The Wasp — 1877 — page 88: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page from *The Wasp* (September 8, 1877) mocks various shooting styles practiced by California marksmen, labeled as different named techniques: Nash's Style, Wintermuth's Style, Capt. Burn's Style, Spiegel's Style, Gen. McComb's Style, and The Wasp's Style. The humor relies on absurd, exaggerated shooting positions—people contorted at impossible angles, lying down awkwardly, or using unconventional rifle holds. "Creedmoor" references the famous 1874 Long-Range Rifle Match at Creedmoor, New York, which popularized competitive marksmanship. The satire likely targets either specific local shooters known for eccentric methods or ridicules the broader California shooting-competition craze by suggesting practitioners employ ridiculous, impractical techniques. The specific individuals named remain unclear without additional historical context.