| Sept. | 22, 1888, | F. E. Bennett, | Walnut Hill, Mass. | 906 | |
| Nov. | 10, 1888, | F. E. Bennett | """ | 934 | |
| Sept. | 10, 1890, | F. E. Bennett | """ | 936 | |
| Feb. | 25, 1900, | J. E. Gorman, | San Francisco, Cal. | 939 | |
| May | 26, 1901, | J. E. Gorman | """ | 942 | |
| March | 1, 1902, | E. E. Patridge, | Walnut Hill, Mass. | 942 |
50 Shots—
| Nov. | 10, 1888, | F. E. Bennett, | Walnut Hill, Mass. | 470 | |
| Feb. | 11, 1900, | J. E. Gorman, | San Francisco, Cal. | 471 | |
| May | 20, 1901, | J. E. Gorman | """ | 474 | |
| Dec. | 7, 1901, | T. Anderton, | Walnut Hill, Mass. | 476 | |
| April | 4, 1903, | T. Anderton | """ | 480 |
Under the stimulating influence and encouragement of Shooting and Fishing, pistol and revolver shooting became a popular pastime and by 1900 numerous clubs had been organized throughout the country. Unfortunately, the marksmen of each locality made their own rules and adopted independent standards as to targets, weapons, etc. This resulted in endless confusion and dissatisfaction when matches between clubs were attempted. Rumors of a challenge from the revolver marksmen of France for an international contest were also rife at this time. There was, therefore, an urgent need for a national organization to exercise general jurisdiction over the sport; formulate uniform rules, regulations, and standards, and to receive and act upon challenges.
A number of revolver enthusiasts met in Conlin’s shooting gallery, New York City, in February, 1900, and issued a call to the revolver shots of the country, inviting them to join in forming a national revolver association at a meeting called at Conlin’s gallery, March 5, 1900. Replies were received from thirteen states and thirty-five gentlemen responded in person to the invitation. The United States Revolver Association[12] was organized at that meeting.
This association, with the support and coöperation of all the leading shots of the country, immediately assumed national jurisdiction, formulated rules to govern pistol and revolver shooting, and inaugurated the annual championship matches. These are shot simultaneously in different parts of the United States, thus giving everybody an opportunity to enter the competitions.
The influence of the association on pistol and revolver shooting has been very beneficial. It has established uniformity in arms, rules, etc., and has encouraged and conducted many friendly matches between clubs, thus bringing the shots in different parts of the country in closer touch with each other.
Fig. 73.—J. H. Snook Fig. 74.—George Armstrong Fig. 75.—P. J. Dolfen
The most important activity of the association in recent years has been the inauguration of the Indoor League Matches. Clubs in all parts of the United States enter into an agreement to shoot a match with each club in the League during the winter season. Medal prizes are awarded by the association according to the percentages of matches won to matches shot, similar to baseball leagues. The League has become exceedingly popular and twenty to thirty clubs participate in the contest annually. The League agreement varies somewhat from year to year. The 1914 agreement will be found in the Appendix.