N-SSA Western Region:
John Matuszek 708-485-2731
April 27-29 Match. June 22-24 Western Region Skirmish
What is the N-SSA?
What is the North-South Skirmish Association...
Civil War History
Uniformed Union and Confederate teams, representing actual historical units.
Individual and team competition in musket, carbine, revolver, and artillery.
Costume competition for members and families.
The North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) was formed in 1950 to commemorate the heroism of the men, of both sides, who fought in the American Civil War, 1861-1865. The N-SSA promotes the shooting of Civil War firearms and artillery and encourages the preservation and display of Civil War materials. The N-SSA works to accomplish these goals by conducting skirmishes; competitive, live firing of these Civil War firearms and artillery.
Competition in the N-SSA...
" In the early morning sun you can see the dew on the grass. There is a chill in the air, but little breeze. The flags hang limp. You can hear the sounds of measured activity as men check their weapons and fill cap pouches and cartridge boxes. Anticipation hangs in the air. You take your place in the skirmish line that extends over a quarter of a mile. At last, the order is given, "Load and come to the ready." 400 ramrods glint in the sun as 400 Minie balls are rammed home. 400 hammers click back to full-cock. And then the silence. You can cut the tension with a knife..."
This is no scene from the past. This is the way it feels to take your position on the line at a National Match as a member of the N-SSA.
Competition is intense in the N-SSA. Unlike Civil War re-enactments, skirmish shooting is done with live ammunition in original or dimensionally certified reproduction military firearms of the period. The core of N-SSA shooting is the 8-man musket team match. Uniformed Union and Confederate teams compete in timed, rapid-fire events, shooting at breakable targets such as clay pigeons, ceramic tiles, and clay flower pots at ranges of 50 and 100 yards. The team with the lowest time wins.
Members also compete in team carbine matches, team revolver matches and team breechloading rifle matches for Civil War-era magazine-fed shoulder arms such as Spencers and Henrys. There are also team matches for mortar and artillery. Competition also includes individual matches, fired at paper targets for score. In the intensity and excitement of competition, the N-SSA provides a taste of the way it was in 1861 - the urgent need to do your best under pressure.
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