November 17, 1871, marks the beginning of the National Rifle Association with the signing of its charter of incorporation in the state of New York. In the years following the Civil War, concerned Union veterans like George Wingate and William Church observed the need for formal marksmanship training and joined others under the leadership of Gen. Ambrose Burnside to form an organization to promote rifle shooting on a scientific basis. But the most immediate task facing the NRA was to find a place to shoot.

The search for a shooting range in close proximity to New York City ended with the purchase of a railroad right-of-way on Long Island Sound called Creed's Farm. As this 70 acre site resembled the bushy moors of England, the decision was made to officially call the range Creedmoor. By 1873, open firing points allowing shooting out to 1000 yards were in place and the first official shots were sent downrange on April 25. Competition in October of that year pitted National Guard teams against regular Army units for prizes that included a Gatling gun and engraved trophy rifles.

Rifles used in competition at Creedmoor were, by range regulation, limited to firearms weighing less than 10 pounds with a minimum trigger pull of three pounds. No telescopic sights or set triggers were allowed in competition. Creedmoor's renowned rectangular targets, situated at ranges of 200, 400, 500, 600 yards and for long range events at 800 and 1000 yards, were made from metal slabs which rang when struck with a bullet. A challenge from the world champion Irish Rifle Team in 1874 made for the first international competition at Creedmoor. Each team would use its own style of rifle and would follow an international course of fire, with the Irish using the British muzzleloading Rigby rifle and the Americans using a mixture of breechloading Remington and Sharps rifles. In sweltering September heat, the two teams began a day-long course of fire that initiated at 800 yards and continued on out to 1000 yards. The Americans won by a narrow margin of 934-931, receiving the finely crafted silver Leech Cup from their Irish counterparts.

Following success in a return match against the Irish in 1875, the National Rifle Association issued a challenge of its own in 1876. The "riflemen of the world" were invited to Creedmoor to compete for the Centennial Trophy, commissioned from Tiffany. This trophy, a full sized replica of a Roman legionary standard rendered in gold, silver and bronze, bore a wreath with the word "palma" signifying the ultimate in excellence. Teams from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and Scotland met at Creedmoor in a fierce competition, where once again the American team claimed an impressive victory. American team members received a miniature of the Centennial Trophy, or as it came to be known, the Palma Trophy.