Bell Target

[Unframed Dave]

Made this comment else where here before, few 'Bougard/Bougord's feature in the photos, quite prominate Guernsey family, small holders/ market gardeners, family member Clifford Bougard came from Channel Islands to Nailsea, Somerset about 1900, set up successful grocery shop with market garden, heated green houses, supplied Bristol fruit &'veg wholesale market. Grew up with William, one of his grandsons, Cliff, William & his Dad were keen shooters, keeping pigeons, rats etc under control, recall target shooting too.

Thanks, I do recall. I put some of these up on of of JM' s threads.

Dave

[ptdunk]

I posted this over on collectables, may be of interest:

Closeups from a 1906 postcard showing a bell target comp.
This used to belong to edbear2 and found it's way onto the 'bay and is now framed on one of my shelves.
It's been shared before but only quite a low res image, it's absolutely tiny, just over 3''x 5'' so I did a high res scan and thought it might be of interest.

They make quite a stylish little group, looks like the Post office team up against another club.

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Detailed enough to print out at A4, pics will be on Danny's website.

Cheers,
Matt

[perlin]

So many people in front of the firing point , would have my club range officer throw a wobbler
Think it should be made compulsory to wear either a straw boater or a bowler hat in modern bell target shooting..
John

[Dan944]

amaizing photos and atier! love it

[abellringer]

As I understand it earlier Bell tgt days would have been Milita's and Gems, not much more around in fairness. Loads of UK businesses imprted Milita's many with their own names added at some point. L J certainly imported them and as I understand it cut them up; added his gas tap mod [devised with his gas fitter neighbour's help] and cocking mech thus developing the rifle that pretty much revolutionised Bell Tgt. As far as I'm aware Frank's book is still available but I think in digital form. I'm lucky I knew Frank very well and have a dedicated signed copy. For sure the links to Bell sites as shown will provide a mountain of info.
It does appear that it was a sport set in local areas; Bridgend and Bridgnorth being amongst the oldest, and surprisingly there were a lot more ladies involved in the early days, again I think Bridgend can show it.
I shoot on the Wolvwerhampton A R L formed as a Bell Lge in 1972, aged 75 I've shot in every year from 1973, now proud to be Chairman.
To anyone wanting an amazing sport, try it !
To existing shooters keep it up you're part of of a legendary sport and long may we all continue.

[Desmond.22]

Heres my home made effort.

Works well with either the 77 or the 30

https://youtu.be/hrKEqM799jI

https://youtu.be/PwWWadxylNY

[zooma]

Heres my home made effort.

Works well with either the 77 or the 30

https://youtu.be/hrKEqM799jI

https://youtu.be/PwWWadxylNY

Nice effort - Your home made bell target works well.

Those small rear diopter sights that you have fitted on your HW rifles work well on the HW springers - I used one on my HW30S for a while, but changed to a s/h Anschutz when my neck started to give me some gip and a friend gave me his old sight - same result - but being a little higher I found it slightly more comfortable.

Bob.

[abellringer]

I have to admit for my earlier post; I'd only read part of the thread. Now I've had chance to re read. WOW those old photos are amazing. Really good to see our history. I'm always amazed at the amount of Bell tgt that shows up from Guernsey, especially that far back.
Nice one guys

[ptdunk]

Me doing some ‘vintage Bell Target reenactment’

https://youtu.be/R46WKV03iJU

Matt

[perlin]

excellent videos.... can`t be that many britannias out there now.
John