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A History of the United States National Outdoor Smallbore ... - Results

A History of the United States National Outdoor Smallbore ... - Results

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Now in its fourth year since gaining national status in 1919, smallbore shooting<br />

was growing to record levels. The value and standing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Perry veteran in <strong>the</strong> local<br />

shooting community was likened to that <strong>of</strong> a missionary who, imbued with <strong>the</strong> spirit,<br />

would proselytize among those remaining at home. It was his responsibility, when<br />

returning from Perry, to promote shooting in general, teach o<strong>the</strong>rs what was learned at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Small Arms Firing School and <strong>the</strong> big shoot, and foster more interest in <strong>the</strong> sport.<br />

The match procedures adopted in 1921 were found to be satisfactory and <strong>the</strong> same<br />

match schedule was retained with one small change.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> <strong>Smallbore</strong> <strong>National</strong><br />

Individual <strong>the</strong> word metallic was added in <strong>the</strong> notation on allowable sights.<br />

Unfortunately this year a parsimonious Congress cut military appropriations to<br />

<strong>the</strong> bone eliminating support for both <strong>National</strong> Guard and civilian state teams. At <strong>the</strong><br />

urging <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>National</strong> Rifle Association, Adjutant Generals <strong>of</strong> 30 states agreed to fund<br />

teams and <strong>the</strong> Militia<br />

Bureau found enough money to finance one civilian team from each Army area. Some<br />

civilians came at <strong>the</strong>ir own expense to fire in <strong>the</strong> smallbore matches. The smallbore rifle<br />

events had begun to attract military shooters because <strong>the</strong> shooting provided competition<br />

in its own right as well as a way to stay sharp during <strong>the</strong> long winter months. Loren M.<br />

Felt, a civilian who came out at his own expense, drove <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> 22-caliber training<br />

home in no uncertain terms. Felt, a man experienced with <strong>the</strong> ’03 Springfield riflefittingly<br />

so as that is also <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> capitol <strong>of</strong> his state-was unable to practice to<br />

any extent before coming to Perry.<br />

With <strong>the</strong> matches in full swing practice time and space was so limited on <strong>the</strong><br />

highpower range he repaired to <strong>the</strong> smallbore facility and purchased a handful <strong>of</strong> tickets<br />

20

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