Imperial Free Shooting in Merano: Conclusion and Awarding of Prizes

Appendix.

Imperial Free Shooting in Merano. 2/2

(Conclusion.)

A total of 878 shots were fired at the main target (Haupt), including 174 bullseyes, and 1100 at the wreath target (Kranz), with 158 bullseyes. Missing shots numbered 96 on the wreath and 58 on the main target, a comparatively negligible figure of missed attempts under such adverse and discouraging conditions. In the first days, the center remained untouched; it appeared that the prize could not be conquered in the harsh gales of wind. But after half of the allotted shooting time had already passed, the first center shot fell unexpectedly one day shortly after midday, and was greeted with the loudest cheering and the liveliest sympathy by the large crowd present. The mighty rifle salute thereby unleashed stirred even the surrounding localities. The fortunate marksman was Mr. de Poda of Navis, who brilliantly confirmed his fame with several other fortunate shots in the black. A new target was put up; the first shot fired at it, by the hand of the farmer Alois Mayr of Aschbach, Meran district court, once again penetrated the bullseye in true marksman fashion. When the target was delivered into the shooting stand with this single shot upon it, the jubilation of the participants knew no bounds. This vindication of marksmanship in the Burggrafenamt, so swift and decisive, was regarded as the most honorable centerpiece of the entire festival. After approximately 15 shots, the center was struck out once more by the steady aim of Michael Tschafler, master miller of Tirol. This triad, achieved in an incredibly short span of time, could be read in all eyes as a threefold blossom of deepest joy. The rush of shooters on the last day of cashier operations compelled the shooting committee, also in consideration of the unfavorable weather, to extend the free shooting by two days, in accordance with the general wish of the participating marksmen. The fourth and final center shot occurred on the last day of shooting at ten minutes past eight by Alois von Pernwerth, k. k. Revierförster at Meran, who shortly thereafter secured the first main prize (Hauptbeste) with an honorary shot (Ritterschuß), to the universal joy of the inhabitants of Meran and of all competing riflemen, as he was the sole defender of the homeland from 1809 among all who struck the center, having distinguished himself honorably in the perilous assault on the house held by advanced Saxon troops in the Oberau near Brixen. The second main prize fell to the aforementioned Alois Mayr of Aschbach. The wreath prize was shared by Joseph Ladurner, village head of Allgund, and Peter Gasteiger of Sterzing. The winners of the various categories of the secondary prize (Schleckerbeste) were, in descending order: Franz Pfaffstaller of Margreid, Joseph Schenk of Eppan, Johann Kuen of Schlanders, Peter Seeber of Mittewald, Jakob Laimer of Tirol, and Joseph Kuen of Schlanders. The special prize was won by Johann Kröß of Kuen. The winnings drawn from the entry fees amounted to 396 on the main target and 496 on the wreath. As fortune had favored the immediate neighborhood, which is ordinarily not the case at larger shooting matches, marked sympathy was shown for the fortunate victors. On the evening following the conclusion of the free shooting, the Meran town band (Meraner Stadtmusik) — the very same ensemble that had performed with such acclaim before the Emperor in the summer of 1838 and had played at the national festival at Schloss Tirol — appeared before the shooting stand, rendered several musical pieces with great success, and finally joined the assembled crowd in giving a loud cheer to the victorious sharpshooter Alois von Pernwerth, a proven champion for the honor of the homeland. Since the two subsequent main prizes, namely the wreath and the second division of the main target, had likewise been won by men from the municipality of Allgund, the latter felt profoundly honored. A detachment of riflemen from the said district arrived to the loud sound of drums and pipes to receive these honorable tokens of marksmanship, returning in triumph to the village situated an hour's distance from Meran. These aspects of public participation in festivities of this nature, though perhaps insignificant in themselves, clearly demonstrate where the elements of national territorial defense reside among the Tyrolean people. Thus concluded the imperial free shooting in Meran, in the finest order, without accident, to universal satisfaction, and in that patriotic spirit which Emperor Ferdinand, as donor of the prizes, intended most graciously to awaken and invigorate.