Circular silvered metal medal with lateral loop for ribbon suspension; the face with one standing and two kneeling marksmen, an escutcheon in red and white enamel bearing the arms of Kreuzlingen below right, inscribed ‘KURZRICKENBACH’ below, circumscribed left and above ‘FELDSCHUTZENGESELLSCHAFT’ (Field Shooting Union); the reverse plain, stippled, with maker’s mark ‘Huguenin LE LOCLE’; on a long length of original display ribbon in the Swiss national colours with top bar mounted for wear, inscribed ‘JAHRES MEISTERSCHAFT’ (annual championship), with a small bar ‘1962’. The origins and history of the Kurzrickenbach Field Shooting Union were lost in a fire but probably date back to the late 19th Century. Kurzrickenbach was incorporated into the municipality of Kreuzlingen in 1927 and is situated in the northeast of Switzerland on Lake Constance. Switzerland has a small standing army but, as a result of her conscription policy and compulsory military training for all 20-year-old males, has a powerful citizen army ready to defend the country. Regular shooting competitions are an important element in maintaining military skills and also social bonds. An interesting medal of striking design.
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