U.S. Shooters Triumph At 1908 Olympic Games

by
posted on May 10, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
1908-olympic-games.jpg

Shooting had become a part of the Olympic Games in Athens in May 1906, but neither Great Britain nor the United States had sent teams. The next Olympic Games were held in London in 1908, and the British Olympic Association invited the United States to compete in a series of international rifle and pistol matches. The rifle and pistol matches were held at the storied Bisley Range, while shotgun events were conducted at the Uxendon Shooting School Club.

Using star-gauged Model 1903 rifles and 180-grain bullets, the American team outshot rival teams from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Sweden, Norway, Greece and Denmark at every distance except 600 yards, were they trailed the British by a single point.

That year, the United States won its first gold medal in an Olympic shooting match, with a final score of 2351 to 2497 for the second-place British. Canada won the bronze medal.

The Americans also dominated the Olympic pistol matches, with team members Charles Axtell, Irving Calkins, John Dietz and James Gorman winning gold in the team pistol event.

Perhaps most impressive of all was the silver medal-winning performance of U.S. shooter Kellogg Casey in the 1,000-yard free rifle event. His score of 93 was five points behind British shooter Joshua Millner, who won the gold. Additionally, Casey was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the team military rifle event.

Lead image of pistol and revolver shooters on the firing line at the 1908 Summer Olympics courtesy of Wikiwand.


See more: Return and Renaissance: U.S. International Rifle Shooting 1948-1966

Latest

CMP Buynow 1
CMP Buynow 1

CMP Streamlines Legacy M1 Garand Sales With Easy ‘Buy Now’ Feature

CMP’s new fixed-price “Buy Now” system makes it easier than ever to own a legacy, non-reclaimed M1 Garand rifle.

Watchtower Firearms, Demolition Ranch Team Up For Limited-Edition DEMOLITIA Blackout 1911

Watchtower Firearms releases limited-edition double-stack 1911 chambered in 9 mm designed with input from Demolition Ranch.

Federal Ammunition Honored With National 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award

Federal Ammunition receives 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award for over 40 years of support for youth programs.

New: Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE Rifles

Smith & Wesson launches the M&P 15 AXE lineup of suppressor-ready rifles with reduced gas blowback and modern features.

Review: Savage Arms Mark II & Winchester’s .21 Sharp

As demonstrated in the Savage Mark II FV-SR, Winchester’s .21 Sharp cartridge offers higher velocity and greater precision than .22 Long Rifle rounds.

Marsh Edges Stine In Canadian Showdown To Win Lapua Monarch Cup Opener

Justin Marsh edges Jake Stine by one point to win the Canadian NRA Smallbore Silhouette Nationals and first stage of the 2025 Lapua Monarch Cup.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.