David Levene wrote:conradin wrote:The lack of field depth also does not justify. By that logic, then the 1980 World Record of Free Pistol should not be counted, especially since Moritz Minder did not attend.
I'm sorry but that is absolute rubbish.
A World Record is a score. It doesn't matter whether you have 20 or 200 competitors in a match, the score doesn't change.
World Championships are a totally different matter. If you only have the best shooters from about 20 nations, as in the early twentieth century, then the chances of winning are much higher than they are today.
You actually just agreed on my statement. The 1980 Olympics is lack of depth, most countries boycott is, including the world champion and record holder, Mortiz Minder. He did not show up. The world record was set at that Olympics, probably less than half the field of what we usually have, by a few points. We would never know whether Minder is the greatest, with his 60'MC55.
The only way to compare Sergei and Konrad Staehli is to have Sergei wear Staehli's outfit and use his rifle, which is conveniently displayed in the Swiss Arms Museum, and tried to shoot 300M prone. I have been given a lot of info on this by the curator. Since the target has never been change for the past 116 years, we can answer that question right there, because it is a matter of record attempt. Unfortuantely we don't re-anmimate dead shooters to have them wear Sergei's outfit and use his rifle to try out 50M prone.
Martynov's record of 300FR60PR is 594 (WCH2006, #20), another one is 595 (ECH 2007#14)
Stehaeli is 300FR40PR 360 (WCH 1914 #1)
367 (WCH 1912 #1) WR
355 (WCH 1911 #1) WR
348 (WCH 1909 #1)
So on paper Martynov is better, but they have different rifles, different outfit. Also he finished #20 and #14 only. So there is a field of depth.
Stahaeli has supposedly no field of depth, both 4 WCH and 2 WR.
It is impossible to compare, unless you create a Stahaeli zoombie and give him a modern Bleiker with all the tools he can use, or dress Sergei in a Swiss uniform with nothing but a Swiss army rifle, just the most basic iron sights.
Other than that, Martynov is the best for our generation, and as far as I concern IMHO the best EVER in 50m prone. But 50M prone is not the only dicispline...