Focus on the Queen Alexandra Cup

The QA Cup was designed by R.S. Garrard, the Crown Jewellers, in 17th century Italian style and bears the inscription: "Presented by Her Majesty the Queen to the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs for competition amongst the counties of the United Kingdom. 1907". Medals, to be presented to the winners for their retention, were designed by Mrs Vereker Hamilton, a well known sculptress of the time.

Initially each affiliated club of the S.M.R.C. selected a representative to take part in the first stage (a postal shoot). The competitor making the best score in each county would compete in the second stage (also postal). In the third stage the top 20 competitors would shoot "shoulder to shoulder" for the trophy. The first winner was a shooter from Lancashire, Mr A.G.Banks. After the final, held at Southfields Rifle Club (Wimbledon), the competitors, still in their shooting kit, were conveyed to Buckingham Palace for the presentation. Queen Alexandra presented a gold medal and the cup to the winner and silver medals to the other 19 finalists. The shooters were all entertained to tea in the palace after the presentation. Mr Banks received a civic reception on his return to Lancashire and gave the cup to the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire for custody – a convention that remains to this day.

In 1910 it was decided to enter county teams of six – the team to be determined by postal competitions, with the final being a contest of the top four counties. In 1977 this was increased to eight counties. With but relatively few minor changes the conditions of the competition remain virtually the same today.

The contest continued throughout the First World War, but was interrupted for six years during the Second World War.

In 1986 an individual competition was reintroduced with the advent of the Queen Alexandra Individual Championship and the following year a Club Team of Three event commenced.

Historic results of the Queen Alexandra Cup