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 Replies: 57 / Views: 36,009 |
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Valued Member
 United States
74 Posts |
Thanks snowman  - Until late 2005 I almost exclusively used "Swiss Shooting Medals" by Jean L. Martin. Published in Lausanne 1972. This publication was the most comprehensive catalog available on Swiss shooting medals. It contains over 1150 medals with obverse and reverse pictures. All pictures are actual size, black and white photos. While other books are available and I do own the Martin catalog was considered the 'bible' until the Richter catalog was published. In 2005 a new book was published "Die Schutzentaler und Schutzenmedaillen der Schweiz" and "Die Schutzenjetons der Schweis" by Jurg Richter are the most concise catalogs of Swiss shooting medals, talers and jetons presently available. The new 'bible' of schützenfest medals. This is a two volume set covering issues up to 1960. The shooting medal catalog is 405 pages and the jeton catalog is 120 pages. I use both the Martin and Richter catalogs extensively in my hobby. Both are in German but are extremely valuable resources in schützenfest medal collecting. |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
A little history FYI -
Shooting competitions were/are a way of life in the Germanic regions of Europe, especially in Switzerland. The initial Swiss Federal Shooting Festival (Eidgenössisches Schützenfest) was held in 1824. Federal contests along with cantonal, city, and club competitions have continued through to the present day.
Various awards for marksmanship have been won by the competitors. Shooting medals and shooting cups are the most common forms of award. Books illustrating and listing these awards have been published in Switzerland.
Swiss shooting medals were struck in a variety of metals including gold, silver, bronze, white metal and aluminum, with silver being the most common. Mintages are very low with the average mintage of the 45mm silver being 700-800 pieces. The scarcity of medals has increased over the years due to the awards being melted for bullion, being lost, and general attrition. The size of most medals range from 23 millimeters to 62 millimeters with 45 mm being the most prevalent.
I hope the above information sheds a little light upon the subject...
Edited by schutzenfester
02/10/2008 9:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks for the interesting history Rod! I'll also mention how the theme of most of these medals stresses protection of their confederation, such as "Allzeit Bereit" ie. "ready at any moment". Many Kantons once had a mercenary tradition (fighting for external states for pay), but more recently these competitions serve to bolster the skill of their voluntary army, who wouldn't otherwise have much practice at marksmanship.
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Here is a rare medal from Zug, 1827 Canton: Zug Year: 1827 Metal: Silver Size: 40mm Mintage: around 150 examples Engraver: Johann Casper Bruppacher, Luzern  Edited by schutzenfester
02/16/2008 2:12 pm
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Another... Central Switzerland Schützenfest Canton: Luzern Year: 1889 Metal: Silver Size: 45mm Engraver: Hugues Bovy, Genf / J. Bossard, Luzern  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Christian,
Thanks for the history! Years ago, I spent a lot of time in Switzerland, but I have yet to learn the detailed history.
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Valued Member
United States
237 Posts |
I have got to say that these are some of the best looking medals I've ever seen. I can easily see why anyone would want to collect these.
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Shoot: Cantonal Shoot, Ebnat-Kappel Canton: St. Gallen Year: 1891 Metal: Silver Mintage: 700 examples Size: 45mm Engraver: Hugues Bovy, Louis Furet, Genf / J. Stauffacher  |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Shoot: Cantonal, held in Sissach Canton: Basel Year: 1897 Metal: Silver Mintage: 650 examples Size: 45mm Engraver: Franz Homberg, Bern  |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Cantonal Shoot Baden, Aargau 1896 Metal: Silver Mintage: 850 examples Suze: 45mm Engraver: Franz Homberg, Bern  |
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Valued Member
United States
447 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Congratulations on your new schützenfest medal CCya
Medal Information:
Federal Schützenfest in Glarus, 1892
Martin Number: M432
Richter Number: R808
Metal: Silver
Mintage: 3,375
Size: 45mm
Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle
Your medal is a common shooting medal that was also minted in various metals:
gold: 55 examples
Matte Silver
Gold Plated Bronze
Bronze: 1,912 examples
White Metal
Until just about 2 years ago the market value of this medal in EF-AU condition would have been $25-$35 but since the publication of the new Richter catalog (that has valuations) the medal's value has increased to $50-$70.
I hope that I have enlightened you about your fine medal. I hope you continue collecting Swiss shooting medals, I think you will enjoy yourself. I can help you with resources if you would like; inventory, reference books etc.
Edited by schutzenfester
02/29/2008 9:39 pm
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Valued Member
United States
447 Posts |
Thanks for the info Rod! I'm at work and I.T. has your photo site blocked.  Can't wait to get home and view this thread complete with pics. Hoo Boy! I need another area of collecting like I need a hole in my head!  |
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Valued Member
United States
74 Posts |
Canton: Basel - Cantonal Shoot held in Basel 1900 Metal: Bronze (rare) *This medla is more common in silver Size: 45mm Engraver: Hans Frei, Basel  |
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New Member
Switzerland
30 Posts |
@ Schutzenfest- Nice to see the International interest in our Medals. Sadly, there aint alot of interest in these here, and the market prices have been dropping slowly.... :-( what Richter Catalog are you using to value them? The new one (2007) ? Greets from Helvetia
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Replies: 57 / Views: 36,009 |
First Page
Posted 02/10/2008 1:42 pm
