Description:

National Rifle Association
n.p., ca. 1882
1882 National Rifle Association Ephemera, 2 Pcs
Archive
A small but superb collection of ephemera dating from the early history of the National Rifle Association of America, including an 1882 NRA Badge of Military Membership and an 1882 NRA Agent Long Island Railroad pass. N.p. Expected light wear, but in otherwise near fine condition. The largest item measures 3.875" x 2.5."

The National Rifle Association was established in New York in 1871. The earliest iteration of the NRA did not have any of the political associations it has today. It was founded after the Civil War because military data revealed wide-spread shooting inaccuracy among Union soldiers. The NRA was formed, then, in order to redress this lack of skills in gun-handling and marksmanship, and to more firmly situate shooting as a specifically defined and regulated sport. The early emphasis on marksmanship also explains why so many Civil War-era officers served as the NRA's first presidents: Ambrose Burnside, Ulysses S. Grant, Winfield S. Hancock, and Philip H. Sheridan, among many others. To improve marksmanship, the NRA encouraged training at long-range shooting ranges like Creedmoor, and sponsored participation in international shooting competitions.

The lot includes:

1. A square yellow stock card, printed "Badge of / Military Membership / N.R.A. 1882" recto and hand-stamped with membership number "1205" verso. Lightly scuffed, else near fine. 1.5" square.

2. A Long Island Railroad proof of membership pass for "An Agent For the National Rifle Association" to secure passage to the Creedmoor Rifle Range for only 30 cents, valid for 25 trips during the year 1882. Creedmoor served as the official shooting range of the National Rifle Association between 1873 and 1892. The blank card is signed by the NRA Assistant Secretary at lower right, and hand-stamped "1885" at lower left. Lightly toned, else near fine, and housed in its original transmittal envelope, lightly soiled and pencil-inscribed.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: largest item measures 3.875" x 2.5"
  • Medium: Archive

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September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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