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 had tested 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 five hundred, 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.
