Club Profile

The foundation of the Hahndorf rifle Club began in the Union Hotel, now known as the Hahndorf Inn on June 6 1864. The founding members were confirmed July 11th 1864 and Gottlieb Andreas Schuetze the Publican was appointed 1st President and membership was struck at 2/6 pence. The first Koenigschiessen or Kingshoot was held November 7th 1864, with 27 shooters present. This event was won by F. Sonnemann, who received a silver medal and 63 shillings ($6.30). Which at the time was a considerable amount.

Although other Kingshoots occurred, no records were kept until December 27th 1869. From this date all competitors at Kingshoots have had their scores recorded. In 1900 three consecutive Kingshoots were won by J.T. Lake, and has only been equalled once by A.A. Pitman 1954-56.In 1918 a new record was set by R. Borchers when he shot 153 out of a possible 156. This record stood until1961 when N. Rule scored 155, who went on to win a total of nine Kingships.

 The first person to shoot a double possible was D. Overall in 1978. R. Trevelyan was the last person to win using black powder with a score of 151 in 1957. The current “King” is N. Jones who won the event in 2007.

The Hahndorf Club has been inducted into the S.S.A.A. as a branch, but still carries on the German ring target tradition, albeit with slight changes made over the centuries, with the advent of modern technology. Centrefire matches are currently being shot on the first and third Saturday of the month, for scope or aperture competitors.

This discipline is shot over 200 yards (180 metres), using eight rounds for the first section, the first two of which are optional sighters. The second round consists of seven rounds (one optional sighter) the centre of the target is counted as a thirteen, and with 12 shots to count, makes a total of 156 a possible. The second and last Saturday of the month is usually a rimfire shoot, where one can test their ‘A”s at one hundred yards using scope or open sights. This discipline requires four rounds of ten shots to count. The first round consists of thirteen shots, of which the worst three are sighters. The next three rounds consist of ten shot all of which count. The possible for this event is 400, and as the ten ring is 1 inch, we do not have many possibles. Shooting is done from a booth in which is a box, which one may use to sit whilst leaning their rifle barrel against a post to shoot. Alternatively the shooter may assume the prone position.

The Club also has friendly matches against other Clubs  and a good time was had by all on these occasions.