Dominion of Canada, Rajah of Kolapore’s Prize 1872, gold cross, 36 x 36mm., obverse: soldier knelt firing rifle; reverse: engraved, ‘Presented by the Government of the Dominion of Canada, Gunner James Shand, 1st Brigade, Garrison Artillery’, complete with gold buckle on ribbon, extremely fine, attractive £140-180

In 1870 the Rajah of Kolapore presented £100 to the National Rifle Association as a prize. He also sent his £10 subscription but died suddenly a few months later. The N.R.A. Council decided to invest the whole amount in a trophy - a pair of challenge vases to be named after the Rajah and to be competed for by teams from Great Britain, India, Canada and other colonies. The first shooting match was held in 1872 and was won by Canada.

Gunner James Shand, Nova Scotia, 1st Artillery of Canada was in the Candian team that won the Rajah of Kolapore’s Prize in 1872. He distinguished himself by being the top scorer for Canada; for the distances of 200, 500 and 600 yards his scores were 23, 25 and 22 points respectively. He is also recorded as achieving 13th place in the individual ‘Henry Prize’ and being part of the 2nd placed team of three in the London Merchant’s Cup. Sold with copied research on the Prize and the recipient.