schutzenfester

1891 Bremgarten, canton Aargau R14c / M13 Cantonal Shoot BR Mintage: 600 Engraver: Hugues Bovy, L. Furet, Geneve / Robert Dorer, Baden Common I have had this medal for quite some time and it is a little different in that there are two small holes in the rim at 12 and 6 o'clock; it appears to have been held in some type of display in the past. Displays of this type and others are not that unusual since many people did this in some form or another. The more unusual part of this medal is its patina. It is certainly not the normal patina of a bronze shooting medal, it looks like it sat somewhere for a long time where it was subjected to environmental conditions or something similar. Excluding the patina, it is in very nice condition with very little rim inconsistencies or other negative condition factors.

Hi Tim, I have handled a couple of these medals over the years, my Dad also, we have never seen evidence of it being silver plated bronze in regards to wear or other indicators. I do understand why one may question its composition considering the finish you speak of. As you know, there are several finishes in schützenfest medals, matte, glossy, induced patina, etc. I believe this finish is just another example of the great mintage processes the Swiss had. Maybe they found that this finish was less popular and/or more expensive to produce thus the reason not many medals or not of this type. Regardless, I am fairly confident that the medal is silver and until I find a worn example showing bronze I will continue to believe in the silver classification. As you are aware, there are errors and omissions in Richter's book, but as I have stated previously, his book is the best and most complete out there and the fact there are some inconsistencies is excusable due to the sheer number of medals and extreme difficulty in finding all examples, sizes, compositions, etc. Richter's hard work to bring this reference to us is highly commendable and I look forward to receiving a copy of his revised edition when it comes out.

When you say "Modern Ones", the modern 50fr talers starting in 1984 were and are minted for collectors. But schützenfests are still held and medals (modern ones) are still awarded. Many modern schützenfest medals do not have the detailed engraving and artwork of the pre-1930's medals although there some that are quite nice. One of the most prominent themes of shooting medals is patriotism, it is a mainstay in many medals as well as military themes, military battles, people etc. but I can also say that you do not see hints of the coming of WWII in schützenfest medal artwork.

Tim, Your answer, other than the NGC slabs, could have been mine! Although I don't concentrate on vintage thalers, I do have many. And there is just something about Ticino medals isn't there? I will keep my eye open for the modern Talers you are looking for and let you know. Good luck with your hunting also.

Great questions! 1. My newest medal is the 2015 silver 50 franc thaler from Wallis. I have a PCGS Registry Set and will soon have to 2016 medal from Ticino to add to the set. Most/many modern schützenfest medals are not rare and many are unattractive and because of this, I don't actively pursue unless circumstances arise. And to be quite honest, I categorize medals in terms of old (pre 1930) and modern. I look at the artistic qualities of medals based on these categories often times. So I see the beauty of a modern medals differently than one of circa 1890's for example. 2. I am open to collecting every Swiss shooting medal but I know and understand that this is unrealistic since there are many unique pieces as well as unattributed ones still to be found. I can't say that I have self-imposed limits but my interests are as follows: a. What appeals to me in regards to artistic merit. b. Rarity; this is where I differ than some schutzenfest medal collectors, I strive to find medals of rarity regardless their artistic appeal to me. I rarely go for medals unless they are in excellent condition but if one is rare enough then I am likely to still pull the trigger depending on cost. My basic guideline has been are pre-1930 but I have to admit that I have many medals that post 1930. c. I started collecting in 1980 and am as active or more than I have ever been. Presently, I collect anything that is Swiss schützenfest related, the love of the hunt, as for most collectors, is what still drives me and give me the utmost satisfaction when completing an acquisition. I regards to the 1959 Biel medal above, while it may not appeal to you (I honestly do like it), its rarity surely outweighs its beauty in my opinion. The bezeled medal (pendant) is quite difficult to find especially in the condition of the one pictured above. There is also one that has a bezel and is a pin-back, that is also rare but not as rare as the pendant. And the most common and quite easy to obtain is the 33mm medal.

1958 Biel/Bienne, canton Bern Federal Shoot AR 33 mm (the medal) Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle RR Note: medal itself is .900 silver and the bezel is gilded .925 silver. I recently acquired this rare bezeled example from the Federal Schützenfest of 1958. It is in outstanding condition! Since it has a loop with clasp it would be quite difficult for me to show the medal in my normal presentation and since I have the below excellent photos, I will just show as is...

Yes indeed! Now the next milestone: 1000 posts, we are close...

1896 Wangen, canton Bern R233a / M147 Free and Section Shoot AR 39 mm Engraver: Franz Homberg, Bern Mintage: 100 pieces RR

1902 Roveredo, canton Graubünden R841a / M454 1st District Shoot AR 39 mm Engraver: Stefano Johnson, Milan RR

There is some confusion occasionally, but mainly in the form of email, once in a while on the phone. For example, I may email someone and they think they are talking or replying to my Dad. Because of this I have over the years resorted to doing my best to identify myself on the onset. Of course most regular contacts know the difference in emails, phone numbers etc. but confusion has indeed taken place. My Dad and I do not complete with each other in regard to collecting. We probably do compete, however in regard to who finds a great medal or piece of memorabilia. I would say that my Dad and I act as a team in terms of growing the collection. Although he has his and I have mine, we often look at the entirety as one collection so to speak. I have been very lucky with my Dad being a prolific collector. My collection has grown due to gifts from him as well as purchasing from him. And yes, if he gets a better medal, then often times it is one of the two options mentioned that it may come into my collection. It is not very common for me to obtain a medal that is better than one my Dad already has but it does happen. I have given him a few medals over the years as gifts that I know he had always wanted or just never found yet. You are correct, I am lucky and happy that my Dad and I share the same, great hobby!

Thank you for the compliment. I consider my Father to be one of the most accomplished collectors of schützenfest medals of this period. He has been collecting for 50+ years compared to my 30+ years. It used to be a rather obscure hobby but we are both glad to see the increase in popularity in the last 10 or so years! Richter's catalog has been part of the catalyst.

Yes, the silver and bronze are quite rare. This medal was minted in: AR - RRR Silver plated BR - R BR -RRR Silver plated WM - RR Wm - RR I also have a silver plated BR specimen that I have posted previously here.

1894 Lausanne, canton Vaud R1590c / M945 Souvenir of the 1894 Vaud Cantonal Shoot in Lausanne BR 39 mm Engraver: Charles Defailly, Geneve Mintage: 15 pieces RRR

1894 Lausanne, canton Vaud R1590a / M945 Souvenir of the 1894 Vaud Cantonal Shoot in Lausanne AR 39 mm Engraver: Charles Defailly, Geneve Mintage: 12 pieces RRR

1931 Bulle, canton Fribourg R429a / M244 Fribourg Shooting Society Centennial Shoot 1831-1931 AR 40 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R

While I presently do not have a retail list on the website, I do have medals for sale. Let me know some of your wants and I will let you know if I have any available.

Very nice medals. I like the modern look of these. A question: Is the origin of the shooting contests and the importance of this based on military things like a standing militia or on the need for accuracy to hunt for food? The easiest answer is to post an excerpt from Wikipedia. History[edit] During the Middle Ages, many towns had to find ways to defend themselves from gangs of marauders. For this reason clubs and associations were founded, comparable to militias; these paramilitary associations were sanctioned for the first time in the Law for the Defensive Constitution of the Towns by King Henry I, and officially integrated into the towns' defense plans. Accompanying the military exercises and physical examinations of the towns' contingents, festivities were held combined with festive processions. Participants from other parishes and at times even the feudal heads of state were also invited to these Marksmen's Courts (Schützenhöfe). However, the self-confident spirit of the townsfolk that marked these festivities was not always regarded positively by the authorities. For this reason, different traditions developed in different regions. The military significance lessened over the course of the centuries and became meaningless with the creation of regular troops and garrisons for national defence. The Schützenfests however continued in the form of a regional patriotic tradition. Coincidentally, when you look up Schutzenfest on Wikipedia there are several sections with one of them being "Medals and Decorations". I wrote this piece many years ago for my first website and then added to this Wikipedia page. Since then I have seen my "section" posted on many ebay auctions, auction houses etc. around the world describing schutzenfest medals, but rarely if ever do I see it contributed to Wikipedia. Medals and decorations[edit] Shooting competitions are a way of life in the Germanic regions of Europe, especially in Switzerland. The initial Swiss Federal Shooting Festival (Eidgenössisches Schützenfest) was held in 1824. Federal contests along with cantonal level, city, and club competitions have continued through to the present day. Various awards for marksmanship have been won by the competitors. Shooting medals and shooting cups are the most common forms of award. Books illustrating and listing these awards have been published in Switzerland. Swiss shooting medals were struck in a variety of metals including gold, silver, bronze, white metal and aluminum, with silver being the most common. Mintages are very low with the average mintage of the 45mm silver being 700-800 pieces. The scarcity of medals has increased over the years due to the awards being melted for bullion, being lost, and general attrition. The size of most medals range from 23 millimeters to 62 millimeters with 45 mm being the most prevalent. Also minted to commemorate the Shooting Festival were shooting thalers. Swiss shooting thalers began mintage in 1842, and continue being minted today. They can be distinguished from shooting medals by their uniform size and temporary legal tender status.

1936 Bellinzona, canton Ticino R1479a / M866 7th Ticino Cantonal Shoot AR 40 mm Mintage: 15 pieces (estimated) Engraver: Huguenin, LeLocle RRR 1936 Bellinzona, canton Ticino R1479a / M866 7th Ticino Cantonal Shoot BR 40 mm Mintage: 36 pieces (estimated) Engraver: Huguenin, LeLocle RR

1897 Lichtensteig, canton St. Gallen R1170b / M570 Cantonal Shoot BR 33 mm Mintage: 42 pieces Engraver: J. Stauffacher / Paul Ströhlin & Co, Geneve RRR

1897 Lichtensteig, canton St. Gallen R1170a / M570 Cantonal Shoot AR 33 mm Mintage: 782 pieces Engraver: J. Stauffacher / Paul Ströhlin & Co, Geneve H

1886 Bellinzona, canton Ticino R1372d / M771 Cantonal Shoot BR 40 mm Engraver: Edouard Durussel, Bern R The silver counterpart of this medal is here.

1875 Geneve, canton Geneve R600a variant / M303 Abbaye des Carabiniers AR 37 mm Engraver: Samuel Mognetti / Antoine Bovy, Geneve This is an example of an unlisted 37mm size medal of R600 - 43mm. Richter classifies the 43mm as RR with 100 pieces minted. A beautiful medal in great condition!

1944 SSV R1963a / M1133b SSV Medal of Honor AR 45 mm Engraver: Franz Wagner, Zurich / Huguenin, Le Locle RRR Italian text - matte finish

1926 Oberbuchsiten, canton Solothurn R1138b / M660 Jubilee Shoot 1876 - 1926 Br Versilbert (Silver plated bronze) 40 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle RR

Over the years Ticino has become one of my favorite Cantons too. Their designs differ from the other Cantons to a certain degree, thus making them quite distinguishable. It is very easy to present medals in the manner that I do. A good photo editor program, I use Photo Shop Elements. However, I never edit any of my medals in terms of adding light, color etc. other than the reflection aspect of the medal in my template. Thank you for the kind words. It take a little practice but now I can go from complete start to finish in about 4-5 minutes. If I already have the medal image then it may take 2 minutes to place in template properly and post.