The Great 1874 International Match

by
posted on August 23, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
1875-american-team-creedmoor-rifles.jpg
Above: The American Team with "Creedmoor" rifles

The Irish Rifle Team, under the leadership of Maj. Arthur B. Leech, challenged America to a long range rifle match. The Irish were then undisputed champions of the British Isles and were considered the finest marksmen of their day. The match, fired at Creedmoor, pitted the veteran Irish shooters against a relatively inexperienced American team firing American-made rifles. The Irish used muzzleloading target rifles, thought to be far more accurate than any breechloader, while the Americans used Remington and Sharps breechloaders especially made for the event.

As a token of international friendship. Maj. Leech, thinking his team would surely win, presented a handsome silver tankard to the Americans. The Americans, against all odds, won the match. The tankard became known as the Leech Cup and today remains one of the most coveted trophies in long range marksmanship.

Latest

Avadowns Hillsdale 1
Avadowns Hillsdale 1

Ava Downs Captures Junior Olympic Trap Title On Home Turf

Hillsdale’s Ava Downs takes gold in women’s trap at the 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships hosted at the Halter Center.

Brandon Powell Claims 8th Georgia State Sporting Clays Title

Brandon Powell wins his eighth Georgia State Sporting Clays Championship, continuing his dominance with multiple top finishes at the 2025 tournament.

Vincent Hancock Claims 30th ISSF Medal As Team USA Dominates 2025 Lonato World Cup

Team USA shines at 2025 ISSF Lonato World Cup with golds from Vincent Hancock and Sam Simonton, plus silver for Dania Vizzi.

Jon Shue Clinches Third Straight NRA National Precision Pistol Championship Title

Shue continues his dominant streak in bullseye pistol shooting after 2025 NRA National Precision Pistol Championship victory.

What’s In Your Range Bag, Colton Bagnoli?

Colton Bagnoli: From SWAT Sniper to Precision Rifle Mentor

NRA National Precision Pistol Championships 2025 Begin At Cardinal Shooting Center In Ohio

The 2025 NRA National Precision Pistol Championships are underway at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio—marking a historic first for the venue.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.