schutzenfester

By the rarity you state, as well as your own words, congratulations on the fine accomplishment.

Indeed it is a schützenfest medal. You do not state the size (diameter) but if it is 54mm then it is R1727d or M1017. I identify it as R1727d because it appears as though it is white metal. It is quite a shame it is in poor condition or at least the pictures depict it as such, because it is a rare medal in WM. Richter classifies it as RRR. 1865 Archers shoot of Zurich engraved by Jakob Aberti, Winterthur Note: There was a gilded medal gifted in a decorative bag to archers of the Child's shoot in 1867.

1902 Geneve M74 (Swiss Medals) Tercentennial of Escalade Silver 60 mm Engraver: Hugues Bovy, Louis Furet, S. E. M. E., Geneve R I acquired this medal because it is rather difficult to obtain in this condition and because I like the content and artistic engraving. I have some historical medals and this recent acquisition was a nice find.

Hi Kim, I was starting to wonder if you were still around. Have not seen you in this specific post for quite a long time. Hope all is well with you. I like the Lugano medal too. In addition to the rarity of the medal, which is my main driving factor in acquiring, I also like the engraving which is always a contributing factor to what I add to the heap.

1836 Davos, canton Grabünden R831b / M446 Bundesfest Silver 42 mm Engraver: Heinrich Bruppacher, Luzern RR Note: Repaired hole

1922 Lugano, canton Ticino R1458a / M852 Fourth Ticino Cantonal Shoot Silver 39 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R

I always like references to William Tell and this medal has very nice obverse as well as reverse.

You posted 3 nice medals and here is a little information if you do not already know: 1. Fribourg 1881, Federal Shoot R409b / M227 Bronze 47mm Engraver: Edouard Durussel, Bern Rarity: RR 2 & 3. Fribourg 1881, Federal Shoot (First picture of this medal is only a thumbnail so it is difficult to see.) R404a / M223 Silver 47mm Engraver: Edouard Durussel, Bern Rarity: RRR

Your medal is, from all I can tell through the pictures, indeed R700b. This medal has the rarity of RR much the same as R680b, although Richter states differently based on incorrect mintage figures. And R682b being RRR not RR as Richter states.

It is not entirely rare. There are examples of mirrored fields in silver, bronze, and white metal medals. You probably have seen third party grading companies grade older shooting medals as proof, this is incorrect since proof dies were not used during this period. Because of the workmanship of the engraving and dies the resulting medals are often what should be called as Proof Like if graded. Many shooting medals have matte finish, have induced patina, and are proof like. R626b, shown above 2 places, has mirrored fields for example. It is a beautiful example of this particular rare medal.

1894 Geneve R682b / M376 Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation BR 51 mm Engraver: Hugues Bovy, Geneve Mintage: 6 Please note the mintage in Richter for R680a (Silver, Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation similar to this medal and noted being RRR in rarity) is incorrect. There were actually 46 silver and 142 BR pieces minted for medal R680a, not 5 of each as stated. The medal pictured here, 1894 Geneve Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation - R682b, has a mintage of 6 pieces making it considerably more rare than the 1893 R680a. RRR

1884 Geneve R626b / M326 Grand National Shoot Silver 47 mm Engraver: Charles Jean Richard, Geneve / A. Lanz, Biel Mintage: 322 Rare

As an FYI, I have added several medals to my website inventory. From extremely rare to common medals plus a few extremely rare paper jetons. You are more than welcome to come and visit. I also have a few pictures of the Schützen Museum in Bern from a visit a few years back. Click on my signature and you will be magically transported.

I have seen a few examples of late 19th. century early 20th. century United States shooting medals. When available they sell for quite high amounts. I have also seen Swiss shooting medals presented by the US or US shooting teams from the same era. They were many various forms of Schützenfest awards. Medals being the primary award with pokal and bechers being next and then schützenenuhren (shooting watches). But there were also many other types; guns, silver service of types, clocks, silverware, and others. Most often the shooting committee would solicit the local shop keepers, jewelers, etc for donations of money and fabrication of prizes. These shop owners would frequently fabricate customized examples of their skill as an award. I am lucky enough to have examples of these "other types of awards" in my collection.

1894 Thun, Canton Bern R298a / M141 Cantonal Shoot Silver 45mm Engraver: Franz Homberg, Bern Mintage: 1,452 Common

1898 Neuchatel R970e / M526 Federal Shoot BR 45mm Engraver: Fritz Landry, Neuchatel Mintage: 3,970 Common

1939 Luzern R911b / M498A Federal Shoot BR 60 mm Engraver: Emil Wiederkehr, Luzern / Huguenin, Le Locle Common

1890 Rome, Italy Bronze 35 mm x 45 mm 29.2 grams Engraver: Stefano Johnson, Milan Mintage: unknown RR

1890 Frauenfeld, Canton Thurgau R1251a / M667 Federal Shoot Gold 35 mm x 45 mm 67.3 grams Engraver: Stefano Johnson, Milan Mintage: 1 RRRR Note: Lucky enough to purchase this unique and beautiful medal a few years back at an auction held by Spink. I recently purchased a bronze example (not R1251c) from a federal shoot in Rome, Italy in 1890. Same design with different inscription on obverse.

1899 Langenthal, Canton Bern R239c / M151A Central Swiss Shoot Silver 30 mm Engraver: R. Münger, Franz Homberg, Bern Mintage: 5 RRR (Specimen)

Recipient - No Relatives of Recipients - Yes

1934 Fribourg R1955b / M1131 Honor Medal of the Swiss Shooting Association Silver 66 mm Engraver: R. Kissling, Wofwill / G. Hantz, UGD, Geneve (ca. 1922) then Huguenin, Le Locle Common Note: This Medal , on occasion of the Swiss Shooting Association was minted in three languages. The specified mintage numbers refer each to all three language versions: 1895 in Winterthur (rifle 8 copies, pistol 2 copies.) 1898 in Neuchâtel (rifle and pistol 9 copies) in 1902 in Lucerne (rifle 33 copies and pistol 7 copies) in 1904 in St. Gallen (rifle 138 copies and pistol 7 copies) 1922 decentralized Schutzenfest (rifle 55 copies and pistol 14 copies) 1924 in Aargau (rifle and pistol156 copies) 1929 Bellinzona, 1934 in Fribourg, 1939 in Lucerne, 1949 in Chur, 1954 in Lausanne in 1958 in Biel, 1963 in Zurich, and in 1969 in Thun. Medals with only a name and without a year are gifts to senior officials or Politicians. Schutzenfests, which were displayed in bold are still known today in the German language. For specimens before 1924 the recess for the inscription is of a slightly different form.

1956 Zürich R1920a Cantonal Shoot Silver 70 x 47 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R Note: This medal was engraved, various dates exist. In the period until 1960, so far, the years known are 1956 and 1957.

1900 Lausanne, Canton Vaud R1609b / M962 75 Anniversary, Carabiniers of Lausanne 1825 - 1900 BR with 'S' 50 mm Engraver: Hans Frei, Basel / Ferdinand Hodler, Bern R Note: Examples sold to members of the Society of Carabiniers after the schützenfest are engraved with an "S" on the obverse; example shown here.