cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/59138283
These are Löjtnanterna Wilhelm and Eric Carlberg, the two best members on the Swedish team for group shooting in the Olympic Games of 1912 in Stockholm.
The photographer is unknown, but the license of the photo is CC-BY
“It’s the same picture”
Interesting how the ‘one hand in the pocket’ stance carried through all the way to this guy.
I thought it must be regulations for the competition, but (at least for the modern Olympics) it isn’t - not all shooters do it. But many seemingly find it a comfortable thing to do with their unused hand.
It puts the hand in a neutral, stable position and ensures it doesn’t move and affect their position/balance. It would let them focus totally on their aim with the other hand.
I wonder if it might be to stop their other hand from accidentally helping stabilize their shooting hand.
Or from inadvertently moving it in a way that moves the whole body.
Pretty much, but it’s also just comfy. When I’ve shot Olympic style competitions it’s just natural to put your off hand in your pocket, or hook a thumb through a belt loop. Pretty fun stuff. I should start going to the range again…
A gendarme of some sort and a sporting shooter?
No, they are both lieutenants in the Swedish military, one decided to wear his uniform, the other didn’t.
I wrote a comment about the uniform in the other thread, here is a link:
