June 3rd, 2008
November 2, 1922. Washington, D.C. “Girls’ rifle team, Central High.” National Photo Company Collection glass negative.
What’s with resting the rifle on the left-hand fingers? Just to pose for the photo? Or is/was that an accepted shooting stance?
From Shorpy.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
By extending the fingers, you effectively make your arm longer, allowing for a more solid hookup betwixt arm and body. This tends to work fairly well for people of reduced stature- less height means shorter arms.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
They also hadn’t learned to keep the finger off the trigger until ready to shoot!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Accepted shooting stance for offhand: rest elbow on hip, feet shoulder width apart, rest rifle on left finger tips, adjust muzzle elevation by finger spread. You’ll see that same stance at rifle metallic silhouette matches today.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Yep, its the offhand position used in high-power rifle, 3-position, 4-position. Extend your fingers and make a V with the thumb on the opposite side. Rest the forearm of the rifle on top of the thumb, index and middle fingers. It gets a bit tiring, especially on a 10-pound+ rifle on your fingers. Thats one technique, another is by wearing a shooting glove, make a fist and lay the rifle on top of the fist. I prefer the palm rest, but you can’t do that on service rifles.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Cool picture, lots of personality in those faces. I don’t see many cheating, violent, or even uppity husbands in their futures. Except for #2- she looks like she’ll be using her skills on a succession of losers. I believe the current DC high school girl’s shooting activities are somewhat more individually based. And instead of Winchester single shot muskets, they use Lorcin and Raven products.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hmmm. Shows what I know. Thanks for the info, guys!
June 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
The ‘Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re on target’ rule didn’t even exist until the mid 1980’s.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Check out what this young lady is shooting.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Staghounds, I figured the current DC girl’s shooting team was using opium products.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Murdoc, FWIW, that same finger-tip position was taught to me back in the 60’s by the Daisy BB Gun instructors. My team ended up taking 2nd place in the State Championships. I still have the trophy.