The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

This topic comes from another forum, and as yet remains unanswered.

Does anyone know the history behind "Chairing the Winner".

Why is the winner chaired?

I Googled this extensively but still could not find an answer, Maybe one of the NRA'ers can answer in a bit.

Guys I believe Chairing the winner has it's origins in India during the time of the British Raj. In a couple of his books Jim Corbett who was a very exceptional man and who was also born and raised in India mentions the Chairing of the winner.

It would seem back then the Officers held their own shooting matches in which the winner was carried back to the mess on a chair carried by his Brother Officers. If this is the case I believe that it is just one of the traditions and sayings brought back to this country by returning soldiers, a lot of those same words are still used even by todays British Armed Forces.

Blu

Think I have something about this at home, will have a look & post if I find it.

Heather

Shame you don't get to keep the chair, Corbett would have enough to seat his whole family by now. :lol:



2009 West Australian Queens

I believe the origins of chairing the winner go back much further than the Raj in India, probably back to Greek or Roman times when the victor was carried on the shoulders around the arena. Also in such times warriors killed in combat were carried home on their shields or so my history teacher used to inform us back in the grim old days of school.
With regard to the N.R.A. it's probably a tradition carried over from Wimbledon from when the volunteer movement shot there originally.