Veteran Pistol Service
Schedule:
Shot every Thursday morning from 9.00am
The Match:
Note: The term Veteran applies to the pistols used and not (necessarily) to the shooters!
The Veteran Service Pistol match was developed by the late Sid Marriot of St Ives Pistol Club. The objective of the Veteran Pistol Service Match is to encourage the interest in and mastery of pre-1946 former Military, Service and Police pistols from around the world.
These older pistols are often of military and historical significance in a variety of makes, models and calibres, and are usually more difficult to shoot than their modern counterparts.
The match is shot under service target shooting conditions in a safe and collegial manner, thereby helping those who shoot it to gain an understanding and appreciation of both the capabilities and limitations of these fine old pistols.
A Veteran Service Pistol is defined as being a Military, Service or Police regulation issue pistol of any make, model, calibre, or nation of origin made between 1873 and 1945, or a replica thereof, using centre-fire cartridges.
The Veteran Service Pistol Match is a modified Service Pistol Match, consisting of 90 shots on the following course of fire:
Stage I - Barricades - 50 yards - 24 shots - 35 seconds each series
1 - Right hand, RHS of barricade, 6 shots at target 4
2 - Left hand, LHS of barricade, 6 shots at target 3
3 - Free standing, both hands, 3 shots each at targets 1 and 2
4 - Free standing, one hand, 3 shots each at targets 1 and 2
Stage II - Turning targets - 25 yards - 24 shots - 15 seconds each series
1 - Both hands, 2 shots each at targets 1, 2 and 3
2 - Both hands, 3 shots at target 4, and 1 shot each at targets 3, 2, & 1
3 - Right hand only, 3 shots each at targets 1 and 2
4 - Left hand only, 3 shots each at targets 3 and 4
Stage III - Turning targets - 10 yards - 24 shots - Unsighted (below shoulder level)
1 - Both hands, 2 shots each at targets 2, 3 and 4 in 15 seconds
2 - Both hands, 3 shots at target 1, and 1 shot at targets 2, 3 & 4 in 15 seconds
3 - Both hands, 1 shot at targets 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, and 1 in 15 seconds
4 - Duelling - Master hand - 6 shots, 3 seconds each - The RO calls one target at a time
Stage IV - Turning targets - 7 yards - 18 shots - Unsighted (below shoulder level)
1 - Duelling - Master hand - 6 shots, 3 seconds each - The RO calls two targets at a time
2 - Duelling - Weak hand - 6 shots, 3 seconds each - The RO calls one target at a time
3 - Finale - Master hand - The RO calls "FIRE" twice - Each time 3 shots in 3 seconds at targets 1, 2 and 3
The match indeed originated at St. Ives P.C. and is shot regularly every Thursday morning. To encourage everybody to participate and to become familiar with the match procedures and requirements, any non-compliant pistol may be used in all practice shoots (but not in designated Championships or Competitions).
Do come and try the match, if you are retired or if you can sneak away from work on a Thursday. The Vet shoot is a great match, demanding, but lots of fun. And good company too... the "social" coffee break at the end of the shoot is a must, as are the BBQs we organize regularly.
