Shooting Reports for August 1904
There was an earlier report (dated 30th June 1903) mentioning a miniature range at Newark at which the Lowdham team shot; but like this one it does not give any indication of the type of rifle being used, though clearly the current shoot followed an established full bore scheme: one sighter and seven to count over three ranges.
Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, 10 August 1904
A competition was held on the Lowdham and District Rifle Club's Miniature Range yesterday. Conditions, one sighter and seven shots at each distance. Scores:—
| 25yds. | 40yds. | 50yds. | Handp. | Ttl. | |
| S.F. Clarke | 29 | 34 | 32 | 3 | 96 |
| G. Clarke | 32 | 32 | 28 | 3 | 95 |
| J.C. Belton | 33 | 30 | 31 | 0 | 94 |
| F.E. Tyler | 26 | 32 | 33 | 3 | 94 |
| J.D. Pearson | 32 | 32 | 29 | 0 | 93 |
| J. Simpson | 29 | 29 | 29 | 6 | 93 |
| S. Cannack | 29 | 28 | 31 | 0 | 88 |
| A. Parr | 28 | 32 | 28 | 0 | 88 |
| G.H. Ulyett | 27 | 28 | 26 | 6 | 87 |
| S. Blake | 25 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 79 |
Some of the Lowdham shooters were on the range again a couple of days later; but this time at the Epperstone full bore range. Sadly the report seems to be rather lacking in detail.
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 12 August 1904
Some members of the Lowdham and District Rifle Club fired at the Epperstone Range yesterday for "skilled shot" certificates. Conditions, one sighter and ten rounds at each distance:—
| 200yds. | 500yds. | 600yds. | Ttl. | |
| S.F. Clarke | 42 | 48 | 46 | 136 |
Concurrently a tie in a former competition was decided:—
| 200yds. | 500yds. | 600yds. | Hcp. | Ttl. | |
| S.F. Clarke | 28 | 33 | 31 | 9 | 101 |
| G. Clarke | 27 | 23 | 28 | 9 | 87 |
| J.C. Belton | 25 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 76 |
Two further matches reported upon by the Derby Daily Telegraph complete the story for August.
The first mentions a miniature rifle range at Ilkeston, the venue for a match between a volunteer team and the Ilkeston Miniature Rifle Club. This match took place in September and our next page provides the results and an account of the event.
The second covers the annual Robin Hoods shoot for prizes; but gives little by way of details.
Derby Daily Telegraph, Monday, 29 August 1904
Rifle Match. — A shooting match has been arranged for Saturday next between a team of sergeants of the 1st. V.B. Derby and Ilkeston Miniature Rifle Club at Ilkeston. The team will leave the G.N. Station at 2.50 p.m. The teams will consist of eight men aside. The conditions will be two positions, and seven shots at each with one sighter. A practice shoot has been arranged for Wednesday evening at the Drill Hall at 9.00 p.m., and from the results the team will be selected.
Robin Hoods Annual Shoot. — The yearly competition for prizes among the Notts. Volunteers took place last Saturday on the Trent range in delightful weather; some excellent shooting was done. Corporal W.S. Lewitt, of E Company, 2nd Battalion, came out at the top of the scores, with a total of 67, made up of 33 at 200 yards, and 34 at 500 yards. Q.M.S. Comery and Captain P.M. Payne tied this score, but in the tie shoot Corporal Lewitt won by making three bulls-eyes.
Transcripts from Nottingham Evening Post 10/08/1904 and 12/08/1904
and the Derby Daily Telegraph of 29/08/1904
British Library Newspaper Archive