The Swiss Way -- Greatest Shooting Festival

[skeetshot]

The greatest shooting festival in the world for youngsters takes place every year in Zurich, Switzerland. Imagine thousands of boys and girls shooting military service rifle over three days amid an enormous fair with ferris wheels and wild rides of all kinds. You’re at the Knabenschiessen (boys’ shooting contest).

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The Knabenschiessen Fair.

Held since the year 1657, the competition traditionally has been both a sport and a way of encouraging marksmanship in a country where every male serves in the militia army. Today, girls compete along side the boys. In fact, girls are now winning the competition.



It’s September 13, 2004. In the U.S. on this date, the Clinton fake “assault weapon” ban sunsets. In Zurich, some 5,631 teens – 4,046 boys and 1,585 girls, aged 13-17 – have finished firing the Swiss service rifle, and it’s time for the shootoff.

Geschossen wird mit dem Armee-Sturmgewehr

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That rifle is the SIG Strumgeweher (assault rifle) model 1990 (Stgw 90), a selective fire, 5.6 mm rifle with folding skeleton stock, bayonet lug, bipod, and grenade launcher. The Stgw 90 is a real assault rifle in that it is fully automatic, although that feature is disabled during the competition. Every Swiss man, on reaching age 20, is issued one to keep at home. Imagine all those teenagers firing this real assault rifle while their moms and dads look on with approval, anxiously awaiting the scores.

The Knabenschiessen takes place at the Albisgütli shooting range, located in a residential section of Zurich going up toward the Uetliberg mountain. Noise is not a problem – the tram that stops there is louder. When in Zurich, I run on the Uetliberg paths, and find the sound of rifle fire (at times combined with cow bells) melodic.


The Boss: Girl instructs air pistol, ages 8 and up.

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Indeed, you might hear rifle fire just about anywhere in Switzerland. Just before the Knabenschiessen, I ran the Jungfrau Marathon. It was “march or die,” straight up to the Eiger Glacier (featured in the movie The Eiger Sanction). Half way up, I heard the pleasant sound of rifle fire. What did the runners from Japan, where guns are banned, think?

The day after the race, I took the rail to Zurich to observe the second and third days of the Knabenschiessen. I met up with my old friend Fritz Rudolf, editor of Schiessen Schweiz (the Swiss Shooting Newspaper), the official organ of what could be called the Swiss NRA. We talked to some of the competitors and their parents, who were invariably proud of their young shooters. These children have no idea of how unique is their freedom, in today’s world, to participate in such shooting activities.

Ein Familienfest

It was a real family affair. Besides watching their older siblings, children aged 8 to 15 competed in air pistol and air rifle events. In air pistol, the guns are supported by vertical braces. Youngsters are coached by more knowledgeable youngsters.

The rifle range for the firearm competition is 300 meters and has 62 targets. This is the standard distance for all Swiss military rifle competitions. Kids aged 13 and up are not exempted from this long-distance sharpshooter regimen. To the right of each shooter is a digital image which shows exactly where each shot hit on the target. Attached at the ejection port of each rifle is a shell catcher.


The score card: Father and son.

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Ausgenzeichnetes Coaching

A coach is assigned to each position where one after another shooter competes. The iron sights are set for 300 meters at factory settings and are not adjusted during the entire competition. After each shot, the coach uses a clear plastic sheet picturing the rifle sights – the vertical post and the ring – with a dot showing competitors where they hit. The only adjustment is by Kentucky windage.

The shooting positions are in a long building with garage-like doors that open and close. The rifle range is on the upper level, and a pistol range on the lower level, with 25 and 50 meter targets.

In Swiss shooting culture, a few accurate hits are superior to lots of “spray and pray” shots. Before World War I, a German general observing Swiss military maneuvers asked a Swiss militiaman what would the Swiss do if a German army, twice the size of the Swiss militia, invaded. The militiaman responded, “Shoot twice and go home.”

That explains why, at the Knabenschiessen, each youngster gets only five shots. And there are no practice shots. Of course, a great number of the competitors are expert “markschildren,” undergoing regular, rigorous training.

Scoring is on a bullseye target with the center counting six points. An extra point is awarded for each shot which hits the target – so each shot actually has a maximum value of 6 + 1. With five shots, the perfect score is 35. All shooting is in prone position.


This girl, one of 1,585 who competed, is being coached in sharpshooting with the Assault Rifle 90, the Swiss service rifle.

Ein spannender Final mit einer strahlenden Siegerin

That brings us to September 13, the day of the shootoff between the only three competitors who shot a perfect score of 35. (There was also a shootoff for the 16 who shot a score of 34.) The competitors were on the firing line with an enormous crowd behind them. TV and newspaper reporters milled around. An exploded electronic image showed spectators where each shot hit on a simulated target.

The crowd was on edge as electronic bullet holes began to appear on the screen. Miss just one point, and that could knock you out. Fabienne Frey, a 13-year old girl, shot a 6, but her next shot was a 5. Her opponents were two boys who were firing a little faster. Carlo Ammann (age 15) finished with three 6s and two 5s, for a total (with the extra point for each hit) of 33. The other lad was a point behind him.

Meanwhile, Fabienne was taking her time. Her third shot was a 6, as was her fourth shot. Everything rode on her last shot. There was total silence from the crowd, she fired, and a great cheer erupted – a 6, giving her a total of 34 points. This cute, petite 13-year old blonde with braces became the Schützenkönigin – the Shooting Queen. Carlo got second place, becoming the Bester Knabe (top boy shooter).

In most years, the winner is a Schützenkönig – Shooting King. However, females at all ages are excelling in rifle and pistol competition. In the year 2000, in the Swiss Federal Shooting Festival held once every five years – the largest rifle competition in the world – a woman won first place in the military rifle competition, beating out all the males who serve in the Swiss militia army.

Politicians rushed to congratulate Fabienne and the other winners, knowing that their handshakes would be on the evening’s news. The interviews revealed her to be, when not in school, an expert crossbow enthusiast. Not a surprise in the land of William Tell.




Viel Prominenz im Albisgüetli

Next came an enormous banquet to honor the competitors in all categories – the best shooter by age group, the best school class, and others. Zurich Mayor Elmar Ledergerber said in his speech that “the Knabenschiessen is for the young, the younger, and the youngest.” Indeed, as noted, 8-year olds shoot air gun, and 13 and up shoot military rifles.

The Mayor is a member of the Socialist Party, but being on the left does not necessarily entail being anti-gun. A few years ago, the socialist fringe wanted to ban the Knabenschiessen, but the proposal was promptly shot down. Last year Switzerland’s Minister of Justice was voted out of office after proposing firearm registration. Switzerland stands alone in Europe with her free market economy and respect for firearm ownership, and citizens vote accordingly.

Das Knabenschiessen - ein grosses Fest im Zürcher Jahreskalender

The program for the event, a booklet, depicts on its cover the caricature of a young girl winking her eye – an enticement for kids to come to the shoot. Besides greetings from politicians and event officials, advertising by banks, airlines, and major businesses wish the competitors “guet Schuss” – good shooting.

The Knabenschiessen is the greatest festival of the year in Zurich, followed by the Sechseläuten (Spring festival) and Fasnacht (Mardi Gras). While the shooting competition is the focus, the festival includes an enormous carnival, with acres of ferris wheels, bumper cars, and all manner of wild, turn upside down rides that only teens would venture. One ride zooms dozens of thrill seekers strapped on a circular seating device up an enormous vertical pole, then drops them down, only to stop just before it would crash onto the ground.


Ready to shop: red purse reveals what’s up after the five shots for score.

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“Radical pacifists would probably rather miss out on the Knabenschiessen,” warns an internet site on upcoming Zurich events, but adds “don’t be afraid of armed teenagers” and come and see “a good chunk of Swiss tradition.” For the official site, visit http://www.knabenschiessen.ch, and treat yourself to techno music blended with gunshots, images of flying saucers and space aliens, and the admonition “Nicht verpassen” (don’t miss it) – you know, stuff that appeals to kids.

Zur neuern Geschichte des Knabenschiessens

The Knabenschiessen has been held every year except in 1939. Just days before the scheduled event, Hitler started World War II. All Swiss men grabbed their rifles from home and mobilized to prevent a Nazi invasion. Youngsters and old men were organized into the Local Defense, bringing their own rifles or getting them from the military.

At each Knabenschiessen for the next five years and until the war ended, Switzerland was surrounded by the Axis powers, giving the youngsters a special incentive to practice their shooting skills. General Henri Guisan, commander in chief of the Swiss militia army, would appear at the wartime matches and inspire the spirit of resistance.

One such lad was Rolf Siegenthaler, who I was privileged to meet at the 2004 Knabenschiessen. He later would command a division of mountain troops, and eventually became head of the Zurich Shooting Association (Schützengesellschaft der Stadt Zürich), which sponsors the Knabenschiessen.


One of the 4,046 boy competitors. Notice the shell catcher over the ejection port, left hand gripping the lower portion of skeleton shoulder stock, and sight instruction sheet on floor.

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Hoher Stellenwert auch auf nationaler Ebene

In the morning after the Knabenschiessen, a picture of young Fabienne flanked by Zurich politicians appeared in Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Switzerland’s most important newspaper. Another paper, the Tages Anzeiger, featured Fabienne in color on the front page.

Can you imagine the New York Times publishing an account of a 13-year old girl who won the City’s military rifle competition, being congratulated by the mayor? Not today, but a century ago the U.S. President did so. None other than Teddy Roosevelt congratulated the New York schoolboy who was the best rifle shot of the year. His message was reprinted in Why School Boys Should Be Taught to Shoot? (1907), by Gen. George Wingate, head of the N.Y. Public Schools Athletic League and NRA founder. Wingate had occasion to note: “Switzerland has no regular army, but depends for her defence on her riflemen.”

Zurich’s youngsters who shoot military rifles have a lesson to teach India and indeed the world. It is a lesson of peace, family values, and responsibility, while gaining the ability to defend oneself and one’s community from aggression. As was well known to America’s Founders, who were enamored of the Swiss model, teaching the young to shoot is both a civic virtue and a wonderful sport.

[zombie]

We can't even dream of such events in India. I understand that there is also a problem at social level. Firearms are projected in a bad light by those who are not familiar with gun culture. They conveniently forget that a weapon by itself is nothing unless an evil thought puts it into action.

[prashantsingh]

Very informative post skeetshoot. Never knew you guys had such a strong gun culture.
I was pleasantly surprised to read about kids shooting with military rifles(with iron sights) at targets placed at a distance of 300m. Specially coming from a nation which has not fought a war for a long time in recent history.

[zombie]

Prashant, may be that's the reason why they never needed to fight a war.

[prashantsingh]

Very true zombie

In Swiss shooting culture, a few accurate hits are superior to lots of “spray and pray” shots. Before World War I, a German general observing Swiss military maneuvers asked a Swiss militiaman what would the Swiss do if a German army, twice the size of the Swiss militia, invaded. The militiaman responded, “Shoot twice and go home.”

.

Loved this part..........Though easier said than done.

[skeetshot]

It is the Swiss peoples desire to be independent that the entire nation is an army and all young men and some young women train and keep Govt issued weapons at home.

No country has ever invaded Switzerland, not even the might of Hitler's third Reich, and as we all know, even in todays age they remain an independent and neutral country.

This kind of thinking stems directly from their ability to individually defend themselves and from where their gun culture comes.

[brihacharan]

Hi Skeetshot,
> Never thought a total peace loving country like Switzerland would have something like this.
> No wonder with every citizen knowing how to use a firearm = peace will prevail !!!
> Tks for sharing the clip.
Cheers
Briha

[zombie]

Delivers on age old adage "if you wan't peace, be prepared for war". Switzerland has maintained its neutrality without worrying about any threat. Familiarity of populace with weapons and interesting geography would give hell to any forces trying to attack and occupy Switzerland. Entire brigade of enemy troops crossing the passes can be effectively stopped and frustrated by just a platoon worth of troops.

Any idea about gun culture in another fiercely independent nation of Sweden?

[rraju2805]

Its is impossible day dream in india....

[MoA]

The swiss do have a range of shooting festivals, which vary from canton to canton.

[Katana]

Skeetshot,

Amazing write up on an amazing concept!

Sir, we know you dream of this in India just as I do. Over the years I have tried to coach the local NCC cadets when their camps are held in my area, but the disinterest in all things military or defensive in nature is inherent in most youngsters rather unfortunately.

[xl_target]

That's sad, Katana.
When I was in the NCC, we used to jump at a chance to go to the range.

[zombie]

XL, same here. My primary reason to join NCC was a visit to firing range. Except for that, waking up so early sucks.

Katana, I can't believe that. What has new corp come to? I think this has something to do with motivational skills of their instructors as well. These days NCC postings are considered punishment postings. If their instructors suffer from low morale, then how can they motivate their wards? I remember our instructor who was devil of a man from Paras, one of the premier regiments.

[MoA]

The course of fire for Military Rifle Matches currently is as under:

5 paractise shots in 5 mintues.
10 shots for record, including a mandatory reload after 5 shots in 5 minutes.
and finally 10 shots for record inluding a reload after shots in 2 minutes.
All shot prone, at 300 meters.
It is a lot more difficult that you would imagine.

The rifles are unmodified, and the modfied section only allow very specific diopters without lenses. I surprisingly once finished thrid in one in the unmodified semi-auto category using a STGW 57. The number of shots is the same for Semi autos and bolt actions.

Shooting the modified bolt action. Notice everyone is using a K-31, except the guy on the extreme who was using the MAS. This was a state level shoot, I had a decent enough finish to qualify for the Nationals, but could'nt make it due to work.

[fantumfan2003]

I understand Senior Division NCC is now cut down to two years of service from three.....Cost cutting is the reason....That is sad.......

M.

That's sad, Katana.
When I was in the NCC, we used to jump at a chance to go to the range.