Another set of "posters" for the Portuguese Shooting Federation

Just published a set of 3 posters, designed and produced "pro bono" for the Portuguese Shooting Federation ("Federação Portuguesa de Tiro", FPT), for the forthcoming Portuguese Regionals and Nationals for Air-Pistol (10 meter ISSF) and Air-Rifle (10 meter ISSF and 10 meter "break barrel").

A previous set, also "pro bono", was produced for the vintage military pistol and rifles ("Armas de Ordenança") and for the .45 ACP pistol regionals and nationals.

And another one - for the 2011 Portuguese Shooting Federation ISSF Referee Certification Course:

Book Collection - "The Ultimate in Rifle Precision"

"The Ultimate in Rifle Precision", The Bench Rest Shooter's Annuals of 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954 and 1958  - to my knowledge those were the only 5 published "year books", and a true unique piece of history from the early years of Bench rest shooting competition in the USA - took me about 3 years, many auctions and (re)searches, but finally got them all on my collection.

"The Ultimate in Rifle Precision", The Bench Rest Shooter's Annuals
1949, 1950, 1951, 1954 and 1958 (left to right)

The books were edited by Townsend Whelen (Colonel. U. S. Army, Retired, March 6, 1877 - December 23, 1961, nicknamed "Townie" ) - one of his best known quotes is "Only accurate rifles are interesting".

The 1949, 1950 and 1951 books were published by The Sportsman's Press at Washington, D.C., USA. The 1954 and 1951 books were published by The Stackpole Company at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Along with this "5 pack annuals", the other top recommendation as far as Benchrest History is concerned, and already on my collection, is the book "Modern Accuracy (in Bench Rest Shooting), The Story of Bench Rest Shooting", by L. R. Wallack (nicknamed "Bob"), published in 1951 by Greenberg Publisher, New York, USA.

"Modern Accuracy (in Bench Rest Shooting),
The Story of Bench Rest Shooting",
by L. R. Wallack, 1951

National "Vice-Champion" - Benchrest 50

... at Carregueira, 1st Match 2011

With an accumulated score of 732 points, just one point bellow the first position, I finished last Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, the 5th match of the Portuguese Shooting Federation 2011 Nationals for Benchrest 50 and got my self the "silver" medal as "vice-champion" (runner-up) on the "Heavy Varmint" class - same position as on the 2010 Nationals. On the team scores, I finished first along with my fellow club members from CPTPP.

Final score sums the best 3 matches out of 5 - on a overall maximum of 750 points.

I competed with my "old trusty" German made J.G. Anschütz 1903, with a classic JGA BR50 stock, with Leupold Competition 45x, made in the USA, scope over Sportsmatck mounts, and using German made Lapua Center-X 40 grains .22 LR ammo. The rest is a ADJ 3 by Varide Cicognani (made in Italy).

This was the most disputed BR50 Nationals to date - with everything "opened" right to the last shot - and with a overall increase on all shooters scores. Portugal goes up on the sport!

5th Match, Jamor, 245 points with 12 X

4th Match, Tavira, 235 points with 8 X

3rd Match, Fervença, 244 points with 10 X

2nd Match, Fervença, 243 points with 8 X

1st Match, Carregueira, 242 points with 10 X

P. Mateus - 2nd on the 2011 BR50 Nationals
- best 3 of 5 match overall scores

P. Mateus at the 5th Match at Jamor, 2nd October 2011
- during he "setup period", still with the safety flag marker on the breech

Erasmo Giordano and the 9x21mm

Last Sunday, September, 25th, at the Portuguese Shooting Federation 9mm Pistol 2011 Nationals, and shooting within the same Club team (a 3 persons team - along with another fellow Club member, Mário Dias), I was along Erasmo R. Giordano, the Italian inventor of the 9x21mm caliber - retired and living in Portugal. I took his time - always in a good mood - to get hold of an extended autograph on the book "Cartridges of the World", 11th Edition, rigth on "his own" 9x21mm page.

Chating with Erasmo R. Giordano, on the left,
about "Cartridges of The World"

Original, in Italian: "All'amico Pedro Mateus, da parte del "Papá"
e inventori del 9x21, con stima e simpatia. Erasmo R. Giordano. "

"To my friend Pedro Mateus, from the "Dad" and inventor of the 9x21,
with high regards and sympathy, Erasmo R. Giordano"

Me, holding the "Cartridges of the World" 11th Ed. , on the right,
and Erasmo R. Giordano, on the left

Original leather sling on my Vergueiro - Portuguese Mauser

With the help of Brian from Bryburn Trading Co Pty Ltd, an Australian (St. Peters, New South Wales) vintage "militaria collectable" dealer,  I managed to get hold of one original Portuguese Mauser Vergueiro leather sling (originated from the units that Portugal sold to Brazil) - complete with all the original brass elements (buckle and button) and the leather loop holder. Now my +100 years old piece of working history is complete - and all original.

Left side

Right side

Detail on the back section - with leather loop holder and brass buckle

Detail on the front loop brass button