1889 Mendrisio

Obverse

Hoisting their right Schwurhand – a gesture of oath as seen in yon traditional depictions of the Rütlischwur.

Three Landamänner (chiefs of cantons) of noble birth: One be Walter Fürst of Uri, Another be Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz, and the Last be Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden.

These three founding fathers, henceforth hailed as the "Three Tells" - Embrace a steadfast bond of kinship, an eternal unity, and the fraternity of men.

They, the Three Oath Takers, stand firm in their fervent belief and unwavering devotion to the birth of the Old Swiss Confederacy, as they solemnly utter the virtuous principles and values of the legendary Rütlischwur Oath.

In the background, a joyful camaraderie among a trio of men, likewise raising their right Schwurhand, celebrating the enduring brotherhood of this legendary unity.

Inscriptions

GRÜTLI 1307 - Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri near Seelisberg in the year of 1307.

Reverse

The Swiss Cross, emblem of our Confederacy, with beams of light artfully wrought, portraying the virtues and values of unity that resonate across our lands.

A noble feathered hat, graced with the blazons of Mendrisio, the venue of the shooting competition, and of the great Canton of Ticino where it doth reside.

A pair of laurel and oak branches, to be bestowed as the garland of victory upon all champions of the shot.

Background

The Rütlischwur the legendary oath taken at the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy by the representatives of the three founding forest cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, traditionally dated to 1307. It is named for the site of the oath-taking, the Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri near Seelisberg.

This oath of the mentioned three representatives namely Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden, took place in Walter Fürst's house in Altdorf and basically consists of a promise to meet again on 1 August on the Rütli meadow and to bring with them leading and brave men of the three cantons to decide upon a common action plan.

The founding fathers of the three oath takers or Eidgenossen during the 16th century became also known as the “Three Tells”. 

In memory of the legendary Rütlischwur Oath of everlasting unity and brotherhood of men by the “Three Tells” - founding fathers of the Old Suisse Confederacy, namely the leader-representatives of the three forest cantons, Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz, and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden.