Antique 1922 Irving Park Rifle Club Sterling Silver Match Medal Chicago Schridde
Antique 1922 Sterling Silver Irving Park Rifle Club Match Medal – Wm. Offered up for sale is the pictured 1922 Chicago competitive shooting medal. This three-tiered shooting prize was awarded for a “Reentry Match” in 1922 to L. ” This piece has exceptional provenance, sourced directly from a dedicated estate collection of 1920s Chicago-area marksmanship awards (including historical 1922 National Match “Dogs of War pieces). Historical Context & Match Status: A Top-Tier Award. During the post-WWI era, “Reentry Matches” were highly competitive events run at smallbore tournaments. While entry-level, qualification, or general attendance prizes of this era were typically simple, mass-produced single-piece bronze or silver-wash pins, this award is a distinct step above. Fabricated in heavy solid sterling silver with custom hand-engravings, this elaborate hanging system represents a top-tier championship or podium placement prize won during the prominent 1922 tournament ecosystem. A beautifully scrolled header bar hand-engraved with the recipient’s name, L. Suspended directly beneath this bar is a dangling miniature target disk featuring concentric bullseye rings-a premium, separate visual design indicator reserved strictly for a high score or match winner distinction. Middle Tier (Club Banner). A stylized horizontal banner identifying the organization: Irving Park Rifle Club, a prominent historical civilian shooting organization in the Chicago area. A heavy, circular medal showing a bold 5-pointed star overlaid with crossed rifles. The star is set against a detailed sunburst pattern and framed entirely by a victory laurel wreath. The reverse side is clearly hand-engraved with “reentry 1922″ and bears the maker mark Wm. Condition & Material Analysis. Storage History: Safely preserved under glass in a display environment since the 1940s. The three primary decorative plaques and the dangling target are struck in Solid Sterling Silver. Because they have been protected, the hand-engraving cuts remain incredibly bright, reflective, and completely uncorroded. The undisturbed surface surrounding the engravings has developed a beautiful, deep, authentic antique patina over the last century. Chains & Connection Hardware. The connector chain links show a slightly “fuzzy” texture and surface oxidation distinctly different from the sterling silver components. This is completely consistent with the era’s manufacturing practices, where durable base metals or pot metals were utilized for structural chain integrity while the primary artistry was struck in sterling. Dimensions: approximately 3 1/2 inches long and its widest point approximately one and 3/4 inches wide. Total Weight: 30 grams total weight. Offered in true “as found” condition this piece comes from a larger set of shooting medals from the Chicago area dating to the 1920s and 30s. Most of these medals have hallmarks from Schridde, Blackington, Jostens & American Metal Crafts and are made from bronze, brass, and sterling silver. This medal was made by Wm Schridde in Chicago from sterling silver and is marked as such. Please let the photos be your guide, and message me with any questions. This medal has been carefully examined and is in the described condition. What you see in the photo is what you receive. I do my best to describe my items accurately and package them well so that you can receive them intact and fully enjoy them. Everything I sell is fully guaranteed. If you’re not happy, please contact me to see what we can do to make it right.