South Ossett (West Yorkshire) Tramway Depot Rifle Club Enamel Lapel Pin Badge and Bronze National Rifle Association (NRA) Club Medallion

An interesting pair of items which came together. An unnamed bronze medallion and an associated enamel pin badge. The enamel on the latter is in undamaged condition and the gilt bright, original pin fitting and maker marked Fattorini & Sons, Bradford.

In 1859, as a result of the perceived threat to Great Britain from the large increase in conscript armies on the Continent and especially the growing power of France, and given further impetus by a public outcry for improvements in the Country’s defence, a new Rifle Volunteer Movement, based on that of the Napoleonic Wars, was quickly formed to great popular enthusiasm.

This led, in the same year, to the formation of the National Rifle Association designed to encourage rifle shooting by the establishment of a great annual National Rifle Meeting open to both Volunteers and all-comers. There marksmen could compete for valuable prizes. To achieve this it was necessary to ensure that the location, initially on Wimbledon Common and later at Bisley, was readily accessible by train.

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Code: 62756