Historylinks Archive

Bell Medallion

Bell Medallion

Date Added: 17 December 2014 Year: 1900 Institution Name: dnhhl Cat No: ◀ | 2014_040_08 | ▶ Picture No: 12155

Bell Medallion awarded by the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs There is no record of the recipient. The medal was amongst the collection of artefacts found in the attic of a Dornoch house.

Dimensions: Diameter 38 mm

Groups: Hidden Gems

2 Comments

At the time of posting this message the picture of the medal’s obverse is not the SMRC Bell Medal, but a medal of the National Rifle Association. Each year from 1909 to 1939 the SMRC issued a Bell Medal to every club affiliated to it. However from the reverse it is possible to date the Bell Medal found in Dornoch to the first half of the 1930s. As and when the correct obverse picture is posted, it should be possible to reduce this time bracket to a particular year plus or minus a year.

In the early 1930s the Parish of Dornoch Rifle Club was shooting its home matches on a 15 yard range. The SMRC journal, The Rifleman, records five members of the club winning Bell Medals around this time. They are:
1931 W Macleod
1932 J Murray
1933 R Shaw
1934 E MacLean
1936 R Gunn

Other shooters known to have been members of the club in the 1930s are A Anderson, D Duff, R Grant, A Greenwood, D G McCulloch, R Mackintosh, D W Murray, R A Murray and J A Thomson.

In the 1936-37 season, the SMRC Short Range League for club teams of six shooters comprised 10 divisions. The Parish of Dornoch 'A' Team won Division 2 with a record of 10 wins in 12 matches. The team members each received a specially-designed sterling silver medal and the club held The SMRC Short Range League Challenge Shield No 2 for 12 months.

[Warning: More than one of the above names appear in The Rifleman spelled both 'Mac..â' and 'Mc..' at different times.]

 Comment left on 20 November 2017 at 16:16 by Brian Woodall Many thanks for pointing this out. The error will be corrected as soon as possible. Administrator
Image corrected 18 Dec 2017 Comment left on 18 December 2017 at 16:42 by John Barnes
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