somewhat of a change, in so much that the company held its prize competition, the sixteenth annual, alone, dispensing with the usual accompaniments of brass band, cold collations, etc., and issuing no invitations to guests, the parade being solely to comply with the requirements of law. Thus the old custom was abandoned. The company continued to shoot each year regularly in accordance with regulations, sometimes by itself, but generally with the entire regiment as an organization.
The National Guard was given the option to use either of the following described targets for the state shoot of 1873: First, that which was previously provided for, the black stripes being but one and one-half inches wide instead of four; or, second, the same size target painted black, with a four-inch white stripe the full length down the center, black four-inch bull’s-eye, two feet from the top, surrounded by a white circle, the outside diameter of which was eighteen inches.
The “City Guard” received its first breech-loading rifles, the Sharp’s, 50 caliber, on June 22, 1873, which were purchased and paid for by the regiment, and was not the U. S. A. regulation. This rifle was shorter than the Springfield muzzle-loader, the caliber, however, being the same. It was rifled with twice as many grooves, 6 in number, these grooves having a much heavier twist than that contained in the old barrel. The square-butt bullet weighed about 400 grains, while the charge of powder was heavier, from 65 to 70 grains. It is said that the Sharp’s rifle did not give the satisfaction for target practice that was expected from it. The reader will not confound the model just referred to with the Sharp’s Buchard, caliber 45, that many individual shooters used quite extensively in later years, and which gave ample satisfaction.
When the National Rifle Association of America was organized in 1871, it adopted the “Hythe” system of targets, then used by the English. These targets were made of iron, painted white, the bull’s-eye being square and black, and with a value of four points; the next larger square counted 3, the balance of target, 2 points. These were classed as follows: Class “A,” for distances up to and including 300 yards, 4 feet wide by 6 feet high; class “B,” from 300 up to and including 600, 6 x 6 feet; class “C,” including all distances above 600 yards, 12 feet wide by 6 high. The bull’s-eyes were 8, 22, and 36 inches square, respectively. These targets were used, unofficially, in California as early as 1873, and Interstate matches were shot upon them, as well as other local competitions between companies and individuals; but they never became the regulation targets for the National Guard of this State. Annual shoots continued to be fired at the old style 2 x 6 target.
About the time that the California Rifle Association was incorporated, in June, 1875, a change was made from the “Hythe” target to the “Wimbleton” or “Creedmoor” system, as it is known in the United States, taking the name from the famous rifle ranges at Creedmoor, Long Island. These targets were of the same size as the others, but the bull’s-eyes and rings became round instead of square, also adding one extra ring, thus giving the bull’s-eye the value of 5 points, the center, 4, the inner, 3, and the outer, 2 points. These targets, instead of being made of iron, were of canvas for a backing, stretched upon a frame of proper size. The “Creedmoor” target was the first one adopted by the California Association, none other being in use by them. Sizes of bull’s-eyes and rings as follows: Class “A” target, bull’s-eye, 8 inches in diameter; center, 26 inches; inner, 46 inches; outer, balance of target. Class “B,” bull’s-eye, 22 inches in diameter; center, 38 inches; inner, 54 inches; outer, 70 inches diameter; this ring was subsequently dropped, thus giving balance of target for the outer. Class “C,” bull’s-eye, 36 inches in diameter; center, 54 inches in diameter; inner was square, being 6 x 6 feet; outer, balance of target. The Creedmoor rules of the National Association were taken, which soon became generally recognized throughout California, the State adopting them later for the government of the N. G. C.
The Springfield breech-loading rifle, caliber 45, was adopted by the Government in 1873, after the Small Arms Board hadtested 99 samples of different designs. The “City Guard” received their quota during 1875. This rifle is described as follows: Made of low steel, caliber 45, and rifled with 3 concentric grooves of equal width, with 3 lands; uniform twist of one complete turn in 22 inches; length of barrel, including receiver, 36 inches; weight, without bayonet, 8.38 pounds: trigger adjusted to 6 and up to 8 pounds pull.
General orders No. 8, Adjutant General’s Office, Sacramento, April 24, 1876, adopts the class “A” target for our State troops, and the distance for the Springfield, model 1873, was placed at 200 yards. Men were prohibited from changing the sights, or to put the minimum pull of trigger at less than the regulation 6 pound pull. The number of shots was increased to 5, possible 25 points.
Some shooting was done at 1,000 yards, but not with the Springfield. The 500 yard target was considerably used, but the bulk of the shooting was at the 200 yard range. The “City Guard” opened up its San Bruno range in 1875 with targets at both 200 and 500 yards, possibly the 1,000 yard also. This continued to be the shooting headquarters of the company for quite a number of years. Monthly competitions were held, and many of the members participated in the regular “meets” of the California Rifle Association, the company once in a while entering a team to compete for prizes; but they won nothing. The interest in rifle practice in the “City Guard” was not particularly strong at any time during the early periods, and it was not until later years that their interest improved to any great extent. The time consumed in going to and from San Bruno, together with the expense, finally closed that range some time during the early eighties. The company sent one man East with the famous California Creedmoor team that won the great International Military Match in 1877. This team consisted of 12 men and 3 alternates.
No particular change was made in the shooting conditions for a number of years. Company and individual matches continued to be held, contestants firing from five, seven, and ten shots to the string, occasionally shooting fifty shot matches, and even up to one hundred shots consecutively, in order to test the endurance of the men. Five shots, however, continued to be the number allowed at the State shoots, with no sighters. The one thousand yard range, as also the fivehundred, was discontinued some time in the eighties, the two hundred yard target, because this shorter range could be obtained more conveniently, receiving all the attention. In 1885 the “City Guard” inaugurated its annual Thanksgiving day competitions for prizes, and it was so arranged that every one firing, including both life and honorary members, received a prize, all of which were presented at an entertainment held subsequently thereto.
The Legislature, during its session of 1887, provided that decorations be awarded members of the National Guard for rifle practice, and that they parade for same at least once each year. In accordance with this law, General Order No. 8, Adjutant General’s office, Sacramento, dated September 6, 1887, promulgated the following conditions to govern the issuance of these medals: That the score (for the first time) consist of ten shots, with no sighters. Attendance at drills, in order to receive a decoration, must not be less than fifty per cent. That each guardsman in first class, those making ninety per cent or more, receive a bronze medal, with the gold sharpshooter’s clasp pendent therefrom; for the second class, eighty per cent and up to ninety per cent, the same style medal, but with the silver rifleman’s clasp; for the third class, not less than fifty per cent and up to eighty per cent, the bronze marksman’s clasp attached to the bronze medal. Members winning decorations in subsequent years, after once receiving the medal, were presented with the clasp or bar only. The law was amended in 1889, making it compulsory for two parades to be held for the State shoot, and that both count in awarding medals. In 1891 general orders raised the minimum percentage of the third class to sixty per cent, at the same time making the drill requirements sixty per cent also, and giving a silver medal instead of the bronze. By this order Blunt’s Manual for Small Arms Practice was adopted. These are the conditions under which the National Guard of California shoot at the present day.
CORPORAL LOU. R. TOWNSEND IN HIS OLD CITY GUARD UNIFORM. REPRODUCED FROMOIL PAINTING, BY MRS. MC HENRY, JUNE, 1859.
CORPORAL LOU. R. TOWNSEND IN HIS OLD CITY GUARD UNIFORM. REPRODUCED FROMOIL PAINTING, BY MRS. MC HENRY, JUNE, 1859.
Blunt’s regulation targets, as to size, material, number of rings, and mode of counting, are the same as those of the Creedmoor system, otherwise they are not alike, the bull’s-eyes and rings of the new being ellipses set vertically, also of different dimensions, viz: Class “A” target, bull’s-eye, 8 x 10 inches; center, 24 x 30; inner, 40 x 50; outer, balance of target. Class “B,” bull’s-eye, 18 x 24; center, 36 x 48; inner, 54 x 72;outer, balance of target. Class “C,” bull’s-eye, 32 x 50; center, 51 x 72; inner, square of 72 x 72 inches; outer, balance of target.
The company has participated in a great many matches, particularly within the last two or three years. As a general thing, these matches were for glory, with a trophy occasionally thrown in. Some of these matches the company lost, while on other occasions the rooster crowed very loudly for “B.” Here are a few of the principal events:
On March 11, 1893, the company entered a team in the Midwinter Fair prize shoot for trophies. Entrance fee, twenty-five dollars; ten men to each team, and ten shots per man. The “City Guard” took third prize, an elegant one, with a score of four hundred and twenty-five points out of five hundred, an average of eighty-five per cent.
Perhaps the greatest and most satisfactory achievement of “B” Company was at Sacramento, on December 17, 1893. Company “C” of the First Regiment shot against “F” of the Eighth, located at Oroville, and this company shot against “C” of the Eighth, of Marysville. All four organizations shot on the same ground, and at the same time, the targets adjoining. This match was for thirty men on each team, ten shots per man, and to be shot upon neutral ground in the open, man for man. To accomplish this it was necessary that “B” and “C” of the First, and the other two companies meet half way at Sacramento, which they did. “C” beat Oroville, scores, 1225 to 1195. “B” beat Marysville, score 1233 to 1143, the “City Guard” coming out with the best score of the day, making an average of 41.1 points per man, a very large average for thirty men.
As a result of the Sacramento match the company received a match from the famous “Carson City Guard,” of Nevada. This interstate match was for thirty men a side, ten shots per man, the watch being held on each shooter for the time limit. The shoot was what is termed telegraphic, and targets were to be exchanged by express after the firing ceased. Each company had its representative at the other’s range. “B” was again victorious, beating their opponents by ten points, scores 1223 to 1213. This was on May 6, 1894.
The following three matches were undoubtedly the largest ever shot by military companies anywhere in the United States or elsewhere. They were shot man for man, under theexisting rules, at two hundred yards, with ten shots for each competitor, making the possible number of points 2,500. It will be noted that two of these matches were shot upon B company’s opponents’ ranges, both of which being strange to the members of this company.
On December 2, 1894, at Schuetzen Park, San Rafael, with D Company, Fifth Infantry, N. G. C., B wins by five points. Scores: B, 1,846, or an average per man of 36.92 points. D making 1,841, an average of 36.82.
Both companies having strengthened their teams, a return match was made for May 5, 1895, this time at B’s headquarters, Shell Mound Rifle Range. B again wins by fifty-three points. Scores: B, 1,951 points, an average per man of 39.02 points, D making 1,898, an average of 37.96. Each company made a marked improvement over the previous match.
On May 19, 1895, this company shot another fifty-man match this time with C company, Eighth Infantry, N. G. C., upon their own range at Marysville, Cal., B journeying there for that purpose. This time B lost. Scores: B, 1,907 points, an average of 38.14 per man; their opponents making 1,982, an average of 39.64. The score made by C company was an elegant one, and the members are deserving of a great deal of praise for their splendid shooting.
The “Tobin Trophy” was presented to the First Regiment by the relatives of Colonel Robert Tobin, of the Third, in 1890, after his death, the regiment having performed the escort duty at the funeral. This trophy is a permanent affair for competition every year by teams selected from each company. For the first five years these teams consisted of twenty men each; but in 1895 they were increased to twenty-five men. B’s record is as follows: Possible points, 1,000. In 1890, the company made 784, average, per man, 39.20. In 1891, 707; average, 35.35. In 1892, 766; average 38.3. In 1893, 787; average, 39.35. In 1894, 824; average, 41.20. In 1895, for twenty-five men, possible number of points 1,250, the company made 1,032, an average of 41.30 points to the man. In these shoots for the trophy the City Guard took second place, with the exception of the years 1891 and 1892, then falling to third place. The trophy competition was at the 200 yard range.
The members of B company have received the following State decorations since the system was adopted, as previouslynoted, in 1887. For the year 1887: gold bars, 0; silver, 3; bronze, 11. Total, 14. In 1888: gold, 0; silver, 7; bronze, 9. Total, 16. In 1889: gold, 1; silver, 6; bronze, 19. Total, 26. In 1890: gold, 1; silver, 11; bronze, 14. Total, 26. In 1891: gold, 0; silver, 5; bronze, 14. Total, 19. In 1892: gold, 0; silver, 4; bronze, 16. Total, 20. In 1893: gold, 1; silver, 11; bronze, 20. Total, 32. In 1894: gold, 1; silver, 16; bronze, 23. Total, 40.
The City Guard originally set the pace in the matter of shooting rifle matches with teams composed of fifty men from a company. It is a recognized fact that a soldier should know how to shoot, and, in order to encourage the members, some inducements must be given. What is better than placing them in a large shooting team? Any member of a company will strive very hard indeed to win a place on such a team, especially if he thinks there is any possible show for him, while otherwise he would be rather lukewarm if simply competing for a personal decoration. Hence the desirability of large team shooting. The better shots will always take care of themselves; foster the poorer ones by interesting them in their art, and they will, in their turn, take care of themselves.
It has been, particularly for the past two or three years, the determined policy of this company to steadily increase the shooting efficiency of its members. Not only have the better shots received their proper attention, but the poorer ones have been encouraged, and, under the fostering care and instruction freely given them, they have gradually improved in their marksmanship; many of them now rank among the best shots of the company. In closing this chapter the writer predicts a brilliant future for the City Guard in rifle practice, and with proper care, attention, and enthusiasm, the “old company” will yet be the peer of them all.
Transcriber’s Notes:Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.Perceived typographical errors have been changed.
Transcriber’s Notes:
Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.
Perceived typographical errors have been changed.