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Army Best Shots Medal or Queen's Medal: CM.1150-2009

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An image of Army Best Shots Medal or Queen's Medal
An image of Army Best Shots Medal or Queen's Medal
An image of Army Best Shots Medal or Queen's Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Artist: Poynter, Edward John
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

The award of an annual medal for the best shot in the Army was instituted in 1869 and continued until 1883, so that only 16 of the Queen's Medal, as it was officially titled, were ever issued.
Over the period 1875 to 1877 the Army changed its standard rifle, and so the 1875-76 and 1876-77 competitions were shot with both old and new weapons, a medal being awarded for each.
The winner of the competition with the older Snider Rifle was Sergeant A. Woods of the 2nd Battalion Loyals, or 81st Foot. This is his medal. Lester Watson purchased it from the London dealer Spink in 1925.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Spink 1925

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.5 mm
Weight: 33.51 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

Production date: AD 1877

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Fame standing on dais placing wreath on head of champion who carries target shot with three arrows

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1150-2009
Primary reference Number: 141244
Watson Catalogue: 36
Ordering: M-0033
Previous object number: LW.0033

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Army Best Shots Medal or Queen's Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141244 Accessed: 2025-12-06 11:29:22

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