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

system, a method by which a blank target was placed a few inches behind the target,
was entertained as it seemed like a positive method of identifying doubles and
crossfires. Before that step would be considered a special committee established to
examine the results of tests that G.L. Wotkyns was directed to conduct from a bench
rest over the winter. While the problem was acknowledged it was generally viewed as
more as a nuisance than a serious threat to accurate scoring.
The committee also reviewed the issue of single entry matches not being
squadded.
The opinion was that, with the anticipated expansion of the smallbore
participation over the next year, consideration should be given to assigning relay times
and targets in the same fashion that the service rifle matches were conducted. By this
avenue they hoped to keep the range fully operational and avoid crowds. It would also
make for a more level playing field because it would make it impossible for shooters to
bide their time seeking the best conditions.
In a closely fought match with 1LT A. M. Siler of the Infantry, Francis W. Parker
of Illinois emerged as winner of the National Individual Small Bore Championship with a
score of 247X250. Both men had the same score but Siler’s higher long range score
was the tiebreaker. Four days later, in a driving rainstorm, team captain Wotkyns,
assembled the Dewar Team to do battle. The rain quickly filled the aperture sights
soaking the shooters and their gear. It was decided that with several more days left until
the match had to be fired it would be a smart thing to delay firing. The championships
were fired much later in the September than normal and it was close to October,
September 29 th to be exact, when the Dewar was eventually fired. The rain had
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