101736 | SWITZERLAND. White Metal Schützenmedaille (Shooting Medal).

101736  |  SWITZERLAND. White Metal Schützenmedaille (Shooting Medal). Issued 1881. Commemorating the federal shooting festival in Fribourg (43mm, 28.53 g, 12h). By Richard & Vettiner.

 

400me ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA RÉUNION DE FRIBOURG A LA SUISSE, Helvetia standing facing, cradling spear with banner; column to left, two coats-of-arms and wreath to right; in background, rising sun with "1481" / TIR FÉDÉRAL DE 1881 A FRIBOURG, target surmounted by hat; crossed banners and rifles in foreground; all within wreath. Edge: Plain.

 

Richter 414c. Gem Mint State. Extremely brilliant and prooflike, with a great mirrored nature to the fields and frosting to the devices. Only about 300 examples are thought to be extant. Quite rare, especially this attractive.

 

The shooting festivals, in this sense, at the federal level, are considered one of the most important events in Swiss life, having played a historic role in the establishment of the Swiss state and serving as a vital connection to the nation's past. The first federal shooting festival was held in Aarau in 1824, and was then held every few years, with numerous cities rotating as host. Since 1985, these festivals have been held at a fixed point every five years, the next having been slated for 2020 in Luzern, though that event was postponed until 2021 on account of the worldwide pandemic.

 

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