Lot 2424

Description

Shooting competition silver teaspoon, (147mm; 32.2gm), ladle hallmarked Birmingham 1886, by Elkington & Co, handle decorated with rose, acorn and oak leaves, at end the symbol of the National Rifle Association (NRA) of an archer and a volunteer rifleman, on the reverse of this is engraved, 'Gt./Britain./v W.A./1937/Don Simper/128.' Good very fine.

In 1937-38 a 14-man rifle team under the captaincy of Commander Swanston made its first reciprocal tour to New Zealand and on the way it had stopovers in South Africa and Australia. On arrival in Australia at Perth it was met by the Chairman of the Victorian Rifle Assn, Sir Charles Merrett, who had travelled 2,600 miles from Melbourne to facilitate the visit. A 14-man rifle match was held at Swanbourne Range, Perth on 24 December 1937. The visitors found the 24 inch aiming mark at 500 yards uncomfortably large and finished 24 points behind. This match was followed by others at Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney. The tour culminated in an Empire Trophy Match at Sydney on 14-15 February 1938. With research.