3-053-604 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Silver prize cup for the East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps, 1873. 'This rifle corps was formed in July, 1869, and now musters over one thousand strong, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D. W. Campbell, locomotive superintendent of the East India Railway...The Government of India allows a capitation grant annually of 20 rupees for each effective, and an additional sum of 10 per cent of the capitation grant for distribution in prizes for good shooting...The prize cup, which is of solid silver, stands about 16 in. high, is of Indian workmanship, and about £50 value. It bears the following inscription: "Presented to Private Lawrence Porter, No. 6 Company, East Indian Railway Volunteers, by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, as the best shot at 200, 400, and 500 yards, five rounds at each distance; points obtained, 53. 1872-3," The shooting is generally very good; the score of 53 points out of a possible 60 by which Private Porter won the cup was very closely approached by a large number of competitors. The volunteers are armed with the short Snider rifle'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.