Elric
Well-Known Member
American Rifleman, page 150, vol 38, no. 8, June 1906
https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5cwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA150&lpg=PA150&dq="maj+george+shorkley"+mount+rifle&source=bl&ots=qqHDzcYReQ&sig=SnTTyO8X_EHJvZgNgcm1UYeNgfE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4rsHV_5HYAhVVzmMKHW1kBKYQ6AEIFDAA#v=onepage&q="maj george shorkley" mount rifle&f=true
When General Sheridan took command of the Army, he determined to demonstrate the fact that the Army was not inferior as shots to the National Guardsmen; accordingly he ordered that experienced oflicer, Maj. George Shorkley, the best known rifleman of the Army, to come to Washington to confer with him upon the subject. The visit resulted in an order being placed with the Remington Arms Co. for fifty .45 caliber, six grooved rifle barrels. They were made under his supervision and taken to Springfield, where they were mounted on the regulation stock. These barrels were chambered to take a special shell, as it was found that the service charge was not as effective as desired. The wisdom of this move was apparent in the next two matches (1884-85) as the Division of the Atlantic was victorious in each.
Having satisfied himself that the Army could shoot, he would permit no more entries in the match; consequently the Army was not again represented in the contests until 1903. These special rifles were lost sight of for a number of years, but through the kindness and persistency of Major Shorkley, they were found and issued to the District of Columbia National Guard, and its team in the match of 1895 established the record of 1097, which will stand as the climax of the old .45 caliber Springfield rifle in the matches for this famous trophy.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5cwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA150&lpg=PA150&dq="maj+george+shorkley"+mount+rifle&source=bl&ots=qqHDzcYReQ&sig=SnTTyO8X_EHJvZgNgcm1UYeNgfE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4rsHV_5HYAhVVzmMKHW1kBKYQ6AEIFDAA#v=onepage&q="maj george shorkley" mount rifle&f=true
When General Sheridan took command of the Army, he determined to demonstrate the fact that the Army was not inferior as shots to the National Guardsmen; accordingly he ordered that experienced oflicer, Maj. George Shorkley, the best known rifleman of the Army, to come to Washington to confer with him upon the subject. The visit resulted in an order being placed with the Remington Arms Co. for fifty .45 caliber, six grooved rifle barrels. They were made under his supervision and taken to Springfield, where they were mounted on the regulation stock. These barrels were chambered to take a special shell, as it was found that the service charge was not as effective as desired. The wisdom of this move was apparent in the next two matches (1884-85) as the Division of the Atlantic was victorious in each.
Having satisfied himself that the Army could shoot, he would permit no more entries in the match; consequently the Army was not again represented in the contests until 1903. These special rifles were lost sight of for a number of years, but through the kindness and persistency of Major Shorkley, they were found and issued to the District of Columbia National Guard, and its team in the match of 1895 established the record of 1097, which will stand as the climax of the old .45 caliber Springfield rifle in the matches for this famous trophy.
Last edited:
