Several times I've said to myself, "This is one LOG argument I'm going to stay out of." Aww, the hell I am. First, my thanks to frnkeore for setting down the Traditional Class rules. As I read them and re-read the various arguments here, it seems to me that for those specific items which the rules fail to specifically address - and let's face it, no one of us, much less a committee, can ever think of or remember everything - the "out" for the affected competitor is the discretion of the Schuetzenmeister. As an example, say I show up at a match with a Winchester Schuetzen mounting an original L. C. Cummins Duplex scope. The Duplex, made in the 1890s through the very early 1900s, is internally adjustable; hence by the letter of the Rules, I can't compete in a Traditional match with my outfit. However, again, as I read it, the match Schutzenmeister can choose to waive me in; and being an individual of intelligence, experience, and common sense, I'd be very surprised if he/she did not do so. But even if the Schutzenmeister refuses my plea, the worst case is that I try shooting competitively in another match at another range and decide to petition the ASSRA to make a Traditional Rules modification. Finally, to those who seem at worst to be saying "Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules", oh, yes, we do. Without rules, an organization has no framework and must eventually collapse. Therefore, do not insist that you can always "do your own thing". Instead, if you must aforethought and with sound historical precedent challenge the Traditional Rules in a particular competition, rely on the Schutzenmeister's discretion to grant you an exception. Beyond that, petition for a rule change. In both cases, I'd very strongly guess that you'd win. Oh, one more thing. If you want the low-down on the technology available to early-20th century shooters, I recommend Edward Farrow's American Small Arms, published in 1904. Bill Lawrence
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