Competition
The Bell Trophy was presented to the SMRC in 1909 by Mr. Chas. R.E. Bell as a challenge trophy for award at a meeting. The competition was open to any shooter at the meeting for a fee, but those who held The Bell Medal were entitled to take part without entry fee for life. One Bell Medal was given to every club affiliated to the SMRC each year, which could be awarded to a club member on whatever basis the club chose. It was normal for an individual to be awarded the medal only once. A club was required to register the name of the winner with the SMRC and a list of newly-registered winners was published in almost every edition of The Rifleman from 1910 to just after World War 2.
The arrangements continue to this day and the main competition alternates between the NSRA’s Bisley and Scottish Rifle Meetings.
Dates
The Bell Medal was issued from 1909 to 1939. The Bell Medal ceased to be issued to clubs in 1940 as a result if the war, and at that time the award changed to a certificate.
Design
Obverse – An accurate depiction of The Bell Trophy with the words THE BELL MEDAL around the top circumference.
Reverse – Two laurel branches around the edge. The wording in the centre is PRESENTED BY THE SOCIETY OF MINIATURE RIFLE CLUBS.
Dies/design variations The overall design of the medal remained unaltered, but eight different dies of each side have so far been identified. The rim of the medal is flat, but the edge of the rim on each side is sometimes milled.
Size Diameter 39 mm.
Suspension ring, ribbons
The medal was issued without a suspension ring. However examples are known where a recipient has drilled a hole in the medal or attached a suspension ring to the top rim to allow the use of a ribbon.
Engraving
The medals were issued to clubs without engraving, but a small percentage have had details of the winner and year of award added by the club or the recipient.
Metals, etc Bronze. No enamelling.
Medal usage
One issued each year to each club affiliated to the SMRC.
Estimated number issued Between 50,000 and 55,000. The names and clubs of about 15,300 winners are recorded in The Rifleman.
In 2001, the NSRA’s Centenary year, five original SMRC Bell Medals of this type were given to the winners of the five classes in the Bell Competition held at the Bisley Rifle Meeting in addition to the other usual awards.
Other medals used None, but from 1940 a certificate has been issued in place of the medal.
Medals of a different design are issued for the Bell Trophy Competition at the national meeting.