Rifle Shooting Awards

Lot 1039    Day 1    Rifle Shooting Awards

Estimate $900
Bid at live.noble.com.au

(AUCKLAND) COLLEGE RIFLES, medal, struck and handcrafted in silver (26x44mm), hallmarked for Birmingham 1888 by maker W.G.M (Walter & George Myers, Birmingham), with elaborate pin-back suspender device with provision for ribbon, medal uninscribed (this appears to be a later attachment (see date made and also footnote below), suspender inscribed 'Presented To The/College Rifles by Capt Carl Schmitt/Won By Corpl. T.H.Kessing 1885'; another for College Rifles, medal, (1886), handcrafted in silver (36x37.5mm), no maker, ring top suspension with ribbon suspender (missing loop and ribbon), obverse inscribed 'College Rifles/Presented/by/Captain Sloman', reverse inscribed 'Rifle/Competition/won by/Lieut/T.H.Kessing'. Very fine.

Herr Carl Schmitt was honorary captain of the College Rifles. See his history in the footnote to lot E7649 and this also describes the medal he awarded to the College Rifles. When Cpl Keesing received the shooting award of Captain Carl Schmitt the inscribed clasp was pinned on his breast by Madame Schmitt. The presentation was made when the Auckland College Rifles held a ball in the Choral Hall in honour of the Hon. Captain Herr Carl Schmitt who had just been appointed local A.D.C. (Aide de Camp) to Col. Whitmore.^^Captain Sloman was commander of the College Rifles. The competition for his medal, won by Lieut. Kessing was fired at the Mount Eden Range in 1886.