2-995-886 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Rifle fete at Ecclesbourne, near Hastings, 1860. 'The contest was chiefly among the members of the Cinque Ports Corps...The first prize was a Lancaster rifle, value ten guineas, which was won by Mr. Webb, who scored fifteen points in ten shots at 200 and 300 yards. Lieutenant Crake and Messrs. Penh all and Hildred gained fourteen points each; and in shooting off the tie for the second prize (a silver medal) and the third prize (a bronze medal) Mr. Hildred won the second and Mr. Penhall the third prize. A contest then took place between twelve members of the 1st company of Cinque Ports Rifles (Hastings) and twelve members of the 3rd company (Rye), ranges 200 and 300 yards, ten shots at each distance, when the Hastings company proved victorious, making 119 points to the Rye company's 114. A prize-cup was also shot for, value seventeen guineas, and a second prize of five guineas, which, after a close contest of four shots at 300 and one at 400 yards, resulted in Mr. Webb winning the cup and Mr. C. Brittenden the guineas. The prizes were distributed on the ground at the termination of the firing by Countess Waldegrave, who accompanied the presentation with appropriate remarks. There was an immense assemblage of persons to witness the shooting'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.