schutzenfester

Here is a favorite of mine. I sold one other to a member here and since I liked it so much I had to get another. I was lucky enough to acquire one in decent condition.

M37 Canton Aargau

1920 Cantonal shoot in Zofingen.

Silver; 28mm

R / Mintage of 150

Here is the relatively common R179 (M104) 1830 Bern shooting medal. I have two photos, one of a real R179 and one of a counterfeit piece. The counterfeit was struck in ca. 1890. Schützenfest medals were so prized and collected that many counterfeits were struck years ago. I have encountered several counterfeits since I began collecting, the R179 is one of the more documented ones.

For me the easiest way to determine if the piece is original is to check/compare the mountains; there is noticeable difference. Another way is the inspect the numeral 7 in the date, 7 Jul 1830. The style of the 7 (bottom of the trunk) is completely different. The numeral 2 ( in the number 12) before the date is also a point of difference. And if you inspect the medal in its entirety you will find many differences throughout.

1830 Bern

R179a / M104

Federal Shoot

Silver

H / 28mm

Here are easier side by side pictures of obverse and reverse to compare:

Another from my group; A beautiful example of R25 with a mintage of 529 pieces from the 1899 Aargau schützenfest held in Wohlen.

First picture is of the quite rare Ticino piece from the 1902 Chiasso shoot.

Second picture is the Vaud 1894 Lausanne medal. Both medals are great examples. Both are from my collection.

Another with nice toning:

One of my new medals; a nice example of the 1896 Baden shoot.

I have 50 medals for sale in a new list just posted on my web site. Quite a diverse selection with rare, low mintage, seldom offered, and common.

Here is a nice rare medal:

1898 SWISS SHOOTING R-1029c, AR, 45mm NIDWALDEN - ENNET FEST PF 64 CA

Resized to 97% (was 1024 x 393) - Click image to enlarge

I find it curious that NGC would grade this medal proof when if they did some research they would find that schützenfest medals were not minted in what we today call proof dies. It may look like proof; ”Proof Like” perhaps but not proof, the medal is Mint State. NGC can grade but it is too bad they don't have the global knowledge of what they are grading...I suppose it falls under some criteria that NGC calls proof, I not sure. Nevertheless, the medal itself is beautiful and the engraving is wonderful!

Very nice medal Kim, congrats!

Hi Kim,

Your Bern medal is beautiful and I would say that the medal presently on eBay can't compare to yours.

The one on the bay in some respects looks similar...

1910 Bern (R-263a) GOLD medal spotted on eBay.....

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Way overpriced and (unless it's just a very bad scan) not only cleaned but the obverse has been polished to the extent that many details are missing.

 

Nevertheless, if you have the money and want a gold Bern, this is your chance. Make him an offer.

 

Feel free to use this photo of mine to compare the obverse details.....

 

Very nice group indeed Zohar!

I still remember the day this surfaced last year, and as much as I wanted it for my collection it really is WAY out of my price range. I hoped it would land in a Moore collection and I see it has.

 

Congratulations Rod on an uber-rare find!

Thanks Kim! I'm very happy to be fortunate enough to get it and to add it the collection.

Excellent pickup - congratulations!

Thanks.

When I originally found out about this R239c a year ago, I was intrigued to say the least. I knew I would like to have it and tried to make the purchase but the deal did not transpire right away; now a year later I am the proud owner. I am more than happy and this rare and beautiful schützenfest medal is a welcome addition to my collection.

I just acquired the below medal. It is the first example I have seen since I started collecting Swiss shooting medals 30 years ago and is also the first one my Dad has ever seen available in the last 49 years.

The medal is R239c from the 1899 Bern Central Shoot in Langenthal. R239c is a specimen strike and is extremely rare with Richter citing 5 minted but as I alluded to above, there very well could be fewer.

I found out about this beauty about a year ago and just recently finalized its purchase. I'm also happy that it graded as high as it did. When it was first brought to my attention it was raw. In the year since it was graded by NGC as MS65 and that is how I purchased it.

I thought I would share it here with all of you...

I just received an older Shooting medal from France and thought I would share a few pictures.

39mm

23.4 g

Silver

I believe it to be hand made and thus unique. The patina is very nice and I would call it EF+.

It is from a shoot in 1835 in Demigny, Burgundy, France.

It has a rather uniquely styled rim and loop that is thicker than some and the hand engraving is quite intricate.

One can only guess but I think a number of years will be required.

Rod, at the rate that Zohar is accumulating Schutzenfest medals, how long will it take before he equals your collection?

1899 SWISS SHOOTING R-1601a, AR, 45mm VAUD - YVERDON FEST MS 65

Your Yverdon medal is one of my many favorites Zohar; a nice example.

I started collecting Swiss schützenfest medals in 1980 and am still collecting them today; testimony to their lasting ability to make me want and learn more!

You lost shooting medals from Austria

 

Its serval times more then Germany.

Even though my main area of interest is Swiss schützenfest medals, I also collect shooting medals from other countries.

Below is the list of countries in order of my preference:

1. Switzerland

2. Austria

3. France

4. Germany

5. United States

It's scary to see those kind of prices but nice at the same time. (website above)

Prices have been going up since the publication of Richters books. Realized and asked prices are consistently matching Richters prices in his set. While this is not that good for buyers it is great for sellers and the hobby as a whole.

I still feel that many medal prices are inflated, especially on the bay but when I see people paying prices that I have never come close to I see that the hobby has moved to the next level and that my collection has increased in value proportionally!

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

 

I'm intrigued by the small medalet being classified as a `jeton'. Why would this have been issued? Who would have been gifted these (or were they sold?). Normally a jeton would be issued on a grace and favour basis to officials or VIP's to mark a event. Is that the case with this one?

 

Ian

Shooting jetons were the currency of the shoot.

Schützenfest entrants used jetons to pay for - entrance fees, targets, ammunition, food and drinks etc. during the shoot. They would have to purchase jetons from the shooting committee.

Few had face value but most did not. This was so the jetons could be used again at another/next shoot. Perhaps they were worth a franc; however I am unsure of the value of jetons without face value.

There were numerous jetons per shoot including paper jetons of which I have several examples.

As an FYI, the 1840 Solothurn is a jeton rather than a shooting medal. It was not awarded as a shooting prize. It is R434d, I believe it is the 'd' variety, 23mm and 4.3 grams. It is considered to have a rarity of R according to Richter. I too have this jeton and it is one of my favorites! I also have the 1949 medal, I appreciate the shape and I have several other 1949 Chur pieces.

Latest additions:

 

 

 

The first was issued for Chur (1949). The second is really tiny for a shooting medal (23mm) and was issued for the fest at Solothurn in 1840.

These medals are classics! Has anyone here ever run into any of the Swiss medals issued to members of the Swiss military for their service on their borders during the wars of 1870-71, 1914-18, 1939-45?

My latest acquisition: Graubunder 4 Franken struck for the Federal Shooting festival at Chur in 1842.

 

Would appreciate any info regarding the correct weight of this item so i can satisfy myself as to its bona fides. i got it rather too cheap. It ticks all the right boxes though with regards to dimension, ring, and surface texture. Edge mark - Eintracht Macht Stark followed by a *.

 

Hi Ian,

28.3 grams is the weight although I have no official documentation other than personal experience. Please keep in mind that variants such as planchet and scales can make the weight different than the 28.3 grams stated.

I hope this helps,

Rod

Nice medals Ian!

More examples of the intricate engraving/art detail.

Thanks for showing them to us all.