Qass
Book.
TO THE EEADER
~T HAVE been induced to prepare the following pages
from a conviction that a work of this kind was needed.
No work has been published since the recent great improve-
ments in breech-loading arms; and moreover, though the
books of Cleveland, Chapman, Wilcox, and others are stand-
ard works, containing a vast deal of useful and valuable in-
formation, yet it has been felt that they are too purely
scientific to meet the desired end. At the suggestion of a
sporting friend of " credit and renown," I undertook the prep-
aration of a work designed to aid and instruct " the young
idea how to shoot." I have acquitted myself to the best of
my humble ability, and trust that it may prove useful and
interesting to those for whose use it was specially prepared —
the young liflemen of America. I do not claim any great
originality, nor do I profess to have propounded any peculiar
theories ; my object being to compile, in brief and readable
style, the views and opinions of those who, from time to
time, have written upon this subject. I must acknowledge
my indebtedness to the authors above mentioned; to Col.
Boucher, Capt. Hans Busk, whose works should have a more
VI TOTHEREABER.
extended circulation on this side of the Atlantic ; the Text-
Book for Schools of Musketry, and that prince of sportsmen
and writers, the accomplished and lamented Frank Forrester,
besides others of less note, whom I believe have received due
credit for any thing I may have quoted.
To the friends who have kindly assisted me, by advice or
counsel, I beg to acknowledge my sincerest thanks, more
especially to Genio C. Scott, Esq., who by his friendly inter-
est has encouraged me in prosecuting my work.
I also desire to acknowledge the assistance rendered me by
practical rifle-makers and others connected directly or indi-
rectly with the trade, who have extended me every courtesy.
I am also requested by the publishers to express their
acknowledgments to Messrs. Brown, Coombs & Co., of the
" American Artisan," New York, for favors received. These
gentlemen (who have devoted a good deal of space in their
valuable journal to the subject of fire-arms) very kindly per-
mitted them to take casts from a number of their drawings
and engravings, thereby greatly facilitating the publication
of the work.
Edwabd C. Barbek.
TABLE OF OOITTEI^TS.
INTRODUCTION.
Fraiik Forrester on shooting. Effect of his writings. Efforts made from the
earliest ages to obtain a destructive weapon. The crossbow or arc-a-buse.
Introduction of gunpowder. Rude attempts at firearms. Muskets first
supplied to the British troops iji 1596. Their unpopularity. What I pro-
pose to do, and how pp. 1-14
CHAPTER I.
THE GENEEAL PRINCIPLES OF FIRING AND MOTION OF
PROJECTILES.
i ^one^al principles. The line of fire or projection. The trajectory. The line
of metal or aim. Inertia. Velocity. Friction. Gravity. Resistance.
Various ideas as to the motion of projectiles. Robins first demonstrated
the truth in 1742. Windage. Rotation. Object of rifling. Bullets.
Centre of gravity. Captain Tamissier's experiments. Sir William Arm-
strong's views. Major O wren's. Effect of the atmosphere. Better results
obtained from elongated than from spherical shot pp. 15-41.
CHAPTER n.
ON RIFLES AND RIFLING.
The old musket. Great windage. Loss of power in consequence. Difficulty
of casting a perfectly solid bullet. How this has been obviated. Rifling
first devised by Zoller. Robins' s researches; his conviction of the great
importance of rifling. Rotation obtained by rifling. Early attempts.
The spiral devised by Koster. Different systems of rifling. The grooved
cylinder. The elliptical or oval bore. The polygonal system. Efforts to
decrease windage. Whitworth's experiments. Trial of the rifle invented
by him. Report of the board. Great cost of his experiments. Varieties
of grooving. The "twist"' in grooving. The uniform, gaining, and de-
creasing. Strong advocacy of each. Varieties found in artillery museum
at Paris. Earliest rifle known. Baker's rifle. The Brunswick rifle and
belted bullet. The system Delvigne. System Thouvenin. The ^Minic
bullet. Gen. Jacob's opinion of it. His proposed bullet pp. 42-69.
Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER ni.
THE RIFLE IN ALL ITS VARIOUS FORMS.
Wesson's improved American rifle, highly approved of by Chapman. Tlic
target rifle. My idea of wliat a rifle should be. Gordon Camming' s rifli'.
Variations in bullets. Good shooting by Sheppard. Advocacy of " off-
hand" shooting. Seth Green. Pattern of fancy shooting by Billinghurst.
Telescopes. Good rifle-makers among the Canadians pp. 70-71.
CHAPTER IV.
BREECH-LOADERS.
The muzzle-loader fast being superseded by the breech-loader. Lesson learned
from the needle-gun. Early invention of breech-loaders. Robins. Colt's
revolver. Hans Busk's opinion of that rifle. Description of it. Sharp's
rifle. Wonderful results achieved by it. The Maynard Rifle. Stabler's
high opinion of it. Favorite sporting gun. Merrill's rifle. Burnside
rifle. The Spencer repeater. Manner of operating it. How it has stoo:l
the test of rough usage in warfare. High opinion entertained of it by our
generals. Report of Board of Ordnance pronouncing it the best magazine
arm. The Ballard. Its simplicity. How to work it. High testimonial
from New Mexico. The Peabody rifle. Its strength and simplicity.
Recommendation of it as a national arm by the Springfield Board of
Officers. Adoption of it by the Canadian Government. Favorable report
by Danish Government Commissioners. Colonel Berdan's breech*loader.
The Remington. Rapidity of fire. Objections to it. How these have
been overcome. Its adoption by Austria, Denmark, &c., &c. Wesson's
breech-loader ; its popularity, performances, &c. Cochran's breech-
loader. Poultney breech-loader. The National breech-loader. The Laid-
ley carbine. The Henry repeater ; delicacy of its mechanism ; unsatisfac-
tory performance at Washington ; Cleveland's opinion of it ; my own
experience. Winchester repeater. Ball's repeater. The Empire Con-
gress. The Hubbell. The Meigs. Report of New York State Board of
Officers.
FOREIGN RIFLES.
AVhitworth's rifle; enormous cost of his experiments; description of the
bullet ; high price of the gun ; the Rigby pronounced superior. General
Jacob's rifle. Nuthall & Boilleau's rifle, &c., &c.
EUROPEAN BREECH-LOADERS.
The needle-gun; its awkward appearance; want of simplicity; its effective-
ness at Sadowa. The Chassepot; anxiety of France to obtain a breech-
loading fire-arm ; advantages of Chassepot over the needle-gun. The
Snider-Enfield ; description of the Enfield ; explanation of the method of
conversion; the cartridge; unfavorable reports of the first results; refu'
tatioQ of them ; wonderful performances at Wimbledon. Prince and Lind'
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX
ners breech-loader. The Cornish. The Carle. The Werndl. Prince's.
Terry's. Westley Richard's breech-loader; accuracy of shooting; its
easy conversion to a muzzle-loader. The breechless gun. Booth's breech-
loader. Pape's Champion breech-loader; its simplicity and strength.
Comparison of the merits of the various breech-loaders and repeaters.
Report of the Board that sat in Washington in 1860 pp. 72-241.
CHAPTER V.
THE RIFLE AND HOW TO CHOOSE IT.
Difficulty generally experienced in selecting a rifle. Consideration whether
for target practice or for hunting. Condemnation of rest firing. Peck's
opinion. Practice made from a rest. Telescopes. Lieut. Godfrey's feat.
The '* twist*' again. A good kind of rifle. Frank Forrester's choice.
What Seth Green shoots with. A capital rifle. Gordon Cumming's rifle.
Breech-loaders must ere long entirely supersede the muzzle-loader. The
best kind. A few closing hints as to the care of the rifle pp. 242-257.
CHAPTER VI.
THE RIFLE AND HOW TO USE IT.
Sights. Elevation. Estimating distances. How to cast bullets. Peck''s
patent bullet Powder ; its early history. The best in use. Recommen-
dation of Smith and Rand's orange powder. Probability of gun-cotton
being brought into use pp. 258-26&
CHAPTER VII.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING.
The beginner goes out for practice. Implements used in loading. Great care
must be used in selecting a practice ground. Danger of bullets glancing.
The kind of target to use. Loading. The greatest nicety to be observed
in all the operations. Position. The British. The Swiss. The American.
Preference for the Hythe. How to aim. Do not dwell. Pull of the
trigger. Rifle must be kept clean. Effects of wind, sun, &c. Allowance
to be made. Use of wind guages deprecated. Influence of the atmos-
phere. Captain Heaton's rules. Rest firing. Advantage of practicing
judging distances. Use of the stadium. System pursued at Hythe.
In-door practice. Urgent necessity for our youth to perfect themselves in
the use of arms pp. 267-285.
CHAPTER Vin.
THE BISON.
His vast size. Natural history of. Immense numbers. Time of hunting.
Manner of hunting on the plains. Kind of horse to be used. Equipments
and rig pp. 286-294.
X TABLEOF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
THE MOOSE.
His habitat. Natural history. Time for hunting. Various methods em-
ployed. Calling. Stalking. Hunting in winter on snow-shoes. Great
physical exertion necessary for the latter method. Choice parts. Breech-
loader almost indispensable pp. 295-305.
CHAPTER X.
THE CAEIEOU.
Its habitat. Natural history. Method of hunting. Its -wariness. Circumspec-
tion necessary in pursuit, &c., &c pp. 80G-310.
CHAPTER XI.
DEEK.
Natural history of. Various modes of hunting. "Watching; shining; still
hunting ; driving. Pointers used before. I disagree with Major King.
Description of a hunt, the coinj de grace. Frank Forrester's advice to
young sportsmen pp. 811-320.
CHAPTER XII.
THE HOUND.
Varieties of hounds used in hunting. The Talbot. Description of a hound.
Points to be considered when choosing one ; Somerville's description of a
perfect hound. Beckford. Frank Forrester. Rules for breeding. Blaine's
maxim pp. 321-326.
CHAPTER XIII.
TURKEY SHOOTING.
Noble appearance. Habitat. Size when in season. How to get at him. Rifle
to be used, &c. Impossibility of laying down rules for hunting. Wood-
craft cannot be taught by precept. A few general rules necessary to be
observed. Ennobling influence of field sports pp. 327-335.
Appendix.
Allen's breech-loading sporting rifle. Roper^s patent arm. Gun's patent
breech-loader. Roberts^ conversion of muzzle into breech-loaders Ham-
mond's military breech-loader. The Carter-Edwards rifle. Herr von
Deyse's grenade rifle .pp. 336-342.
INTEODUCTIOK
'"' Shooting* is, therefore, as I have said, with one arm or ether,
the head and front of all American field sports ; while
every animal which we follow for the excitement of the pursuit,
or for the sake of its flesh on the table, from the gigantic moose
and formidable grizzlj" bsar to the crouching hare ; from the
heaven-soaring swan or hawnking wild goose to the " twiddling "
snipe, is brought to bag by means of the rifle, or the fowling-
])iece ; and to his thorough acquaintance and masterly perform-
ance, with one or both of these, in his own Jine, the rank of the
sportsman must be mainly attributed, and his claim to pre-emi-
nence ascribed." — Frank Forrester.
rr^HE writings of the above-quoted, popular and accom-
plished author have exerted a marked influence on the
youth of this country ; so much so, indeed, that from utter
indifference they have been roused to take the greatest inter-
est in the chase. The result of this is, that to be accounted
a ^' crack shot " has now become the ambition of a consider-
able proportion ot our youth, and it will be my endeavor in
the following pages to aid and assist in furthering so lauda-
ble a desire by a few plain and simple directions, by follow-
Xll INTRODUCTION.
ing which a young man can not fail of becoming a fair shot ;
after which it depends on nature and himself whether he is
ever to attain the coveted distinction of being counted a
" crack shot ;" for it must be remembered, that like the poet,
so with the marksman, ^^nascitur, nonfiV
From the earliest ages, every effort has been made to pro-
duce and excel in the use of some death-dealing instrument ;
and it is a curious and interesting study to trace the gradual
development of the idea from the rude sling of the ancients
down to our own time, when we have the most beautiful and
effective weapons ; and though great strides have been made
during the past few years, we have not by any means yet
reached perfection, as is evidenced by the constant study
that is given to perfecting the fire-arms at present in use. It
will be sufficient for our puri3ose to commence with the
cross-bow, which appears to have been in general use in Eng-
land about the year 1100, during the reign of Henry I. ; as I
think that it is the first weapon which was used with a
barrel for guiding or conducting the missile. We find that
the stock was hollowed out to receive a tube, which threw
stone or metal bullets, and consequently received the name
of the pebble-bow, or " arc-a-buse ;" i.e., a bow which con-
ducts or directs. The same name (harquebus) was given to
one of the early fire-arms.
The invention, or, more properly speaking, the introduc-
tion into England, of gunpowder in or about 1346, necessi-
tated the use of some weapon by which it could be utilized ;
and we read of hand-guns being used at the siege of Arras
in 1414, and again at the siege of Lucca in 1430 ; but they
THE CRACK SHOT,
CHAPTER I.
ON THE GENEKAL PRINCIPLES OF FIRING AND
MOTION OF PROJECTILES.
rr^HE general principles of firing are deduced from
-^ the relation of positions existing between three
imaginary Hnes named the line of fire, or projection ;
the line of metal, or aim ; and the line of the flight of
of the bullet, or trajectory. Though there is a great
difference between them, they are frequently con-
founded one with the other, and the greater the
range, the greater the difference.
By the line of fire, or projection, is meant the axis
of the barrel indefinitely prolonged. It is the pri-
mary direction of the center of the bullet ; a
direction which this center would not cease to follow
if the bullet were subject to the propelling force of
the powder alone.
16 THECRACKSHOT.
The line of metal, or aim, is a straight line passing
along the centre of the back sight, and the top of the
front one, to the object aimed at. The hne thus ob-
tained is called the artificial, in opposition to the
natural hne, which passes through the highest points
on the breech and muzzle of the barrel, and which is
also called the natural point-blank range. The hne
of metal forms, with the hne of fire, an angle more
or less obtuse, which is called the angle of intersec-
tion. In order that the aim should be good, it is
requisite that the two points determining the line of
metal, and the object aimed at, should be in the same
right line.
The trajectory, or line of flight of the bullet, is the
curve described by the bullet in the air, in its course
from the barrel to the object aimed at. As long as
the bullet is within the barrel, the trajectory is iden-
tical with the line of fire; but as soon as it has cleared
the muzzle, the trajectory diverges from the line of
fire, and this divergence becomes greater the further
the bullet is from the rifle. By raising the slide of
the back sight, the muzzle of the rifle is elevated, the
trajectory of the bullet is raised, and the range
increased. By lowering the shde of the back sight,
the muzzle is depressed, the trajectory is lowered, and
the range of the bullet decreased. The line of fire,
with a properly fitting bullet, is constantly above the
ON THE T II A J E C T 0 K f .
Fl3. 1.
17
umm^
Fig. 1 is a representation of a detachment, the leading part of
which is marching uninjured under fire, which, owing to the
elevation of the trajectory, is taking effect further in the rear.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. The line AD indicates the axis of the rifle ; AC the line
of sight ; and AB the trajectory or path described by the
bullet. EF is a horizontal line, on which the shooter is sup-
posed to be standing.
trajectory, and is a tangent to the latter toward the
muzzle.
The line of fire, or projection and the line of metal,
or aim, will be easily understood on reference to the
diagrams ; but the trajectory, or line of flight of the
bullet, win require further explanation, in order that
the course of the bullet being drawn downward may
be clearly understood ; and by what forces it is urged
from its first direction, the the line of fire or projec-
tion. It will therefore be necesary to explain a few
18 THECRAOKSHOT.
terms used to designate tliese forces, in order to the
proper comprehension of what is to follow.
Inertia — A property of matter by which it can not,
of itself, put itself in motion, or, if in motion, has no
power within itself to alter the direction or magni-
tude of its motion. A body can not produce action
on itself.
Velocity — ^The degree of swiftness with which a
body moves over a certain space in a certain time.
When a body passes through equal spaces in equal
times, its velocity is said to be uniform ; when
through unequal spaces in equal times, it is varia-
ble ; when through greater spaces in each equal suc-
cessive portion of time, it is accelerated; and when
through a less space in each equal successive portion
of time, it is retarded. Accelerated and retarded velo-
cities may be uniform or variable.
Initial Velocity— The velocity at the instant of the
departure of the bullet from the muzzle. The initial
velocity of the bullet fired from the Enfield rifle is
twelve hundred sixty-five and one -tenth feet per
second.
Final Velocity — The velocity of the bullet at the end
of any given range.
Terminal Velocity — The velocity attainable by falling
bodies, which they can not exceed on account of the
resistance of the air becoming equal to the force of
OF VELOCITY. 19
gravity. From this point, if the air were equally
dense, the body would fall at a uniform rate. The
terminal velocity of a spherical musket ball is said to
be two hundred and thirteen feet per second.
Belative Velocity is that which has respect to the
velocity of another body.
Velocity of Rotation (initial). — This depends upon
the initial velocity and the inclination of the grooves
or twist. In order to find the initial velocity of rota-
tion of a bullet, divide the initial velocity in feet by
the number of feet in which one complete turn is
made by the bullet ; thus, the initial velocity of the
Enfield rifle being twelve hundred sixty-five and one-
tenth feet per second, and the turn one in six and
a half feet, the initial velocity of rotation of the bullet,
fired from the Enfield, is one hundred ninety-four and
six-tenths revolutions per second. The greater the
initial velocity, the greater the initial velocity of rota-
tion from the same rifle, and vice versa; therefore,
projectiles fired from two rifles similar in all respects,
with the exception of their spirality, may be impelled
with the same initial velocity of rotation, the initial
velocity of the rifle with the greatest spiral being re-
duced; so that
in. vel. in. vel. 1200 1000
or —77— = —;=—
L for 1 rot. 1 for 1 rot.'
20 TEiJCRACKSHOT.
'Friction is a retarding force, arising from the parts
of one body rubbing against the parts of another. A
bullet is more or less retarded in its velocity by fric-
tion ; in the first place, by its friction on the sides of
the barrel, and in the next place by the friction of the
air, independent of its opposing force. This effect is
produced by inequahties of surface, as in every case
there is, to a lesser or greater degree, a roughness or
unevenness of the surface, arising from a difference in
form, and other causes; and therefore, when two bodies
come together, the prominent parts of the one rub
against the other, so that the progressive motion of the
bullet is retarded, and often driven out of the straight
line.
In the barrel the friction of the bullet will be greatly
diminished by lubricating the rubbing surfaces with a
greasy substance, for it acts as a polish by filling up
the cavities of the rubbing surface, and thus makes
the one slide more easily over the other. In \he air,
the friction, and any tendency to be forced aside, will
be greatly diminished by having the surface of the
bullet made as smooth and perfect as possible : for
an elongated rifle bullet does not roll like a spherical
ball projected from a smooth bore, but s/fcZes through
the air with a spiral motion, dragged, as it were, by
the force of its own momentum.
Gravity is the term used for denoting the tendency
O F G R A V I T Y . 21
to fall to the earth, or rather toward its center. At-
traction is also used in the same sense ; bodies falling
in a straio-ht line have then- motion accelerated as
they descend. A bullet in its flight partakes of both
falling and. pivgressive motion.
The force of gravity is the tendency of every thing
to fall in a straight line toward the center of the
earth. In vacuo, every thing falls to the earth at the
same rate, but not so in nature. Things Hghter than
air, in consequence of the pressure of the atmosphere,
ascend until they reach the strata of air of the same
density as themselves ; things heavier than the air
descend at rates in proportion to their surfaces and
densities ; this is caused by the air's resistance. In
vacuo, every thing falls about sixteen feet in the first
second, and it has been found by experiment that the
faU increases according to the square of the time the
body is exposed to the influence of gravitation. Grav-
ity is thus an increasing force, and at the end of the
second second will have caused the body to have fallen
four spaces of sixteen feet, or sixty-four feet, and so
on. A uniformly accelerating force is measured by
twice the space described from rest in one second.
In dropping a bullet from a considerable height, we
find that during the first second of descent it acquires
a velocity of thirty-two feet per second. Its velocity
at the commencement was nothing, for it began to
22 THECEACKSHOT,
move from a state of rest; at every one of the instants
into which we may conceive a second of time to be
divided, it acquired more and more velocity, until it
attained the final velocity of thirty-two feet in a
second. All these acquisitions of speed are equal in
equal times, because the force of gravity is constant,
and therefore exerts equal influences in equal times.
Had the bullet descended during the whole second at
the final velocity of thirty-two feet per second, it
would have passed through thirty-two feet of space.
Had it retained its initial velocity, which was nothing,
it would have descended through no feet ; but as the
velocity began with nothing and ended with thirty-
two, its average throughout the second was sixteen
feet i)er second, and therefore the bullet descends in
the first second through sixteen feet. During the
second second, the bullet stalling with a velocity of
thirty-two, acquires an additional velocity of thirty-
two, and therefore ends with a velocity of sixty-four
feet a second, the average being forty-eight feet per
second, and therefore the descent is forty-eight feet
in height ; adding this to the space descended during
the first second, sixteen feet, we find that in the first
two seconds the total descent is sixty-four feet, and
so on. The velocities acquired in descending are in
exact proportion to the times of descent, and the
Bpaces descended are proportional to the squares of
OFRESISTANCE. 23
the times, and therefore to the squares of the veloci-
ties. The resistance of the air materially retards velo-
cities; if it did not, every rain-drop, descending, as it
does, from a height of several hundred feet, would
strike with a force as great as a rifle bullet.
Resistance, — In treating of the motion of projectiles,
this refers to common air. The air is an elastic fluid
which surrounds the earth to a height of forty-five
miles ; the nearer the earth the greater the pressure
of air from the attraction of gravity and the superin-
cumoent strata; so that at the sea level, the barometer
standing at thirty inches, the pressure of the atmosphere
Is fourteen and three-quarters pounds on the square
inch. Now, the bullet in its course displaces the aii',
and this it can not do without its flight being afi'ected.
The resistance- varies with the velocity in the same
body; the greater the velocity the greater the resist-
ance. A body moving with an increased velocity
encounters an increased number of particles and im-
presses upon them an increased amount of force ;
from this cause the resistance will be as the square
of the velocities.
24 THECKACKSHOT,
THEORY OF THE MOTION OP PROJECTILES.
In early times various ideas prevailed as to the path
described by a projectile in its flight:
1st. That it went straight, and then fell perpendicu-
larly.
2d, That it went straight for some distance, then in
a cui've, and then fell perpendicularly.
3d. That its flight was curved throughout, but ac-
cording to Tartaghd, in the sixteenth century, so
shghtly that he compared ib to the surface of the sea.
4th. That it described a parabola, as. asserted by
Galileo in the seventeenth century, except insomuch
as it might be diverted from that course by the resist-
ance of the atmosphere. A parabola is the section of
a cone cut by a plane parallel to one of its sides.
It remained for Eobins, in 1742, to point out the
actual path of the bullet, for he demonstrated the
effect of the resistance of the air, which he stated to
be as the squares of the velocities up to twelve hun-
dred feet a second, and this ratio to be trebled after
that velocity, in consequence of the vacuum in rear
of the projectile. Air rushes into a vacuum at the
rate of thirteen hundred and forty-four feet in a
second.
Dr. Hutton, toward the end of the last century,
came to the conclusion that the resistance was in a
OF GRAVITY.
25
somewhat higher ratio than the square of the veloci-
ties (V') up to fifteen hundi^ed or sixteen hundred
feet a second, and that then it gradually decreased,
but was never below that ratio.
The force of gravity having been explained, also
the resistance of the air, we will now proceed to con-
sider these forces as affecting the path of the bullet,
which, at the instant of starting from its position next
the charge, is under the influence of three forces; viz.,
the exploded gunpowder, the force of gravity, and the
resistance of the air.
We will commence by considering the effect of the
first two forces. The bullet, although under the in-
A.
_S C^
77
~^"^^
/6FC-,
^^^^^-^
64 Ft.
•
J
\
144-
Ft,
a
fluence of gravity from its starting point, can not com-
mence to fall until it loses the support of the barrel
and emerges from it. The bullet, from the impressed
26 THECEACKSHOT.
force of gunpowder, will travel forward equal spaces
in equal times; thus, in the first second from A to B,
in the second from B to C, and in the third from C to
D; but, in obedience to the law of gravity, it will fall
in the first second sixteen feet, BE; at the end of the
second second it will have fallen sixty-four feet^ CF;
and at the end of the third second one hundred and
forty-four feet, DG; being at the end of these seconds
at the points E, E, G, respectively- Now this is the
parabolic curve, which is not generally approached by
projectiles, except when moving with very small velo-
cities. The existence of the force of gravity is the
sole cause of the course of the bullet being In n curved
line, and of the necessity of giving elevation to all
arms, varying in an increased ratio according to dis-
tance, if this force acted on the bullet in vacuo; but
acting as it does in conjunction with the resistance of
the air, which greatly increases the curve, the ra^o
of the elevation necessary is greatly augmented.
The general form of the trajectory, under the forces
of gunpowder and gravity, being established, we come
to the conclusion that if a rifle is laid so as to have its
axis horizontal, the bullet that is projected from it
will reach the ground in one second if sixteen feet
above it; in two seconds if sixty-four feet, and so on,
no matter what the charge of powder, or what the
velocity with which the bullet is projected; conse-
ON THE RESISTANCE OF THE AIR. 27
quently, if several rifles were laid with their axes in
the same horizontal plane, the bullets projected from
them at the same instant would reach the ground at
the same moment, irrespective of their velocities or
height above the ground.
The other force to be considered is the resistance
of the air. As previously laid down, the bullet can
not proceed through the air without being impelled
in its flight. Eobins remarks "that he found that
when a twenty-four pound shot was impelled by its
usual charge of powder, the opposition of the air was
equivalent to at least four hundred pounds' weight,
which retarded the motion of the bullet so powerfully
that it did not range one-fifth part of what it would
have done if the resistance of the air had been pre-
vented." It has been found by experiments that the
greatest range of the common musket, with spherical
bullet, fired with the regulation charge, was at twenty-
five degrees; yet, by theoretical calculation, it should
be forty-five degrees; also that the usual velocity was
some five hundred yards per second, whilst in vacuo
it would be nineteen thousand seven hundred and
ninety-two yards per second. At an angle of from
four to five degrees, the real range was six hundi^ed
and forty yards ; without the resistance of the air,
and at an angle of four and a half degrees, it would
be three thousand six hundred and seventy-four yards.
28 T H E C E A C K U 11 O T .
or six times greater. The retardation, or the effect
of the resistance of the atmosphere, varies with the
surface, content, density, and velocity of the shot.
The areas of spheres are as the squares of their diam-
eters ; the contents of spheres as the cubes of their
diameters. With two spherical shot of the same
diameter, the one of lead, the other of iron, traveling
wifch equal velocities, the retardation of the leaden
projectile will be less than that of the iron, an^d in-
versely as their densities, or nearly as eight to eleven;
the specific gravity of lead being eleven to three hun-
dred twenty-five, that of iron seven to four hundred
twenty-five.
It is a well-known fact that great irregularities
occur in the path described by projectiles fired from
smooth-bore guns. If a number of spherical bullets
be fired from the same gun, under the same circum-
stances, with regard to charge and quality of gunpow-
der, and elevation, with the greatest care and from
fixed rests, very few of the shot will range to the same
distance; and moreover the greater part will be found
to deflect considerably to the right or left of the line
in which the gun is pointed, unless at very short
range. The principal causes of these deviations are
windage and the eccentricity of the projectile.
The effect of the rotation, originating from windage,
or from the eccentricity of the projectile, is thus ex-
ON ROTATION. 20
]Dlained by Eobins, who says : '' This whh'ling motion
of the bullet occasions it to strike the air obliquely,
and thereby produces a resistance which is obHque to
the track of the bullet, and consequently periDetually
deflects it from its course." The side of the bullet
which moves forward experiences an increased resist-
ance, and the opposite side which retires experiences
a less resistance than it would if it received no rota-
tion ; the consequence naturally is that the bullet is
deflected in the direction of the least resistance, which
will be in the opposite direction to the deflection
caused by the rebound of the bullet from its last
impact upon leaving the bore, or in the direction to
which the leading surface of the bullet spins. Thus
the track of the spherical ball is not the cur^e de=
pending simply on the three forces; viz., gunpowder,
gravity, and the resistance of the air; but becomes a
double curve, being deflected to the right or left, ac-
cording to the position of the center of gravity when
the gun is loaded, or according to the rotation ac-
quired by the ball rebounding from the side of the
barrel.
The following excellent illustrations of the accuracy
of Kobins' theory of rotation, suggested in the Hythe
Lectures, will perhaps convey a still clearer idea of
this important law of projectiles:
If a wooden ball four and a half inches in diameter
30 THECEACKSHOT.
be suspended by a twisted double cord nine feet long,
and receive a rotatory motion as the string untwists,
it will revolve in the same vertical plane. But, if it
be made to spin while vibrating, it will be deflected to
that side on which the action of the whirl combines
with the progressive motion.
By firing through successive and parallel screens of
thin but strong tissue paper, erected at equal dis-
tances along the Hue of the trajectory, the amount of
the deflection can be observed and measured. In this
experiment it will be found that the amount of deflec-
tion is not all proportionate to the increased distances
of the screens.
Robins, in order to carry demonstration still fur-
ther, Uent a gun-barrel to the left, about four inches
from the muzzle, at an angle to the axis of the piece,
of three or four degrees. When a bullet from this
bent barrel was fired through a number of screens, it
traversed the first screen to the left, but finally struck
the target to the right of the line of aim, taken along
the straight portion of the barrel.
All projectiles, except those fired from rifled barrels
of sufficient pitch, in consequence of the resistance
they meet with from the air when they are eccentric,
sioherical, or elongated (and they are always one or
the other), rotate naturally, the former round an
accidental axis passing through the center of gxavity,
ONRITLING. 31
and the latter round the short axis, also passing
through the center of gravity; so that at first sight it
would a]Dpear advisable, if possible, so to construct
projectiles that they might rotate round an axis in
the natural direction. It must be remembered, hew-
ever, that the rotation, to correct the flight of the
projectile, should be round an axis coincident with
its initial direction ; any rotation in any other di-
rection acts as a disturbing force, and causes irregu-
larities.
The object of rifling is to give such a rotation to
the projectile as to insui^e its stability for the longest
ranges ; the longer the bullet the less the stability,
and consequently the greater the rotation required.
If the rotation becomes too weak at any part of the
range, the bullet will wabble, perhaps turn over, and
deviation must ensue.
It was thought formerly that a rapid twist would
be detrimental and decrease the velocity; but this has
practically been disproved. A high initial velocity
and a rapid rotation can be given without causing
any iujurious effects, except that the greater the velo-
city of rotation with the same velocity of translation,
the gi'eater will be the drift.
A quick twist will undoubtedly necessitate a stronger
ban^el than a slow one; but this may be arranged in
small arms, without increasing the weight, by the de-
82
THE C Tt A C K SHOT.
scription of metal of whicli the barrel is constructed.
Tlie more rapid the twist, the more the ricochet will
deviate ; ' the velocity of rotation, being much less than
that of translation, diminishes but slowly; v/hile the
resistance of the air, being proportional to the squares
of the velocities, diminishes rapidly the forward mo-
tion of the shot.
The velocity of rotation to be imparted to a shot is
influenced not only by its length, but by other consid-
erations, which we will now proceed to discuss.
The greater the density, the less will the velocity of
rotation be impaired by the air's resistance, and the
less will be the rotation required ; therefore lead will
require a less rotation than iron, as explained in a
preceding paragraph.
Yia, A. With respect to
the position of the
center of gravity,
an elongated shot
ha\dng the center
of gTavity very for-
w^ard will have but
little tendency to turn round its shorter axis (see
fig. A).
If the resistance of the air in front of the center of
gravity caused the direction of the longer axis to be
moved, it would be counteracted by the resistance of
ON ROTATION,
the air acting on that part of the bullet in rear of the
center of gravity. In this i^osition of the centre of
gravity, with a weak rotation, the shot would have
the greatest tendency to lower its point, and to keep
its axis a tangent to the trajectory, thereby causing
the resistance to be kept in the fi'ont of the projectile,
and the velocity of the shot to be less reduced than if
the axis of the shot were kept parallel to its initial
direction, and the resistance appHed to the whole of
its lower surface. With a weak rotation, however,
the center of gravity being forward, an irregular mo-
tion of the rear of the projectile will generally take
place; hence a rapid rotation in this case is necessary.
The nearer the center
of gravity is to the rear
of the buUet (fig. B),
the greater the rotation
required to keep the
bullet point first ; for
while the resistance on
that part of the bullet
in rear of the center of gravity is much reduced, the
power of the direct action of the air on the front of
the bullet is much increased in consequence of its
distance from the center of gravity and the gTeater
leverage. In this position of the center of gravity the
bullet is s^x^posed to retain, or nearly so, its initial
3
Fig. B.
84: THECRACKSHOT.
direction, unless the rotation is weak, when the bullet
will turn over.
In the case of an elongated projectile whose center
of gravity does not he in the long axis of the bullet,
an irregular rotation will take place round an axis
passing through its center of gravity, parallel to the
long axis; and consequently, the greater their distance
from each other, the greater the rotation necessary.
In windy or boisterous weather a powerful rotation
is necessary to keep the axis in its true direction ; for
the lighter end of the bullet is more easily acted on
by the wind than the heavier. If the lighter end were
in rear, this part would be pressed to leeward, and
the front and axis directed to windward ; from the
increased resistance on the forward side, the bullet
would have a tendency to be driven to windward. If
its lighter end were in front, the bullet would turn on
its short axis, and its heavy end would try to go first.
For a military rifle to be serviceable, a rapid rotation
is indispensable to keep the bullet steady under all
cu'cumstances.
When the axis of the bullet is net a tangent to the
trajectory, the resistance of the air ceases to act
equally on the front of the bullet. It acts on its lower
surface, and the more so, the more the bullet i:)re-
serves its parallehsm to the line of fire, and the
fiu'ther it is from the muzzle; so that the bullet meets
OF THE CENTRE OF G^vA^'ITY.
35
with greater resistance than if the axis is kept in the
direction of the trajectory, and the range will bo
lessened.
The more pointed the bullet, the further is the
center of gravity thrown back, and the axis is more
liable to injury. If .the point is injured and does not
coincide with the axis of the bullet, an irregularity in
the flight of the bullet must take place. The general
mode of throwing the center of gravity forw^ard is by
hollowing the base of the projectile, and by blunting
the point.
Fig. a.
G FORWARD.
G BACKWARD.
The direction of the rotation of nearly all rifling is
to the right, so that the lower portion of the bullet
passes from right to left. Now, the lower half of the
bullet travels on compressed air, the upper on rare-
fied; the result is that the bullet rotates on the com-
pressed air and works to the right, in the same way
that a top would do if made to revolve in the same
direction, and placed on its edge on the ground. If
the rifling were to the left (the lower part of the
36 THECEACKSHOT.
bullet rotating from left to right), the drift would be
to the left. The longer the range and the greater
the angle of descent, the greater the drift ; but if the
axis of the bullet was a tangent to the line of flight,
this deviation would not take place.
Another cause of deviation is the unequal pressure
of the air upon the front of the bullet, and the twist-
ing of the long axis from the plane of fire. It is
accounted for thus : Suppose the rifling to be in the
usual direction, and the elongated bullet to have a
conoidal or rounded front, the greatest pressure would
be on its lower front; the rotation from right to left
below will cause the point to wort round to the right,
and the axis consequently to be turned in this direc-
^ tion. If pressure is exerted on
the left front of the projectile, the
point will fall; if on the u]3per
front, it will work to the left; and
if on the right front, the point
wiU rise (fig. A).
Combining these effects, and
supposing the air to commence
acting with greater force on its lowest front, the point
working round, the action would be transferred to the
left, upper, and right fronts in succession, the point
of the bullet describing a circle, while the center of
gTavity remains at rest. It is presumed that this
OF PROJECTILES. 37
motion is generally imparted to elongated shot, and
that its axis is never a tangent to the trajectory, or in
the plane of fire. In whichever direction the axis is
twisted from the plane of fire, the resistance of the
air passing through the center of gravity will cause
the bullet to deviate in the same dii-ection.
If the rifles were cut in the opposite direction, the
movement of the axis would be also changed. It is
stated by Professor Magnus, of Berlin, that a flat-
headed shot would deviate, with a right-handed rota-
tion, to the left.
It has been supposed by some that the greatest
drift occurs with projectiles which are without grooves.
Capt. Tamissier, instructor of musketry at the school
at Vincennes, originally placed three grooves on pro-
jectiles to correct theu^ flight, to act as the feathers
of an arrow, by creating resistances on the -p .
posterior end ; and as the resistance of the
air acts in the direction of a tangent to
the trajectory, the moment the axis of the
projectile ceases to remain a tangent, the
air acts directly against these surfaces on
one side, and the axis is forced back to its position as
a tangent to the trajectory; it was supposed that it
had the same effect in correcting drift, but these re-
sistances must reduce range.
It does not appear to be clearly known what angle
88 THECRACKSHOT.
to the trajectory the axes of elongated bullets pre-
serve during their flight. It has been supposed by
some that they preserve their primary direction, and
by others that they form a tangent to the trajectory;
theory may be cited in favor of either assertion : ex-
periment may hereafter prove which is correct.
Sir William Armstrong says : " Experiments have
been quoted of rifle projectiles having been fired with
such small charges as to allow of the projectile being
distinctly seen in its course through the air; and it
was said to have been clearly perceived, in such cases,
that the axis followed the curve " (possibly alluding to
some experiments by a Eoyal Commission at Berlin) ;
" but in all my own experiments," he continues, " the
indications attending the graze marks, and the form
of the holes made in distant targets, led to a contrary
conclusion. In fact, it was easv to understand that
the eye might be deceived, by the impression left on
the retina, by an object thus rapidly moving, and pro-
ducing the illusion of a sort of tail following the
direction of the curve."
Major Owen, Koyal Artillery, in a recent work, says:
"Many who are constantly employed in noting the
flight of shot, assert most positively that when the
velocity is not too high, they can clearly see the pro-
jectiles descend with their points downward. It is
difficult to say whether this is a mere optical delusion;
ON THE FLIGHT OF PEOJECTILES. o\)
but the effects in targets, which can be examined at
leisure, are more satisfactory evidence than that of
the mere view of a shot during flight. Now, it is
almost invariably found that the holes made in tar-
gets are circular, even when elongated shot descend
at considerable angles; for instance, some forty-pound
shot fired recently at seven and ten degrees of eleva-
tion, the angles of descent for which would be about
nine and thirteen degTees respectively, cut circular
holes out of vertical targets made of thin wood cov-
ered with sheet lead. The most probable explanation
of this fact must evidently be that the point of the
shot had drooped during flight; so that, on striking,
the longer axis was nearly perpendicular to the plane
of the target This drooping of the point is of
importance, for did the axis remain parallel, during
flight, to its primary direction, the projectile would,
most probably, when fired at any but a very low
angle, on striking an object of hard material and
sohd structure, as a wall, etc., turn up against it
lengthways, and therefore produce but trifling effect.
This has not, however, been found to take place in
the experiments hitherto made, but on the contrary,
the penetrations of elongated shot at considerable
ranges are always remarkably great. There is but
little fear of a shot turning up against an object
unless the velocity both of translation and rotation
be very low, and the angle of fire very high.''
40 THECRACKISHOT.
The effect of the density of the atmosphere on the
flight of rifle projectiles, more especially apparent at
long ranges, is now universally recognized. The
denser the atmosphere, the greater the resistance and
retardation : consequently the lower the bullet will
strike ; the rarer the atmosphere, the less the resist-
ance, and the higher the bullet will strike.
The initial velocity of a round shot is greater than
that of an elongated one of the same diameter, taken
transversely. Yet owing to the greater retardation it
experiences (whereby its velocity is diminished), its
flight is considerably less than that of the elongated
shot, which latter travels at a more uniform speed
throughout its flight.
Greater range and greater accuracy are attained by
the use of the elongated shot than by the spherical ;
the angle of elevation being much less, its trajectory
will be lower, thereby increasing the chance of its
striking the object.
Sir William Armstrong states that at certain low
elevations the range of an elongated projectile is
greater in the atmosphere than in vacuo, and the fol-
lowing is the explanation given by him : " In a vacuum
the trajectory would be the same, whether the pro-
jectile were elongated or spherical, so long as the
angle of elevation and the initial velocity were con-
stant ; but the presence of a resisting atmosphere
ONVACUUJI. 41
makes this remarkable difference, that, while it greatly
shortens the range of the round shot, it actually pro-
longs that of the elongated projectile, provided that
the angle of elevation does not exceed a certain hmit,
which in my experiments I have found to be about
six degrees. This appears at first very paradoxical,
but it may be easily explained. The elongated shot,
if perfectly formed and having a sufficient rotation,
retains the same inclination to the horizontal plane
throughout its flight, and consequently acquires a
continually increasiag obliquity to the curve of its
flight. Now, the effect of this obliquity is, that the
projectile is in a measiu'e sustained upon the air, just
as a kite is supported by the current of air meeting
the inclined surface, and the result is that its descent
is retarded, so that it has time to reach to a greater
distance.
CHAPTER IL
ON RIFLES AND RIFLING.
'TTT'HAT a rifle is, and what the object of rifling
^ ^ is, are questions which the young beginner
will be very apt to ask, and it is necessary that this
laudable desire for knowledge should be at once
gratified.
The barrel of the old musket or smooth-bore was
little else than a tube of iron, in which the ball fitted
so loosely that when clean it would readily fall to the
breech. In order to load easily it was necessary to
have the ball much smaller than the bore of the gun,
which caused great " windage," and occasioned con-
siderable loss of propelling power, on account of the
escape of a portion of the explosive gas on one side
or other of the ball, which, at the instant of leaving
the muzzle of the gun, received a direction fi'om that
side of the barrel against which it was last in contact
with. No surprise will therefore be felt at the wild-
ness of the flight of the projectile discharged from a
smooth-bore. In addition to this, an almost insuper-
OBJECT OF RIFLING. 43
able difficulty had to be overcome in casting a spher-
ical ball that should be perfectly soUd ; a slight hollow
or air cavity being generally found somewhere in the
interior. The center of gravity would necessarily be
effected by this wherever it might occur, and in con-
sequence cause irregularity in the flight of the projec-
tile. Hans Busk, in his valuable " Hand-Book for
Hythe," says : " This particular difficulty, it is true,
was latterly overcome at Woolwich by means of an
ingenious apparatus for forming bullets by compres-
sion out of cold lead. Every ball thus produced is
necessarily of equal density and perfectly sohd. Had
it been possible to project bullets of this kind from an
accurately straight and cylindrical tube, their flight,
for moderate ranges, would have been tolerably true,
could the windage at the same time have been pre-
vented ; but when the barrel, after a few discharges,
became foul from the products of combustion, it would
have been hardly possible to have fired many succes-
sive rounds." To correct this obstacle to accurate
shooting, rifling was devised, but by whom is by no
means certain; though the credit of the invention has
generally been attributed to Gaspard Zoller of Vienna,
who flourished at the end of the fifteenth century;
though about the same time (A.D. 1520), Koster, a
gunsmith of Nuremberg, enjoyed a gi^eat reputation
for the exgellence of his workmanship, and it is gener-
44 THECKACKSHOT.
ally conceded that he was the first to practice the
spiral form of grooving ; but it is very doubtful
whether he was awai'e of the great value of the
change. To Eobins, an Enghsh mathematician, is
due the credit of making the subject an anxious
study, and to his elaborate researches we are in-
debted for all we know; his treatise, or " Tracts on
Gunnery," published in 1745, being a standard work
at the present day. In the closing paragTaph, he
records his con\dction of the value of rifling in the
following words : " Whatever state shall thoroughly
comprehend the nature and advantages of rifled-
barrel pieces, and, having facilitated and completed
their construction, shall introduce into their armies
theii* general use with a dexterity in the management
of them, they will by this means acquire a superiority
which will almost equal any thing that has been done
at any time by the 23articular excellence of any one
kind of arms, and will perhaps fall but little short of
the wonderful eflects which histories relate to have
been formerly produced by the first inventors of fire-
arms." How prophetic these words have been I need
not point out, when we see that at the present day
each nation is straining every nerve to produce a
weapon that shall excel that of every other. Vast sums
have been spent in endeavoring to obtain the object
sought, and yet perfection has not yet been reached.
EARLY ATTEMPTS AT RIFLING. 45
Rifling or grooving tlic barrel, originally devised to
remedy the evil previously alluded to, was found, with
certain subsequent modifications, to obviate others of
still greater moment.
The object of rifling is to give rotation to the pro-
jectile round its axis of progression, in order to insure
a regular and steady flight.
The first attempts at rifling were of a very primitive
character, and consisted simply of cutting a few
straight grooves tliQ length of the barrel ; the object
aimed at being to facilitate loading and pro\dde for
the escape of the residuum of the pow^der. Koster,
as previously stated, found that by giving a spiral
direction to the grooves, greater accuracy was ob-
tained ; the theory being " that the position of the
axis of rotation of the ball not being dependent upon
any accidental circumstances, but being rendered co-
incident with its line of flight, the resistance which
the fore-part of the bullet encounters from the air
acting equally on all sides, is evenly distributed round
the center of gravity."
Another advantage is, that if there should be any
irregularities on the face of the ball, they are succes-
sively presented to the action of gravity and the air
by its revolution on its axis, thereby tending to cor-
rect any deflection these defects might give rise to.
I may here very properly give a slight description
46 THECRACKSHOT.
of the meclianical means of cutting the rifle grooves
as first practiced. On the end of a rod is fixed a
cutter, -with teeth Hke the teeth of a saw, which cut
the required shape of the groove; and on the opposite
side of the rod is a piece of copper to keep it steady
in the barrel. The spiral movement is given to this
rod by a socket, through which it works similarly to a
barrel already rifled ; which, together with the barrel,
is fixed in a sort of bench from six to nine feet long.
Sometimes the rod itself is twisted to the degree of
spirality wanted ; and this rod working through two
square holes of its own size is of course turned while
passing through. On the end of this rod being intro-
duced into either end of the barrel, its action is regu-
lated by a screw, raising or depressing the cutter so
as to indent it more or less; it is then driven with
force through the barrel, and repassed a few times,
until it passes easy. The cutter is then made to cut
again by a turn of the screw, and again forced
through, repeating the process until the groove is
sufficiently deep. The cutter is of course directed by
the rod, and the groove is cut with the same degree
of turn as that to which the rod is twisted.
Kobins says : " Various plans have been proposed
for furnishing the projectile itself with vanes, wing^,
grooves, or other configurations, intended to give it
rotation during its passage through the air; but the
SYSTEMS OF KIFLING. 47
only practical metliod hitherto adopted lias been to
make the barrel of a lire-arm of such a shape in its
interior that the projectile while being propelled from
the breech to the muzzle may receive a rotatory com-
bined with a forward motion."
Of all the many systems of rifling proposed it is
unnecessary to speak. They may be described under
three general heads, — the grooved cylinder, the ellip-
tical or oval bore, and the polygonal.
TJie Grooved Cylinder, — Rifling by grooves is a sys-
tem that has generally been adopted by gunmakers
of all countries and in all periods since the introduc-
tion of rifled arms, and is that which is adopted at
the Royal Small Ai^ms Factory, Enfield, in the manu-
facture of rifles for the army and navy. As far as I
am acquainted, all American rifle-makers practice this
system.
The Elliptical or Oval Bore. — The distinctive char-
acter of this system, as adopted by IVIr. Lancaster, is
that the barrel is cut in its interior in the form of an
ellipse, the difierence between the major and minor
axes being twelve thousandths. The barrel being a
smooth-bore is easily cleaned ; there are no recesses
for the collection of fouhng, and the bullet does not
act upon the air with any sharp edges.
TJie Polygonal System, — This has been adopted by
Mr. Whitworth in the construction of his rifle, the
48 THECEACKSHOT.
bore of whicli is hexagonal and measures across tlie
flats, i.e., the minor diameter, four hundred and fifty-
one thousandths inch, and across the angles, i.e., the
major diameter, fiye hundred and three thousandths
inch ; and by Mr. ^Yestly Eichards in his breech-
loader, the bore of which is octagonal ; also by Mr.
Henry, of Edinburgh, the bore of whose rifle is hep-
tagonal, with a rib in each of the angles.
In considering these different systems it will not be
necessary to give any extended explanation of the
first, as it is so common that it would be a work of
supererogation.
With respect to the second system, Hans Busk, in
" The Eifle, and How to Use It," discourses as fol-
lows : " Of all the modifications of the principle of
rifling that have ever been brought out, none can b^
said to exceed in simplicity the one now commonly'
known as Mr. Lancaster's system of elliptic rifling. I
say commonly known, because it is in fact merely the
revival of a very antiquated system, alluded to and
accurately described in ' Scloppetaria ' (page 87) as
^ a very old invention, quite obsolete ' more than a
century ago.
"A problem, the solution of which has long been a
scientific puzzle, has been the reduction of windage to
a minimum, without too great a concomitant increase
of friction. With the old many and deeply grooved
E L L I P T I C R I F L I N G . ti9
rifle, if by any means we could have annihilated the
windage, we should at the same time, most -pvohnhlj,
not only have greatly augmented the friction, but Vv'e
should have cut or furrowed the ball to such an
extent that the resistance of the air against its rough-
ened sui'face would have been increased so consider-
ably that no equivalent advantages would have been
gained.
" In the elliptic rifle this difficulty is satisfactorily
combated. A section of the bore is in fact so slightly
oblate, that without the application of a gauge its
eccentricity is hardly perceptible. The ' twist ' found
by experience to be most advantageous is one turn ia
thirty-two inches. The most convenient diameter of
bore, four hundred and ninety-eight thousandths inch,
is suitable for all purposes, the length of the barrel
being thirty-two inches ; while an eccentricity of one
hundredth inch in half an inch is found amply suffi-
cient to cause the bullet to spin on its axis to the
extreme verge of its flight. It is not very material
whether the bullet, which should be of the softest
lead, be cast with or without a cavity at the base,
though, upon the whole, a sUght hollow is perhaps
ad^asable. In either case, its lateral expansion, at the
moment the gun is fired, is enough to compel it to
fill the barrel perfectly; in fact, to seal the tube her-
metically till the projectile has passed the muzzle.
4
60 THECBACKSHOT.
The bore being as smooth as that of a shot-gun, the
increase of friction is not great, and the bullet speeds
upon its errand, without being in the slightest degree
jagged or indented. The precise form of the fore-part
of the Lancaster bullet, whether acute or obtuse, is
not of primary importance, though it is essential that
it should fit the barrel accurately. For this purpose,
each bullet, after having been cast, is struck through
a steel gauge or ' swedge,' which, correcting any su-
perficial irregularities, gives to every bullet precisely
the same external form. It matters little where the
center of gravity of these bullets is situated, nor do
the defects, incident to all cast bullets, appear to
efiect the precision of their flight. The chief objec-
tion urged against this rifle is its occasional uncer-
tainty.''
With respect to the concluding portion relating to
the uncertainty, I may state that the rifle has been
submitted to very severe tests, both by the military
authorities and by private parties, and the result has
been most satisfactory; indeed after a protracted trial
at Malta in 1857, against the Enfield, it established a
very high character, and conclusively proved its supe-
riority to that weapon. At a later period, when
speaking of rifles generally, I shall again advert to
this gun.
We now come to a consideration of the third sys-
WHIT worth's method OF JIIFLII^G. 51
tern, or polygonal, which has been so identified with
Mr, Whitworth's name, that it is generally described
as " ^\^litworth's rifling ;" though, as I have stated
above, other makers use the system.
In 1854 Mr. Whitworth, the distinguished mechanic,
was induced by the late Lord Hardinge, then general
commanding in chief of the army, to consider the
subject of rifling. After a long series of experiments
he adopted that system in which the interior of the
" barrel is hexagonal," and which, " instead of consist-
ing partly of non-effective lands, and partly
of grooves, consists of effective rifling sur-
faces." The angular corners of the hex-
agon are always rounded, as in diagram.
For an ordinary military barrel thirty-nine inches
long, ]\Ir. Whitworth proposed a forty-five hundredths
inch bore, with one turn in twenty " inches," which he
considered the best for this length. '' Either cylindri-
cal or hexagonal bullets may be used " with this rifle.
" Supposing a bullet of a cyhndrical shape to be fired,
when it begins to expand it is driven into the recesses
of the hexagon. It thus adapts itself to the curves
of the spiral, and the inclined sides of the hexagon
offering no direct resistance, expansion is easily
effected " (fig. A, p. 52).
"While the ordinary grooved rifle depends upon
the expansion of the soft-metal projectile, in the hex-
52
THE CRACK SHOT.
agonal system, rifling may be effected, independently
of expansion, by making the projectile of the same
shape as the interior of the barrel (fig. B) ; in other
FiG^- ^- Fig. B.
words, by having a mechanical fit between them.
The projectile may be used naked, and be made of
metal of any degree of hardness. The expansion
principle may also be combined with an easy mechan-
ical fit, so that a projectile of metal harder than lead,
as an alloy of lead and tin, may be used, which, while
it loads easily, will expand sufficiently to fill the bore
and give more than double the penetration."
In 1857 a trial of the Whitworth took place at
Hythe against the Enfield, when the former proved
greatly superior to the latter, both as regards accuracy
and penetration. It has also been under trial before
Committees of the House of Commons, and main-
tained its reputation, as is proved by the following
extracts from their reports, under date of 26th Nov.
TRIAL OF WHIT worth's RIFLE. 53
1862. They state that " the makers of every small-
bore rifle having any pretensions to special accuracy
have copied to the letter the three main elements of
success adopted by Mr. Whitworth ; viz., diameter of
bore, degree of spiral, and large proportion of rifling
surface. It is not probable that any further modiflca-
tions or quasi improvements that might result from
the question being now thrown open to the gun trade
would be attended with any practical advantage."
The result of this trial will be best conveyed in the
words of the committee's report, where they say :
" They think it only just to Mr. Whitworth to acknowl-
edge the relative superiority of his small-bore rifle,
even as a mihtary weapon, over ail the other rifles of
similar cahber that have been under trial ; viz., the
Enfield, Lancaster, and Westley Eichards breech-
loader." And again : " With the exception of the
defect already noticed as to wear, and the difficulty
of obtaining ammunition suitable for the rifle as well
as the service, the committee are of opinion that the
Whitworth rifle, taking all other points into consider-
ation, is superior to all other arms as yet produced,
and that this superiority would be retained if ]VIi\
Whitworth could insure all the arms being made with
equal mechanical perfection." This is high praise,
and whether altogether deserved or not will be con-
sidered when I come to that portion of my subject
54 T H t: C R A C K S II O T .
wliich treats of the rifles of various makers, and tlieir
adaptability to the various purposes of war, the chase,
or target shooting. It must be remembered that Mr.
"Whitworth's experiments with rifled pieces, both great
and small, have cost the British Government an enor-
mous sum, every facility having been allowed him, .
and the whole of the immense workshops of the
nation being at his disposal ; while in this country,
individual enterprise has alone had to fight the battle
of introducing a new fire-arm. If American ingenuity
has not yet produced an arm equal to Whitworth's
(which I consider an open question when the per-
formances of Kemington's new improved lifle, and
others undergoing tests, are considered), I feel confi-
dent, that were the same encouragement given and
EouND. Circular. Angular.
facilities offered by the U. S. Government, that an
arm would be produced that would meet every re-
quirement. But to revert to the subject of rifling, as
I before stated, in the majority of cases the cylindrical
gTooving is adopted, but the form, depth, and number
OF THE VARIETY OF GROOVES. 55
of grooves used vary according to the caprice of the
maker.
Three forms have been adopted. The proportion
that the grooved should bear to the land or unrifled
surface is unsettled, but the prevailing opinion ap-
pears to favor an excess of groove.
In all early rifling the grooves were made deep and
uniform ; subsequently they were made shallow and
uniform, and now they are made progressive, f.e., in-
creasing in depth from the muzzle to the breech.
This system was first practiced by Capt. Tamissier in
France in 1846, not from choice, but as an expedient
to enable the French Government to convert their
old muskets into rifles. The grooves were made
twenty thousandths inch deep at the breech, but
were gradually decreased toward the muzzle, where,
in consequence of the thinness of the metal, they
were made only four thousandths inch deep. Col.
Boucher, in his "Volunteer Rifleman," does not ap-
prove of this system, for he says : " There are no
scientific principles involved in such a proceeding,
nor was it even attempted to say there were, though
good results accidentally followed the suggestion."
He proceeds at great length to argue on this ques-
tion, and arrives at the conclusion that the system is
radically wrong, and that great evils arise from its
adoption ; but I do not here propose to make any
56 T H E C Ix A C K S H O T .
further allusion to liis views, but would commend his
really valuable work to tlie attentive perusal of the
inquii'ing student. It is j)^^i'<3ly a scientific work. I
do not propose to make mine so, and have not the
space to devote to a discussion of the subject. The
system has been adopted in both France and the
United States, and has given good practical results,
and this I look upon as being of more value than the-
oretical views.
With regard to the number of grooves employed,
they vary from two to seventy, and indeed I have
heard of more. I consider that from three to seven
are those most likely to give good results.
The pitch of the rifling, the degree of spirality or
turn, are the terms generally given to the twist in the
grooving, which may be classed under three headings,
— ^uniform, gaining, and decreasing.
The first of these is that which is in most general
use in England, and is adopted by Mr. Whitworth in
the construction of his rifle. Hans Busk says : " As
for the degree of twist, I have never found any less
rapid spiral excel that with one turn in twenty-four
inches. Mr. Whitworth informs me, indeed, that with
his hexagonal bore one turn in twenty inches answers
best." And after condemning in the most positive
manner the second or gaining twist, he lays it down
as a maxim that " the twist should be uniform, from
OF THE GAINING TWIST. 57
breech to muzzle, and should not make less than one
entire turn in two feet." On the other hand, the
gaining, or, as it is better known, the " gathering
twist," and which is believed to be of American origin,
receives the unquahfied approval of that most accom-
plished writer, John E. Chaj)man, in his " Improved
American Kifle." At page 135, after laying down cer-
tain general principles regarding the "tv/ist," he says:
"It has been proven by a great number of experi-
ments, to my satisfaction, that at a distance of two
hundred and tw^enty yards a caliber of ninety to the
pound, and the barrel eighty-five calibers long, using
a flat-ended picket weighing one hundred and forty
grains Troy, with about six calibers or sixty grains of
powder, of moderate strength, with a gaining or increas-
ing twist ending at one turn in three feet six inches,
will project its bullet with less variation in a side wind
than any other combination of caliber and twist. To
produce the greatest effect at four hundred and forty
yards, it is necessary to have the cahber eighty to the
pound, and the twist end at one turn in three feet
three inches ; and at six hundred yards, a caliber of
seventy to the pound, and a twist ending at one turn
in three feet. For long ranges and large calibers, the
powder ought to be weaker in general strength, and
the grain much larger than is now used in our best
forty-rod rifles." Again, a little further on, he says :
58 T H E C 11 A C K S H O T .
" Tlie increasing or gaining twist was introduced into
the combination of the improved American rifle by
Edwin Wesson. I am not ayvare that any one in par-
ticular claims its invention, or I would award him all
the praise it deservedly merilQ. I venture to assert, in
the face of those who are sticklers for a regular, nay,
a decreasing twist (here he takes a fling at Greener,
author of ' The Gun and the Science of Gunnery,"
who advocates a decreasing twist), that a rifle with a
gaining twist, in a windy day, at two hundred and
twenty yards, will make a string one-third shorter
than a rifle with a regular twist. I consider at that
distance that a rifle with a regular twist of one turn
in four feet, with a cahber of eighty to the pound,
performs better than any other ; and I know that
such weapons, with a charge of two inches of the
caliber of powder, will, when fired, twist over side-
ways in spite of all you can do, and also ^ kick ' or
* recoil ' very severely. Surely, if such recoil and
twisting can be felt and seen, the tendency for the
bullets to scatter and strike the target in a circle, and
not in a straight Hne, is easily accounted for ; for re-
member that this twisting motion is generated and
commences at the very instant that the bullet is j)^t
in motion, and consequently the axis of the barrel at
the breech end must shift its position, and }3oint,
when the bullet leaves the muzzle, in a direction dif-
OF THE GAINING TWIST. 59
ferent from what it did when the trigger was pulled ;
for it must take sorae length of time (about the one
thousandth part of a second), however infinitely short,
for the bullet to move from the breech to the muzzle
of the weapon.
" The circle of error of these weapons at two hun-
dred and twenty yards is never less than six inches ;
whereas, in an increasing twist, it will not be more
than two inches, and sometimes only one. Any one
may convince himself by experiment that a rifle with
a regular twist of one turn in six feet has but little
tendency to twist sideways, even with a charge of two
and a half inches of the caliber of powder. Assuming
then from experience that four feet is as much as a
bullet of eighty to the pound ought to make one turn
in during its flight, and that a bullet can be projected
out of a twist of one turn in six or seven feet without
any injurious twisting of the weapon; then these de-
grees of rotation can be given to it at the breech and
the muzzle, just as well as starting and driving it the
whole length of the barrel through a regular twist of
one turn in four feet. Is it not reasonable that if the
bullet can be started and driven along the four feet
regular twist at all, it will be started and driven with
much les& friction alona' the increasinor twist com-
mencing at one in six and ending at one turn in four
feet ? Assiu-edly so ; and practice shows that the
60 T H E C R A C K S n O T
twisting of the rifle can scarcely be perceived, and tlie
recoil not worth, noticing. I should not dwell so long
upon this point did I not know that an erroneous
opinion is entertained by some respectable mechanics.
It is not generally known by rifle-makers and others
than an increasing twist is a true geometrical line
formed by the application of an arc of a large circle
to the surface of a cylinder ; and the radius of this
cu'cle must of necessity be longer for a slow, and
shorter for a quick gain. The usual method of laying
out this line on a rifling cyUnder is by means of com-
passes and measurements, which, at the best, is only
a rude and unsafe approximation to truth, and the
curve on machines so made abounds in crooks and
irregularities. The radius of the large circle gener-
ally ranges from thirty to forty feet, according to the
notions of the rifle manufacturers." Hans Busk, who
is well known as a ^^Titer on rifles and a recognized
authority, says : /' The principle in question is obvi-
ously unphilosophical, for besides altering the shape
of the bullet, it causes increased resistance at the
muzzle, the very place that relief is wanted," and con-
siders it altogether a waste of time and money to
pursue any further experiments with rifles of that
principle.
The decreasing twist was advocated by Mr. Greener,
because the motive gas does not propel the bullet as
DEFECTS OF THE UXIFORMTWIST. Gl
fast at the breech as at the muzzle. Many rifle-makers
in this country coincided with Greener in this opinion,
and manufactured their rifles on this principle, but I
believe that all, or nearly all, have seen the error of
their ways, and are keeping up with the spirit of the
age by adopting the " gaining " twist.
It is held by the advocates of a uniform twist, that
the bullet, in a barrel with a gaining or decreasing
spirality, receiving its expansion at the breech, is
moulded into the shape of the barrel at that part ;
but in proceeding down the barrel under the force of
the powder, it is obliged, in order to make its Avay
out, to alter its shape. It is never, therefore, from
the instant it is put in motion, at any two points, of
the same form. This increased resistance to the pas-
sage of the bullet cannot take place without loss of
power, loss of initial velocity, and consequently, loss
of rotation.
As a matter of curiosity, I append a list of old rifles
in the Artillery Museum at Paris :
19 with straight grooves.
131 with grooves uniformly inclined.
87 with an increasing twist near the breech.
29 with an increasing twist toward the muzzle.
83 with an increasing twist toward the middle of
the barrel.
67 had grooves making half a turn and under in
the lenoih of the barrel.
62 THECEACKSHOT.
219 had gi'ooves making from lialf to a whole turn
in the barrel.
55 had grooves making from one to two entire
turns in the length of the barrel.
The calibers of the above arms were, three hundred
and eleven of sixty-eight hundredths inch and under,
and thirty-two above sixty-eight hundredths inch.
It may now be interesting to consider the various
systems suggested, and those rifles which have been
presented from time to time to meet the various
requirements for good shooting and adaptability for
sporting and military purposes ; for it must be borne
in mind that a great number of rifles have been at
various times brought forward that their inventors
fondly hoped would prove excelsior, but when sub-
mitted to the test, sadly disappointed expectations.
Many arms were perfect in theory, but sadly deficient
in practice. The requirements of sporting, military,
and target guns are very dissimilar, and many an
arm that would answer well for sporting purposes, or
target practice, would be utterly useless as a military
weapon, and therefore the principal endeavors have
been to produce such a piece as would combine all, in
sufficient degree to recommend it to notice, yet keep-
ing in view the absolute requirements for military
purposes. Some of the new breech-loaders, such as
Colt's, Spencer's, the Ballard, etc., are claimed to
B A K E K ' S R I r L E . G3
be every thing requisite ; but as I shall have some-
thing to say respecting each of these a little further
on, I will at once proceed to the consideration of the
several clianges in the construction of rifles. The
earliest rifle of which we have any knowledge is a
hunter's wheel-lock rifle, dated 1613 ; the barrel has
seven grooves, with double lines between the groov-
ing. A few years subsequent to this, the first patent
for rifling small arms ever granted, was issued in
England ; it is dated 24th June, 1635, and reads as
follows : " The gunsmith undertakes to rifle, cutt out,
and screwe barrels as wide, or as close, or as deepe,
or as shallowe as shall be required, and with great
care.'' An arm known as " Baker's Eifle " was issued
to the Ninety-Fifth Regiment of the British Army in
1800. This rifle w^eighed nine and a half pounds.
The barrel was two feet six inches in length, and had
seven grooves making a quarter of a turn in the
length of the barrel,
with a caliber of
twenty bore. It was
loaded with gTeat
difficulty, a small
wooden mallet be-
ing used to make
the bullet, which was larger than the bore, enter the
barrel ; this forced the projecting ribs into the ball.
61
THE CRACK SHOT.
and so kept it in contact with their curvatures during
its expulsion. However, after a short trial, this system
was discontinued. This was the first method adopted,
and, as may well be believed, was of so rude a nature as
completely to deform the ball, and thereby destroy any
chance of good shooting. Another method was load-
ing at the breech, but the great difficulties encoun-
tered prevented it being generally adopted ; though
the improvements since effected in breech-loading
arms leads us to hope that in time all difficulties will
be overcome and it will be generally adopted. In
loading at the breech, a ball, larger than the bore of
the piece, was used. This ball, under the action of
the powder, was forced into the grooves, and thus
obtained the rotatory motion necessary to ensure
accuracy of flight. This process, though simple and
easy, had to be abandoned on account of the difficulty
of preventing the escape of gas at the breech, and
the very compli-
cated nature of
the mechanism.
Another me-
thod was by us-
ing the "belted
bullet/' or a baU
with a rim which fitted the two-grooved or Brunswick
rifle, and, following the grooves, obtained its rotation.
BELTED BULLET
ATTEMPTS AT I M P li O V E M E N T . 05
No great results could be expected from this syst:m.
Robbins describes anotlier method in use on the Con-
tin :nt. He says : '' But in some parts of Germany
and Switzerland an improvement is made by cutting
a piece of very thin leather or fustian, in a circular
shape, somewhat larger than the bore. This being
greased on one side, is laid upon the muzzle with its '
greasy part downwards, and the bullet being placed
upon it, it is then forced down the barrel with it.
The riflings should for this purpose be shallow, and
the bullets not too large." This method of loading
tooli up a great deal of time and was not satisfactory.
Indeed, so unsatisfactory was the state of rifled arms,
that they foiuid very little favor in England or on the
Continent, France, indeed, about this time, having
abandone J them entirely, after a long and careful series
of trials. Capt. Wilcox, in his excellent treatise on
" Rifles and Rifle Practice," alluding to these difficul-
ties, says : '' None of the above methods of loading
fulfilled the conditions required of an arm for soldiers,
— the first being too slow; the second offering breech-
loading defects ; the third not giving any marked
superiority over the musket; the fourth, also, being a
slow method of loading. The rifle, as an arm for
infantry, would probably have fallen into disuse in
Em'ope, and been forgotten there, had not a new
method of loading been discovered by M. Delvigne, a
5
G6
THE CRACK SHOT.
SYSTEM DELYIGNE.
French infantry officer of the Eoyal Guard.'* The
method of Delvigne, alluded to by Wilcox, was the
placing at the bottom of the breech a small chamber
having an abrupt connection with the bore. The
charge of powder nearly filled this chamber, and the
ball, which was spherical in form and fitted the baiTel
loosely, rested on it, and was forced into the grooves
by several sharp strokes with a hea\y rammer having
a conical head, in order that it might receive a spiral
motion during its projection from the barrel. This
hard ramming also forced the ball
^ into the chamber, to the injury of the
powder.
Although this system gave easy load-
I ing and increased accuracy of shoot-
ing, the defects were so great that it
was soon abandoned. The fouling was
so bad, that after a few shots the
powder did not go down into the
chamber, but rested on the grooves,
which necessitated such hard ram-
ming to force the bullet into the
grooves, that its shape was destroyed
and its flight became exceedingly
irregular.
Col. Thouvenin, of the French Artillery, brought
out in 1828 a rifle on the tige principle, and which
THE
T I G E '
OR PILLAR RIFLE.
67
SYSTEM THOUVENIN.
i
was known as the carabine a tlge, or pillar rifle. In
place of the chamber, as in Delvigne's rifle, a small
cylinder or pillar of steel was fixed in the bottom of
the bore. The powder lay around
this pillar, and the bullet, which was
cylindro-conical, rested on it. By
this means the bullet was more easily
expanded, and with less detriment to
its shape. In marching, or any ordi-
nary movements, the baU was not
liable to be displaced ; but being
spherical, it received obhquely the
impulse of the charge, and was con-
sequently propelled with diminished
force. The tige system did not come
into general use, though in 1844 an-
other eflfort was made to introduce it,
with Delvigne's elongated buUet, he
(Delvig-ne) having about this time discovered that
elongated bullets, hollowed at the base, were ex-
panded and forced into the grooves of the rifle by the
gas evolved in the explosion of the powder. He ac-
cordingly obtained a patent for a bullet consisting of
a cylinder terminated by a cone. Col. Poncharra
suggested that a *' sabot " of hard wood be placed at
the top of the chamber, in which the ball (with a
greased patch) should rest ; but fi^om the complicated
68 THECKACKSHOT.
nature of the ammunition, and the liability of the
''sabot" to be broken by the ramming necessary to
force the bullets into the grooves, it was not adopted.
Numerous other expedients were resorted to, but
without any success, until 1847, when Capt. Minie, an
instructor of the musketry
school at Vincennes, suggest-
ed the placing of an iron cup
in the cavity of Delvigne's
bullet (see figure). This was
found to answer admirably,
and the construction of rifles
on the tige or stem system was discontinued, the
Dlinie rifle (so called, but which was an ordinary rifle
firing a Minie bullet) becoming the favorite weapon.
By this means the old smooth-bore musket was by
this simple process converted into a long-range rifle.
It was now considered that the solution of the prin-
ciple of expansion had been obtained. Gen. Jacob,
however, did not so consider, for he pursued his
experiments (which may be said to have been on a
gigantic scale) in India, and on testing the Minie
bullet he pronounced it a failure, the iron cup,
fitted into the hollow at the base, being liable to be
blown though the bullet. After many thousand ex-
periments, he decided that a bullet of the following
form was the most suitable.
GEN, JACOB'S BULLET. 69
It was claimed by liim that " this projectile was
eflfective up to twelve hundred yards, and probably to
much greater distances. The effect of its shape in
overcoming the resistance of the air is so great, that
after a flight of twelve hundred yards its progressive
velocity is but httle diminished, and even at fourteen
hundred yards the percussion shells made of the
above shape explode well."
Having now instructed the beginner in the princi-
ples of rifling and the theory of projectiles, I think
that some account of the various rifles at present in
use will be acceptable.
CHAPTER III.
THE RIFLE IN ALL ITS VARIOUS FORMS.
I SHALL now proceed to a description of the rifles
of the different makers in this country, England,
and the Continent, both muzzle and breech-loader,
which latter has been so much improved that for
sporting and military purposes it bids fair to com-
pletely supersede the former. Nearly all the objec-
tions formerly urged against it have been overcome ;
and doubtless, ere long, from the numerous experi-
ments being conducted by every nation, an arm will
be produced that will meet every requirement.
I shall fi.rst speak of Wesson's " Improved American
Eifle," which has been highly commended, and par-
ticularly so, by so competent an authority as Chapman,
who, in his excellent work on the rifle, speaks thus
of it :
" The barrel is made of cast steel, not very highly carbonized,
thoroughly annealed in an air-tight oven, the bore being drilled
out of til' solid bar, straightened, ground, cut, or planed outside
into an octagonal shape, the bore being left perfectly central.
The length of this barrel, breech inclusive, when the muzzle is
wesson'skifle. 71
off, is two feet eight inches, and the loading mnzzle, to be in
proportion, is as long as its outer diameter. The outside of the
barrel tapers a little from breech to muzzle, the difference in
diameters being one-fourth of an inch, and its weight is Ui\
pounds. It is indispensable that the barrels of target rifles be
made of cast steel, and not of iron. The wear and tear of usage
is hardly ever seen in a cast-steel barrel fixed off with a patent
muzzle ; whereas, in an iron one, it is soon perceptible, and its
good shooting qualities quickly disappear. The barrel is not
furnished with a rib, except the short tube at the breech end
may be so called, the peculiarity of stocking precluding its use.
The patent breech is made of wrought iron, case-hardened, and
is joined to the break off by the old fashioned hook, with the
addition of a half lap joint, secured by a square-headed screw,
which is turned by the cone-driver. Such a mode of fastening
the barrel to the stock does away with the wood forward of the
breech, and gives a peculiarly elegant and striking appearance
to the weapon. The false or loading muzzle is put on by means
of four steel wire pins, about one-eighth of an inch in diameter,
and three-eighths long, and the holes for these pins are drilled
before the muzzle is cut off, and as near the outside as practica-
ble. The muzzle piece is cut off and the pins firmly fixed into
it, and then held by a cramp to its place, when the rifling or
cutting is done, by which a perfect fitting of the creases and
bands at the junction of the muzzle with the barrel is secured.
The bevel of the muzzle ought to be turned out in a lathe to
insure accuracy, and to this the attention of a good maker is
particularly directed, for the perfection of the bevel affects the
patching and the uniform filling of the creases with lead. A
small globe of steel is fixed upon the upper part of the muzzle
to prevent the front sight being seen when the muzzle is on the
barrel, so that there be no danger of firing it away. The bore
of the barrel, in the first instance, is scant three-eighths of an
inch, or about ninety round bullets or forty-three pickets to the
pound. It is then worked out with lead and emery until it be
parallel and round, and then cut with what is called a ' gaining
twist,' starting at the breech at about one turn in six feet, and
72 THECKACKSnOT.
ending at the muzzle at one turn in three feet six inches.
There are six cuts or creases, and the sides of the lands are cut
square to their surface, giving a slightly dove-tailing appear-
ance to the cuts. The cuts are not quite so wide as the lands,
and great care is taken in cutting them of an uniform depth,
which ought to be no more than will insure sufficient lead and
patch for the firm holding of the bullet to the twist of the
weapon. It is then what is technically called ' freed ' from the
breech to within one and a half inches of the muzzle, so as
materially to reduce the friction of the bullet and patch in
passing out when the weapon is fired. The communications to
the seat of the cone are free and open, and the breech furnished
with a vent or breathing nipple, about the diameter of a common
pin, and bushed with platina. The lock has back action, fur-
nished with a single or French set, v/hich I prefer to the English
or double set, I presume from education. The guard is of a
peculiar shape, so as to allow the marksman to hold his weapon
firmly ; the stock is of black walnut, straight from the butt to
the break-oflP, and there forms a considerable angle with the
barrel. (I have endeavored to prevail on Mr. Wesson to give
the stock less crook, being convinced that a rifle with a very
crooked stock can not do as good shooting as it is otherwise
capable of.) It is furnished with a patch-box of elegant shape,
and a small box for the insertion of a wiper end, which screws
into the ramrod, to be used in case of emergency. A globe
sight is fixed into the stock just behind the break-off, and a bead
sight at the muzzle end of the barrel. The front or bead sight
is so called from its peculiarity of shape. A bead somewhat
smaller than a pin's head is filed on a piece of steel wire, and
the stack left as flat and thin as practicable ; this stands up
about three sixteenths of an inch from the barrel, and is shaded
by a thimble about three-eighths of an inch in aiameter and
one inch long. The bead, stalk, and thimble are attached to a
piece of beveled steel, which is moved sideways for counteract-
ing the wind by sliding along a dovetail cut across the barrel
about one-tw^elfth of an inch deep and three-eighths of an inch
wide ; a pointer filed on the front end of the thimble serves to
SELECTING A RIFLE. 73
denote how many divisions of the index the sight has been
moved from the center. This index is cut on the top of the
barrel, and is left polished and divided into thirty-seconds of
an inch. The globe sight at the breech end is made of steel,
the top part being circular, with a small hole through the
center, countersunk on each side, to take away reflection. It is
desirable tliat the center of this hole be in the plane of the axis
of the stalk, so that half turns may be used. One side of the
stalk is flatted down with a file, so that the difiercnt ranges can
be marked upon it. Tlie stalk is cut with a thread of sixty-four
turns to an inch, one turn corresponding to half a division on
the front index."
I liave tested Wesson's gun, and fi'om my experience
I can confirm Chapman's good opinion of it. If any
man wants to make fine shooting, lie can not go astray
in getting one of Wesson's best. But I would not
advise liim to follow Chapman's idea of a straight
stock. The more crook there is, the less will the
recoil be felt.
I do not deem it advisable to note the peculiarities
and excellences of rifles made by the different makers
in the States, but to give a description of what may
be considered a good style of gun, and leave it to each
individual's taste to select the kind most suitable for
himself. I will not give any account of the old Ken-
tucky rifle, the barrel of which was nearly four feet
long, very heavy, with small bore, as it has gone en-
tirely out of fashion, but will confine myself to the
kind at present in general use. The American Target
Fiifle is, as I have elsewhere stated, only to be consid-
7^ THECRACKSHOT.
ered in the light of ordnance, and only valuable for
experimenting, being, as T consider, of no practical
use whatsoever. Doubtless, I will bring down upon
my head some severe remarks for so cavalierly dispos-
ing of it; but as my object is to guide and instruct the
beginner in obtaining such a knowledge of rifle-shoot-
ing as will enable him to put it to some useful pur-
pose, I will pass the target rifle over, referring him to
Chapman, or some other writer who has gone fully
into this subject. So many changes are taking place,
and opinions are so diversified upon this subject, that
it is rather difficult to say what is the present style ;
but I think it will be found that a barrel of from
thirty to thirty-four inches, with a bore from thirty-
eight hundreths inch to forty-four hundreths inch,
will be found to answer as well as any. If for sport-
ing purposes, I would counsel the shorter length,
though I beheve that the great hunters of the jDlains
use rifles with barrels of from thirty-five to forty
inches, and of a cahber so small as to enable them to
make sixty balls out of a pound of lead ! It is very
clear that such a rifle could only be useful on horse-
back, as the bullet would not be effective at long
range, and moreover, from its hghtness would not
make good shooting in windy weather. How different
this from the ponderous double-barreled rifle used by
Gordon Gumming in his African campaign, that took
WEIGHT OFBULLET. 75
a two ounce ball, and which was such a favorite with
him that when it burst he " mourned over it as did
David over Absalom !" The requirements of the prairie
hunters demand that they go as hght as possible, and
therefore they have reduced the weight of the ball to
a minimum. I would not counsel the novice adopting
their method, but get a gun that throws a good heavy
ball, as by that you will not only be able to fire more
accurately, but you will secure many an animal that
would carry off the hghter ball, even if planted in its
very vitals. I may here mention that it has been
found by experiment that a barrel of twenty-six inches
is the maximum for strength of shooting, and one of
thii'ty-four inches for accuracy. Therefore a barrel
must range between these two to insure the great
desiderata of strength combined with accuracy. The
bullet has varied with the rifle, and the
picket bullet of oval shape, that was in
vogue years ago, has given place, through
many gradations, to the conical bullet, with a flat
base. It has been found that slightly flattening the
apex, so as to form a vacuum, improves the shooting.
Tamissier, in his experiments, made use of bullets
flattened at the front, in order to enable him to carry
the center of gravity as far forward as possible. It is
very difficult to lay down particular rules as to what
a rifle shall be, as marksmen and gun-makers are both
76 THECRACKSHOT.
wliimsical, and each one has his set idea as to what a
rifle should be. Some advocate a long barrel, while
others maintain that any thing beyond thirty-three
inches militates against good shooting. The best
firing I have ever seen was made by C. Sheppard, of
Toronto, with a rifle made by W. P. Marston, of that
city; it is of fifty bore, thirty-three inch barrel, pitch
of rifling one turn in thirty inches, six grooved, cut
square the width of the lands; depth of groove fifteen
thousandths inch, and slightly freed at the breech ;
charge of powder, two and a half di'ams ; weight of
rifle, from nine to ten pounds. These proportions
are about as good as can be hit upon. The shooting
made by Sheppard was at three, four, and five hun-
dred yards ; fifty shots at each range, fired on pre-
viously fixed days without regard to the weather,
which was sometimes ver}^ bad. His average for the
one hundred and fifty shots was at three hundred
yards, six and one-quarter inches ; at four hundred
yards, eight inches ; at five hundred yards, nine and
three-quarters inches. It must be understood that
this was done with open sights and without any rest.
A Capt. Boustead in Hamilton made three shots at
four hundred yards that aggregated only eight inches.
This of course, can not compare with the strings fired
from a dead rest, with telescope sights, fi'om that
ponderous machine, the '' target rifle," but it shows
GOOD SHOOTING. 77
what can be done with open sights. And I maintain
that such style of firing and the use of such sights is
the only vray to make any practical use of the rifle.
Any man that can fire one hundred and fifty shots, in
all weather, at three, four, and five hundred yards,
each ono of which would have killed a man, must be
counted a wonderful shot; and I estimate the per-
formance as being vastly greater than seven, eight, or
nine-inch strings at forty rods, from a piece of light
ordnance like the targat rifle. I may be severely
criticised, by the advocates of the heavy rifle, for ex-
pressing these views, but I do so as I honestly believe
that it is the only way to make a man serviceable in
the field or the forest. I find that Frank Forrester
coincides with me, for he says, at page 111, speaking
of fancy target practice, that it is *' what may be called
the fripperies and fiivolities of the art. Target shoot-
ing from rests, with telescope sights, patent-loading
muzzles, and other niceties, is very neat, and doubtless
telling also in the practice ground, hut ivholly useless
and ineffective in the field.''
I have also been informed, by a gentleman in whom
I have great confidence, that at a meeting of a target
club in Ohio, held just before the commencement of
the late war, thirty men put ten shots each within the
circumference of a nine-inch circle, at a distance of
three hundred yards. Tliis is almost marvelous ; yet
78 THECRACKSHOT.
I have good reason for believing it. I hope to see the
EngHsh method of rifle practice — viz., with light guns
and heavy balls, at long ranges, depending upon firm
holding for their success — supersede that in vogue in
America, where heavy barrels and light balls at short
ranges and from rests are most in fashion. A friend,
who is a great authority on rifle matters, writes me,
giving his views in the following language:
" The old-fashioned rifle, for accuracy of shooting,
can not he excelled, with Curtis' patent muzzle and a
brass starter.
" The improvements in the conical ball for rifle-
shooting sportsmen, consists in flat-
tening the point, as in diagram, and
swedged with a steel die.
" The length of barrel not to exceed from thirty to
thirty-four inches; weight from ten to twelve pounds;
ball, thirty-four to forty-four hundredths inch diam-
eter. A twenty-six inch barrel for the strongest shoot-
ing, and thirty-four for the truest carriage; but thirty
inch is recommended for general utihty. The old
Kentucky rifles were from forty to forty-four inches in
length of barrel."
I have had, and shall again have occasion to speak
of the great shot and veteran sportsman, Seth Green,
of Mumford, Munroe County, N. Y., and it may be
well in this connection to mention that at the last
billinghuest's rifle. 79
sportsmen's convention at Leroy, N. Y., lie proved
himself the best shot in New York State. He fired
with a rifle made by William BilHnghurst, of Eoches-
ter, who, besides being a thorough sportsman and
good shot, is one of the best, if not the very best, rifle-
maker in the United States. He is quite a Solon
among the sports of that section, and his shop is "the
headquarters " for all shooters. The rifle that Green
shot with was a regular American target rifle ; barrel,
thirty-one inches long, exclusive of the patent muzzle,
and weighing twenty pounds; caliber, sixty, and carry-
ing twenty-eight conical balls to the pound; the charge
of powder was three and one-quarter inches in the
barrel. Billinghurst had practiced with the rifle a
good deal previous to the match, and in a letter to
me, speaking of its performances, he says : '^ In rea-
sonable fair weather we have been in the habit of
making strings of from ten to fifteen inches, ten shots
at two hundred and twenty yards, or forty rods, meas-
uring from the center of the bullet holes to center of
mark ; sometimes they would measure a Httle more
and sometimes a little less, according to the weather."
This, it will be admitted, is very fair shooting, but is
quite echpsed by some practice he made last year
when experimenting with a new rifle of his own make,
thirty-two inch barrel weighing twenty-eight pounds,
thirty caliber taking fourteen conical bullets to the
80
THE CSACK SHOT.
pound. Between four and five hundred shots were
fired by various parties during the trial, whi( a lasted
some ten days and was at forty rods; the shortest string
measured seven and one-eighth inches, and the long-
est nineteen and one-eighth inches. This is most ex-
traordinary shooting ; but that it was done, nobody
who is acquainted with Billinghurst can for a moment
doubt. I give two of the best targets made on that
occasion, for which I am indebted to the courtesy of
Mr. BilUnghurst.
TEN 8II0TS— FORTY RODS — SEVEN AND ONE-EIGHTH INCHES.
FANCY TARGET SHOOTING.
81
TEN SHOTS — FORTY RODS — EIGHT AND SKVEX-EIGllTIIS INCH.
In addition to these, a number of strings nearly as
good were made, but they were carried off by the par-
ties that made them. Nevertheless, a record of ten
strings was preserved, on the back of a target, which
show an average of fourteen and five-sixteenths inches,
varying from ten and three-eighths inches to nineteen
and one-eighth inches. I forgot to mention that the
rifle w^as eight grooved, with a " gaining twist " com-
mencing with one in six feet and ending with one in
three feet. All the shootinof was done with Billino^-
6
82 THECEACKSHOT.
hurst's combination bullet, full particulars of which he
will supply to any gentleman applying to him. I have
not mentioned telescopes, as I have very little actual
experience with them. The beginner will not need
them, and the '' old hand " probably knows far more
about them than I do myself. I understand that
WilHam Malcolm's are the best in use. It would be
impossible to mention and treat of the rifles of all the
makers in the States, and I shall not attemj^t it,
merely mentioning the name of Lewis, as I have seen
and tested his guns, which are of first-rate make and
possess good shooting quahties.
The Canadians, who are eminently a sporting peo-
ple, have a number of good rifle-makers among them,
— such as Booth, of Ottawa ; Grainger and j\Iarsfcon,
of Toronto; Soper, of London, who made a rifle for
the Prince of Wales when in this country, and others
of merit. Marston, of whose rifle I spoke when men-
tioning Sheppard's shooting, makes a very excellent
gun at a moderate price. I was deskous of obtaining
a sketch of it to insert in this work, but in reply to
my application he writes : " Were I to send you a
sketch of my rifle, I think it would be of little service,
as its general appearance is so much like other ' small
bores,' and they so like the short Enfield, that a re-
duced copy would look like them." This, no doubt,
is very true. He further says : "I use six grooves.
MARSTON'SEIFLE. 83
mit square the width of the lands ; depth of groove,
fifteen thousandths inch, shghtly freed at the breech,
thirty inch regular twist, fifty bore, thirty-three inch
barrel ; weight of gun, nine and one- half to ten
pounds ; and these I hold to be the best propor-
tions for a ten pound gun up to fifteen or sixteen
hundred yards in wind and weather. The charge is
two and one-half drams of powder and one ounce of
lead." His experience as a rifle-maker extends over a
period of thirty years in England, Canada, and the
United States, and being a well-informed man, his
opinion is entitled to weight. However, as it is not
my intention to specially commend any particular
maker, I shall take leave of this portion of my subject,
leaving the choice of the gun to the individual fancy
of the purchaser, beheving that sufficient has been
said to assist him in choosing a suitable w^eapon. I
shall now proceed to the consideration of breech-
loaders, to which I purpose devoting considerable
space, as I beheve the importance of the subject de-
mands it. I have no doubt but that, ere long, the
muzzle-loading rifle, for all but fancy target practice,
will be completely superseded by the breech-loader.
84 T II E C R A C K S n O T o
BREECH-LOADERS. ^
It seems to be unquestioned that tlie breech-loader,
for military and sporting purposes, will very soon su-
persede the old-fashioned and trusty muzzle-loader.
Nothing but certain defects prevented this long ago;
but the recent war between the North and South,
and, still later, the terrible struggle between Austria
and Prussia, vmerein the latter triumphed by means
of the needle-gun, or zundnadelgewehr, showed that
troops armed with muzzle-loaders, no matter how
good they were, had not the slightest chance against
those armed with the deadly breech-loader. The ter-
rible destructiveness of this arm will be more fully
demonstrated Vv^lien I come to speak more particularly
of the merits of the various arms that have been put
forward as candidates for popular favor. It is sin-
gular that nearly three hundred years elajDsed from
the time that we first have any account of this kind
of weapon, before any improvements were made in it.
It has been claimed that the breech-loader was the
invention of a French king (Henry II., in 1540), but
I think that is disproved by the account given by
Hewitt of the various rifles and guns deposited in the
armory of the Tower of London. In his work on the
Ancient Armor and Weapons of Europe, he says :
" The barrels are of several varieties, — breech-loading
BREECH-LOADEES. 85
and muzzle-loading, bell-mouthed and cylindricaL
Two examples of the breech-loading arm, both of
which appear to have belonged to King Hemy VIII.,
are in the Tower collection. One of these, No. \- of
the catalogue, has the royal initials H. E., and a rose
crowned, supported by lions, chased on the barrel,
where also is the date 1537. The No. '3- has the rose
and fleur-de-lis carved on the stock, and it is remark-
able that the movable chamber which carries the
cartridge has exactly the form of that in vogue at the
present day. These two examples appear to be the
arms named in the Tower inventory of 1679, — ^ car-
bine 1, and fowling-piece 1, said to be King Henry
the Eighth's.' "
Robins appreciated the value of the breech-loa ding-
principle, as the following extract will prove : "As this
mode of loading took up a good deal of time (alluding
to the spherical ball and patch), the rifled barrels
made in England (for I do not remember to have
seen any foreign rifles so constructed) are contrived
to be charged at the breech, where the piece is made
larger, and the powder and bullet are put in through
an opening in the side of the barrel, which, when the
piece is loaded, is filled up with a screw. Somewhat
of this kind, though not in the manner now practiced,
would be of all others the most -perfect method for the
construction of these sort of barrels," — thus, in a
86 THECEACKSHOT.
manner, predicting that whicli has now come to pass.
Very httle attention was paid to this subject until
Col. Colt devoted himself to the perfection of a rifle
charging at the breech. True it is that from time to
time some rude attempts were made in this line, but
to him I thmk is due the credit of perfecting an arm
on the breech-loading principle, and truly a terrible
arm it may be considered. I do not think that the
repeating principle is one that can as yet be success-
fully applied to a mihtary weapon, but for sporting
purposes it is invaluable. To show that I am not
biased in my opinion, I will quote Hans Busk, who, it
will be admitted, is a competent authority. In " The
Rifle and How to Use It," he thus speaks of Col.
Colt's rifle : " I have already (at ]3age 42) adverted to
the principle of repeating fire-arms, as introduced
and successfully carried out by Col. Colt in the manu-
facture of his celebrated pistols. The rifles he has
more recently produced are similar in construction,
equally handy, but of course are more effective still
than the smaller arm. They are of different patterns,
and vary in bore and length, the barrels being re-
spectively eighteen, twenty-one, twenty-four, twenty-
seven, and thirty inches long, according to the pur-
poses for which greater or less range may be required.
Their power, efficiency, and applicability to military
use have been severely tested and satisfactorily proved.
COLT'SRIFLE. 87
In addition, indeed, to pre\ious contracts, the Amer-
ican Government have lately ordered several thou-
sands for the equipment of a picked body of men, the
Secretary of War having reported upon this particular
arm in the following eulogistic terms : ' The only con-
clusive test of the excellence of arms for army jmr-
poses is to be found in the trial of them by troops in
actual service. Col. Colt's arms have undergone this
test, and the result will be found, in some measure,
by reports from Gen. Harney and Capt. Marcy, who
used them in Florida against the Indians.' These
reports relate only to Hhe rifle,' but are clear and
satisfactory; and as that arm has been much less used
than the pistol in our service, they become important.
.... But to return to Colt's repeating rifle, an en-
graving of which I annex. It will be seen that its
appearance is neat, while, as regards weight and port-
ability, it is not one whit more cumbersome than the
obsolete military rifle of former days. By a very
simple arrangement, the cylinder containing the
chambers can, after firing, be instantaneously de-
tached and replaced by a loaded one, so that a dozen
rounds may be delivered with the utmost requisite
rapidity."
In its internal construction this rifle, as well as the
latest made pistols, differs somewhat from those of
earUer make. The catch which causes the breech
88 TnECRACKSHOT.
cylmcler to revolve, instead of acting against ratchet
teeth cut on the cjhnder itself, works in grooves cut
in its circumference in such a manner that a pin, by-
traversing the grooves, not only makes the cylinder
rotate, but also locks it when required. This is an
obvious improvement.
The Government of the United States have taken
great pains to test the comparative value of different
breech-loadmg arms, and the result of their investi-
gations may be briefly summed up in the v/ords of
Col. May, one of the principal members of the scien-
tific board instituted for the above purpose. He ex-
pressly states that, having in view not only Sharp's
rifie, but all others that have been used in the Amer-
ican cavalry service for the last twenty years, he con-
siders Colt's rifle " far superior to them all in every
respect."
Allusion having been made to
SHAKP'S EIFLE,
I think that a short description will enable the intel-
Ugent reader to judge for himself as to the relative
merits of the two guns.
These arms have now attained the highest perfec-
tion in every respect. The proprietors have adopted
all the improvements that ten years of experience
SHARP'SRIFLE. 89
could suggest. The primers are carefully prepared,
are waterproof, and surejire; the arms and thin parts
are of new and most approved patterns, the gas-check
shuts off every particle of escape, and the manufac-
turers challenge the world to x:)roduce an arm of
superior material, strength, accuracy, force, safety, or
rapidity and certainty of fire. They are self-priming,
with Sharp's primer, and adapted to the use of the
army percussion cap. The barrel is of cast steel, and
its chamber or ball seat is counterbored, slightly con-
ical, the exact shape and diameter of the ball, so that
the ball, when properly forced to its seat, has its axis
exactly coincident with that of the bore ; the rear of
the bore contains an adjustable Douching, and the
space between its forward end and the base of tho
ball admits the clamp and rod with which the bouch-
ing is diiven back in adjusting it.
Numerous reports from the ordnance and other
army boards, and letters and certificates on file in the
Ordnance Office at Washington, attest the superior
quality and efficiency of Sharp's rifles and carbines,
which have withstood every test, and — the most satis-
factory of all — ten years' service in the field in the
hands of United States troops, and on board our
ships of war. They have also been supplied, in large
quantities, to the British, Mexican, Permian, Chilian,
and Venezuelan governments, and are highly esteemed
90 THECRACKSHOT.
in the service. More than this, it is the only breech-
loading arm of any account in which loose powder and
hall can be practically used with effect or safety ;
others requiring a very expensive and peculiar kind
of fixed ammunition, which can not be prepared in
the field, and is of no service except it be used in the
j)articular style of arm for which it was prepared.
Our arm was fully tested, in this country, during
the late war.
It is the arm demanded by and furnished to the
sharpshooters, after fully testing the various other
styles presented, not without injury to themselves in
some cases, and it is the first choice of the masses of
both infantry and cavalry as a service arm.
Sporting rifles have been sold in such great num-
bers that their merits are fully appreciated. The
recent improvements having removed the only defect,
— the escape of gas at the joint, — these arms are now
recommended as being the most perfect arm of the
times.
In point of material, workmanship, and accuracy or
rapidity of fire, as compared with any other muzzle-
loading, breech-loading, or revolving fire-arm that
can be produced, we say try it, and if the trial does
not attest its superiority we shall be disappointed.
At the siege of Arequipa, Peru, in March, 1858,
over six hundred of Vivanco's men were shot down at
SHARP'SRIFLE. 91
the barricades by Castilla's attacking forces, armed
with Sharp's rifles, they sustaining only a trifling loss.
In April, 1858, Colonel Suasue, at the head of one
thousand men of Vidauri's force, armed with Sharp's
carbines, attacked Governor Manero, in command of
three thousand men of the Government forces at San
Luis, in Mexico, and achieved a most signal victory,
killing upward of six hundred men, taking the city,
and making prisoners of Governor Manero and three
of his colonels, with a sHght loss.
About the 1st of September, 1858, Colonel Wright's
command, principally armed with Sharp's carbines,
were engaged with the party of Indians that had pre-
viously defeated Colonel Steptoe's forces, when armed
with the old muskets and carbines. The engagement
resulted in a most disastrous rout and defeat of the
Indians, with a loss of fifty warriors killed and
wounded, while of Colonel Wright's forces not a man
was harmed.
This is the description of the gun and its adapt a-
bihty for a military weapon, as put forth by the com-
pany which are engaged in their manufacture. Many
testimonials have been given in favor of this gun,
which is probably more widely known than any other
breech-loader. At one time it enjoyed immense pop-
ularity, but whether it has not answered the expecta-
tions that were formed of it, or from the introduction
/
92 THECRACKSHOT.
of SO many new guns on different principles have cap-
tivated the pubHc taste, it certainly does not enjoy
the popularity it once did. It is most unquestionably
a good arm, and very well adapted for sporting pur-
poses. At recent trials before military boards at
Springfield and "Washington, it performed well ; and
having been adapted to use metalhc cartridges, it
gave such satisfaction, that I understand that the
United States Government have ordered the conver-
sion of a large number of arms on this principle. If
the Sharp does not now occupy the same prominent
position that it once did, it is not owing to any in-
feriority on its part, but to the stimulus given to the
production of breech-loading fire-arms by the recenfc
great military events having brought forward a large
number of competitors, each one having a host of
friends. I will close this notice of Sharp's rifie by
giving an opinion from a gentleman who, I think it
win be admitted, is a competent authority :
" Colonel Berdan, who has had more than a year of
active service on which to base his opinion, considers
the Sharp's improved rifles to be far superior to any
other thus far. In all essential points they are supe-
rior to muzzle-loading rifles for active service. The
only point in which any muzzle-loader has the supe-
riority is with those in which the ball takes the groove,
and finds its center while being rammed down."
M A Y N A R D 11 I F L E . 93
THE MATNARD RIFLE.
This was ono of the first breech-loaders introduced
to the notice of the American pubhc, and by its fine
performance did much toward removing the preju-
dice that was at one time entertained against breech-
loaders. I am indebted to Cleveland, in '•' Hints to
Riilemen," for the following excellent description of
this sporting and target gun :
" The Maynard rifle, wliich was first patented in 1851, and
of whose peculiar construction a very good idea may be obtained
from tlie annexed representations, was invented by Dr. Edward
Maynard, of Washington, D. C, and is certainly one of the
most ingeniously contrived instruments of the kind which have
yet been produced. Indeed, it combines so many ingenious
arrangements, which, together, result in the production of a
weapon whose efficiency and strength are quite as remarkable
as its perfect simplicity, that it is only by a careful examination
and study of its various parts and their workings that one can
properly estimate the amount of brain-work involved in its
construction. The fact which first presents itself, upon a cur-
sory examination, is that it is of extremely compact form, in
which every feature is reduced to the smallest possible occupa
tion of space, without giving the shghtest ground for any appre-
hension of deficiency in strength. The motion of the guard by
which the breech is raised for the reception of the cartridge, is
so easy, that the first feeling which it excites is one of doubt
lest an accident should cause its displacement at a moment
when mischievous consequences might ensue. But an examin
ation of its working reveals the fact that the mechanical ar-
rangement of its joints is such as to insure the strength of a
solid mass of steel, which is not aflected by any strain to which
it can possibly be exposed, and that this is attained without the
94
THE CRACK SHOT.
use of a single spring, bolt, or catcli, but simply by the move-
ment of the parts, which work with mathematical precision,
and derive their strength from their relative positions, which
may be compared to those of the supporting bones in the animal
system.
"Avery simx^le but very important improvement has been
recently introduced, by which the empty cartridge, after being
fired, is started from its place by the act of raising the breech
for reloading, so that it may be easily withdrawTi. This is one
of those apparently trifling arrangements, the value of which
can only be appreciated by one who has seen a deer bounding
away from him, while he was fumbling with his finger-nails to
start a cartridge which happened to stick, as such things always
happen to do at such times.
" The removal of a single pin disconnects the barrel from the
stock, and the whole gun may then be packed in a space of
twenty inches in length by six wide and one deep, so that it
may be carried in a trunk, or an easily portable case. Barrels
of different calibers, either for shot or rifled, may be fitted to
the same stock and changed in a few seconds.
Fia. 1.
THIRTY-FIVE HUNDREDTHS INCH CARTRIDGE.
MAYNARD RIFLE.
95
Fig. 2.
^IG. 1.
9G THECRACKSHOT.
" The ammunition is contained in a metallic cartridge. ]ia\ing
an aperture in the base tlirougli wliicli tlie fire is communicated
from the cap. As tlieso cartridges constitute a very important
feature of Dr. Maynard's invention, they demand something
more than a passing notice. Theoretically, the charge delivered
from a metallic cartridge should be more certainly accurate
than that from one of paper or cloth, and especially in breech-
loading guns, where the cartridge rests in a chamber, from
which the ball is driven through the caliber, which is of less
diameter. For, supposing the point of the ball to be entered
perfectly true in this caliber, its base, when a i^aper cartridge is
used, is unsupported at the moment of explosion, and may be
turned to one side or the other by the unequal pressure exerted
by the gas. With a metallic cartridge, provided the ball is
fitted perfectly true in the end, and the cartridge is made to fill
the chamber, the base of the ball is held in its place as firmly
as the point till the whole has entered the rifled caliber. The
ordinary self-exploding metallic cartridges are compressed about
the base of the ball after its insertion, which would seem to
involve a risk of untrue delivery, owing to unequal friction
upon tiie base while forcing itself loose. In practice, however,
I have certainly found no cause of complaint on this score. Dr.
Maynard's cartridges are constructed in such a manner that,
when charged, by means of a very simple implement which
accompanies every gun, the ball is not only, of necessity, math-
ematically exact in its position, but is held, without com'pressing
the cartridge, by simply being exactly fitted to it, so firmly that
it can not be moved, after being placed in the chamber, in any
direction, except with a perfectly true delivery through the
caliber. The cartridges may be used over and over again for
an indefinite period, and, being loaded by the gunner himself,
he is relieved from the apprehension of being unable to provide
himself with ammunition, as well as from the fear of accidental
explosion, which must always exist with the cartridges having
the fulminating composition in contact with the powder. There
is also a very simple arrangement for using loose ammunition,
the ball being first inserted at the breech, and followed by a
maynardV.ifle. 97
cartridge or charger, which is simply filled from the flask for
each shot. I have been thus particular in describing the May-
nard cartridge, because its merits, which are really very im-
])ortaut, are liable to be overlooked by a casual observer, and
because Dr. Maynard is entitled to the full credit of its inven-
tion, having obtained a patent for his mode of manufacturing
them, and securing the bullet with a flat base in a perfectly
true position in the cartridge, and holding it there without
compressing the cartridge about its base, as long ago as 185G.
" The barrels are of two sizes, — one being of half an inch
caliber, carrying twenty elongated or thirty-five round bullets
to the pound ; the other of tliirty-five hundredths inch caliber,
carrying forty-six elongated or ninety round bullets to the
pound. To the latter I am ready to accord the fullest praise.
I know of no breech-loader which I consider its superior ; and,
indeed, in accuracy and force, I have never seen it surpassed by
any gun fit for field service.
* Of the large barrel I can not speak in the same terms. It 1,3
too light for the charge it has to carry, and the recoil is so
severe as to neutralize the effect of the increased charge , sd
that its penetration at forty yards is little, if any, more than
that of the small barrel whose charge is one-fourth less:
" In the shaping of the stock, the object of reducing the
whole to the most compact form possible has led to a sacrifice
of fullness, which gives it a lank appearance, as if sawed from a
board, which, I think most men will agree with me, is by no
means atoned for by the capacity it gives of being stowed in
half an inch less depth of case. A new model, however, has
recently been prepared, in which this objectionable feature has
been removed, and it is to be hoped that in future its beauty of
form will be in keeping with its intrinsic excellence.
" In connection with this gun, I ought not to omit to mention
the Maynard primer, which is another invention of Dr. May-
nard's. It consists of a narrow strip of varnished paper of
double thickness, having deposits of fulminating powder in
cells between the two, at equal distances apart. Each strip
contains three dozen of these cells, equivalent to the same num-
7
98 THECKACKSHOT.
ber of caps. The strii) is coiled in a magazine concealed beneath
the lock-plate, and brought up by a motion of the wheel in the
act of cocking, so as to bring a cell directly upon the top of the
nipple. The fall of the hammer explodes it, and at the same
time cuts off the paper behind, so that it is not seen again till
the gun is again cocked.
" My own experience in its use has been but small, but, so far
as it has gone, it has been entirely satisfactory. It secures the
same advantages which are possessed by the metallic cartridges
which have the fulminating composition in tlieir base, without
being liable to the danger of explosion from an accidental
blow
" I am quite confident that no gun has done so much as the
Maynard to remove the prejudice entertained against breech-
loaders by many old riflemen ; and indeed no sportsman, after
convincing himself, as he may very readily do, of its accuracy
and force, can fail to perceive the very great advantages it pos-
sesses over any muzzle-loading rifle."
Mr. Cleveland gives some diagrams of tlie shooting
made by this gun in experienced hands, but as he
does not tell us tinder what circumstances it was fired,
whether off-hand or from a rest, I do not think it
worth while to include it here. In my experience, I
have never known any good shot who could not, with
any decent rifle, at some time or other, make some
extraordinary shooting. I prefer, therefore, to take
the experience of that veteran rifle-shot and hunter,
Edward Stabler, who, in a letter to Cleveland, gives
his opinion of what the Maynard is, and Ukewise some
illustrations of what may be considered its ordinary
shooting. He says :
" I first saw Dr. Maynard's rifle five or six years
M A Y N A R D R I F L E . 99
since (1863), and in the hands of a friend, while hunt-
ing in the Alleghany Mountains. It had the short
barrel, onlj'- twenty inches in length, and a large cali-
ber ; it was hterally an object of derision to our hunt-
ing companions, who were all advocates of and used
the long, old-fashioned muzzle-loaders. Yet, when we
came to compare the ' pop-gun,' as they called it, with
theirs of the greatest repute, at any distance over one
hundred yards, all their guns were beaten. The pen-
etration was nearly double ; and when, at long range,
the httle gun was always ' in,' or close to the mark,
the big ones were as often as otherwise ' nowhere.' "
A little further on, he says : "As good, if not the best,
shooting I have ever witnessed, has been done by my
thirty-two inch small-caliber ' Maynard.' After prop-
erly arranging and adjusting the sights, and attaching
a hair-trigger, firing with a rest, four successive balls
at sixty-six yards, all breaking into the first hole, and
all covered by a York shilling, a dime covered three
entirely, and nearly aU of the fourth ball ; at three
hundred yards (also with a rest, and the only sure
test of the accuracy of a rifle), three successive shots
were aU within the compass of a visiting-card, or less
than a two-inch ring ; the nearest within half an ruch
of the center.
" The Maynard barrels are all made of steel, which
I coijsider far preferable to iron. It admits of boring
100 THE CRACK SHOT.
and rifling with more precision, is clearer of flaws,
and is more durable in the grooves, especially for
breech-loaders, using no patch. It is probable that
much of the superiority of the Maynard rifle is owing
to the arrangement of the sights, — ^three of them
front, middle (open with leaves), and rear or, ' peep '
sight ; the last raising and shding with perfect accu-
racy, giving any desired range, and having a very fine
aperture, affording, at the same time, a shield to the
eye, and giving a long range of sight to a very short
gun.
" To be explicit and direct, I will add that the rifle
referred to weighs eight and one-quarter pounds ;
length of barrel, thirty-two inches ; the conical ball,
one hundred and fifty grains ; the ordinary charge of
powdeif thirty grains ; and the cartridge, when prop-
erly loaded, is absolutely waterproof. The rifling is
with three broad grooves, the lands and grooves
being equal ; the small caliber has one turn in four
feet, the larger caliber one turn in about five feet.
Taken as a whole, length and weight of barrel, size of
ball, and shooting qualities, together with true scien-
tific principles in construction, and superior work-
manship and finish, all combined, it excels any rifle I
have ever seen for hunting purposes ; for it is light
enough to carry all day without fatigue, yet has both
length and weight for steady off-hand shooting.
MAYNARD RIFLE. 101
With a rest, the aim is almost unerring at any rea-
sonable distance.
" The opportunity has not yet occurred to test it,
but I feel very confident that, with a clear, still at-
mosphere, and a standing shot, a deer could be killed
twice opt of three shots at five to six hundred yards."
He proceeds to give some further illustrations of
the performances of the Maynard, with which he
seems completely in love, and says that " the Maynard
is considered entirely efficient at more than twice the
range of ordinary muzzle-loading rifles ; the greater
the range the more marked the difference." Now I
do not know what Mr. Stabler considers " ordinary
muzzle-loaders," but I must certainly dissent from
any such doctrine as this ; indeed, I think that it is
very much the other way. Speaking of ordinary
muzzle-loaders, one may be supposed to understand
Purdy, Wesson, Fish of New York, BilUnghurst of
Rochester, the Springfield and Enfield rifles. Now I
feel pretty sure that the makers above named would
feel somewhat astonished to be told that any breech-
loader had double the effective range of their guns.
If the Maynard is as effective at the same range as
either of the guns mentioned above, it is a most
extraorJiuary weapon. Another statement is that
" they can be fired with almost unerring and deadly
aim, eight or ten times a minute, at a range of many
liundreJ yards." This is speaking of the performance
102 THE CRACK SHOT.
of the " Maynard " in the hands of a Confederate
regiment at Ball's Bluff. Now, though a practiced
and skilful rifleman might, under favorable circum-
stances, discharge eight or ten shots with tolerable
accuracy, it is preposterous to suppose that a regi-
ment of men in the heat of a bloody contest Qould do
so ; true they might discharge the gun that number
of times, but the " unerring and deadly aim " would
be wantmg. I find that at the last Wimbledon meet-
ing (a report of which lies before me) a very thorough
and exhaustive trial of breech- loaders was made ; the
Westley Eichards, Spencer, Eemington, Berdan con-
verted Enfield, Craig Needle, and Benton were all
tested in the hands of the vei^y best shots in England,
and that under the most favorable circimistances an
average of eight shots w^as all that was realized*
(though the Berdan was fired thirty-six times in
three minutes, and the Enfield thirty-eight times in
the same time) ; and that the accuracy was not of the
very highest order, is proved by the fact that out of
four hundred shots only three hundred and seven
struck the target — the size of which varied from two
feet by six feet at two hundred yards to six feet by
eight feet at five hundred yards, that being the longest
* This was written before the result of the meeting this year
(1867) was made known, and the spleadid firing" made then by
the Snider Enfield, aUuded to in another place, shows the im-
provement that is taking place.
MERRILL'S RIFLE. 103
distance fired. I am not unfriendly to the " May-
nard/' but I do not like to see such rash assertions.
I have been induced to give such an extended no-
tice to the " Maynard," from the fact that it has been
for a long time a very favorite weapon among sports-
men, and if it is now losing its position, it is not from
the defects that have been discovered in it, but that
the pressure of the times has set the very best me-
chanical skill to devise better breech-loaders than
those in use up to the time of the breaking out of the
fratricidal struggle that has lately so nearly rent our
country asunder. Dr. Maynard has introduced a new
pattern of his rifle, making it more hke other breech-
loaders and doing away with the primer. Not having
seen a specimen of it, I am not able to make more
than this passing allusion to it.
MEKEILL'S KIFLE.
" The simphcity and strength of construction arrived
at in the Merrill rifle are only equaled by its extraor-
dinary range and accuracy of fire ; and the efficiency
of the arm not being based on any patent metallic or
India-rubber cartridge case, but using the simple
paper cartridge or loose powder and ball, and the
ordinary percussion cap, gives them great advantages
over arms depending on fixed or regularly prepared
ammunition, and makes them justly preferred, not
only on the frontier, but wherever a rifle is required.
104 THE CRACK SHOT.
Another advantage the Merrill plan possesses is that
it can be easily applied to muzzle-loading arms at
small cost, without restocking, altering the lock, or
changing the general appearance or diminishing the
strength of the arm. The alteration of muzzle-loaders
to the Merrill plan of breech-loading has been practi-
cally tested by the United States Government with
the most entire success, and has placed in the hands
of the troops an arm that can not be surpassed, and
also at small cost.
"For sporting purposes or target shooting the
Merrill rifle can not be equaled, as it has attained the
highest perfection in every respect. The barrels are
of the best material, and the chambers are bored out
to the exact size of the conical ball which they use, so
that the plunger which puts the cartridge in its place
forces the point of the ball firmly into the gTooves or
rifling of the barrel, thereby insuring its going straight
to the mark, and not turning, as conical balls fre-
quently do, when fired from other rifles.
'' The sporting rifles are fitted with globe sights of
the most approved pattern, which insures fine shoot-
ing. These rifles have been fired five hundred times
without cleaning, and any number of shots can be
discharged without any change taking place in the
working of the machinery. This is owing to there
being no escape of gas, which, when escaping, causes
Y/hat has been termed cloo^ging in other breech-load-
Merrill's rifle. 105
ers, but which can never occur with the Merrill rifle,
as the plunger or breech-pin is reamed out so as to
make an expansive spring, and the cavity being filled
up with copper, upon which the force and heat of tLe
explosion act at the moment of discharge, causes the
plunger to expand as much as the barrel will allow it,
or, in other words, to keep up with the expansion of
the barrel or surrounding surfaces, and thereby pre-
vent escape of gas, which not only clogs up the work-
ing parts of a gun when escaping, but causes great
loss of power. Thus, no gas escaping from the Mer-
rill rifle, accounts for its having more penetration
than other breech-loaders/'
After reading the above (which is the manufac-
turer's account of it), one would suppose that he had
the prospect of a perfect arm for all purposes of target
shooting, sporting or military use, and that it would
be unnecessary to look any further ; but experience
has shown that this arm is quite unfitted for military
purposes, though it has received high testimonials
from military men. It is a noteworthy circumstance
that no sample of this rifle was submitted to the
Board of Officers that sat at Washington in April and
May, 1866, under Special Order No. 40 from the Ad-
jutant General's Office, dated Jan. 30, 1863, to test all
weapons that might be submitted, and to report upon
the one most suitable for arming troops with. It seems
106 THE CRACK SHOT.
to me that the mechanism is of the clumsiest and most
primitive sort. Fancy a soldier having to work a great
long arm or crank during the heat of battle, or a sports-
man being obliged to do the same thing when charged
by a wounded Buffalo bull or a grizzly in the Eocky
Mountains, Another great objection to it as a breech-
loader is the use of the ordinary percussion cap and
loose powder and ball ; for though this is claimed by
the inventor as a great merit, I look upon it as a fatal
objection ; so much time would be lost, that troops
armed with Sharp's, or any other of the improved arms
using cartridges carrying their own ignition, would
play desperate havoc with an enemy armed with them.
THE BUENSIDE BKEECH-LOADEE.
This gun was considered the best of fifteen or
twenty arms that were submitted to a Board of Offi-
cers convened at West Point in 1857, and conse-
quently was adopted into the United States service to
a very great extent. It was not found, however, to
answer the expectations formed of it, as it was open
to the same objection urged against Sharp's, — that it
was on the " trap-door " principle. The next arm
that claimed public favor was
THE SPENCEE BEEECH-LOADEE.
The construction of the gun is much simpler than
that of the needle-gun, but is still comphcated. .The
SPENCER BREECn-LOADER,
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
107
108
THE CRACK SHOT.
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
FULL SIZE.
CARTRIDGE FOR ARMY AND NAVY
RIFLES, AND LARGE CARBINE.
CARTRIDGE FOR LIGHT CARRINU
AND SPORTING RIFLK
breecli is formed of two pieces, one of which is the
breech-pin and the other the block on which the car-
tridges are carried. The breech-pin is attached to
the lever, which forms the trigger-guard, and the
carrier-block is pivoted into the breech-receiver by a
pin which is situated below and in rear of the hinge
of the lever. Between the block and the breech-pin
is a pin which presses the latter upward, and behind
the breech-pin is a curved piece of steel, which guides
the cartridge to the breech. This guide is w^orked by
a spring situated near the hammer, and in front of it
is the shell-ejector, which also works by its action.
On the left side of the breech-pin is a sHde upon
which the hammer strikes to fire the priming. The
SPENCER BREECU-LOADER. 109
magazine is situated along tlie entire length of the
interior of the butt stock, and is composed of a sta-
tionary outer tube and an inner tube which slides in
and out. The inner tube is simply a steel box, with a
spiral spring for pressing the cartridges forward to
the barrel as soon as the breech is opened. To oper-
ate the gun the following motions are required : Sup-
posing that the magazine is akeady filled with the
cartridges (of which there are seven) and secured in
the butt stock by turning the handle to a longitudinal
position with the hammer. First, the lever is pulled
down, which first tlirows the breech-pin below the
chamber of the barrel, and then makes the carrier-pin
and block slide back, ejecting the exploded shell and
enabUng the fresh cartridge to pass over the breech-
pin ; the cartridge being, of course, pushed forward
by the spiral spring, which becomes reheved from
confinement the moment the lever is pulled down,
and the block and breech-pin swung backward. The
cartridge is then directly in front of the chamber of
the breech, and as soon as the lever is moved back it
is forced into the barrel by the breech-pin, which
presses it up from the rear. The chamber and maga-
zine are thus effectually closed by the block and
breech-pin, and it only remains to cock the hammer
and draw the trigger. While this gun has been suc-
cessfully used in the United States Army, it does not
110 THE CRACK SHOT.
appear to be considered by the military authorities
advisable to adopt it as the regular arm. The danger
of injury seems great from the deUcacy of the move-
ments. Some improvements have been made in it, as
noted in the report of the Washington Board, and
though open to the objection that all repeaters are, it
is nevertheless a most serviceable arm. As a repeater
it has no equal. The fact that it stood the practical
test of very rough usage in the American war tends
greatly to overcome theoretical objections to it. Over
one hundred thousand carbines and rifles have been
furnished to the U. S. War Department of this pat-
tern, and few complaints have been made. From a
mass of testimonials in its favor, I subjoin the follow-
ing letters :
FBOM LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TJ. S. GRANT.
Headquarters Armies of the United States,
City Point, Va., Oct. 10th, 1S64.
Dear Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 20tli ult., requesting
my opinion in regard to the merits of the Spencer Repeating-
arms, I have to say that it is the prevailing opinion amongst
officers whose commands have been furnished with these w^eap-
ons, that they are the best breech-loading arms now in the
hands of troops, both as regards simplicity and rapidity in
firing and superiority in manufacture.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
Warren Fisher, Jr., Esq., Treasurer Spencer
Repeating Rifle Company.
SPENCER BREECH-LOADER. Ill
FROM MAJOR-GENERAL JOS. HOOKER.
HEADQlTAHTEnS NORTHERN DEPARTMENT.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 12, 18G4
Warren Fisher, Jr., Esq., Treasurer Spencer Repeating Rifle
Company :
Sir,— I had a few of the Spencer Rifles in my corps during
the campaign which resulted in the fall of Atlanta, and feel no
hesitation in pronouncing them to be the most effective arms
now in use. Perhaps my estimate of the value of this descrip-
tion of rifle will be better understood when I state it as my con-
viction, the result of long experience, that a regiment armed
witli it is fully equal to a brigade armed with the muzzle-load-
ing rifle, and can put as much lead adrift in a given length of
time It is in no way inferior to the muzzle-loader in accuracy
or length of range, with the very great advantage of not clog-
ging by over-use, and is less likely to become unserviceable
from the wear and tear of a campaign. With these weapons I
have never failed to silence the fire of the enemy's sharpshoot-
ers. They were quick to discover them in the hands of my
pickets, and took especial care to avoid them. As an evidence
of the effect these arms had on the morale of the men, I may
state it as a fact I have repeatedly observed in the course of the
campaign that my men would make interest to go upon the
picket line, losing sight of the danger to which they were ex-
posed in the satisfaction of witnessing the triumphs of their
weapons, and that I consider an unerring test of their superior-
ity. Several regiments applied to me for permission to arm
themselves with them at their own expense. I am thus explicit
that I may expose the folly of manufacturing muzzle-loading
arms instead of breech-loading repeaters, or even the single
breech-loader.
Your obedient servant,
Joseph Hooker, Major-General.
112 THE CRACK SHOT.
FROM MAJOR-GENERAL WM. T. SHERMAN,
Commander of the Army of the Southwest,
IIeadquaktkrs Military Division of the Mississipj'i,
St. Louis, Dec. 23, 1865.
Warren Fisher, Jr., Treasurer Spencer Rifle Co., Boston, Mass .
Sir,— YowYS. of Dec. 18 is received. The Spencer Repeating
Rifle was used by both cavalry and infantry in my army, and
was universally preferred over all other breech-loaders.
We used this rifle to great advantage by infantry at Griswold
Station, near Macon, Georgia, also at Benton ville, N. C. ; and
Kilpatrick's cavalry were so impressed with its adaptability to
cavalry uses that the General made every efibrt to procure it to
the exclusion of all other carbines.
I am, with respect, etc.,
W. T. SiiERMAN, Major-General.
FRO]M IMAJOR-GENERAL GEO. H. THOMAS,
Commander of the Army of the Cumberland.
Headquarters Military Division of the Tennessee,
Nashville, Dec. 26, 1S65.
Mr. Warren Fisher, Jr., Treasurer Spencer Repeating Rifle
Co., Boston, Mass. :
Sir, — I received your letter of the 18th instant yesterday. I
have seen the Spencer Repeating Rifle tried under the most
diflicult circumstances, and have become convinced that it is
one of the best repeating rifles which has been in use during
the war. Although apparently complicated in its machinery,
it is very easily understood by the men, and can be kept in as
good order as easily as the old smooth-bore musket ; nor is it
any more liable to damage by the accidents of service than the
common musket.
Its repeating qualities render troops armed with it three
times as efficient as when armed with the old-pattern musket.
I sincerely hope that the Government may adopt it for both
infantrv and cavalry.
Very respectfully, your obedient sf'rvant,
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General, U. S. A.
SPENCER BREECH-LOADER. 113
Letters from distinguished generals of the Union
Army, and newspaper articles, commendatory of the
" Spencer " as a military weapon, might be furnished
to any extent; but surely nothing could add weight to
the testimony of the generals whose letters are given
above. That it w^as not injured by constant use
and hard service is amply proved by the following
letter from Col. Barber after three years' use of Spen-
cer Rifles :
IIeadquartees 197tii Ohio V. I,
C. M. Spencer, Esq. .
Dear Sir, —
********
Your rifle has more than met my expectation in regard to it.
The best thing that I can say in its favor is that I have over
two hundred of them in steady use through all the campaigns
of the Army of the Cumberland for nearly three years, and never
had a single one condemned as unserviceable. Nearly every man
of my command will buy the sporting rifle when they go out
of the service, if they can raise the money.
**•:****»♦
Yours very truly,
(Signed), G. M. Bakber,
Lieut.-Col. 197th Ohio V. I.
In addition to all this, the Board that sat in Wash-
ington in October, 1807, spoke in the highest terms
and pronounced it the bed magazine gun they had
had submitted to them.
But it is more particularly as a sporting gun that I
wish to considei it. The question of military weapons
is, at the present time, so closely engaging the atten-
8
114 THE CRACK SHOT.
tion of tlie various governments of the world that we
may hope, ere loug, to see the problem of '' what is
the best breech-loader " definitely settled. The new
pattern of sporting rifle (model 1867) now turned out
by this compajiy is certainly a very handsome and
effective weapon, and one that I can confidently rec-
ommend. I recently took occasion to test this gun,
in company with a party of sporting friends, and it
gave the greatest satisfaction. The practice was very
good indeed, though the day was unfavorable to fine
shooting. In this connection I may be permitted to
quote the opinion of a first-class shot and accom-
plished sportsman — not only as to the merits of the
Spencer, but also as to its excellence over the other
repeating gun (the Henry) that has been prominently
before the public :
" I have given tlie Henry rifle an exliaustive trial, and have
fully proved the disadvantages of that ann, not only as a mili-
tary, but as a sporting gun. The Henry rifle is full cocked by
turning forward the trigger guard during the same motion
which raises the cartridge from the magazine to the level of the
barrel This is the first grand error ; because the consequence
of this self-cocking principle is that the mainspring has to be
made weak, the consequence of which is that the detonating
powder in the rim of the cartridge must be of a very explosive
character, so that a very slight blow may fire off" your gun, so
slight a blow, or even pressure, sufiicing, that I have known
several instances in which the charge was ignited by the simple
following of the breech piu while pushing the cartridge to its
place in the barrel while the hammer still stood at half-cock !
" I have never yet seen a fire-arm, the mainspring of which is
SPENCER BREECH-LOADER. 115
controlled in cocking by any other motion than that of raising
the hammer by hand, which is either safe or reliable. Then,
again, the pin does not close the breech perfectly, the proof of
which is that after a few discharges the yellow metal in its rear
is burnt black by powder, not to mention the still more con-
vincing fact that several parties have had their eyes injured by
the ejectment of gases on firing. Another objection to this
patent, for fiald use, is the open space in the * body ' and the
long open slit in the * tube,' as well as the peculiar fitting of
the catch and joint at the muzzle, all exposing the gun to the
almost certainty of hopeless rusting in a soldier's hands in a
campaign.
" There are so many repeating and breech-loading rifles invit-
ing attention just now that space will not permit me to notice
them further than that the ' F. Wesson ' single breech-loader
appears to be for sporting purposes almost faultless. But in so
far as my judgment goes, all must give way to the 'Spencer.'
I believe the gun known as the ' Spencer Sporting Kifle ' to be
the best repeater at present known, whether for military use or
for game. I take the sporting rifle because it is the one I shoot
with, and because the military weapon is not finished well
enough to suit me. This gun is of the same caliber as the
' Henry,' forty -four hundredths, but carries a charge about one-
third heavier, and I find its range to be proportionably greater.
The barrel is of fine and very soft steel ; the body of best
wrought iron, case-hardened, and the whole immensely strong
and durable. The breech is closed by a solid block of iron,
which renders any escape of gas impossible. After firing three
hundred rounds, no mark of powder is to be found in the cavity
of the ' body.' It is made an objection by some that in the heat
of action, or while charging the magazine hurriedly in pursuit
of game, the ' tube ' might be dropped. So it might, but your
gun is just as good as ever, for by depressing the muzzle it is
charged quite as readily as when the cartridges are pressed for-
ward by the spring ; and any kind of a stopper will do to close
the entrance to the magazine. This gun is very easily cleaned
and kept clean, and a child may take it to pieces and put it
116 THE CRACK SHOT.
together again in half a minute. The lock (an excellent one) is
altogether apart from the loading apparatus, and bids defiance
both to damage and moisture.
" As to shooting, the capability of this rifle is really astound-
ing, considering its weight and caliber. Its penetration at one
hundred yards is nine-and-one-half-inches dry pine boards, and
its range may be judged from the fact that a few days since I
fired at a bird on the top of a high tree, in the direction of this
village, and the bullet in its descent penetrated obliquely the
weather-boarding c f a house a little over one mile and a quarter
from where I fired !
" Take it for all in all, I consider this the best, safest, and
most reliable rifle I have ever seen or heard of."
THE BALLAKD BEEECH-LOADEB.
This gun is one of the simplest and most effective
of American breech-loaders that we have seen. It is
made of four pieces, — the hammer, mainspring, trig-
ger, and double spring ; the mainspring being en-
cased in the lock, and thus protected from being
broken.
One distinguishing characteristic of this gun is that
the whole of the lock is contained in the movable
breech-piece, B, which has both a slight longitudinal
movement and a rising and falling movement within
the receiver, A.
Fig. 1 is a side view, with a part of the receiver
broken away to expose the breech to view, and repre-
sents the breech open for loading. Fig. 2 is a central
BALLAKD BREECH-LOADER.
117
118
THE CKACK SHOT.
C5
6
BALLARD BREECH-LOADER. 119
longitudinal, vertical section, showing the gun loaded
and half-cocked.
The breech-piece, B, is fitted snugly, but so as to
slide freely within a mortise in the receiver, A. In
order to provide for the insertion into it of the sev-
eral parts of the lock ; \iz., the hammer, trigger,
trigger-spring, and mainspring, E, all of which are
shown in fig. 2, — it is divided vertically and longitudi-
nally into two equal parts, which are secured firmly
together by two screws besides the hammer-pin.
These screws hold the two parts together so firmly
that the breech is as strong as if made of a solid
piece. The front part of the breech-piece is con-
nected by a short link, D, with the upper and shorter
arm of the trigger guard-lever, C, by the downward
movement of which the breech is opened for loading,
as shown in the first figure, and closed for firing, as
shown in fig. 2. The hammer is half-cocked in the
act of opening the breech by the action of a projec-
tion, a, on the hnk, D, against a shoulder, c, on the
front of the tumbler. In firing, the recoil is received
mainly against a shoulder, d (fig. 2), in the receiver,
but to some extent upon the shoulder, e.
The principle on which this gun is made is simple,
and but for one defect, which shall be mentioned, it
would stand the equal of all competitors. The lever
which protects the trigger being pulled down^ the
120 THE CRACK SHOT.
lock, including the hammer, falls below the breech,
leaving the chamber of the barrel exposed. Under
the chamber and about two inches from the breech is
a small knob attached to a spring, which, being
pushed toward the breech, ejects the exploded shell
entirely from the piece and leaves the chamber free
for the insertion of another cartridge. When the
lever is pulled down the hammer is half-cocked by
the action, so that on the lever being drawn up and
the breech effectually closed, all that remains is to
complete cocking the hammer and to fire the gun.
In addition to its adaptability for metallic cartridges
the Ballard rifle can be fired with paper cartridges
and percussion caps. Directly in front of the hammer,
and on the breech-block, a nipple is fixed, so that, in
the event of metallic cartridges giving out, the old
system can be followed, still loading by the breech or
muzzle with loose powder and ball. As will be seen
by the above description, the weapon is free from all
complicated machinery, and can be fired with great
rapidity. Experiments with this gun have been made
on several occasions with various results. As many
as twenty shots per minute have been fired from the
carbine, and the inventors claim that in the hands of
an expert twenty-five shots can be fired. Last year
fifty-one breech-loading rifles were examined at
Springfield by order of the United States Govern-
BALLARD BKEECH-LOADER. 121
ment, and of this number six were selected as being
the best adapted to army use. The "Ballard,"
" Peabod}^," " National," and " Berdan " rifles, with
two others, were the ones selected. Notwithstanding*
the many merits of the Ballard rifle, it still has one
defect. As the gun is made at present, the ejector
and the lever require two motions to work them. By
attaching them together, and thus causing the shell
of the cartridge to be ejected, the instant the lever is
pulled down and the breech is opened, the last fault
in the weapon would be removed. It is understood
that this improvement will be made, and when it is,
the rifle will be a most dangerous arm in the hands
of a well-drilled soldier. The Ballard rifle is well
made and elegantly finished, jDossessing great strength,
united with lightness. The carbine weighs about
seven pounds, and the army gun, when made, will
weigh about nine pounds. It is estimated that at a
distance of one thousand two hundred yards, with a
load of forty-five grains of powder and two hundred
and eighty-five grains of lead, the rifle is accurate,
retaining its initial force throughout that distance.
This rifle is deserving of very high praise, and if it
has a few slight imperfections, they are such as will,
I think, be soon overcome. As a sporting gun it is
certainly excellent, as good as the best ; and in proof
of this I publish a letter from Theo. E. Davis, of New
122 THE CRACK SHOT.
Mexico. Whoever lias the pleasure of that gentle-
man's acquaintance knows that he is perfectly compe-
tent to speak upon the subject. Whether the gun is
as well adapted for purely military purposes as the
Peabody, Eemington, Spencer, and some European
arms, is a question that can not by any means be con-
sidered settled. Certainly it is a good weapon, and
the hunter, scout, or Indian fighter, who is armed
-with a Ballard, may confidently meet all comers. The
following is the letter alluded to above :
Santa Fe, New Mexico,
Jan. 21st, 1866.
Dear Frank, — I shall give you now the long- promised rifle
letter. You must remember what a determined advocate the
old-fashioned muzzle-loader had in me. Its load was certain
and the affair was balanced. Many is the loose ball I've
dropped from my mouth down the throat of my reliable Lewis
rifle. The old friend has an honored place on the antlers of a
two hundred and fifteen pound buck that he spoke to while we
were out together among the hills and streams of yourAdirondacs.
But we are a progressive as well as an aggressive people.
The breech-loader was evidently an improvement, the copper
ammunition alone being an immense advantage. The question
was, Which is the best of all the breech-loaders ? You know my
love for a good rifle ; a poor one has never been in my posses-
sion for more tlian two days, or until some one could be found
that would accept it as a gift. Rifle after rifle was tried and
thrown aside ; one was too clumsy, another had no balance
whatever, and all were to me inferior, as hunting-rifles, to the
trusty muzzle-loader.
Saon after this a friend loaned me a breech-loader of which
he spoke highly. " Try it, old fellow," he remarked ; " see how
you like it, and let's hear your opinion."
BALLARD BREECH-LOADER 123
I liked the gun from tlie first ; it came up right ; there was
no jar, and it worked like a clock. Of course I went through
the lock ; it was simplicity itself, and as strong as it was well
made. I have owned that rifle (108) from that day. Over four
thousand bullets have been sent through its bright barrel, in
which there is not the first show of lead, and the rifling is as
true and sharp as the day on which I got it. The lock has not
been repaired, and simple wiping out has served to keep it in a
first-rate condition for close shooting either at sixty or three
hundred yards. I have killed deer in the Adiroudacs with it,
and taken the top of a partridge's head away many a time. In
a close bush fight it has never failed me. For buffalo hunting
it is magnificent. More than one antelope has been brought
down at three hundred yards. During our Indian fights it was
the treasure of our party.
Do you wonder, my dear fellow, that I am an enthusiastic
believer in the Ballard rifle ? There are other rifles that can be
discharged more rapidly, but they are unbalanced and so liable
to get out of order that a man needs a gunshop with him to be
sure that he will have something to shoot with. Beside this,
you know as well as I that a rifle can be fired too rapidly. I
have yet to meet a good shot that cares to discharge a rifle
more than six or seven times per minute. I can send fifteen
balls out of my Ballard in that space of time. I am convinced,
and you are at perfect liberty to say so, that the Ballard is the
ne plus ultra of breech-loaders for hunting purposes.
We go to the Apache Canon to-day to give the wild turkeys
a rattling. If you were here you should take the pet, when
you would be convinced that a good breech-loader is the thing
after all. At all events, that is the case of your friend,
Theo. R. Davis.
The above recommendation is of great value. It
is not, like many published by proprietors and agents
of guns, obtained by the practice of a special gun
purposely prepared for the trial and fired under
124 THE CRACK SHOT.
favorable circumstances. But this is the candid
opinion of one gentleman to another after a long,
and it will, I think, be generally admitted, a severe
trial. An arm that will perform well under all circum-
stances against large and small game,— man, buffalo,
bear, antelope, turkey, and partridge,- — ^must be
acknowledged to be nearly perfect.
I shall conclude this account of the Ballard by
giving the following notice of an important rifle
match that came off at Point St. Charles, Montreal,
Dec. 5, 1866. The match was to test the relative
endurance and rapidity of firing of the Ballard and
Palmer rifles. At the three hundred and sixteenth
round the Palmer rifle gave out, the Ballard having
then fired about five hundred shots, and it continued
to be fired till one thousand and twenty-three rounds
had been fired in one hour and forty-five minutes,
or an average of about ten shots a minute — a feat
of consecutive firing perhaps unprecedented.
THE PEABODY KIFLE.
The Peabody rifle being constructed on somewhat
similar principles to the Ballard, I will next speak
of it.
This breech-loading rifle was invented by Mr. Henry
O. Peabody, of Boston, Mass., who was several years
THE PEA BODY RIFLE. 125
in perfecting and completing tliis superior arm. In
its form, the Peabodj is compact and graceful, and
its symmetry is nowhere marred by unseemly projec-
tions. This symmetry is preserved in the act of load-
ing, as the whole movement of the breech-block is
performed within the stock, the end of the trigger-
guard falling but little more than an inch. In most
other breech-loaders the guard must describe a curve
of ninety degrees, and assume a position at a right
angle with the line of the barrel, w^hile the breech-
block itself drops below the stock. No movement of
the barrel, or any other parts, except those imme-
diately connected with the breech-block, is required
in the performance of any of its operations. The sim-
plicity and ingenuity of the mechanism with which
these operations are accomplished are such as to pre-
clude the possibility of their being impeded by the
effect of friction, rust, or exposure to the influence of
dust, rain, or continued service. Some of the supe-
riorities of construction are : 1st, That the formation
of the breech-block, when the guard is drawn down,
is such as to form an inchned plane sloping toward
the breech of the barrel ; and the groove on its upper
surface, corresponding precisely with the bore of the
gun, facilitates the entrance of the cartridge, so that
it slides directly into its proper position without the
necessity even of looking to see that it is properly
126 THE CRACK SHOT.
inserted. 2d, The removal of the empty cartridge-
shell is effected by the action of an elbow-lever, which
throws it out with unerring certainty the instant the
guard is lowered. This lever derives its power simply
from the action of the breech-block itself, and can not
become deranged, as it is not dependent upon any
spring, and is of such strength as to render breakage
or derangement from use or exposure simply impos-
sible. 3d, The gun can not be discharged till the
breech-block is in its proper position; and this breech-
block is of such strength, and so firmly secured, as to
insure its perfect safety, as has been proved by the
severest tests. 4th, The rapidity of fire is equal, if
not superior, to that of any other single loader. In a
trial before the American Board of Officers at Spring-
field, it was fired twenty times a minute, and out of
sixty-five guns presented for examination, was the
only one that endured all the trials, and the report
recommended its adoption. In this trial it was fired
with eighty grains of powder and five balls (two thou-
sand two hundred and fifty grains of lead), a test
which no other gun stood, three out of the four, to
which the whole number was reduced at the conclu-
sion of the trial, being shattered at the breech with a
charge of eighty grains of powder and four balls,
while the Peabody, with the additional four hundi^ed
and fifty grains of lead (the weight of each ball), re-
THE PEA130DY RIFLE 127
mained uninjured. The conclusion of the American
war prevented, however, any action upon the r(^port
of the Board of Ordnance. The only difference of
construction between the Ballard and Peabody is that
in the latter the o^oening of the breech and the ejec-
tion of the exploded shell take place simultaneously.
The breech-block is a solid piece of steel, hollowed
out at the to^D to receive the cartridge. AATien the
lever is pulled down thi^ block falls below the cham-
ber, and exposes the breech ; the cartridge is then
inserted, the lever pulled back, and the breech closed.
And here is the only objectionable feature in the Pea-
body rifle. Unless the cartndge is inserted into the
chamber, flush up with the breech, there is great
danger of a premature discharge from the sudden
contact of the breech-block with the fulminate. As it
now stands, the utmost cure is needed in loading the
piece. It seems to me that by giving the end of the
breech-block a sKght incline the danger would be
removed ; for if even the cartridge was not shoved
home, instead of a sudden shock there would be a
gradual pressure w^iicli would force it into its proper
position. The finish of the Peabody is not quite as
good as some other guns, but this is no defect, and
can be easily remedied.
The first figure of the illustration is a side \'iew of
the breech part of the gun, with part of the breech-
128
THE CRACK SHOT.
I
THE PEA BODY EIFLE.
129
I
130 THE CKACK SHOT.
receiver, A, broken away to expose the breech-block
D, and its operating mechanism to view in a position
for firing. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section.
The breech-block is pivoted at its rear end on a pin, o,
which passes through it and the receiver ; and it has
a concave recoil bearing in the back of the receiver.
It opens the chamber of the barrel for loading by a
downward movement, as shown in fig. 2. Its upper
side is hollowed out to form a channel leading dii-ectly
into the bore of the barrel when open. The move-
ment of the breech-block is effected by the trigger-
guard lever, E, which works on a pin, b; and its upper
and shorter arm, which is directed toward the joint-
pin, 0, of the breech-block, terminates in a notch in
the under side of the block, the end of the said arm
being rounded to allow the necessary play. Under
the breech-block, and partly contained within a mor-
tise in the same, there is pivoted to it a brace, G, the
rear end of which bears upon a roller, H, which is
fitted to turn on a stationary pin inserted through
the breech-receiver. A spring arranged within the
mortise of the breech -receiver presses the brace down
upon the roller. This combination of the brace,
spring, and roller serves to securely fasten the
breech-block and guard-lever when the arm is ready
to be fired.
F is the cartridge-shell extractor, made in the form
THE PEABODY RIFLE. 131
of an elbow-lever, and pivoted to a pin, e, inserted
tlirough the breech-receiver. This is so operated
upon by the forward end of the brace, when the
breech opens, as to throw the discharged cartridge
case entirely out of the gun. J is the portion of
metal upon which pivots the trigger-guard, and be-
tween which and the opposite side of the metal
framework of the breech-frame is pivoted the lever
which extracts the empty cartridge shell.. The firing
of the cartridge, B, is efiected by the hammer striking
upon the rear end of the firing-pin, I (fig. 1), which
slides in a groove in the right side of the breech-
block, and the forward end of which is made with a
beveled edge to strike upon one side of the head of
the cartridge shell and explode the priming.
The Canadian Government having determined on
arming the volunteers with breech-loaders of Amer-
ican manufacture, owing to the delay experienced in
obtaining a supply of Enfield rifles converted to
breech-loaders on the Snider principle, invited the
various makers of the United States to submit pat-
terns of their arms. After careful consideration of
the merits of the various weapons submitted, they
decided in favor of the Peabody as the best, it seem-
ing to combine in itself, in the greatest degree, the
essential requisites of simphcity of structui^e, accuracy
and rapidity of fire, strength and general efficiency.
132 THE CRACK SHOT.
I attach two reports on the performance of this
gun, — one at Montreal before the Inspector pi Mus-
ketry of the British forces in America, and the other
the report of the Koyal Commission in Denmark :
Tests at Montreal, on the 24:th August, 1866, under the supervi-
sion of Captain T. J. Grant, Inspector of Musketry, hy order
of Lieut.-Gen, Sir John Michel, commanding the forces in
British North America.
To Test the Accuracy with Continuous Firing. — For
this purpose sixty rounds were fired collectively by myself and
three non-commissioned oflBcers of the Twenty-Fifth Regiment,
at a target six feet square, at three hundred yards distance, aim
being invariably taken on the same spot, and no allowance for
wind, defective sighting, etc. There were but three misses,
which I conceive to have been due to the firers. The gun was
not cleaned during the trial.
To Test Rapidity of Fire Combined with Accuracy. —
In the trial I succeeded in firing nine shots, at a target six feet
square, at one himdred yards distance, in one minute. All the
shots hit the target ; the time was marked by Capt. Campbell,
Thirtieth Regiment.
There was no hitch in the working of the gun during the
trial, nor any perceptible falling oflp as regards accuracy ; and it
possessed this decided advantage over the Spencer Repeating
Rifle, which I had tried on a previous occasion, that there was
no escape of gas^from the breech.
(Signed), Thos. J. Grant, Captain,
Inspector of Musketry,
Superintending Officer.
To the Deputy Adjutant-General, etc., etc.,
Montreal.
Royal Danish Legation and Consulate General,
New York, 15th October, 1S66.
To the President of the Providence Tool Co., Providence, R. I. :
Sir, — His Danish Majesty's Government has instructed me to
THE PEABODY RIFLE. 133
communicate to you the report on the " Peabody Gun," made
by the Royal Commission for examining and trying experiments
with breech-loading arms.
REPORT.
The breech-loading system of the Peabody gun is simple and
convenient, and under the whole firing its mechanism has acted
very satisfactorily.
It was subjected to the following trials :
1. 100 shots from rest, distance 600 feet.
2. 75 quick shots, with and without rests, distance 400 feet.
3. Three days later ; 25 shots from rest, distance 600 feet.
4. 210 shots at target, distance 200 to 2,400 feet.
During these trials the gun was not cleaned. Incessant quick
firing did not influence the hitting quality, and the mechanism
continued to act perfectly to the last shot.
Twelve shots were fired in one minute.
No change was perceptible in the different trials ; good hit-
ting shots were obtained at a distance of two thousand four
hundred feet The Commission, composed of the officers of the
Royal Artillery, close their report thus ;
" The Peabody gun has, on the whole, given a very satisfac-
tory result, and must be considered the best single-shot breech-
loading weapon with which copper cartridges are used."
I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
(Signed), H. Dolluer,
Charge d* Affaires ad inter. ,
and Acting Consul General
In consequence of the satisfactory nature of the
above report, the Canadian Government gave an
order for five thousand guns of this principle.
134
THE CEACK SHOT,
COL. berdan's breech-loader. 135
136
THE CEACK SHOT.
Fig. 3,
The next gun that I shall describe is
COL. BEKDAN'S BKEECH-LOADER.
This invention is for the conversion of muzzle-load-
ers into breech-loaders, and it is claimed by the in-
ventor and his friends to be one of the best before
the pubUc. The manner in which the conversion is
effected is as follows: About three inches of the
upper part of the barrel in front of the breech-pin is
cut away, leaving the breech-pin intact, so that it
may form the recoil bearing for the breech. The
breech is composed of two pieces of steel, one being
in front of the other. The front piece constitutes the
breech-piece proper, and the rear one a brace which
COL. BERDAN'S BREECH-LOADER. 137
sustains the breech-piece against the recoil in firing.
The breech-piece is hinged to a band which is clamped
around the barrel, and a brace is hinged to it. The
rear end of the brace and the recoil bearing are so
formed that the breech can not rise until the brace
rises by a movement in the hinge. In opening the
breech for loading, a knob on the right-hand side of
the brace is pressed upward with the finger, thus
reheving the brace from the recoil bearing, against
which it was pressed by the force of the recoil. The
brace is lifted up from the recoil bearing until a stop
upon it comes in contact with a stop on the breech-
piece, above the hinge. The breech-piece and brace
are then moved together from their position, and
thrown forward in the direction of the muzzle, thus
exposing the chamber of the band. The firing-pin is
made of two pieces which meet at the hinge joint, so
that the pin does not prevent or interfere with the
opening of the breech, which it would assuredly do
were it constructed of one piece. To eject the ex-
ploded shell, there is a small spur upon the hinged
part of the breech-piece. This catches hold of the
end of the fulminate, and as soon as the breech-piece
is thrown forward, the shell is thrown completely out.
For the purpose of preventing the escape of gas into
the breech-piece from the charge after it is fired,
there is a projection upon the right-hand side of the
138 THE CEACK SHOT.
brace, behind the knob, so arranged that the hammer
must pass over it as it descends. This is an excellent
arrangement, for, should the brace not be in its proper
place, the head of the hammer slides over the projec-
tion, forcing the brace down, and effectually closing
the breech. The description of Berdan's rifle, as
given here, is taken from drawings pubHshed in the
"American Artisan," and prepared under the personal
supervision of Colonel Berdan, the inventor. As we
stated before, the gun possesses considerable merit,
and if the breech-piece could be so improved as to
simplify it, and thus do away with a portion of its
mechanical arrangement, the weapon would become
more valuable.
Fig. 1 of the engraving represents a side view of
the breech part of Colonel Berdan's new gun ; fig. 2
is a central longitudinal section of the same ; fig. 3 is
a perspective view of the breech-block and its appur-
tenances ; fig. 4 represents a side view and an edge
view of the cartridge-shell ejector ; and ^g, 5 is a
transverse section of the barrel and the strap w^hich
attaches the breech-block thereto.
Colonel Berdan has contrived a number of difierent
systems of converting the Springfield musket into a
breech-loader. At the late trial of arms at Washing-
ton, no less than four modifications of his plan were
tested, and were found to work so w^ell that the report
COL. BERDAN'S BREECH-LOADEK. 139
of the Board was in favor of the Berdan system,
though they desired that some shght alteration should
be made in it. I shall allude more fully to this report
at the conclusion of this chapter.
It is not correct, however, as stated in the " Amer-
ican Artisan," that "it showed itseK so superior to
the Snider gun, that it is probable that the order for
the conversion of one hundred thousand Enfields on
the Snider plan, which was given before the arrival of
Col. Berdan's agent, would never have been given."
The patent for the conversion of the Enfield on the
Snider principle is the property of the British Gov-
ernment, for which they paid seventy-five thousand
dollars. And instead of giving an order for convert-
ing one hundred thousand, they have converted in the
Government workshops nearly four hundred thousand,
and are satisfied that they have got a good arm for
the present. Col. Berdan has modified certain in-
ventors' principles, and produced a gun that has ob-
tained the recommendation of a board appointed to
inquire into these things ; let him and his friends
rest satisfied^*
* Since the above was written, Col. Berdan has brought out
still another breech-loader, differing in many important partic-
ulars from the one above described, and which I will endeavor
to notice in an addendum.
140
THE CRACK SHOT.
(4
Q
O
t
Q
W
o
H
I— I
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADER. 141
142 THE CRACK SHOT.
EEMINGTON'S BREECH-LOADER,
having claimed a great deal of attention both in this
country and on the continent, where it has been, in
a measure, adopted by Austria, I shall present a de-
scription of it. It is so called from being manufac-
tured by the Messrs. Remington & Sons at Ilion,
N. Y. It is made under the patents of Leonard
Seiger and Joseph Rider. It can load at half or full-
cock, and can be fired with great rapidity, as is
proved by IVIr. Kerr having fired it forty-seven times
in three minutes, at the great rifle match at Wimble-
don in July, 1866. As an instance of its strength, it
may be stated that it has been fired with a charge of
one hundred and twenty grains of rifle powder and
eighteen hundred grains of lead without any injury
to the arm. It stood all the tests of putting it in
water, rolling in sand, etc., to which the arms were
subjected by the Board of Army Officers that recently
sat at Washington. The breech-piece and the lock,
excepting the mainspring, can be taken apart and
" assembled " twice in a minute.
" The peculiarity of this gun is the breech-piece, which has a
swinging movement on a pivot below the barrel, opening the
chamber for loading by a movement of its face backward and
downward from the barrel. The great merit of this gun is its
extreme simplicity.
" Fig. 1 is a side view of the breech part of the gun with one
side of the breech-receiver. A, broken away to expose to view
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADER. 113
the breech and lock, which are shown in the position they
occupy at the time of firing. Fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1,
except that it represents the parts in position for loading. The
breech-piece, B, is fitted snugly to a mortise in the receiver, A,
w^hich attaches the barrel to the stock, and the pivot, &, upon
which it swings, is inserted through the breech-receiver. The
breech-piece is braced against the recoil at the time of firing by
means of the tumbler, C, of the hammer, which is made thick
enough to fill the mortise provided in the receiver for the
breech-piece. As the pin, c, on which this tumbler and the
hammer swing, and which is inserted through the receiver,
forms the recoil bearing, it is made very strong, seven-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter. The breech-piece and tumbler, C, are
so formed that when the breech piece is closed the rounded
upper portion of the tumbler works in a concavity in the back
of the breech-piece, and when the hammer is drawm back to
half-cock or full-cock the rounded part of the breech-piece w^orks
in a concavity in the front of the tumbler. This mode of match-
ing the breech-piece and tumbler prevents the possibility of the
hammer falling until the breech-piece is perfectly closed, and so
obviates the possibility of premature explosion of the charge.
The hammer strikes upon a firing-pin — shown in dotted outline
— working through the breech-piece. The extractor by which
the discharged cartridge shells are drawn out from the chamber
of the barrel works between the receiver and the breech-piece,
and is operated by the opening movement of the latter. The
breech-piece is operated by applying the thumb of the right
hand to a comb like that of a hammer provided on its upper
part. This allows the trigger guard to be made a fixture.
" To prevent the trigger from being drawn when the breech
piece, B, is open, there is arranged under the breech-piece and
tumbler, C, a small lever, D, called the ' trigger-lever/ which
works on a pivot, d, and to the front part of which there is
applied a spring, e, which presses it upw^ard against the hub of
the breech-receiver. The rear end of this lever is situated under
the sere or point of the trigger, and when the breech-piece is
open its hub holds the said lever in such a position that the
144 THE CEACK SHOT.
sere can not be drawn out of the notch of the hammer, but
when the breech-piece is closed the front end of the said lever
slips into a groove, shown in dotted lines, provided in the hub,
and so permits the trigger to be drawn. The spring, ^, by
pressing the front end of the trigger-lever against the inclined
entrance of the said groove, effects the perfect closing of the
breech, should this fail to be quite accomplished by the forward
movement of the breech-piece effected by the application of the
thumb to the comb. Besides thus insuring the perfect closing
of the breech-piece, the lever, D, also holds the breech closed
until the tumbler of the hammer is in place to lock it ; and it
also prevents the wearing off of the front corner of the rounded
portion of the tumbler, and rear corner of the rounded portion
of the breech-piece, as these pass each other, which would
otherwise take place in case of the hammer being liberated
from the trigger before the breech-piece was quite closed."
Many objections have been urged against the Eem-
ington rifle, the principal of which was the hability
of the breech-block to jam. To properly understand
this objection, it will be necessary to describe more
minutely the working of the breech-block, which
works backward and forward with the hammer, thus
necessitating a full cocking of the gun before the
piece can be loaded. The breech-block is a soHd
piece of steel, pierced by a firing line and acting in
conjunction with a tumbler attached to the hammer.
At the lower part of the chamber of the barrel is a
spur for ejecting the exploded shell, which is con-
nected with the breech-block by a spring. The mode
of operation is as follows : The hammer is first cocked
to its fullest extent, then the breech-block is pulled
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADEIi. 145
bnclvward to the hammer, which catches it by a nip,
and thus keeps the breech oi)en. On the cartridge
being inserted, the block is pushed forward, and the
breech closed. Nothing then remains but to fire the
piece. It is objected that this system will not work,
and one writer, in speaking of this arm, says :
" Tlie defects in the gun are these : In the first place, unless
the breech-block is kept thoroughly well oiled, the greatest dif-
ficulty is experienced in pulling it backward with the fingers.
Now, as in active service soldiers have no time to take out the
block and ' grease * it every day, it will be seen that a great
delay in loading must ensue. In the next place, the spur or
shell ejector is entirely too small, and will not eject the shell
unless it (the shell) is also thoroughly well greased. In the
presence of the writer one of these guns was operated with, and
the result was that even with the shell well greased the spur
failed to eject it oftener than once in five times. A great
deal of trouble was experienced in forcing back the breech-
block, in consequence of the inability of the spur to eject the
shell. When the block was at last forced back, it was found
that the spur had merely cut through the metal without eject-
ing the shell. We are thus minute in mentioning the defects
of the Remington gun because of the claim for superiority
made by the inventor. How the defects can be remedied it
would be diflScult to explain. The breech-block is really the
stumbling-block. Without a shell in the chamber, it is pulled
back with comparative ease ; but with the exploded shell re-
sisting the forward action of the spur, it requires a finger of
uncommon strength to operate it. So far as the * greasing ' of
the cartridges is concerned, the statement that such greasing is
a necessity only renders the gun more objectionable. In nearly
all of the other breech-loaders now i)rominently before the
public, it is immaterial whether the metallic cases of the car-
tridges are well greased or not, the spurs possessing sufi3cient
10
146 THE CRACK SHOT.
width and bottom to eject the exploded shells entirely from the
chamber of the barrel. It is stated that the Austrian Govern-
ment has adopted this weapon ; but the statement has not been
authenticated. Austria has not yet adopted any particular
breech-loading fire-arm for her army."
There "was a great deal of force in this objection,
and likewise in the opposition that was shown to this
gun on account of the weakness of the breech-piece.
The inventors set themselves to work to remedy these
defects, and so successful have they been that they
have now produced an arm that is apparently perfect
in its construction, and most probably destined to
play a great part in future warfare. Under this new
condition, the Remington was submitted to the Board
of Officers that assembled at Albany early in 1867, in
accordance with instructions from the State Legisla-
ture to report upon the " best breech -loading arm."
It was highly approved of, and is spoken of in the
following terms by the same writer who penned the
foregoing paragraph condemning it :
" This weapon (the Remington Improved) is essentially dif-
ferent from, and is in every respect superior to, the breech-load-
ing rifle of the same name described by me some months ago,
and on which it is an improvement. Instead of the double ears
which formed the lever of the breech-block, it (the lever) is
opened and shut by means of a single ear on the right side of
the ear of the breech. The opening of the breech causes the
empty cartridge shell to be rapidly ejected from the barrel, and,
unlike that of its predecessor, the hammer has no connection
with the breech-pin. Altogether this weapon possesses many
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADER. 1^7
excellent characteristics, and, should the State decide upon
making new giins instead of altering old ones, must prove a
formidable competitor of the other breech-loaders. The gun
which was tested had been fired over one thousand times before,
often at the rate of eighteen shots per minute, and without the
slightest injury to any part of its mechanism. It is elegantly
finished, is very light, and has immense strength. Its construc-
tion is very simple, the breech-block being composed of only
three pieces, which can be pulled to pieces and put together
again in a few seconds."
This is the rifle that is now tnown as the " Rem-
ington Improved Breech-loading Rifle.'' As a matter
of interest, I subjoin an account of a series of trials
had at Vienna (Austria), in October last, before the
Archduke "Wilhelm, Field Marshal ; Count Ryland,
President of the Royal Commission appointed to as-
certain the "best form of breech-loaders" with a
yiew to choosing one for the army :
The trials on the Remington gun marked No. 1 were chiefly
made with the object of testing the breech-closing arrange-
ments, in order to ascertain its fitness for military purposes, and
also to determine its efl&ciency and durability when exposed to
the vicissitudes of war. The question of accuracy in firing was
not specially attended to at this trial, as other experiments on
this subject are now being conducted apart from those on the
breech-closing arrangements. In accordance with the above-
mentioned object a series of experiments in firing were under-
taken with the Remington gun on several days. Accounts of
these experiments follow in the order they were made :
First Experiment on the 20th September, 1866. — The commis
sion had the gun first taken to pieces, and then examined the
parts composing the breech-closing arrangements and the lock,
and also the mechanism of the breech-closinor. It was then
148 THE CRACK SHOT.
determined to fire from the gun — the simplicity of which in its
arrangements and mode of use is particularly remarkable— first,
sixty shots with the cartridge containing the greatest amount
of gimpowder, i.e., seventy -five grains English ; then forty shots
with cartridges containing sixty grains of gunpowder each, at a
target three hundred paces distant ; and also forty shots, quick
firing, with sixty-grain cartridges. Not the slightest interrup-
tion occurred during these one hundred and forty shots ; the
breech-closing arrangements worked perfectly well ; the target
firing confirmed the accurate firing of the gun ; and in quick
firing from the shoulder thirteen shots per minute were made.
In the examination of the gun when taken to pieces after this
firing, no fouling, charge, or damage could be detected in the
breech-closing arrangements. The gun was finally put together
again without cleaning the breech-closing arrangements, and
laid aside for further experiments.
Second Experiment on the 21st September, 1866. — The firing
to test the durability of the breech-piece was continued as
follows :
(a). With cartridges containing sixty grains gunpowder each,
eighty shots were fired continuously. One of the cartridges
split up all along, without, however, in any way hindering the
opening of the breech or fouling the breech-pieces. After cool-
ing the barrel by pouring cold water through it, thirty shots
more were fired, and after these —
(&). With cartridges containing forty -five grains gunpowder
each, the following five series of continuous firing were made :
Forty-eight shots, forty-two shots, eighty-four shots, thirty shots,
one hundred shots, — altogether three hundred and four shots,
during which there was no interruption. The cooling of the
barrel after each series of shots was accelerated by pouring
water through ; and finally, after four hundred and fourteen
shots had been fired on this day, water was poured over the gun
and the breech-closing arrangements, and the gun then laid
aside in this condition, so that at the next trial the amount of
rusting might be ascertained, and the influence this would have
upon the breech-closing.
REMINGTON CREECH-LOADER. 149
Third Experiment on the 22d September, 18G6. — The giin
which had been wetted with water on the previous day and
laid aside in that state was taken to pieces and examined. It
then appeared that all the parts composing the breech-closing
arrangements and the lock were much attacked by rust, but
notwithstanding this the proper work of the lock was not pre-
vented. The gun was then put together without any cleaning
of the breech-pieces, and subjected to further experiments in
firing, so as to obtain convincing proofs as to whether the rust-
ing of the breech-closing arrangements and lock would not dis-
turb or injure their proper working. For this purpose there
were fired under the same conditions as in the former experi-
ment, and with cartridges containing forty-five grains of gun-
powder each, three hundred and forty shots in seven series of
forty-two shots each, and one series of forty-six shots. During
this firing two cartridges missed fire, but exploded properly on
being shifted in the barrel ; forty shots were also made with
the hand free and without taking aim, for which three minutes
thirteen seconds were required. During all this firing tlie
breech-closing arrangements worked perfectly well, and when
the breech-pieces and lock were finally examined there was no
perceptible change. Thus up to the present, the Remington
gun had fired altogether sixty shots with cartridges containing
seventy-five grains gunpowder, one hundred and ninety with
sixty-grain cartridges, and six hundred and eighty-six with
forty-five grain cartridges, — altogether nine hundred and thirty-
six shots, — without any cleansing of either the barrel or the
breech-closing arrangements. The commission now determined
to have this cleansing performed, with a view of continuing the
experimental firing on the arrival of a fresh quantity of car-
tridges, and of ascertaining whether the removal of the rust
would cause any deterioration in the strength of the breech-
closing arrangements and their perfect working order. It was
also determined to further test the Remington gun by firing
altogether two thousand shots, and employing for this first all
the sixty-grain cartridges which were to be supplied to the
commission for the experiments.
150 THE CSACK SHOT.
Fourth Experiment on the 2Wi September, 1866. — On this day
three hundred and sixty-one shots were made with sixty-grain
cartridges in the following series : Thirty -nine shots ; one car-
tridge missed fire, but on shifting it in the breech and firing
again, it exploded properly. Forty shots, forty shots, and one
hundred and twenty shots, continuously and without interrup-
tion, the barrel being cooled after each series. Six shots fired
to estimate the amount of recoil in a machine ; the recoil was
found to average forty-eight pounds (German). Thirty-two
shots ; quick firing, not from the shoulder, and by an expert ;
this took one minute fifty-two seconds, which is equal to seven-
teen shots per minute. Thirty-four shots continuously from a
rest, and after the opened breech-closing arrangements had been
strewed with road dust. Finally, fifty shots continuously, dur-
ing which there was no interruption. The gun was then again
strewed over with dust, and laid aside exposed to the damp
night air.
Fifth Experiment on the 2Sth September, 1866. — The gun was
first examined, when it was found that the lock did not permit
of the hammer being raised to full cock ; however, on taking
the gun to pieces, it was found that the obstruction was caused
by the presence of some grains of sand between the spring of
the lock and the adjoining breech-piece. After removing this
sand and putting the lock together, it was found to be in perfect
working order, although still uncleaned. The testing of the
breech- closing arrangements was then continued as follows :
(a). With cartridges holding sixty grains gunpoicder each,
forty shots were fired against a target about three hundred
paces distant, in order to compare the present accuracy in firing
with the results obtained in the first experiments. No difl'er-
ence was found in the results of the target shooting. Then ten
shots were fired at a target six hundred paces distant, and with
good accuracy ; and one hundred shots in two series of fifty
shots each, against boards (Traver's) to determine the power of
penetration of the shot.
(b). With cartridges containing forty -five grains gunpowder
each, — There were fired six series, — one of forty-nine shots, four
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADER. 151
of forty-two sliots, and one of eiglity-four shots ; altogether,
three hundred and one shots. One cartridge missed fire, but on
shifting it in the breech and firing again it exploded properly.
During all the four hundred and fifty-one shots fired on this
day there was no interruption- The gun was laid aside un
cleaned.
Sixth Experiment on 29^A September. — On examining the gun
it was found that the breech-closing arrangements were un-
changed, although covered with dust and a little powder smoke,
and the gun could be manipulated as well as before. For the
further testing of the gun the following concluding series of
firing with forty-five grain cartridges were made: First, four
series of forty-two shots, each continuous, during which firing
ten cartridges were employed which had been lying for a quar-
ter of an hour in water ; then forty-two shots w^ere fired con-
tinuously, eight of which were directed against a wooden chest
filled with cartridges, in which the latter were placed in various
positions ; some with their lower ends (the percussion ends)
facing the spot from whence the shots came ; others with the
ball end toward it ; others, again, with their sides in that direc-
tion. Of these shots, fired from a distance of one hundred and
fifty paces, the eighth hit the chest and passed through the
side. Among two hundred and sixty cartridges contained in
the chest, partly in pasteboard boxes, and partly distributed
between the latter, five exploded and blew oflp the top of the
chest, which was fastened on with only two nails ; ten of the
rest of the cartridges had their exterior cases distorted and ren-
dered incapable of fitting into the barrel ; twenty-six cartridges
were blackened by the smoke, and all the rest remained intact.
After this there were fired forty-two shots continuously to make
up the number of shots fired to two thousand ; and, finally,
seven shots with cartridges purposely filed thin at the rim, and
split in different parts, in order to cause the cartridges to burst,
and ascertain the effect of this upon the breech. During this
experiment the gun was placed in a safety apparatus. Five of
the cartridges prepared in this manner were split up partly at
the bottom, and there was, in consequence, a slight flash of
152 THE CRACK SHOT.
flame at each, side of the breech, rather like what occurs when
a cap splits on the touchhole of an ordinary gun. The breech-
closing arrangements did not undergo any change in conse-
quence, and both the breech and the hammer preserved their
normal x^osition. On subsequently taking to pieces and exam-
ining the gun, it was found that the breech-loading arrange-
ments and lock were not perceptibly worn, that the breech
closed as firmly as ever, and that a little powder-smoke was
only deposited on the surfaces of the lock-case and on the spring
of the lock, which, however, would not have hindered the con-
tinued use of the gun. The two hundred and fifty-nine shots
made on the sixth day of experiment mthout any interruption
concluded the testing of the Remington gim, so that altogether
there were fired, with good effect, sixty shots with cartnages
containing seventy-five grains gunpowder each ; seven hundred
and one shots with sixty-grain cartridges ; and twelve hundred
and forty-six shots with forty-five grain cartridges, m.aking
altogether two thousand and seven shots.
(Signed),
'AUCHDUKE WiLHELM,
Field-Marshal Lieutenant.
Count Arthur Bylakd,
President of the Royal Commission.
Major F. Kreutz.
YiENis-A, Oct. 3, 1866.
This must be considered satisfactory, and it is a
test that should certainly satisfy any reasonable man
of the great value of this arm. I have dwelt at great
length on this arm, as I consider that it and the
Peabody and Berdan are the best American single
breech-loaders for miHtary purposes.
The Messrs. Eemington have reason to be proud of
the high character their gun maintains. The Amer-
REMINGTON BREECH-LOADER. 153
ican Government have purchased a very large num-
ber ; the factory is diiven to the utmost to supply an
order of twenty thousand for Denmark ; Norway and
Sweden have adopted it, and doubtless France will
be glad to have it again submitted, since the vaunted
" Chassepot " has turned out a failure. I may appro-
priately wind up this notice of this weapon in the
words of a very competent EngHsh journaHst who
writes thus :
" We were shown yesterday a handsome specunen of the new
or Improved Remington American Breecli-loading Rifle, — a
weapon apparently perfect in its construction, and most proba-
bly destined to play a great part in future warfare. As a mili-
tary breech-loader, so far as our judgment goes, it is unequaled.
Whether we consider it as an efficient fire-arm, judging it solely
by its Ukelihood to stand tlio tear and wear of campaigning-,
and its comparative safety from derangement of parts by the
enemy's shot, we can come to but one conclusion, — that it is the
most remarkable military breech-loader the world has yet seen.
It can be made of any reasonable caliber, and to take any neces-
sary charge of gunpowder, fulfilling in these great essentials
two most desirable requirements. Its simplicity of mechanism
is so great that Mr. Remington's agent, in our presence, took
separate and put together (or, to use his phrase, ' assembled ')
the lock in less than a minute. The peculiar feature of novelty
in this invention consists in the application of a swinging
breech-piece, pierced by a firing-pin, to a barrel bored ' through
and through,' and acting in combination with a tumbler at-
tached to the hammer, so that the curved edges of the tumbler
and the breech-piece will correspond and interlock to brace
against the recoil. It has been advanced by some that the
movable breech-piece might be driven open by the recoil of the
cartridge. This in the new Remington is shown to be a me-
154 THE CRACK SHOT.
chanical impossibility, and lias been practically tested by filling
tlie barrel to the muzzle with clay, in front of one hundred and
twenty grains of the quickest electric gunpowder, bulging out
the steel barrel at the point where the powder and clay met,
but not dislodging the breech-piece. To handle the breech-
piece and hammer is like handling solid iron weights, inde-
structible by any common usage ; and the whole of the parts
are put together so as to protect what little there is to injure in
the most complete attainable manner. For rapidity of firing
the Remington can not be excelled. It was fired at the last
Wimbledon, meeting fifty-one times in three minutes."
F. WESSON'S BEEECH-LOADER
This gun is constructed on different principles from
any of tliose I have previously enumerated, in liaving
a solid breech, and the barrel tilting up to receive the
cartridge.
The inventor of this gun, Franklin Wesson, who is
noted as a rifle-maker, and of whose muzzle-loading
rifle I have spoken in another place, was the first to
manufacture a breech-loader for using the fixed am-
munition. It at once attained a great degree of
popularity, and has always retained it. I am not
aware of its being used to any extent as a mihtary
arm, its chief use being for sporting purposes, r;nd for
which it is admirably adapted. I used one in my
deer-hunting expeditions last fall, and wish no better ;
its simplicity, portability, and accuracy strongly re-
commending it to the sportsman. It is so well known
WESSON'S BREECH-LOADER.
155
WESSONS BrwEECH-LOADEK,
156
THE CEACK SHOT.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the right-hand side, showing
the cartridi^e-shell extractor.
tliat a description seems almost unnecessary ; yet a
few explanatory remarks of the cut may be interesting.
The barrel works on a pivot at a, and is thrown up by
a small trigger, B, to receive the cartridge ; it is pre-
vented rising too much by a link, C, which catches on
a small pin, e. This link works in a groove cut in the
side of the barrel. The hammer, which can be taken
out by removing the plate, E, strikes the cartridge
through a small nick cut in the breech, F. The shell
is extracted by a slide, on the right-hand side of the
barrel, working in a groove. It is worked by a small
knob, and after performing the operation is returned
to its place by a spiral spring.
Mr. Wesson, the inventor, still continues the manu^
facture of this gun at Worcester, Mass. He claims to
COCHRAN'S BREECH-LOADER. 157
be able to fire as rapidly as any breech-loader yet
invented, and faster than any repeater for fifty shots.
In a trial at St. Louis, Mo., for a stand of colors, the
Wesson distanced all competitors ; out of one hun-
dred shots, fired at a target of the size of a man,
fifty-six hit ; and again, at Kentville, Mass., out of
twenty shots, all were hits, while none of the others
made more than thirteen.
COCHRAN'S BREECH-LOADER.
This weapon does not rank among the first of
American inventions, but it contains merits which are
peculiarly its own. The housing is hght, but strong,
and into this the barrel is screwed. The breech-block,
having a rolling bearing at its rear end, is fitted to
the housing, with a pin inserted into the bearing for
the purpose of keeping the breech-block in its proper
place. The front of the breech-block against which
the cartridge rests, when the breech is closed, is a
spherical convex, and is so positioned with the barrel
that the pressure of the shell aids in keeping it firmly
locked. The operating lever of the breech-block forms
the trigger-guard, and is somewhat similar in appear-
ance to the Ballard rifle. There is one featiu'e in it,
however, which no other breech-loader's lever pos-
sesses. The end of the lever, instead of resting near
158 THE CKACK SHOT.
or on the stock, is turned up and enters the stock, so
that when the breech is open there is no possible
chance of its lever catching against any thing. The
piece in the stock is elastic and has a kind of hook at
the top, which catches hold of a notch (in the stock)
and serves either to keep the breech effectually locked,
or to prevent the lever from coming out of the stock
entirely when the breech is opened. The lever being
pulled down, the breech-block is forced upward by
the action of the hinged end of the lever against the
rear portion of the block. The breech is thus exposed
and the cartridge is inserted into the barrel, under
the breech-block, or if not under, the gun must be
turned over. This is a very awkward manner of
loading, and, notwithstanding its originality, is the
most objectionable feature of the gun. It is true that,
to facihtate loading, the under part of the breech-
block is made hollow, but this only weakens the
block, while it does not, to any great extent, facilitate
loading. It is urged by the inventor that one of the
advantages arising from this method of loading is,
that, should there be a premature discharge, the pow-
der will escape downward, and not upward, so as to
injure the face. This is very doubtful, inasmuch as
that all explosions have an upward tendency, and the
result of a premature discharge of the cartridge would
be the blowing out of the breech-piece directly toward
COCnEAN's Cr. EECn-LOADER. 159
the face of the soldier. The shell -ejector is, perhaps,
the best feature in the gun, although it is not equal
to the ejector of the Peabody rifle. It consists of a
straight piece which slides on a guide formed be-
tween the lower portion of the barrel and the breech-
receiver. A rod of steel connects it with the operat-
ing lever, which is contained in the breech-receiver,
to the right of the block. On the lever or trigger-
guard being pulled down, the rod is pushed back-
ward, carrying with it the ejector, and consequently
the exploded shell. On the lever being liberated the
spring at the end of the ejecting rod straightens
itself, throwing the ejector forward and drawing the
lever back to its proper place. By means of a notch
under the breech-receiver the ejector can be operated
with the finger and independently of the lever ; but
as this would only increase the time required for
firing, it will seldom be used. Should the connection
with the lever become destroyed, it would then be of
use, but not otherwise. As stated before, tlie Cochran
rifle possesses merits, but as a military arm it can
scarcely become a favorite. The difficulty, or rather
discomfort, of loading from beneath the breech-block
is a most serious objection,
I have never seen this gun, but should not imagine
it was one that would ever become popular, though
as manufactured by Daw, the eminent London gun-
160 THE C K A C K SHOT.
smith, it has attracted considerable attention in Eng-
land. The " Land and Water," in its account of a
trial at Beaufort House, under the auspices of Lord
Ranclagh, claims it to be the best in use. Some
modifications have been made from the description
above, and the central-fire has been substituted for
the rim-fire cartridge.
POULTENEY BEEECH-LOADING MUSKET.
This is an arm that has only recently been brought
forward, and as no public trial has been had of it, as
far as I am aware, no opinion can be formed of its
merits, though its advocates claim great excellence
for it. The following description of it will doubtless
prove interesting. It is taken fi'om an article on
" Breech-loading Arms," published in the " New York
Herald " some time since :
" Tliroiigli the kindness of Colonel S. Crispin, tlie efficient
Ordnance Officer of this State, we are enabled to furnish a de-
scription of the above-named weapon. It is of recent invention,
and although not yet known to the public at large, promises to
become one of the most popular fire-arms in the United States.
While the gun is made on the principle of rotation, it is almost
devoid of mechanical work. The breech-block consists of a
solid piece of steel, connected with the lever, which foi-ms the
trigger-guard, and swinging on an axis. Attached to the lever
is the only spring about the gun, and it is merely the lock that
keeps the breech-block properly closed up against the chamber
of the barrel. Attached to the block is a spur, which ejects the
P O U L T E N E Y B li E K C U - L O A D I N G M U ^i K J: T . IGl
exploded shell entirely from the breech simultaneously with the
pulling down of tlie lever. The block, us stated before, swings
ui)on an axis, but instead of falling downward when the lever is
l)ulled down, it moves backward, thus exposing the breech.
This system of operation is very su])erior, for should the shell
not be ])ushed into the brecjch sulliciently, as soon as the lev(ir
is pulled back the face of the block comes in contact with the
cover of the cartridge and shoves it home, without the slightest
danger of a premature discharge. Another source of safety in
the Poulteney rifle is that by the opening of tlie breech the
hammer is half-cocked, thus preventing an accident, When
fired, the hammer strikes against a pin wliich runs through the
block, and the blow is transmitted to the fulminate The gun
is light, but immensely strong, and is well finislied. The fol-
lowing is the mode of oi)erating it : First motion, pulling down
the lever, and by so doing expose the breech and eject the car-
tridge ; second, inserting a fresh cartridge ; third, pulling back
the lever, and eff .actually closing the breech ; fourth, cocking
the hammer ; fifth, firing. The only defect in this gun is that
the spur or shell-ejector is not quite wide enough to insure a
positive certainty of ejection, should the metal of the shell be
of inferior quality."
I have seen it stated that the average number of
shots that can be discharged from this arm is sixteen.
I understand that the cartridge is made of India-
rubber, which I should esteem very objectionable.
But I will not discuss the merits of this gun, as I am
not particularly acquainted with its merits or defects,
and it has not as yet gained ony considerable noto-
riety. The references to it in the report of the Wash-
ington Board arc so meager that one is quite unable
to arrive at any conclusion respecting it.
11
162 THE CRACK SHOT,
SMITH'S CAKBINE.
This weapon has been largely used in the United
States Cavalry service, and there is a Hkelihood that
it will be permanently adopted for that branch of the
army. The carbine is composed of two parts, one
being the barrel, and the other the stock, with the
lock attached. These are secured by an axis of rota-
tion, or hinge, with a locking spring of great strength
on the top of the barrel, and a catch in the rear of
the hammer to retain it in its proper position. At-
tached to the axis of rotation is the spur, which is
under the chamber of the breech, so that as soon as
the barrel is thrown forward the shell is ejected.
The method of operation is as follows : The barrel of
the carbine is thrown upon the left arm, near to the
axis of rotation, and the catch in the rear of the ham-
mer being pressed down with the finger, the locking
spring is released, and the barrel falls downward, and
thus exposes the breech. A sHght motion of the right
hand on the stock brings the barrel and it (the stock)
on a level, and the locking spring is instantly fastened
to the catch. All that then remains is to cock and
fire the piece. The Smith carbine is very simple in
construction and possesses considerable strength.
The great merit it undoubtedly has, is the ease with
which it can be loaded and fired. Any ordinarily
*' national" breech -loading rifle. 163
drilled soldier can, at a full gallop, load and fire it
six or eight times per minute, and still guide his
horse with the left hand. Although as a cavalry arm
it may answer well, it is very doubtful if it would be
effective for infantry. The method of loading, which
would expedite the cavakyman, is very likely to delay
the infantry soldier.
At the test in Washington in 1866, it does not ap-
pear to have given satisfaction, for I find that it was
one of those that was set " aside " by the Board on
the twenty-sixth day, under the following resolution :
" That all arms not considered suitable for further trial
be set aside."
THE "NATIONAL" BEEECH-LOADING KIFLE
is constructed on the sliding-block system, and is
made as follows : In the rear of the breech-block and
below it is a recoil bearer, composed of iron, in the
shape of a three-sided parallelogram. In front of
this and above it is a soKd breech-block attached to
the lever. On both sides of the lower portion of the
front of the block is a spur which enters a small
cavity on either side of the chamber of the barrel,
and these spurs eject the shell completely from the
breech when the lever is pulled down. The lever
forms the trigger-guard, and is secured in its place
164
THE CRACK SHOT.
Fig. 1.
p
<
o
i
a
O
''NATIONAL'* BKEECH-LOADING RIFLE. 165
FiGt.2.
166 THE CEACK SHOT.
by a spring attached to its fore-part, whicli enters tlie
stock, and rests under the breech-block. The lock is
contained in a solid chamber, and has no connection
with the breech-block, as in many others of recent
invention. Through the upper portion of the breech-
block is a pin upon which the hammer strikes, and
which transmits the blow to the fulminate of the
metalHc cartridge. The manner of operating the
rifle is as follows: The lever being pulled down, (he
recoil-bearer falls sufficiently low to permit the
breech-block to slide over it, and the shell is rap-
idly ejected. As the breech-block slides backward
the hammer is forced to a half-cock by the action,
thus insuring absolute safety in loading. The breech
being now open, the cartridge is dropped into the
open space between the chamber of the barrel and
the block ; the lever is pulled back, and the face
of the block pressing against the rim of the car-
tridge, forces it into the barrel. The gun is then
fully cocked and fired. The National rifle is very
simple in its construction, and its principal merits
are that it has no dependence on springs, levers,
fulcrums, nor circular bearings for resisting the dis-
charge. The resistance is obtained by perfectly
square, solid blocks, which move at right angles.
Again, there is not the shghtest danger of a prema-
ture discharge, so well arranged is the breeeh-block
"national" breech-loading rifle. 167
in the chamber. The weapon is light, but pos-
sesses immense strength. Charges, consisting of one
hundred grains of powder and eighteen hundred
forty-eight grains of lead, have been fired from the
shoulder with but httle or no recoil. As a military
arm — and it is only intended for such — the National
rifle must eventually hold a high position. It has
been fired with ease sixteen times in a minute.
This rifle doubtless presents many advantages,
but considerable modifications must take place ere
it becomes fit for a military arm. At the tests in
Washington, already alluded to, it was found that
after it had been sprinkled with fine dust that it
did not work freely. In the words of the report,
" it was disabled by the test until the dust was re-
moved, when it again worked well." Again, a few
days later, when the arms had been sprinkled with
water and laid away to rust for three days, it worked
very imperfectly, though firing easily. In both these
tests the Peabody, Remington, Spencer, and some
others operated most satisfactorily. It performed
better at the State trial at Albany, giving good results
as to precision and rapidity. It also showed great
penetration : one hundred shots were fired out of it in
seven minutes forty-five seconds. On the whole, it
worked infinitely better than when tried at Washing-
ton. This principle can not be applied to the conver-
sion of muzzle-loaders.
168 THE CBACK SHOT.
THE LAIDLEY CAKBINE.
This breech-loader is the invention of an officer
of the United States army, and is of recent date.
It is made on the same principle as the Remington
gun, the only difference being that the breech-block
and the hammer are pulled back together, whereas
in the Remington they are jDulled back separately.
Another slight difierence is in the locking of the
hammer after it is cocked. This is done by a catch
at the side of the stock, instead of by the breech-
block, as in the other mentioned arm. It does not
appear, from the description given, that the Laidley
is near as good an arm as the Remington, from
which it was copied ; it has all the original defects
of that arm ; viz., that the distance from the axis
cf rotation to the finger, ears, or top of the breech-
block are not long enough, and the difficulty of
opening the breech, when the exploded shell is re-
sisting the action of the block, remains the same.
These defects, as previously stated, have been com-
pletely overcome in the " Improved Remington." I
have seen it stated that the Austrian government
have given the Colt Manufactming Company an
order for one hundred thousand of these guns, but
I rather doubt the statement, as they are manu-
THE HENRY RIFLE. 169
factnring breech-loaders in their own armories on
an entirely different principle.
THE HENRY RIFLE (REPEATER).
A great deal of prominence was given to this gun
some time ago, and every exertion was made to puff
it into notice. True, it enjoyed a certain degi^ee
of popularity, from the fact that seventeen shots
could be fired from it without re-loading, and this,
no doubt, was very fascinating, but the most cursory
examination shows that it is utterly unfit for either
military or sportinof purposes. The mechanism is
altogether too delicate, and if once out of order, —
and the great length of the spiral spring renders it,
in my judgment, peculiarly liable to accident, —
you aT<&' left with a very ordinary rifle. It is con-
structed on the same principle as the Spencer. The
magazine is composed of a tube running under the
barrel from the breech to within five inches of the
muzzle, and is partially open along its entire length
at the bottom. At the top of this magazine and up
to the muzzle is a tube which moves on hinges to
one side, exposing the chamber of the magazine, so
as to admit the cartridges. This tube contains a
follower, which is pressed forward by a spiral spring,
thus forcinof a cartrid^fe into the breech as fast as
170 THECBACKSHOT.
the lever is pulled down. On entering the breech
the cartridge is forced into the barrel by an upward
movement of the main-spring. The shell is ejected
by a spring catch, which seizes it by the rim and
ejects it, room being left in the barrel for it to rise
over the rim.
At the trial in Washington (Sept. 1866), its per-
formance was very unsatisfactory, it failing in nearly
every instance, showing clearly that the objection
above taken is well founded. I have seen very high
testimonials in favor of this arm, and one man in the
West (St. Louis), in his enthusiastic admiration for it,
goes so far as to say, " I will take the Henry rifle and
shoot against any living man at one thousand yards
with any other gun, and give him one hundred yards,
if his gun was made in Europe." This is sheer "bun-
combe." "^ It never, as far as I have been able to learn.
* This would-be " crack sliot" can never have seen a Euro-
pean gun, or if he has, it must have been some of the " cheap
John" trash from Birmingham or the continent, which are gen-
erally more dangerous to the shooter than to the thing shot at.
The Wliitworth, Rigby, Metford, etc., are the best rifles for
long range in the world, being, in the hands of a good marks-
man, tolerably certain up to two thousand yards, and are as
superior to the Henry as that gun is to the old " gas-pipe."
I may have more to say on this in another place. I merely
mention this to show how absurdly some men talk on rifle
matters.
THE HENRY RIFLE.
171
made even respectable practice at any long range ;
its shooting was not in any respect
to be compared to the Ball, Ballard,
Peabody, Eemington, Spencer, Sharp,
or any one of the many guns that
I have seen tested. Cleveland makes
the same remark at page 188. "In
speaking of its accuracy, however, al-
though several of the writers" (alluding
to the testimonials in the advertising
pamphlet) " praise it highly, I find that
they allude to it only in general terms,
and without specifying its perform-
ances. I am bound to sav that in this
particular the shooting of the only one
I have had an opportunity of testing,
and which was sent to me from the
manufactory for the purpose, was any
thing but satisfactory. I could not, on
an average, put three shots out of five
into a circle of two feet in diameter at
one hundred yards, and at two hundred
they varied four or five feet, wandering ^^^^^^
in every direction I tried the gun repeatedly,
and called in the aid of two experienced riflemen who
succeeded no better, though one of them assured me
he had sesn good shooting done with it at two hundred
HENEY 13REECH-
EKPEATEB.
172 THE CRACK SHOT.
yards. It is likewise very liable to get leaded, and in
tlie test of it, at the Ordnance Department in 1862,
proved this, as the report says it was ' found to be
considerably leaded and very foul, the lands and
grooves not being visible. In other respects it was
found in perfect order.'" I have seen much better
firing than Cleveland. In the spring of 1866 I
formed one of a committee to test the gun; a number
of crack shots fired with it from two hundred, four
hundred, and six hundred yards. The practice at
two hundred and four hundred was fair, but at six
hundred very wild, many of the shots missing the tar-
get altogether (it was six feet by six feet), and the oth-
ers scattered all round, ^to. addition to the ob-
jections already urged against it, I have also to state
that there is great danger of explosion of the
cartridges, even in the act of loading. I am aware
of an instance where the cartridge exploded on
being dropped into the magazine.
THE WINCHESTER BREECH-LOADER (RE-
PEATER).
An improvement, or rather, an alteration on the
Henry, has been recently made, and the new weapon
is called the " Winchester." Instead of the magazine
being partially open, it is entirely closed up, and in-
stead of loading from the top, the cartridges are
THE WINCHESTER RIFLE. 173
inserted into the magazine from the breech, thus
enabhng the gun to be used either as a single loader
or as a repeater. By this manner of loading the
cartridge last inserted is the first one fired. The
cartridges are inserted in the magazine through
an opening in the side of the frame, back of the
lower block. A spring Ud, grooved on the top,
and of a length to correspond with the size of the
cartridge, opens inward by a slight pressure of the
cartridge, which is then pushed forward, and as it
drops in its place is held there by a shoulder ; the
lid then rises to its place and closes the aperture.
If the Henry rifle was condemned for its complica-
tions, the " Winchester" has certainly not improved
the defects. However terrible both weapons would
be in the hands of experts, they are totally unfit for
military service. The charm of being able to fire
sixteen rounds of ammunition without cessation
would be quickly dispelled by the slightest injury
to any one part of the delicate and comphcated
machinery contained in the Henry and Winchester
rifles.
The inventor is Mr. Winchester, president of the
company by which the Henry gun is manufactured,
and, having observed some of the glaring defects
of that arm, he has modified them and set it be-
fore the public bearing his name.
174 THE CRACK SHOT.
BALL'S BKEECHLOADER (REPEATER).
I shall now proceed to give some account of the
only other repeater with which I am acquainted ;
viz., the Ball, which was also tried before the Army
Board at Washington in 1866, and on the twenty-
sixth day set aside as "not worthy of further trial."
It has a magazine under the barrel; from which the
cartridges are fed by a follower, J, pressed back by
a spiral spring into the receiver, A, whence they are
carried into the chamber of the barrel by the breech-
piece, E, which is connected at its forward end with
the trigger-guard lever, C, to the rear part of which is
hinged a tail-piece or brace, E, by which the breech
when closed is braced firmly against a shoulder, e, in
the rear part of the receiver, as is shown in the figure
spring, above the main-spring of the lock, presses up
the brace, E, to this position.
The filling of the magazine is effected by inserting
the cartridges, one at a time, through an opening at
the right-hand side of the receiver, the follower, J,
being at the time drawn forward to the front of the
magazine by an attachment of the ramrod, and locked
there until the magazine is full, when it is liberated and
left under the influence of the spiral spring to force
the cartridges back and feed them one at a time into
the receiver as fast as required for loading and firing.
BALL'S BREECH-LOADER. 175
It will be perceived in this gun that a portion
of the chamber is formed in the breech-piece by
being cut away, as is shown at a, a portion of the
barrel being cut away at b to receive the breech-piece.
It is necessary to full-cock this gun before it
can be loaded, which is a great drawback, though
it is claimed by the inventor that no accidental
discharge can take place, as the hammer is prevented
from faUing by a cam. For a very full account
of this arm, I must refer the reader to the same
source as I am indebted for some portion of the
foregoing particulars ; viz., " The American Artisan"
of Nov., 1866, though I do not find that it stood
the test at Washington, as there stated, it being
dropped by resolution of the Board on the 26th
day, and when subsequently tried for strength of con-
struction, did not give satisfaction, as the following
extract from the oflScial report of the Board shows :
''Ball's patent repeating carbine. First round, sixty-five
grains rifle-powder, with two balls (four hundred grains each);
second round, seventy grains rifle-powder, with three balls;
lever was blown back, throwing the breech-block down, and
the stock was split ; third round, seventy-five grains rifle-pow-
der, with four balls ; chamber blown open as before, and tail
of guard broken off; the shell breaks around the part supported
by the extractor."
It can also be used as a single breech-loader
by means of a check, which consists of a pin turned
by a small lever.
176
Oh
I
c
1^
ball's breech-loader.
Fig. 2.
177
O
o
iJ
iJ
2
12
178 THE CRACK SHOT.
I shall now, haying minutely described and com-
mented upon all the prominent weapons, give short
descriptions of a number of others that have been
brought forward. The particulars are taken from an
account, in the " New York Herald," of the proceed-
ings of the Board that assembled at Albany, to choose
a breech-loader for the use of the State troojos. I
have not seen any of the arms, and therefere can not
offer any opinion on them.
THE EMPIRE CONGEESS.
This weapon differs in construction from all other
breech-loaders. It is merely an alteration from a
Springfield rifle, and consists of two parts — one being
the barrel and the other the stock. By means of a
spring, which the inventors claim to be a secret, the
action of cocking the trigger throws open the breach,
and ejects the shell at the same time. The breech is
thrown open by the muzzle of the barrel falling down-
ward. It was fired vrith remarkable rapidity, not less
than eighteen shots having been fired in one minute,
and of this number several struck the ring of the
target. Its penetration was through the eleventh and
into the twelfth board. Afterward one hiuidred
rounds were fired in four minutes and forty seconds,
being an average of nearly twenty shots per minute.
THE HUBBELL BREECH-LOADER. 179
The gun was then sanded, with a \iew of testing its
powers, and the result was that it worked with just as
much ease as before. In its construction, the Empire
is very simple, and, as an alteration, is certainly an
excellent gim. It is strong, and apparently capable
of much service. The rapidity with which it was
fired created quite a sensation for a little while.
THE HUBBELL BEEACH-LOADEK.
This is an alteration from a muzzle-loader, and is
somewhat novel in its construction. On the trial for
rapidity, it fired one hundred rounds in thirteen
minutes thirty-two seconds, but this slow action
was stated to have been caused by the fact that the
party firing was not an expert. The cartridges used
not being lubricated, the gun fouled rapidly, thus test-
ing the strength of the breech-piece and barrel to
their fullest extent, and satisfying the board that the
weapon was strong enough for all practical purposes.
On the test for accuracy, eight shots were fired in one
minute, of which three entered the target, the gun
being fired by a gentleman who had never before
handled it. Its penetration was through the eleventh
and into the twelfth board.
180 THE CRACK SHOT.
THE MEIGS BREECH-LOADER
This breech-loader is an alteration, and differs from
all others in its construction. It fired one hundred
shots in five minutes forty seconds, part of the
time being tied down, and afterward from the
shoulder. On the test for accuracy being applied,
sixteen shots were fired in one minute, of which num-
ber six entered the inside of the target. Its penetra-
tion was through the eleventh board. While the gun
can be fired with much rapidity, it is not simply con-
structed, nor does it possess the strength of many of
the others. It is quite complicated, being made of
several small parts, each of which is exposed, and
liable to accident at any moment. After the gun had
been fired one hundred times, it became so hot that
the woodwork under the barrel partially burned, and
time had to be given for it to cool.
A number of others, such as the Page (Magazine),
Morganstem, Roberts & Simpson, Fitch-AUyn, Mill-
bank, Lamson, etc., etc., were tested; but, not present-
ing any particular features of novelty, I do not con-
sider it necessary to enlarge upon them. It may be
interesting to present, in a concise form, the general
qualities of the various guns tested at the ♦ Albany
trial, as claimed by their inventors.
RIFLE TRIALS. 181
" The Allyn gun was taken apart in four minutes, and re-assem-
bled in live and a half minutes. The inventor claims that his
alteration being made by reducing the gun from fifty-eight to
fifty caliber, the re-enforcement renders it stronger, and gives it
a great advantage in range and accuracy.
" The Poultney breech-loader was taken apart in two minutes,
and put together again in three and a half minutes. The in-
ventor claims general superiority of construction and ease of
use.
" The National rifle was taken apart in one minute and a half
and re-assembled in three minutes. The advantage of the gun
consists in its simplicity, strength, and durability of construc-
tion. It is very light, has no superior in range and penetration,
and has no dependence upon springs or fulcrums to resist the
discharge. It can fire with ease fifteen shots per second, and as
the gun becomes heated it works easier. By removing a single
pin with the finger, the soldier can render the gun useless.
Accidents while firing are utterly impossible, as the movement
of the lever in loading, half-cocks the gun, and relieves the ham-
mer from the detonating pin. In strength it is equal to any
breech-loader in the world.
'* The Milles gun was taken apart in five minutes and re-as-
sembled in nine minutes. The claim for this weapon is, that it
has no sprmgs, but consists of a breech-block and lever, worked
by a gear, the gear working the extractor.
" The Meigs gun was taken apart in one and three quarter
minutes, and put together again in one and one quarter minutes.
The inventor claims the advantage of pulling down the guard,
and with it the breech-block, thus exposing the breech.
" The Gray gun was taken apart in thirty seconds, and re-as-
sembled in forty-five seconds. The inventor claims the advan-
tage of a breech -pin and lever drawn back toward the stock
when opening the breech. This gun has a sliding breech.
*' The Empire gun was taken apart in thirty seconds, and was
re-assembled in forty-five seconds. The inventor claims that the
gun IS simple in construction, and very strong, and can be fired
as rapidly as any.
182 THE CRACK SHOT.
" The Hiibbell gun was not taken apart. The inventor claims
that it is simple and strong, and can be fired with ease and
rapidity.
" The Berdan gun was taken apart in eighteen seconds and re-
assembled in forty-two seconds. The inventor claims that the
safety of the gun does not depend upon a lock, the whole strain
of the discharge being borne upon a solid block of iron. The
breech-block rotates upon a center and slides backward when
closed.
"The Lamson gun was taken apart in one and a quarter
minutes, and put together again in one minute twenty-two sec-
onds. The weapon is somewhat similar to the Berdan, with the
exception that the breech-block is composed of two pieces,
through which the firing-pin passes."
FOREIGN RIFLES.
I do not purpose describing all tlie Eifles in use
among Continental nations, but only those that
may be considered the best, and that are known on
this side of the Atlantic, and from the prominent
position it holds, I shall first proceed to describe
THE WHITWOETH EIFLE.
The performance of the Enfield rifle, during the
Crimean war, having proved that it was vastly supe-
rior to any arms with which the Eussians were sup-
plied, the English Government determined on at once
THE WHITWORTH RIFLE. 183
arming the troops witli this weapon ; but the means
at their command being insuJffieient, partly from the
incapacity of the Board of Ordnance, and partly from
the demoralization of the gun trade at Birmingham,
owing to the combinations of the makers there, they
were compelled to apply to Parliament for means to
estabhsh a small-arms manufactory, that would be
able to meet the demand. A select committee was
appointed, and sat for two months, in 1854, and
propounded eight thousand questions, but their
labors were of no practical value of themselves ;
though incidentally they led to the invention of the
rifle about to be described. Among other witnesses
examined was ]VIr. ^\Tiitworth, a celebrated ma-
chinist of Manchester. He proved that it was
possible to measure sizes with the greatest nicety,
mechanically, up to the millionth of an inch ; he
likewise showed that no steps had been taken, by
means of difference gauges, to test he accuracy of the
interior of rifle barrels, and upon which their per-
formance so entirely depends. He also proved, that
no conclusions, on which dependence could be placed,
could be arrived at for determining the true form of
bore until that was done. It being clear that any at-
tempt to establish a small-arms factory, without this
knowledge, would be dangerous, and there being no
unanimity among the leading gun-makers upon the
184 THE CSACK SHOT.
subject, Mr. Whitworth's offer, to conduct a series of
experiments for the purpose of elucidating this ques-
tion, if his expenses were paid, was accepted by the
government, and a sum, stated to be sixty thousand
dollars, granted for the purpose. Mr. "Whitworth had
a covered gallery, five hundred yards in length, erected
m his grounds, where the series of experiments could
be carried on and registered under precisely the
same circumstances. I shall now proceed to give, in
the words of Hans Busk, a few particulars of the rifle
that was the net result of these experiments. It
would occupy a vast deal of space to follow Mr. Whit-
worth through his experiments, which were very
interesting, and demonstrated the truth of his state-
ments : that no means existed for measuring the
accuracy of gun-barrels, and that any attempt to con-
struct arms on a large scale, without this knowledge,
would end disastrously.
" The bore, as already stated, is hexagonal ; and, instead of
consisting partly of non-effective lands and partly of grooves,
is composed entirely of effective rifling surfaces. The angular
corners of the hexagon are always rounded, and either hexa-
gonal or cylindrical bullets may be used indifferently. If one
of the latter form be fired, it is immediately forced into the re-
cess of the hexagon, and is thus compelled to adapt itself to the
curves of the spiral. The inclined sides of the hexagon offering
no direct resistance, expansion is easily effected. If an hexag-
onal projectile, accurately fitted, be used, metals of all degrees
of hardness, from lead, or lead indurated by an admixture of
tin, up to steel, may be used without detriment to the bore.
THE WHITWORTH RIFLE. 185
" An exceedingly quick turn may be given to the rifling on
tins principle, as with the most rapid twirl the projectile never
strips. To prove this fact, and to try the eflPect of extreme
velocity of rotation, a short barrel was constructed, in which
the rifling completed one turn in every inch. Bullets made
of an alloy of lead and tin, fired from this barrel with a charge
of thirty-five grains of powder, penetrated through seven inches
of elm planks.
** Mr. Whitworth, finding that all diflBculty arising from
length of projectiles could be overcome by giving sufl5cient
rotation, and that any weight that might be necessary could be
obtained by lengthening the projectile, adopted for a bullet
of the service weight (five hundred and thirty grains), an in-
creased length and reduced diameter. He thus obtained his
comparatively low trajectory. This is obviously a great ad-
vantage, for the lower the trajectory, or the nearer the path of
the projectile approaches to a horizontal line, the greater is its
probability of striking an object of moderate height; thus, in
some measure, correcting errors that may have been made in
the estimation of distances.
" For instance, if a rifleman, erroneously estimating the dis-
tance of an enemy's column, elevate his sight too much, his
bullet will probably pass entirely over the men, and fall harm-
lessly in their rear. But supposing the weapon he uses to have
a low trajectory, — in other words, to move more nearly in a hori-
zontal plane, — an error in elevation will of course be of less con-
sequence, for his shot will most probably strike some part of the
approaching column.
"An objection is frequently urged against the AYhitworth (as
well as the Jacob) on the ground that the friction of the missile
is enormous. Whether it be so or not, it is unnecessary at
present to determine ; nor is it practically very material, if we
but look at the results. At Hythe,in 1857, it struck the target,
with force, at eighteen hundred eighty yards (or one hundred
twenty yards more than a mile). At eleven hundred yards its
accuracy was equal to the Enfield at five hundred yards. With
seventy grains of powder at five hundred yards it sent a bullet
133
THE CKACK SHOT.
through thirty-three half-inch planks, and the projectile was
then only stopped by a solid block of oak behind them. . . .
In addition to these merits of the polygonal bore, the barrels
rifled upon that principle possess great durability, showing no
symptoms of deterioration after many thousand rounds. In-
deed, stesl bullets have been repeatedly driven through three-
quarter inch wrought-iron i^lates without causing the smallest
damage to the barrel.
" As is seen by the previous description, the great peculiarity
of the Whitworth consists in the polygonal groove-form of the
bore, the gauge number of which is about forty-eight, the
length of the barrel thirty-nine inches, and pitch of rifling one
turn in twenty inches ; so that the bullet makes nearly two
complete revolutions before its departure from the muzzle;
though he has made some in which the ball
makes six or seven complete turns in the barrel.
" The projectiles, as shown in the annexed cut,
are conical for about the length of half a diam-
eter from the foremost end, and hexagonal for
the remainder of their length (or two and half
diameters) ; the sides of the hexagon having an
inclination corresponding precisely with those of
the bore. The interior of the barrel is bored and
rifled with a degree of precision not long ago
considered unattainable, and the exact fitting of
the projectile is secured beyond the jjossibility of
error."
The great objectiou to the Whitwortli
is its great cost, the plain, regulation arm
costing from sixty to eighty dollars while
the Enfield can be made at about one-fourth of that
sum. This is a very serious consideration, when the
arming of large bodies of men is taken into account.
Is it not very strange that after spending eighty
WIIITWOUTU
JJULLET.
GENERAL JACOB's RIFLE. 187
thousand dollars of government money on experi-
ments, Mr. WMtworth was not able to produce as
good a gun as a private maker ? A better gun than
the Whitworth has been found in the Eigby, manu-
factured by the Messrs. Eigby of Dublin. At least, I
am led to beheve that it is better from the fact that
it has been selected in preference to the Whitworth
for firing the last stage of the Queen's prize at Wim-
bledon. The selection is not made by favoritism,
but by open competition, the best gun being selected.
Mr. Whitworth's gun has not answered the expecta-
tions formed of it as a mihtary arm, and, as a sporting
gun (in its present shape), would be useless.
GENEEAL JACOB'S EIFLE.
The gentleman who invented this rifle probably
devoted more time and money to experiments with
rifles than any man that ever lived. For twenty-five
years he devoted all his leisure hours to this subject.
His means for testing rifles and projectiles were on
the largest scale. He had a range of over two
thousand yards, and on this were erected targets at
all distances, from one hundred to two thousand
yards. These targets were walls of sun-dried bricks ;
the two thousand yards wall was forty feet high, fifty
feet long, and three feet thick. Here, during a great
188 THE CRACK SHOT.
number of years, lie prosecuted his researches, and
after trying every possible system of rifling and every
kind of rifle, he settled upon what is known as " Ja-
cob's Pattern Kifle," which is thus described by that
officer : " Double, thirty-two gauge, four grooved ;
deep grooves (of breadth equal to that of the lands),
to take four-fifths of a turn in the length of the
barrel ; barrels the best that can be made, twenty-
four inches long ; weight of pair of barrels alone,
about six pounds, not less ; the ends of the lands to
be rounded off at the muzzle ; patent breech, no side-
vents ; first sight exactly parallel to the bore, the
muzzle-sight being raised if necessary for this pur-
pose ; folding-sight attached to the barrel, twenty
inches from the muzzle, five inches long ; secured by
spring below ; protected by projecting wings when
lying flat on the barrel ; the slide of this sight to be
well secured by springs at its back, so as never
to work loose ; the slide to come down quite low
on the sight ; the top of the sight and bottom of its
slot to be notched.'' With this rifle and Jacob's
shells, some very extraordinary practice has been
made, as, witness the following, taken from Hans
Busk's " Hand-book for Hythe:"
" I will now cite one or two instances of the precision at long
ranges of the Jacobite rifle.
" On the 23d August, 1856, General Jacob, Captain Scott, Mr.
GENERAL JACOb's KIFLE. 189
Gibbs, and Captain Gibbard met on tbe practice-ground at Kur-
rachee, to try the effect of General Jacob's rifle-shells, at a range
of twelve hundred yards. An ammunition-wagon was extem-
porized out of an old cart, and a charge of one hundred pounds
of powder was stowed in it, in a deal box, measuring only four
feet by two feet ; an object which could but have appeared a
mere speck at such a distance. The morning was cloudy, the
outline of the butt beyond the cart was dim and hazy, and the
weather altogether so unfavorable, that it required a i^ractical
eye to discern the butt at all ; and it was even proposed to de-
fer the experiment. The ninth shell, however, from Mr. Gibbs*
rifle— one made by Daw, and only thirty-two gauge — exploded
the powder with most brilliant effect.
" On the 5th September of the same year, a similar experi-
ment was tried at one thousand eight hundred yards, with a box
ten feet square, containing five hundred pounds of powder. The
twenty-first round from General Jacob's rifle (twenty-four gauge),
fired by Captain Scott, exploded the powder.
" The rifles were on each occasion fired from the shoulder,
without any extra support, the shooter standing up."
One would liave thought that this rifle would have
answered all the requirements of a military arm, but
the government would not give General Jacobs the
least encouragement, but spent one hundred thou-
sand dollars on producing a rifle in every respect its
inferior.
Major Nuthall's and General Boileau's rifles are in-
tended as improvements on the Enfield, and doubt-
less possess very considerable merit ; but as they
have never come into use, and are probably unknown
on this side of the Atlantic, I will not discuss them.
Boucher, who also has given much attention to the
190 THE CRACK SHOT.
subject of rifling, brought forward an arm in many
respects similar to Major Nuthall's. A few particu-
lars, as to the price, weight, bore, form of bore, pro-
jectile, etc., etc., of the principal muzzle-loaders in use
in England mav prove of interest.
WHITWORTH.
Price, from $60 to $200.
Weight of rifle, 91bs. 5|oz.
Weight of barrel, with sights, 41bs. l<k)z.
Length of barrel, 39 inches.
Form of bore, hexagonal.
Size of bore, .564 inch across the flats ; .568 inch across the
center of the flats ; .600 inch across the rounded.
Spiral, one turn in 20 inches.
Ammunition.
Powder, 75 grains Curtis & Harvey's, No. 5.
Wad, wax and tallow.
Projectile, cylindrical, pure lead, .559 diam.; 600 grains weight;
increased length being obtained for the given weight of bul-
let by substituting in its fore part wood for lead.
EIGBY.
Price of rifle, from $25 upward.
Weight of rifle, 81bs. lOoz.
Weight of barrel, with sights, 41bs. 5oz.
Length of barrel, 39 inches.
Form of bore, Rigby's rifling, 6 ridges.
Size of bore, .570.
Spiral, 1 in 4 feet.
Ammunition,
Tube cartridges.
Ninety grains, Curtis & Harvey, No. 6.
Wad of tallow (6), and wax (1).
MUZZLE-LOADING RIFLES. 191
Projectile, Eley's Metford.
Percussion on an improved system to prevent misfires or back
flash.
TURNER.
Price of rifle, $20 to $30.
Weight of rifle, 81bs. 12oz.
Weight of barrel, with sights, 41bs. 8oz.
Length of barrel, 3 feet 3 inches.
Form of bore or rifling, " Turner's patent."
Size of bore, .5G8.
Spiral of rifling, 4 feet.
Ammunition.
Powder, quantity and quality, 75 grains Laurence's No. 4
grain. '
Wad, none.
Projectile, regulation pattern, .55 diam., weight 600 grains.
BOUCHER.
Price of rifle, about $22, which includes a patent steel barrel.
Mounting similar to the Enfield. This rifle can be changed
in ten minutes from a muzzle-loader to a breech-loader, and
'cice versa, by merely unscrewing one nipple and inserting an-
other, at a cost of $5.
Weight of rifle. Bibs. 12oz.
Weight of barrel, with sights, 41bs. lOoz.
Length of barrel, 3 feet 3 inches.
Form of bore, hexagon, with the angles rounded off*, so as to
form very shallow grooves, .008 inch deep in the center.
Size of bore, .570 inch.
Spiral, one turn in the length of the barrel.
Ammunition,
Powder, quantity and quality, 2^ drams of Curtis & Harvey's
" improved."
Wad, none, made up like the military cartridges, but with the
rose at the base cut off", and a disc of paper pasted on instead.
192 THE CRACK SHOT.
Projectile, lead, cylindro-conoidal, hollow, with iron disk at the
base.
I will now give some account of
EUKOPEAN BEEECH-LOADEES.
The Needle-gun being the only one that has as yet
been tested on a large scale in warfare, I presume
that some details of it can not fail of being inter-
esting.
The needle-gun, to a passing observer, is like a
street-door bolt ; at the breech end of the barrel, it
has the same nob to slide it by, and a catch to keep it
from sliding out. The bolt contains a spiral spring,
and the needle, which screws in, and can be removed
at will if damaged or broken. The handle of the bolt
runs up and down in a slot (fig. 2), and by giving it
a quarter turn, it closes the breech and draws back
the needle, which starts forward into the cartridge
when the trigger is pulled.
Fig 1 is the exterior view of the gun. The barrel
has four grooves, the spiral of rifling being one turn
in forty inches, almost twice the spiral of the Enfield
rifle. The length of it with bayonet is six feet four
inches (the longest in Europe) ; weight of solid ball,
shown in fig 3, four hundred fifty-one grains ; charge
of powder, sixty-five grains.
THE NEEDLE-GUN. 193
IE ZUNDNADELGEWEirn, OPw NKEDLE-GUN.
194 THECRACKSHOT.
This arm, having proved so terribly destructive in
the late war between Prussia and Austria, has at-
tained great celebrity, and yet it is not to be com-
pared to the Snider-Enfield, Kemington, Peabody, or
Berdan-Enfield. It is a most complicated piece of
mechanism, being but an improvement on, or altera-
tion of, Pauh's, which was invented in 1809, and, on
being tested in the presence of the great Napoleon,
proved a complete failure as a military weapon. We
next find that there is no simplicity whatever about
it. It is complicated, and should there be the slight-
est injury to the sere, the weapon would be utterly
useless. The needle-gun differs in external appear-
ance from every other fire-arm.*
* In 1827, the Russian Government liad submitted to it a
needle-gun, by John Nicliolas Dreyse. It was a muzzle-loader,
filled witb a needle propelled by an ordinary hammer. The
charge did not contain any gunpowder, but consisted of a bullet
and fulminate, fixed in what must must be considered the all-im-
portant carrier wad. The breech was, as far as practicable, closed
by a copper disk, having a hole in the center, allowing the
needle to pass, and which disk had to be renewed after every
sixty rounds. The Russian Government did not adopt this gun.
Dreyse's experiments, however, became known to Frederick
William II., King of Prussia, who imited, him there to conduct
a series of experiments, and, to assist him, furnished him liber-
ally mth money, and arranged that he should have skillful offi-
cers and engineers to consult -svith. From ^1829 to 1836, these
experiments were continued, until, in the latter year, the pres-
ent needle-gun was perfected ; and, in 1841, the Prussian Gov-
THE NEEDLE-GUN. 195
From the engraving, it will be seen tliat it is a rifle
without a hammer, and with a small iron knob di-
rectly in the rear of the breech and in front of the
barrel. " This knob is a portion of the breech, which
can either be turned in the cylindrical breech-receiver
or be made to slide longitudinally. The breech being
opened, the cartridge is inserted, when it (the breech)
is again closed, and ready for firing. The needle is
attached to the needle-bolt, which shdes with the lock,
and this latter slides within the breech. There is an
air-chamber in the rear of and in communication with
the cartridge-chamber of the barrel, around the front
part of the needle-bolt. The main-spring, by which
the needle is shot forward, is of spiral form, and
coiled around the needle-bolt in the rear of the collar.
This collar forms a catch for the sere, and thus keeps
the bolt drawn back when the hammer is cocked. In
the same piece with the sere is the sere-spring, at the
end of which is the trigger. To load and fire this
gun, the following motions are required : First, pull-
ing back the knob to withdraw the needle from the
breech ; second, opening the breech ; third, inserting
the cartridge ; fourth, closing the breech ; fifth, turn-
ing the knob, so as to bring it in front of the shoul-
der ; sixth, firing the piece. It must be remembered
eminent had served them out to the extent of sixty thousand to
the army.
196 THE CRACK SHOT.
that these are only the motions connected with the
machinery of the gun ; if we include the ' lowering '
of the piece, handling of the cartridge, raising of the
piece, aiming, etc., we have not less than thirteen to
fifteen motions. But it is of the piece itself that we
write, and its defects may be stated as follows : First,
the presence of the handle on the side of the barrel,
which must, to some extent, destroy the accuracy of
the aim ; second, the necessity of pulling back the
knob before loading, and the danger of a prematui^e
discharge in consequence thereof. (It is stated that
the needle-bolt can be drawn back by a handle at-
tached to the lock-spring independently ; but this
only further complicates the gun, and renders it more
objectionable.) Third, the extreme nicety of its
mechanical construction, by which the slightest irreg-
ularity will render it useless ; fourth, its inability to
fire with sufficient rapidity ; fifth, the tendency of the
needle to break."
Nothing more is known than that the passage
of the needle through the powder creates a friction,
which sets fire to the fulminate as soon as the needle
reaches it. There are certainly some commendable
points about the needle-gun, but the opinion (outside
of Prussia) is universally entertained, that it is one of
the most inferior breech-loaders at present before
the public. Its merits are simply these :
THE NEEDLE-GUN. 197
"First, the construction of the cartridge; and, sec-
ond, the Zand Spiegel, or igniting material. In the first
the use of copper is rendered unnecesary, the cartridge
being encased in paper. The powder is placed first,
then follows a compressed paper sabot, which cleans
the bore of the gun, and in which is fitted the bullet.
The fulminate is placed in front of the gunpowder,
and between it and the sabot. When the gun is
fired, the needle first pierces the gunpowder, but
does not fire it until it enters the fulminate, when the
explosion instantly takes place. And this brings us
to the Zundspiegel, which, translated, means igniting-
glass. This is a secret known only to the inventor,
and whether the power of ignition lies in the needle
alone, or by contact with the fulminate, can not be
told. By this we mean that it is not stated w^hether
the fulminate could be ignited by other means than
by the needle. From all that can be ascertained, it is
evident that no other ammunition than that expressly
made for the gun can be used, so that the only con-
clusion to arrive at is, that the fulminate possesses
some secret power by means of which ignition takes
place the instant the needle is brought into contact
with it. The mere passage of a needle through the
fulminate of one of our metallic cartridges would fail
to explode it, a sharp blow from a solid front being-
required."
198 THE CRACK SHOT.
Of its inferiority to other breecli-loaders, and the
improbabihty of its answering the purpose for which
it was designed, Hans Busk thus writes :
" Of tlie Prussian Ziindnadelgewehr, or needle-gun, I need say
but little. After innumerable trials, it lias been found to possess
in its present form many palpable defects, and, altliougli in skill-
ful bands it is undoubtedly an effective weapon, it is not well
adapted for general military purposes. Tbe works require to be
continually cleaned after use ; besides which, there are various
other objections, which it is not necessary to specify, as this
form of arm is no longer here in any favor. The ammunition
requisite for this musket, too, is necessarily of a dangerous char-
acter, for as each cartridge contains the detonating material, in-
terposed between the povrder and the bullet, it is obvious that
a projectile of almost any kind passing through a cartonch-box,
or any ammunition-v^^agon, w^ould infallibly cause such car-
tridges to explode with disastrous effects. One of those who, of •
late years, has written a good deal on these matters, without
apparently possessing much practical knowledge, observes with
regard to those weapons, that * the only point to be determined
in practice is, whether they fulfill their theoretical indications.
Now, the testimony on this subject may be shortly stated as
this : In England, authorities say that, if made, they would not
answer ; in Prussia, however, being made and largely employed,
they are found to answer.' "
This, however, is not quite consistent with fact.
True it is, that these needle-guns were once made and
largely employed in Prussia, sixty thousand having
been issued in four or five years ; but all experienced
military men are now satisfied that they did not fulfill
the expectations originally entertained respecting
them, and no country but Germany has been guilty of
THE CHASSEPOT BREECH-LOADER. 199
tlie " folly of adopting them." This folly (as it is called)
of adopting the needle-gun was the means of enabling
the Prussians to inflict a disastrous defeat on the
Austrian army, at Sadowa. The arm was found to
answer so well, that Prussia, with the experience of
the war before her, has refused to change it, and no
less than one million one hundred thousand have
been ordered since the war. This does not look as
if it had failed to fulfill the expectations originally
formed of it. So it is, every new invention meets
with the same opposition. As stated in the beginning
of the book, the introduction of fire-arms at all was
vehemently opposed, and so it has always been, and
ever will be.
THE CHASSEPOT BEEECH-LOADER.
The example of the Prussian army in the campaign
last summer in Bohemia, having shown that the pos-
session of a breech-loading rifle musket is quite in-
dispensable to every mihtary power, the French gov-
ernment lost not a day in making inquiries and experi-
ments to determine the best kind of weapon for the
use of its troops. The special commission appointed
by the minister of war on the 11th of July, and pre-
sided over by General d'Audemarre and General Bour-
baki, instituted a series of trials of different kinds of
200 THE C HACK SHOT.
breech-loaders at the camp of Chalons, with a yiew
to compare their "practical quahties, the solidity
and safety of their mechanism, and their capacity of
easy handling and of rapid loading and firing."
These were the only points to be considered ; they
did not apply any test of precision or accuracy of
fire, the latter being a matter of subordinate impor-
tance in the operations of a line of infantry in the
field. The commissioners unanimously decided in fa-
vor of the immediate adoption, with one or two slight
modifications, of a breech-loading needle-gun and
cartridge, invented by M. Alphonse Antoine Chasse-
pot, the head viewer of the Central Depot at Paris,
who has since been rewarded with the title of Cheva-
her of the Legion of Honor. A decree of the Emperor
Napoleon, on August 30, ordained that this weapon
should be supplied to all the French troops. I shall
now proceed to give some explanation of the illus-
tration.
" Fig. 1, in the engraving, is an externalview of the Cliasse-
pot rifle, which is one meter twenty-nine centimeters in length
(about four feet three inches), and weighs a trifle above four kil-
logrammes, or less than nine pounds. Its caliber is eleven milli-
meters, or four hundred thirty-three thousandths inch ; and it is
rifled with four spiral grooves, turning from left to right, and
going once round in the space of fifty-five centimeters, or twenty-
one and one-half inches.
*' Fig. 2 is the central longitudinal vertical section, showing
the position of the parts after firing ; that is to say, with the
THE CHASSEPOT BREECH-LOADER. 201
breech closed and locked, and the hammer and needle forward.
Fig. 3 represents a central longitudinal section of cartridge.
*' The barrel is screwed into a breech-receiver, a, in the upper
part of which is a longitudinal opening, and in the right-hand
side of this longitudinal opening there is a shorter lateral open-
ing to allow of the working of the breech-bolt, g. It is through
this lateral opening that the cartridge is inserted. The breech-
bolt, g, resembles a door-bolt, except that it is bored centrally
throughout, and it has a lateral projection, h, on the right side,
to enter the aforesaid lateral opening in the breech-receiver.
The knob or handle, z, by which it is turned and drawn back,
elevated to an upright position, as it is when the gun is at half
cock. When the knob is thus turned up, the bolt can be drawn
back to open the chamber of the barrel for loading. After load-
ing, the bolt is moved forward, and by then turning the handle
to the right, the projection, li, is brought into the lateral open-
ing of the breech-receiver, and the bolt is thus locked.
" Into the front end of the hollow bolt, g, there is loosely fitted
a sheath, j, which serves as a guide to the needle by which the
fulminate priming is exploded and the charge fired.
" In the explanation of the different parts and their working,
we must first attend to the means by which the hinder end of
the chamber is closed up after putting in the cartridge. Unless
this were secured, a breech-loading gun would not be able to
shoot at all, since the explosion cf the powder, instead of driv-
ing the ball forward through the barrel, would merely send a
jet of flame backward into the soldier's face. In the ordinary
muzzle-loading gun, the hinder end of the tube is hermetically
closed, the whole being one solid piece of iron, with only the
very tiny orifice beneath the nipple on which the percussion-
cap is to be placed, and through which the fire from the
percussion-cap is to enter the chamber and ignite the powder.
*' This closing of the hinder end of the chamber, therefore,
in the rear of the cartridge when inserted, is obtained in the
Chassepot rifle by the instantaneous compression, in the very
act of firing, of a small disc or plug of vulcanized India-rubber,
a, which is situated just in front of the sliding bolt, and has
202
HE CEACK SHOT.
O
Q
W
1^
pa
o
02
o
w
THE CHASSEPOT
BREECH-LOADER. 203
204 THE CRACK SHOT.
a metal cap between itself and the cartridge. The diameter
of this India-rubber plug is naturally rather less than the in-
ternal diameter of the chamber ; but as it is partly elastic
(that is, composed of three layers, the middle layer being
elastic, the outer layers not), so, when the powder of the car-
tridge is ignited, the force of its explosion causes a pressure of
the metal cup on the India-rubber plug, which, being squeezed
thereby, expands and tightly fills up the whole width of the
chamber, allowing none of the gas from the explosion of the
powder to escape in the rear. When the rifle is discharged, the
elastic plug retui-ns to its former shape, and easily passes into or
out of the chamber, following the movements of the sliding
bolt, by which, pushing it backward or forward, the hinder end
of the chamber is opened or shut.
" The cartridge used in this arm, shown in fig. 3, has a cylin-
drical case, 2, of paper, which contains the powder, provided at
its ends with pasteboard discs, y and 6'. The fulminate, i\ is
contained in a small flanged copper can, n, x, which has two
holes in it through which the fulminate, w4ien ignited, passes
to the powder, a. The cap passes through a hole in the disc, y,
and is inclosed within the paper case, z. The ball, d, has a
paper case, c', open at the rear, wliich fits over the top of the
powder case, 2, and is tied thereto, or otherwise secured in a
suitable manner.
" The entire handling of the Chassepot rifle, including the
operations of cocking, loading, and firing, is performed by five
simple movements, as follows :
"1st movement. To cock — The rifle being held in the sol-
dier*s left hand, ^vith the butt-end resting against his left side,
he puts his fore-finger in front of the guard (see fig. 1), and, seiz-
ing the top of the slide, / 5, with his thumb, drawls it backward.
" 2d movement. To open the rifle — He turns the handle, h ~
2, from right to left, and draws the bolt backward.
" 3d movement. To load — He takes the cartridge with his
right hand, and puts it into the chamber by the aperture in the
right side of the breech-piece.
" 4th movement. To close the rifle — He pushes the bolt for-
ward, and turns the handle from left to right.
THE CHASSEPOT BREECH-LOADER. 205
" 5th movement. To fire — He pulls the trigger.
*' Tlie report of the French military commission states that
the rifle can be loaded and fired twelve times in a minute, and
that the soldier can keep on firing at this rate four minutes
consecutively. The mechanism is very easily managed, and
it requires but little instruction to make the men familiar with
its use. The cartridge is entirely consumed, so that nothing
remains in the barrel after firing ; and the discharge of one
hundred fifty rounds, without cleaning, scarcely leaves a speck
of rust."
As regards the rapidity of fire, whicli appears now-
a-days to be the principal desideratum, a man with a
lot of loose cartridges beside him can fire the Chasse-
pot musket twelve times in a minute ; but that rate
the most skillful and robust soldier can not keep up
beyond thirty or forty rounds : past that the fire
perceptibly slackens. The same thing occurs with
the Prussian needle-gun after the twenty-fifth round.
The cause is purely physical ; i.e., the fatigue of the
man, whose left arm has often to support, unaided,
the whole weight of the weapon. If, instead of hav-
ing loose cartridges by the soldier's side, he has to
take them out of his pouch, the rate of firing declines
to six rounds per minute, but an average of eight
could be obtained if they were kept in a loose bag at
his side.
The accuracy of the weapon has been ascertained
by making the men fire at targets two meters high by
two in breadth, at a range of five hundred meters.
206 THE CBACK SHOT.
using a rest for the rifle. At that range, a great many
men, firing one hundred rounds, hit the target every
time. The point-blank range of the Chassepot mus-
ket is fixed at five hundred meters, the extreme
range exceeds one thousand meters ; and the weapon
needs no cleaning for two hundred and fifty rounds ;
over twelve hundred rounds have been fired out of
the same gun without its sustaining any injury. The
Chassepot musket may therefore sustain very advan-
tageously a competition with the needle-gun. Its
superiority arises chiefly from the more perfect clos-
ing of ths breech, which is complete, while it is very
defective in the Z'undnadelgeicehr. All the gases de-
veloped by the ignition of the charges are utilized to
propel the bullet, which adds to its range and pene-
tratino- power, while the perfect combustion of the
powder naturally obviates the necessity of frequent
cleaning, which the Prussian weapon can not do with-
out. It is greatly to be regTetted that this weapon
does not seem likely to answer as a military arm, as
it was found that, after a number of charges had been
fired rapidly out of it, it became so hot as to be
absolutely dangerous. The haste with which this
arm was adopted precluded any proper trial so that
its defects could be brought out. It is understood
that five hundred thousand have been manufactured.
Unless some means be obtained of obviating this de-
THE SNIDE 1{ -ENFIELD RIFLE. 207
feet, Napoleon will be obliged to try some otlier arm.
If lie invites a competition of rifle-makers, to take
place before him, with the understanding that the
successful competitor will receive the order for sup-
pl}^ng the French army, some of our best rifles will
be presented, and the Chassepot will stand but a poor
comparison with the Kemington, Spencer, Peabody,
Berdan, or others of our superior arms.
THE SNIDER-ENFIELD RIELE.
Before proceeding to describe the Enfield rifle as
converted on Snider's plan, and which has been adopt-
ed as the national arm for the British troops, it may
be proper to give some description of the Enfield
rifle, which I shall proceed to do in the words of
Hans Busk, in " The Eifle, and how to Use if
" In many respects, it is a beautiful weapon, especially if con-
trasted with its predecessor. Some time will probably elapse
ere a better military implement of destruction will be perfected,
or at any rate one better adapted for the use of the * line.'
" The rifling is effected by three grooves, cut slightly deeper
at the breech than at the muzzle, and making one complete
revolution in seventy-eight inches. The barrel is three feet three
inches long ; diameter, five hundred seventy-seven thousandths ; .
weight, four pounds two ounces ; total weight of arm, with
bayonet, nine pounds three ounces ; length, six feet one inch ;
without the bayonet, four feet seven inches. The regulation
charge of powder is two and a half drachms (F. G.), the weight
of the bullet five hundred thirty grains; of sixty rounds of
208 THE CRACK SHOT.
ammunition, five poimds tliree ounces eleven drachms. Total
Aveight, with bayonet-scabbard, fourteen pounds eleven ounces
three drachms.
" This rifle-musket can, it is said, be turned out at Enfield
at an expense of about three pounds four shillings sterling (six-
teen dollars). When supplied by contract, it costs somewhat
more.
" An ordinary marksman can make good practice with it at
eight hundred yards, but in the skilled hands of a more expe-
rienced shot, still greater range is attainable.
** The manufacture of this arm is proceeding at Enfield at the
rate of between seventeen hundred and two thousand a week,
but the demand as yet far exceeds the supply.
" The raw material for the barrels first makes its appearance
at the factory in the form of slabs, about half an inch thick and
twelve inches long, by four broad. In forging these, care has
been taken in the manufacture to make the short square fibers
of the iron cross and rccross at right angles. These pieces of
metal arc first heated and bent into short tubes, somewhat re-
sembling rough draining-tiles. In this state they are again
heated, and, while white-hot, passed between iron rollers, which
weld the joining down the middle, and, at the same time,
lengthen each tube about three inches. They are again heated,
and again passed between rollers of a smaller gauge, which
lengthens them still further ; and this process is repeated
altogether twelve times in two hours, when the barrel at last
assumes the form of a rod about four feet long, having a bore
down the center a quarter of an inch in diameter. The muzzles
are then cut off, the ' butts ' made up, and the process of welding
on the nipple-lump (to sustain the nipple) commences. This is
a difficult operation, and requires considerable quickness, care,
and skill. To insure rapidity of striking while the metal is at
a bright-red heat, the breech, with the cone-seat attached, is held
in a steel die under a small hammer worked by steam, striking
four hundred blows a minute, and under which the metals are
united in the closest possible manner.
** The forging being thus completed, the barrels pass from
THE SNIDER -ENFIELD RIFLE. 209
the smithy to the boring-shops, where the operation of boring
(exclusive of rifling) is repeated five times ; the barrels being
arranged horizontally, and the first-sized borer being drawn
upward from breech to muzzle, not forced down, as the bend of
the boring-rod would in that case render it difficult to attain
absolute accuracy. The second boring is effected with rapidity,
the third slowly, when the barrel is finished to within three
thousandths of an inch of its proper diameter. The outside is
then ground down to its service size. The next process is to
straighten the barrel after the worm fcr the breech-piece has
been tapped. This straightening is one of the roughest portions
of the whole process. From the very soft nature of the iron
used, and the want of substance of the metal itself, a slight blow-
is enough either to bend the barrel, or else so to dent it as effec-
tually to destroy all precision in shooting. Thus, in the various
stages just detailed, notwithstanding the greatest care, the bar-
rel is almost always found to require subsequent correction.
This is accomplished by hand ; a skilled workman looking
through the tube, and tapping it with a light hammer wherever
it appears to him to need such adjustment.
" Yet rude and unsatisfactory though this operation appears,
it is found to give satisfactory results, even when the accuracy
attained is tested to the thousandth of an inch.
*' Altogether the barrel undergoes sixty-six distinct operations,
and after having been bored out for the fourth time, its strength
is tested by a proof-charge of one ounce of powder and one ball.
Very few fail under this ordeal ; the majority, indeed, will bear,
uninjured, the explosion of two and a half ounces of powder,
and the discharge of eleven, or even of as many as thirteen
balls. The next important step is the rifling. In
this particular arm the grooves are comparatively broad and
shallow, with a pitch of half a turn in the length of the barrel.
The depth of the rifling is five hundredths at the muzzle, and
thirteen hundredths of an inch at the breech ; the width of each
groove being three-sixteenths of an inch. Each groove is cut
separately, the bit being drawn from the muzzle to the breech.
" After rifling, the barrel is again proved with half an ounce
14
210 THE OEACK SHOT.
of powder and a single ball. It is tlien sighted, trimmed off,
milled, leveled, browned, ganged, and at last finished to such a
degree of accuracy that the steel gauge of five hundred seventy-
seven thousandths of an inch passes freely through, while that
of five hundred eighty thousandths will barely enter the muzzle.
**The regulation projectile, formed by compression of very
pure lead, is a modification of the Minie ; smooth at the sides,
and ha\ing a boxwood plug instead of an iron cup fitted into a
cavity at its base."
This projectile did not bring out the best qualities
of the rifle, and doubtless would soon have been cast
aside for the Pritchett.
I may sum up the principal points to be noted in
this arm in the language of Lieut.-Colonel Dixon, the
Superintendent of the Small-arms Manufactory, at
Enfield :
" That the grooves are limited to three.
" No greater spiral allowed than is necessary to keep the bul-
lets in the grooves.
*' The most perfect facility of loading.
" The expansion into the grooves, to ensure the necessary ro-
tation, is effected at the instant of the inflammation of the charge
of powder, in consequence of the " upsetting " of the lead, assisted
possibly by the wooden plug which closes the orifice, at the
base of the bullet, but which, no doubt, prevents any collapsing
of the sides of the bullet when leaving the barrel, — a circum-
stance which would otherwise happen, and thus disfigure its
shape, and act prejudicially in other respects. The advantages
on the side of the plug are, besides the above, the less- frequent
fouling of the barrel ; in fact, the grooves are cleaned out and
lubricated after every shot.
" The caliber of the arm, five hundred seventy-seven thou-
sandths, allowing of a bullet of sufficient weight to do all that is
THE SNIDER-ENFIELD KIFLE. 211
required of it, but not so heavy as to prevent sixty rounds boing
carried easily by the soldier„
" The shooting of this arm as a line-infantry weapon is most
superior ; and when carefully made throughout, corresponds to
every requirement of the best-instructed infantry soldier.
"At long ranges — that is to say, up to one thousand yards —
the arm makes very good practice, and thus becomes qualified
for a rifle arm for special corps."
This, then, is the weaj^on that the British army
being armed with, that government, stirred up by
the wonderful results of the Prussian needle-gun, de-
termined to convert into a breech-loader. They in-
vited the scientific of all nations to present plans for
this purpose ; a great number were sent in, but, on
being tested, all failed except the system proposed by
Jacob Snider, an American, which, with some slight
modifications, was adopted ; thus affording another
triumph for American mechanics over those of the
world. A large sum of money was accorded to Sni-
der, but, owing to delays and litigations, he never
enjoyed it, having died before the money was wholly
paid.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the gun, with the
greater part of the barrel omitted to facilitate repre-
sentation ; and fig. 2 is a top view of the breech-load-
ing construction. Both views show the breech-block
thrown open for loading.
The method of conversion is very simple. About
two inches of the upper half of the barrel are cut
212
THE CRACK SHOT.
SNIDER-ENFIELD BREECH-LOADER.
THE SNIDER -.ENFIELD EIFLE. 213
away at the breech to form a breech-receiver, B, into
which is fitted the soHd breech-block, A, which swings
sideways in a hinge attaching it to one side of the
barrel. So far as above described, the breech some-
what resembles that of some of the older breech-
loaders in this country ; but it has, in addition
to the swinging movement sideways, a longitudinal
backward movement, for the purpose of drawing
out the exploded cartridge shells from the chamber
of the barrel by means of an attached spur, C. Fig.
2 shows the breech-block, A, thus drawn back, and
shows the shell, D, as partly drawn out. The spur C,
does not eject the shell, like the shell-extractor of
most of the newer American breech-loaders, but the
gun being canted as the breech-block is drawn back,
the shell drops easily out. The firing is effected by the
hammer striking upon a sliding pin passing through
the center of the breech-block, the blow being trans-
mitted by the front end of the pin to the fulminate
priming, which is in the center of the base of the car-
tridge.
Fig. 3 is section of cartridge. 1. The percussion-
cap ; 2. Powder ; 3 is a piece of clay inserted in hol-
low of ball to cause explosion ; 4. Ball ; 5. Piece of
wood inserted in conical end of ball to steady flight.
From the engraving and the text, the reader will be
able to form a very good idea of the nature and ap-
214 THE CRACK SHOT.
pearance of tliis powerful weapon. In general design
the Snider looks not unlike a Springfield rifle, as
converted at the Springfield Armory for the American
Government, with this important difference, that, in-
stead of opening upward on a hinge, the steel plug
with the needle which explodes the cartridge opens
sideways like the Hd of a box.
The cost of converting the Enfield rifle is estimated
at about twelve shillings per arm, and the expense of
the ammunition will be one-third greater than with the
muzzle-loader. On the other hand, the shooting of
the converted rifle is at least one-third better than
before — due, perhaps, in part to a slight alteration
Mr. Snider has made in the existing Enfield bul-
let. With the original Enfield muzzle-loader, the
mean radial deviation at five hundred yards' range
was eighteen and six tenths inches; at the same range,
the deviation with the Snider-Enfield was twelve
inches.
The mode of closing the breech may be briefly de-
scribed as follows :
*' A cylindrical steel block, fitting into a shoe, opens sideways
on a liinge in front of the hammer, the block having a certain
longitudinal play upon the liinge. This shoe or frame is but
slightly larger than the breech end of an ordinary rifle-barrel,
and contains a spring for retaining the block, which can, how-
ever, be opened with the greatest ease. No part of the appa-
ratus could be so damaged by ordinary rough usage as to be-
come ineflBcient, and the steel block, even when open, presents
the smallest possible mark to the enemy's fire."
THE SKlDER-EN FIELD RIFLE. 215
" The cartridge is of very tliin sheet-brass, rolled u]) into a
cylinder, so that there is a considerable overlap. This sheet-
brass cylinder has a stout metal base with a rim, which base fits
into the breech end of the barrel proper. In the center of the
metal base is a fixed percussion cap, fired by means of a piston
passing through the otherwise solid steel block, the piston being
urged forward by the hammer. On inserting the cartridge in
the open end of the barrel, the block is closed down into the
shoe, the hammer pulled back to full cock, and the piece fired
at once. With the improved-pattern Snider there have been no
misfires.
" In the act of opening the block, a projection upon its fore end
catches in the rim of the metal base of the cartridge, and by
sliding the block back on its hinge, the old cartridge is removed,
and it falls to the ground by a mere twist of the rifle T^-ith the
left hand. A spring urges the block forward into its place again
in the improved pattern, but at first this had to be done by hand.
The time now consumed in removing the old cartridge is quite
inappreciable.
" The overlapped cylinder of thin sheet-brass is expanded by
the discharge of the powder so as accurately to fit the barrel,
effectually preventing the escape of gas. This has been amply
proved by experiment. If, before introducing the cartridge, we
cut 'the sheet-brass sides by repeated blows against the sharp
edge of a table, — in fact, if we destroy its shape as much as pos-
sible without breaking completely through the brass, — it still
comes out, after the discharge, a most perfect cylinder.
"Daring the recent experiments carried on at Woolwich, it
was found that a well-trained man, taking accurate aim, fired
with the Enfield muzzle-loader ten rounds in four minutes forty-
six seconds ; with the Snider-Enfield, ten rounds in one minute
forty-four seconds. Without taking aim, but simply raising the
piece to the shoulder, he fired with ease fifteen rounds per min-
ute. We may compare tliis result with the six rounds per
minute said to have been fired under similar conditions by the
needle-rifle."
The first performance of these guns, on being
216 THE CRACK SHOT.
issued, hardly met the expectations that were formed
of them, besides which, some shght accidents took
place from the escape of gas at the breech, and forth-
with a cry was raised, that the gun was a failure.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. The cause
is easily explained. The breech action of this gun
is not adapted to withstand even a very slight escape ;
and any failure on the part of the cartridge tends to
throw the breech violently open, and to cause a
dangerous backward explosion. The first cartridge
adopted for the arm had the original Pottet base, a
thin cup of brass, into which the body of the cartridge
was wedged. When these bases were made absolutely
perfect, as in those cartridges with which the first ex-
periments w^ere made, the security against explosion
was all that need be desired ; but the slightest crack
or flaw in the brass, by weakening the base, rendered
it less capable of sustaining the severe strain thrown
upon it at the moment of firing. When the cartridges
had to be made by millions, perfect and invariable
freedom from flaws could not be guaranteed ; and it
was found necessary to adopt a stronger base, and so
to provide a large margin for imperfections of manu-
facture. The cartridges of this second pattern have
proved thoroughly satisfactory, and no failure or
tendency to explosion has been noticed in the large
numbers which have since been made.
THE SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE. 217
With regard to the reports of the want of accuracy
of the Snider, the following account of the proceed-
ings in the House of Lords, will show upon what
a slight basis reports damaging to the arm are
built :
House of Lords March 7th, 186T. .
*******
Tlie Earl of Longford said, reports liad been current much, to
the disadvantage of the Snider system of converting rifles, the
fact being that, although they had been tested and experimented
upon in every possible way, only some small defects had de-
veloped themselves in the cartridges and in the mechanism of
the arm. The first cartridge tried was not found satisfactory.
A second was then tried, and though not found satisfactory, it
was, at all events, serviceable, and a third had been adopted,
which, there was every reason to believe, would be perfectly
satisfactory. The small defects which had developed themselves
in the mechanism of the arm, were such as could be easily rem-
edied without making any change in the original plan of the
arm. He held in his hand a letter from Sir James Yorke Scar-
lett, who is commanding at Aldershott, and whose attention had
been directed to the exaggerated reports which the noble lord
had referred to. It was as follows :
" Aldershott, Feb. 26, 1867. * * * i forward a letter from
Captain Thompson, District Instructor of Musketry, under whom
the practice so erroneously described took place. . . Though
I believe a still simpler plan will be produced, I consider the
present pattern Snider rifle an admirable weapon, and perfectly
efficient, when well made and well handled."
The enclosure from Captain Thompson was dated February
25, 1867, and was in the following terms :
"Having noticed an article respecting the recent trial of
Snider rifles and ammunition at Aldershott, which is likely to
lead the public to form erroneous opinions as to their general
efficiency, I think it right to inform you that the trial which
218 THE CRACK SHOT.
took place here, instead of proving not very favorable to the
new arm and ammunition, may be considered the reverse. Out
of eight thousand rounds fired, only twenty cartridges burst,
none of which in any vv^ay injured the breech arrangement, and
only three missed fire. In very few cases were the old cartridge
cases found difiicult to withdraw, and those frequently from the
awkwardness of the men who were firing for the first time with
an entirely new weapon. As regards accuracy at five hundred
and seven hundred yards, notwithstanding an apparently infe-
riority of the Snider to the Enfield at the longer ranges, I think
that the very little practice which was made with the Snider
rifle at the longer range, should not be received as a test of ac-
curacy, as the sighting of the rifle is altered in consequence of the
reduction of the weight of the bullet ; and the accuracy of the
Snider may probably not be found inferior to that of the En-
field rifle, when the soldiers become accustomed to its use, which,
up to the present time, they have had no opportunity of be-
coming."
Sir. J. Yorke Scarlett added: "My only regret is, that the
correspondents who furnish information on military matters to
the press, do not first make themselves acquainted with the sub
jects on which they write.''
He trusted that that explanation would be satisfactory to the
noble earl ; and he might add, that the government would not
have proceeded with the conversion if they had lost confidence
in the arm.
From this it will be perceived tliat the British
troops are provided with an arm vastly superior to
any now in nse in Europe. Whether it is superior to
the Peabody, Berdan, and Eemington, remains to be
seen. They all possess great merit ; but I am in-
clined to believe that, for all purposes of warfare, and
to stand the rough usage to which they must neces-
sarily be exposed, that the Snider-Enfield and Berdan
THE SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE. 219
converted, are the two best arms yet produced,
the Snider-Enfield being the very best. This is
but an individual opinion, and by no means tends
to disparage the great value of the other breech-
loaders.
Since the above was written, the result of the great
annual match at Wimbledon has come to hand, w^hich
quite bears me out in the above statement. The
shooting was of a most extraordinary character, and
I can not do better than record it in the language of
the report.
" In the military breech-loading competition some extraordi-
nary scores were made yesterday, so remarkable indeed, that at
first siglit they appear almost incredible. A volunteer named
Andrews, belonging to a Kent corps, and firing with a Snider-
Enfield breech-loader at the five hundred yards' range, succeeded
in firing ofi" no less than fifty shots in the prescribed five min-
utes— that is to say, exactly ten a minute The shots moreover,
instead of being fired off wildly, were delivered with steady aim.
In the fifty shots, he made forty-six hits, of which ten were
bull's-eyes, twenty-one centers, and fifteen outers, equivalent in
all to a score of one hundred thirty-three. At the very same
range, not four hours previously, a competitor had been cheered
for making ninety-seven, which was then by far the highest
score. The astonishing success which had thus been obtained
with the government weapon became known very speedily all
over the camp, and the Council were actually pressed to confer
upon Sergeant Andrews some special mark of recognition. His
score, however, was eclipsed by the very last shots fired at the
two hundred yards' stage of the same competition. In the space
of three minutes allowed at this range, a volunteer named Os-
wald fired thirty-eight shots, or at the rate of thirteen a minute,
of which thirty-seven were hits. His score consisted of six
220 THE CRACK SHOT.
bull's-eyes, twenty centers, and eleven outers ; total, one hun-
dred six.
The value of such firing may not be well under-
stood by many of my readers, who are unacquainted
with the system of marking followed in England. It
will be better appreciated when I inform them that,
out of the eighty-eight shots fired in eight minutes,
at five hundred and two hundred yards, eighty-three
would have each "knocked over" a man in an ad-
vancing column, four abreast, sixteen would have
each killed a man standing alone, fifty-seven of them
would have put a cavalry picket hors de combat. From
this it will be seen what a tremendous weapon the
Snider-Enfield is. As a mihtary weapon, it is unques-
tionably the very best ever produced.
PEINCE'S AND LINDNER'S BKEECH-LOADEES
The first-named of these breech-loading rifles was
experimented with at Brussels, in 1856, and favorably
reported on. Its recoil was found to be less than
that of any other gun in Belgium, with a charge of
seventy grains of powder and four hundred seventy-
grains of lead ; the length of the ball being one and
eighteen hundredths inches, length of the cone double
that of the cylinder, and the diameter fifty-nine hun-
dredths inch. At a distance of from sixteen hundred
PRINCESS AND LINDNER'S RIFLES. 221
and forty to nineteen hundred and eighty-six yards, it
was claimed by the inventor that the bullets would
carry with suflScient force to inflict a dangerous and
often mortal wound. The gun was, however, never
adopted, because of its being too complicated for the
use of any others than experts in the use of fire-arms.
The Lindner gun is merely the conversion of a muzzle-
loader into a breech-loader, and it contains so many
objectionable features that it can never be adopted as
a military arm. The conversion is as follows : The
breech-piece of the muzzle-loader is cut away, and the
barrel lengthened over the smalj of the stock. In
this lengthening piece is a bolt, which, when moved
backward, opens the breech, and when moved for-
ward closes it. At the near end of the bolt is a han-
dle, which moves it longitudinally, or turns it, as the
case may be. The bolt is threaded mtemally, and a
portion externally, so as to enable it to work freely
backward and forward. On the front end of the
bolt is a loose conical piece, from which projects a
pin, forming a claw for extracting the sabot of the
cartridge. On the front end of the bolt is a screw-
pin, which enters a slot provided for the purpose, and
thus prevents it from coming out of the lengthening
piece of the barrel. To open the breech the bolt is
turned to one side for the purpose of freeing the
threads, and then drawn back the required distance.
222 THE CRACK SHOT.
By reversing the movement, the conical piece is
tightly screwed up and the breech thoroughly closed.
The lock is of the old pattern, and the cartridges are
encased in paper, a cap being placed upon the nipple
of the gun to discharge it. Altogether the Lindner
" converted " rifle is even inferior to the needle-giin,
by reason of the length of time required to load
and fire a charge.
THE COKNISH BEEECH-LOADER.
This is a new arm, and is entirely unknown on this
side of the Atlantic ; indeed, I have not even seen a
description of it published in any of our papers, and
I am indebted to a recent number of the London
Times for the following particulars respecting it :
"Tliis new weapon is a gun invented by Mr. Kenneth Cor-
nish, and the claim made in his behalf is, that, while retaining
all that is good of the system common to the guns of Snider,
Strong, and others, it avoids the faults which tend to render
particular weapons unsuitable to the rough uses of war. The
invention can certainly boast of having simplified the mechan-
ism of the breech in a wonderful manner ; in fact, at first sight,
it is difficult to believe that a breech so simple can be altogether
safe in its action. Imagine a child's cross-bow, minus the arc
and string ; and that is the shape of the stock and barrel of the
rifle. A bullet put in at the muzzle would run down the bar-
rel and out in a straight line along the groove upon the stock ;
for what in the cross-bow is the place for introducing the arrow
is in this rifle the place for dropping or pushing in the car
THE CORNISH BREECH-LOADER. 223
tridge. Across tlie barrel, at a point somewhat liigLer up than
where this joins the stock, is the breech-piece, not a solid hinged
block, as in the Snider rifle, but a species of flap, set on edge,
and in shape and action not unhke the knife of a guillotine.
This is simply lifted up or pressed down as occasion may re-
quire ; and when raised, by pulling it open somewhat further
than it would go of its own accord, the extraction, worked by a
sere-spring, is set in motion and di'aws ; or, if the motion com-
municated be quick and sudden, throws out the copper-based
cartridge from the barrel. It is part of Mr. Cornish's theory
that cartridges made of metal and on the central-fire principle,
are more effectual in rendering military weapons gas-proof than
any ingenious construction of the breech itself, since the fittings,
however accurate originally, must be disarranged as the weapon
heats. And hence he contends that, using cartridges with a
metallic base, the mechanism of the breech may be much sim-
plified and cheapened, since the breech has only to support the
rear of the cartridge case, — which is, in fact, an inner barrel, —
during the explosion, and not to keep in a subtle and imprisoned
gas. The needle Avorks through the breech- piece, and hence is
short and not liable to get out of order. A critical examination
of the closing apparatus would probably suggest that in this
respect strength is capable of being added with advantage. A
spring, not one that interfered with the eflSciency of the gun, for
it was fired many times afterward, but still a small spring, gave
way under rough usage on Saturday. And a breech-loader,
meant to be handled by the rank and file of the army, ought to
be as free as possible from the risk of such accidents. The de-
sign, however, is quite novel, and, of course, susceptible of modi-
fication and improvement. It unquestionably has on its side
the great recommendations of cheapness and simplicity, and
they are precisely recommendations ot the kind which tell in
the long run. It is alleged that the cost of the gun when new
will not exceed that of an ordinary Enfield, and that the process
of conversion is cheaper by some shillings, and capable of being
effected faster than by any other patent."
224 THE CRACK SHOT.
CARLE BREECH-LOADER.
The Russian Governniciit arc arming their troops
with rifles on this in*inciple, which I understand to be
a niodilication of the needle-gun ; but not having
seen it noticed anywhere, I am unable to give any
description of it. The same may be said of the
THE WERNDL BREECH-LOADER,
Adopted by the Austrian Government, and which
is claimed to be the " best breech-loader " yet in-
vented. I have never seen any account of it, and the
only allusion to it is contained in the letter of the
Vienna correspondent of the London Tirnes, who
says—
" The Aiistrians are arming their troops as rajndly as pos-
sible witli a now breech-loader. It is the invention of Herr
Werndl. It is simple in construction, will fire twenty-four
rounds a minute, and will penetrate a four-inch deal at twelve
hundred yards. It is very lig'ht, and costs only about forty-five
shillings. But the most remarkable thing about it is its
capability of sustaining the roughest usage. Tlie correspondent
says : * After the usual tests of dipping the lock in water, smear-
ing it with dirt and sand, etc., and then firing, H. Werndl took
the ^un, and, out of the window on the first floor from which
we had been practicing, fiung it repeatedly over the lane on a
piece of hard and stony ground beyond. It was brought up and
again fired over and over again, having suffered no damage
beyond a few bruises from pebbles on the stock. The fact is,
PRINCE'S BREECH-LOADER. 225
that the barrel and backpieco being of one i:)iecf) of nteel, and
supported moreover by a very strong stock, there i» nothing to
break.' H. VVerndl asks nothing for liis jmtent, l)ut offers to
make two liundred thousand rifles a year, lie has refused all
foreign contracts."
Modest Werndl ! to be satisfied with the profits on
the manufacture of two hundred thousand rifles a
year !
PRINCE'S BREECH-LOADER
In this gun the baiTel sKps forward about three
inches, disclosing a steel cone, provided on either side
with inclined planes, forming a segment of a screw,
and locking tightly into slots at the breech end of the
barrel. The cartridge is dropped into the open space
at the extremity of the cone, the lever is depressed,
pulled backward, and then pushed into its place.
The barrel and cone are thus tightly locked together,
and until they are in this position the gun can not be
fired ; thus combining safety and strength in a great
degree. This arm seems a very good one, and has
been fired with great precision up to the longest
ranges. Sixteen successive shots were put into p.
small sheet of note-paper at one hundred yards, and
twelve following into a sheet of foolscap at two hun-
dred yards; the average of the twenty-eight shots be-
ing but two and five-eighths inches. The cartridge in
use with this gun, and which can be used equally well
226
THE CRACK SHOT.
with a muzzle-loader, is very ingenious. It is formed
of two tliieknesses of peciiliai'ly-prepared paper,
tltrough which the flash of the cap passes with cer-
tainty, consuming the paper during the explosion,
leaving no residue whatever behind,
TERRY^S BREECH-LOADER.
Though somewhat resembUng Prince's, is in principle
entirely difterent. In Prince's the whole of the baiTel
moves forwai\l : in Terry' s it is fixed, and the admis-
sion of the cartridge is effected thi-ough an opening
at the base of the breech. Above the lock, and flush
with the barrel, is a lever which, being raised and
di^awn with a half turn to the rear, gives immediate
access to the receptacle for the charge. A thick felt
wad, satiu-ated ^^'ith grease, is fixed to the bottom of
the cai'tridge, for the purpose of lubricating the bai'-
rel after each discharge. The wad, before the igni-
tion of the powder, rests against the end of a small
cylinder, which projects into the barrel, and thus
serves to break the recoil. A breech-loading carbine
on this principle was tried on board her Majesty's
ship *' Excellent," in 1858, under the tlie supervision
of Captain Hewlett. Eighteen himdred rounds were
fired without cleaning, \\ith "unprecedented accu-
racy at all ranges, and without any recoil. The
RICHARDS' BREECH-LOADER. 227
rifle missed fire but twice in tlie eighteen hun-
dred rounds, and whether discharged by officer or
man, eighty-six per cent, were hits." I do not know
what objections to it were found to be sufficiently
vahd to prevent its adoption.
WESTLEY RICHAEDS' BREECH-LOADER.
This eminent gun-maker has also invented a
breech-loader, which has given a great deal of satis-
faction in England, and has been partially adopted as
a mihtary weapon, the cavalry being supplied with
weapons of this description. The bore is four hun-
dred fifty thousandths inch, and of an octagonal
form, completing one turn in twenty inches ; length
of barrel, thirty-six inches ; weight of projectile, five
hundred thirty grains ; charge of powder, eighty-five
grains. The mihtary weapon differs a little from this.
At Wimbledon this gun was tested before General
Hay, and performed admirably. Out of forty shots
at four hundred yards, the hits gave an average of
seven and a haK inches ; at six hundred yards, nine
inches ; at eight hundred yards, about fifteen inches.
The gun was fired from a rest of the most" accurate
construction, but the day was stormy and unfavorable.
By the insertion of a bolt, which is provided for the
purpose, this gun may be used as a muzzle-loader.
228 THE CKACK SHOT.
There are still a number of breech-loaders possess-
ing merit, such as Green's, Snider-by-Aston, Henry,
Montstorm, etc., etc., that might be described ; but
the compass of this volume will not admit of it.
Among the latest inventions is " The Breechless Gun."
I have not seen it, nor any description except that
furnished by the London Builder, which says—
"A startling invention in gunnery has been announced by
Mr. Harding, who makes not merely a breech-loader, but a
gun without any solid breech ! He takes a tube open at both
ends, and this forms his gun, which is loaded and discharged
with deadly effect. The plan is simply this : that a piece of
wadding is rammed in at one end of the tube, then another
piece, leaving a space, and, of course, some air between them,
closely compressed ; then the powder is placed in, and then a
ball on the powder. The breech is practically formed by the
air contained between the first and second pieces of wadding.
Others are inquiring if gunpowder itself should be got rid of
altogether midst all these changes. Captain Dixon says yes,
and sends us one of his gun-cloth charges, a piece of rolled tape,
so to speak, in a paper case, open at one end. The patentee
claims for the gun-cloth charges, freedom from all risk of acci-
dental explosion, * except when confined in a gun-barrel or
bombshell. They are non-explosive ; they burn, but do not ex-
plode ; if lighted and held in the hand they are harmless ; they
may be dropped down a red-hot barrel without fear of* danger.
A hundred may be lighted at once, and the result will not be
more explosive or dangerous than setting fire to a handful of
shavings, neither would the firing of a whole magazine be at-
tended with more danger than the burning of so much wood,
cotton, or paper.' The recoil is scarcely perceptible ; the report
is only one-lialf ; smoke there is none ; the combustion is per-
fect ; and no residue is left to foul the barrel ; and, withal,
these charges are superior to gunpowder as a propelling force —
BOOTH'S BREECH-LOADER.
229
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230 THE CrwACK SHOT.
at least so says the inventor. Gun-cotton was, as formerly made
and used, an uncontrollable, unmanageable, capricious force, be-
sides being liable to ignite at a low heat, and tire by spontaneous
combustion. Gun-cloth, this patentee says, is a strong* but do-
cile servant ; weight for weight many times stronger than pow-
der, and capable of being used with entire safety in existing
fire-arms. Well, we shall see."
BOOTH'S BREECH-LOADER.
Mr. Booth, of Ottawa, whom I previously men-
tioned, when speaking of "crack shots," has also
introduced a breech-loader, intended for sporting
purposes and target practice, and which has been
found to answer very well. The breech opens un-
derneath, and the cartridge, which is long, and con-
tains a small firing-pin, is inserted, and the " trap "
being closed, it is ready for action.
With this gun I have seen excellent firing made ;
indeed, the best I have ever seen done by a breech-
loader. I am informed by a gentleman of this city
that, at seven hundred yards, ten consecutive shots
were fired into a target only fifteen inches square.
PAPE'S ^^CHAi>IPION" BREECH-LOADER.
The last gun that I shall introduce to the reader
is that Avhich I consider the simplest and best of all
breech-loaders, for purely sporting purposes. Mr.
Pape, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, the best gun-maker in the
PAPE'S BREECH-LOADER.
231
world, having devoted a good deal of time and at-
tention to the subject of breech-loaders, has produced
that which is known as 'Tape's Combined Snap and
Lever Action."
Fig. 1.— Gun open for loading.
A. — Between and below the barrels a bar of steel, which fits
into the false breech, preventing any shaking to right or left,
and when crossed by the two wedges a perfect dove-tail in
steel is formed.
B. and C. — Slots in the steel center-bar, which give the bear-
ing surface for upper and under wedge.
D. — Lever.
Fig. 2. — Action.
No. 1 . — Upper wedge.
No. 2.— Under ditto. No.
3. — Center shaft. No. 4.
— Thumb-piece or lever,
by pressing which the
wedges are moved out of
their slots in the steel cen-
ter base ; the gun then
opens. No. 5. — The action-
spring which gives the ro-
tary motion to the center
shaft. The breakage of the
main-spring does not throw the action out of order, for it can be
worked as readily with the lever 4 above.
232 THE CRACK SHOT.
This action, for sound mechanical principles, is
superior to any yet invented, the gun being self-
locking by the closing of the barrels, which are
securely bound by two powerful bites at the extreme
end, attached to an upright shaft turning in a circle
from right to left by slight pressure, thereby throw-
ing the breech open. It is simple and pleasant to
work while rapidity, with strength, security, and bind-
ing power is perfectly combined. The objectionable
side-levers, or large under- levers, are replaced by a
simple thumb-piece under the right lock. No danger
of this action wearing loose. It possesses the great
advantage of a self-continuous leverage pressure upon
the barrels ; any defect from wear upon the bites
being self-adjusted by the action of the lever. This
self-locking action, where leverage power is combined
with snap-bolts, procuring perfect solidity and power-
ful binding power at the extreme breech end, insures
the most regular and powerful shooting. The de-
mand in England for guns on this principle (both
shot and rifle) has been so great, that few have been
sent to the United States. For any sportsman who
wants a super-eminent double or single barreled rifle,
and can afford to gratify his taste, I could recommend
one of Pape's guns. They are made at all prices from
eight pounds sterling (about fifty-six doUars currency)
to sixty-five pounds sterling (equal to four himdred
HEVIEW OF VARIOUS KIFLES. 233
fifty dollars currency) ; and though the price may ap-
pear high, yet for finish, material, workmanship, and
good shooting qualities, they have no equal. The
cartridge for this gun is made of strong paper, the
same as a shot cartridge for an ordinary breech-
loader, with brass or copper ends, having a brass
lining running up the inside for two-thirds the
length of the case ; this gives a very strong back end
to the cartridges, prevents them splitting, which
causes an extra escape of gas, and leaves them in
good condition to be recapped and used again. No
better form of cartridge can be u ed than this. It
can be used as pin or central fire. Mr. Pape has not
yet produced a military breech-loader, but purposes
devoting some attention to the subject. He is of
opinion that his principle will suit as well for military
as sporting purposes.
Having given a very full account of the different
breech-loading fire-arms now before the public, both
in this country and in Europe, I Avill conclude this
chapter with a few remarks thereon, and. a comparison
of the merits of breech-loading and repeating rifles.
The great success of the needle-gun, in the recent
war between Prussia and Austria, has stimulated the
other European governments to obtain some kind of
breech-loading weapon for use in their armies. Eng-
234 THE CEACK SHOT,
land has adopted the Snider, France the Chassepot,
Austria the Werndl, and so forth, of which I have
given descriptions in the preceding pages ; and
though each possesses merits, to American inventors
is due the credit of producing breech -loading fire-arms
which, for simplicity of construction, accuracy, and
rapidity of discharge, are vastly superior to all others.
For though in the Snider, the English possess one of
the best mihtary arms now in use, the inventor was
an American. Although Prussia may claim the credit,
not of the invention, but of having reduced it to some
practical form, to the United States belongs the
honor of having converted an uncertain and com-
plicated contrivance into a reUable and effective
weapon.
There are two kinds of American breech-loaders,
single-loading and repeating ; that is, either loading
every shot, or having a magazine, where from seven
to fifteen can be stored, and which can be discharged
in a few seconds without having to incur the delay of
reloading. I have no hesitation in declaring that
the single breech-loader is very superior to the re-
peater as at present made, notwithstanding that there
is a strong prejudice in favor of the repeater. It is un-
questionable that the Berdan, Remington, Snider-En-
field, Peabody, and Ballard are the best single breech-
loaders yet brought forward. Experiments have
EEVIEW OF VARiaUS RIFLES. 235
shown that a man armed with the Berdan can fire no
less than sixteen shots in a minute, without any more
danger or fatigue than would result from using the
ordinary muzzle-loading rifle. Again has America
proved her supremacy in the inventive arts; and, by
placing in the hands of her soldiers weapons equal, if
not superior, to those of other nations, she adds ma-
terially to the respect which is now evinced by other
countries for her resources as a military power.
With respect to the relative merits of single breech-
loaders and repeaters, it seems clear that while the
Spencer rifle proved its superiority over the muzzle-
loader duiing the recent war, it did not satisfy our
leading ordnance officers that it was the most effiect-
ive of military arms. Looking upon it merely as a
mechanical contrivance, its power must be admitted ;
but taking a practical view of its merits and defects,
we are compelled to conclude that the single-loading
breech-loader, though not a superior arm, is better
adapted to warfare. In the first place, the mechani-
cal portion of a repeater is too complicated ; the
danger of injury is too great, and the waste of ammu-
nition too excessive, to admit of its being placed in
the hands of a private soldier. Soldiers are proverb-
ially careless, and during the war, many Spencer
rifles were picked up in the battle-fields with car-
tridges in the magazine the reverse position to what
236 THE CBACK SHOT.
the}^ should have occupied. Of course it would have
been utterly impossible to fire the gun, as soon as a
cartridge thus inserted had entered the breech-piece.
It would never have been able to enter the barrel, and
the result must have been to break or otherwise in-
jure the internal machinery. The mistake here men-
tioned arose either from the carelessness of the
soldier, or from his hurry when filling the magazine.
But, in addition to this, with thei knowledge that his
gun contains seven loads, each of which can be fired
without reloading, until every cartridge is exhausted,
the soldier indulges in a reckless waste of ammuni-
tion, without doing any material damage to his
enemy.* The same objection that applies to the
Spencer is applicable, and with double force, to th6
Henry or Winchester guns. Repeating rifles of the
last-named pattern are entirely too comphcated for
the use of an army. In the hands of experts, they
may do tolerably well, but nine out of ten soldiers are
* Since writing this, I have seen a Spencer, with what is
known as the " Stabler check," which converts it, at will,
into a single breech-loader. This is a very ingenious contriv-
ance, and adds greatly to the value of the gun, not only by
combining the advantages of single-loader and repeater, but by
disposing of the principal objection urged against the Spencer.
By means of this check, the gun can be used as an ordinary
breech-loader, keeping the charges in the magazine in reserve
for an emergency.
REVIEW OF VARIOUS RIFLES. 237'
not experts in the use of fire-arms, nor do years of
active service render them such. In addition to re-
quiring rapidity of fire, strength and durabiHty are
necessary; neither of which the Henry or Winchester
gun possesses ; they are delicate, comphcated weapons,
and therefore they would be utterly useless to an
army. The Spencer is not open to the same objec-
tion, the mechanism being strong and service-
able. Experiments made with the Spencer, Ber-
dan, Peabody, and Ballard show the following
results :
Spencer, — One hundred shots in eight minutes and
a talf, being an average of a httle less than twelve
shots per minute.
Peabody. — One hundred shots in seven minutes, or
fourteen and two hundredths per minute.
Ballard. — One hundred shots in six minutes and a
half, or about fifteen per minute
Berdan. — One hundred shots in six minutes, or
sixteen and four hundredths per minute.
Thus showing that the Spencer could not be dis-
charged so rapidly as any one of these first-class
single-loaders ; the time consumed in filling the
magazine partially neutralizing its merits as a re-
peater. Advocates of repeaters have asserted that
prejudice alone prevented the adoption of that kind
of arm ; but this is not borne out by facts. Search-
238 THE CBACK SHOT.
ing investigations and tests, similar to the one re-
ferred to above, have conclusively established the
fact, that for military purposes the single loader is the
best. For special service, and in hands of expe-
rienced shots, the Spencer possesses great advantages
over the others, and as a sporting arm answers ad-
mirably. But even admitting that the repeater can
be fired as often or offcener than the single-loader,
wherein is the advantage? The firing of so many
shots in such a short space of time would most likely
have an injurious effect upon the soldier, and would
most assuredly " demoraUze " him ; for it would be
simply impossible for him to take any aim, the fasci-
nation of being able to discharge a given number of
shots in such a short space of time being too much
for him. No such thing can happen mth the single-
loader ; for the time necessarily consumed in loading,
etc., enables him to collect his thoughts and take
aim. With the single-loader, an average of eight
shots can be obtained with ease, and surely this is
sufficiently destructive. And as it unites simplicity
with great strength, — qualities in which some of the
repeaters are deficient, — it seems natural to conclude
that it should be preferred to the repeater. I ap-
pend the Report of the Board that sat in Washington
last year, and a few remarks thereon.
REPORT OF THE BOARD. 239
REPORT OF THE BOARD.
The Board begs leave to submit the following report :
The experiments of the board lead it clearly to the following
conclusions :
First. — That the forty-five hundredths inch caliber ball has
given the best result as to accuracy, penetration, and ran^^e.
Second. — That all rifle muskets and single-loading carbines
used in the military service should, if practicable, be fitted for
the same cartridge.
Third. — That the charge for muskets should be from sixty-
five to seventy grains of powder, and from four hundred eighty
to five hundred grains of lead.
Fourth. — That the Board recommends the plan of alteration
submitted by H. Berdan. This gives the stable breech-pin,
secures the piece against premature discharge, and involves only
a slight change of our present pattern of arms. The bore of our
present barrel (as has been proved by experiments before the
Board) can be reduced to the desired caliber by reaming out the
grooves and inserting a tube.
Fifth. — The Board has carefully examined the various pat-
terns of new breech-loading arms presented to it, but finds itself
unable to recommend any one of them for adoption for future con-
struction by the Government. While fully impressed with the
great mechanical ingenuity displayed in many of the plans, no
one ojffdrs advantages for service superior to the altered musket
recommended ; and therefore the Board considers that, in view
of the large number of excellent muzzle-loading muskets now in
store, and the slight changes of machinery necessary to make
new arms on that plan, should more arms be deemed necessary,
there can be no justification for an entire change of model, and
the great expense consequent thereon, until some further im-
provement shall be devised, producing more decided advantages
than any of the arms yet presented.
Sixth. — The Board is not decided in the opinion whether it
would be best to have only magazine carbines in the cavalry
service. From past experience the Board would be unwil-
ling to dispense entirely with magazine arms, and as these arms
240 THE CRACK SHOT.
can be used ordinarily as single-loaders (retaining a number of
cliarges in the magazine for extraordinary occasions, free from
danger of ignition in the ordinary use of the gun), the only ob-
jections to their exclusive use are the additional expense of this
arm over the simple single-loader, and the greater inconvenience
of the use of a lever-gun compared with some patterns of the
hinge breech-gun which have been presented to the Board.
In consideration of the above, and also of the manifest advan-
tages of having single-loading carbines (if needed) and muskets
made upon the same pattern, except in length of barrel, the
Board recommends that, until a suitable plan for new muskets
can be obtained, offering decided advantages over the proposed
plan now recommended for altered muskets, no single-loading
carbine should be constructed for the arm}^
The experience of the late war, as well as all experiments by
this Board, prove that the Spencer magazine carbine is the best
service-gun of this kind yet offered. Our experiments detected
a defect in the arrangement for the extractor, which has been
corrected by the manufacturers, upon the suggestion of the
Board, producing, in the opinion of the manufacturers them-
selves, a decided improvement in the arm, and one that will
lessen much the liability to become disabled in the service. It
is believed, hoAvever, from models and from experiments of the
Board, that the magazine arm is capable of further improve-
ment ; and the Board would therefore recommend some delay in
adopting definitely a pattern *' for future construction of car-
bines for cavalry service." Should new carbines be previously
needed, it is recommended that the Spencer carbine, with the
modified extractor, be used.
Seventh. — The Board is of opinion that for facility of handling,
lightness, accuracy of fire, it will be of advantage to reduce the
length of barrel, when practicable, to not less than thirty-three
inches, retaining the present length of bayonet ; and also that
with the adoption of the metallic cartridge, the present car-
tridge-box should be modified.
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK,
Major-General U. 8. Vols., President of the Board.
GENERAL SUMMARY. 241
The Chief of Ordnance, General Dyer, dissents
from the conclusion of the Board, with respect to the
best cahber. He considers that the disadvantages
arising fi^om the great length of the cartridge more
than counterbalance any advantage it possessed in
range and penetration. He highly approves of Eem-
ington's, Berdan's, and one or two other systems for
the conversion of the Springfield musket ; and re-
commends that no plan be adopted until thoroughly
tested in the hands of troops ; and in order to make
a comparison between them and original breech-
loaders, he further recommends that the following be
issued in equal quantities to the same troops, for
comparison; \dz., Remington, Peabody, Sharp, and
Laidley.
General Grant concurs in the recommendations of
the Chief of Ordnance, except the proposition to
place new patent arms in the hands of the troops
for trial. He says —
" There being such a large number of arms on hand, capable
of economical alteration, it seems unnecessary at present to ex-
periment with new arms, many improvements in which will no
doubt be made by the time they will be actually required.
"The superiority of the forty-five hundredths caliber in
accuracy, range, and penetration, seems to have been placed be-
yond a doubt, but a uniformity of caliber being so desirable, and
there being such a large number of arms of caliber fifty hun-
dredths on hand, it may be advisable to adopt this caliber."
From all this, it appears that our own Government
16
242 THE CRACK SHOT.
have as much difficulty in settling questions between
the various breech-loaders as the British War De-
partment had. A good deal of blame has been
cast upon their mihtary boards, for taking such a
length of time to decide the question ; and now we
find the American Government, who certainly are not
addicted to red-tapeism and over-caution, deciding
" to wait for something to turn up " in the way of an
improved weapon, before they go any further than the
conversion of the weapons now on hand, as a tem-
porary expedient. The conclusion may be considered
fully established, that the best possible form of small
arms is not recognized as in existence, by those who
have made this subject their study, and that the con-
verted Enfield or Berdan Si)ringfield, is equal, if not
superior, to any other weapon now in use. When a
repeater or magazine arm shall have been invented,
which will be free from the liabihty to derangement, —
which is the great objection to all now in use, — and
possess range and penetrative power, combined with
accuracy, equal or superior to the Enfield or Berdan,
then, and not till then, will the question be answered,
as to the best weapon possible. I have devoted a
great deal of space to the consideration of breech-
loading guns, as I considered that the importance of
the subject demanded it. I shall now proceed to
consider the best kind of rifle to be used for target
and sporting purposes.
CHAPTER IV.
THE RIFLE, HOW TO CHOOSE AND HOW TO USE IT.
TN the last chapter, I have entered into very full
-*- details of all the guns principally in use, whether
muzzle or breech-loading ; and it will be a matter of
very Httle difficulty for the beginner to select a good
weapon from among them. In case he should not
have the confidence to do so, or should feel confused
amidst such a variety, I will offer a few suggestions
that may aid him in his selection.
In the first place, it is to be considered for what
purpose he wants the gun, whether simply for target
practice, or for sporting purposes, or for both com-
bined. I do not propose to deal with the subject of a
military arm, leaving that question to be settled by
the Ordnance Department.
"With respect to a target-gun, it will be for him to-^
to consult his exchequer, whether he will have a
finely finished Whitworth or Eigby rifle, costing
him from one hundred seventy-five to three hun-
dred dollars in gold, and equal to any gun in the
244 THE CRACK SHOT.
world for firing at long range, with open sights, or
whether he will adopt the more patriotic coui'se of
patronizing some American maker, of whom there are
scores scattered over the length and breadth of the
country, who, if they have not a world-wide reputa-
tion, are nevertheless capable of turning out a gun
that will shoot with the greatest nicety, and that too
at a moderate price. As but very few are likely to
purchase foreign guns, I will confine myself to the
consideration of the proper kind of rifles for target
shooting ; these vary according to the taste of the
purchaser, or the caprice of the maker. The " Ameri-
can Target Eifle " may be considered almost in the
light of ordnance, weighing, as it does, from eighteen
to forty-five pounds, or even heavier, and always be-
ing fired from a dead rest, generally with telescope
sights and a hair trigger. Any performance with
such a gun can not, in my estimation, be counted
shooting ; it is certainly a test of the gun, but I claim
that it is not a test of the man, and, moreover, this
kind of shooting is most injurious, as it completely
" demorahzes " a man for shooting in the manly style
of off-hand, Cleveland coincides with me in this, for
he says : " Having thus proved your gun" (by means
of the rest), " if you hope ever to deserve the name of
rifleman, do not be tempted to make any further use of
a rest, but confine yourself strictly to off-hand prac-
OBJECTIONS TO ^'REST" SnOOTING. 245
tice, I speak feelingly on this point, from having
suffered such a loss of power as I fear I shall never be
able to regain. In my sporting days I never used a
rest, and yet I never had a doubt of securing my
game at any reasonable range ; but for the last two
years I have been mainly engaged in experimenting
with different kinds of guns, for which purpose I have
always used a dead rest, and now I feel Hterally lost
when I undertake off-hand shooting, and can feel no
confidence of placing my shots in the target with any
tolerable accuracy. '^ Unquestionably there is a great
deal to be learned from this style of shooting, that is
very valuable to know, and which probably could not
be learned in any other manner, such as the effect of
the wind, of different quantities and qualities of
powder, weight of ball, etc. ; but the idea of setting a
great ponderous machine, fitted with a telescopic
sight and hair-trigger, in a soUd frame-work of wood,
with a screw for depressing or raising the sight, and
then, with eye fixed upon the streamers of cotton
placed at short distances to indicate the force and di-
rection of the wind, when a favorable moment arises,
touching the trigger and calling it rifle shooting, is
far different from my notions. Such kind of shooting
will never make marksmen. To be a marksman, in
the universal acceptation of the term, requires certain
quahfications that are not possessed by all, but any
246 . THE CRACK SHOT
one may improve by adopting certain rules, and
rigidly adhering to them, but not by such manner of
shooting as spoken of above. Such work would never
qualify our marksmen to take part in the great national
rifle contest at Wimbledon, in England ; at the Tir
National, at Brussels, or in Switzerland ; at all these
the system of artificial rests is discouraged.
As corroborative of my views of this subject, it may
be well to give an extract from a letter written
by the well-known " crack shot," Mr. Peck, of Al-
bion, N. Y.
" You may have seen in the newspapers some account of the
contest in rifle-shooting at our State Association, in which it
was stated that I had the second prize. It was a very unequal
contest, and you may wonder why I entered, when I explain.
There were eight or ten entries, but only three guns made
strings. The * Maynard ' contended with two muzzle-loaders,
each weighing about thirty pounds. They fired from a rest or
bench, upon which was a heavy cast-iron plate with a groove,
and adjustable set-screws for leveling and holding their rifles. I
held mine in my hands, and fired from the shoulder. All the
competitors who proposed to shoot with their hands rather than
by machinery, except myself, withdrew. I went in to show the
judges and officers how unjust, under their rules, the contest
would be, and to show what a breech-loader could do. Five
trial shots only were allowed. I beat the Utica gun and its
owner — being used by him only. I beat the Rochester gun in
the hands of its maker, but another man took it at the end of
his string, and beat me an averaflfe of one inch in each of ten
shots at three hundred yards. Practically, he had fifteen trial
shots, for the sights were moved and adjusted during the firing
of the first eight shots of the first string. The judges called
mine shooting, and commended it highly, while they ridiculed
*'REST" SHOOTING. 247
tlie other as ' artillery practice ' — not deserving a prize in a con-
test with practical guns, but under the rules they must give it
to the shortest string.
Linus Jones Peck.
Albion, N.Y., June, 1867.
Very remarkable practice has been made with this
kind of gun at the target, and it has, in very excep-
tional cases, done service in the field ; but it must be
apparent to the most superficial observer, that its
weight, and the delicacy of the telescopic sighting
apparatus, would entirely unfit it for any ordinary
purpose. It may, as a matter of interest, be used by
a few to ascertain how close a number of bullets can
be placed ; the only deviation of any account, it seems
to me possible, must be caused by a flaw of wind.
I have never used this gun, and will therefore avail
myself of the experience of Chapman and Cleveland,
in addition to some details I have previously given
in speaking of its performance. At page 53 of his
book, the latter records some practice made by Mr.
Merrill; at forty rods, ten shots are placed in a target
of about haK the size of a playing-card.' The gun
weighed forty-two pounds, and took for a charge
about a third of an ounce of powder, and a ball
weighing five hundred and seventy-seven grains.
Chapman, at page 99, gives some interesting details
of shooting done with this kind of gun, and records
that, in 1846, he won a fat ox at a shooting match,
248 THECRACKSHOT.
making a five-shot string at thirty-six rods (one hun-
dred ninety-eight yards), that measured only five and
three-quarters inches. This rifle, with the telescopic
sights, was made for him by James, of Utica, whom
he confidently recommends as a first-class workman;
and, from what I have heard of his performance, I
should style a first-class shot, with the rifle now
now spoken of. But again to use Cleveland's lan-
guage in corroboration of my views : " As I have just
been setting forth the merits and powers of the heavy
target rifle with telescope sights, I do not like to
leave the subject without expressing my conviction,
that the grand object of rifle-practice — that of training
men to the ready and skillful use of the weapon in
the field — is in no loise promoted by the use of such un-
^\deldy instruments, requiring a dead rest, or such
external equipments as must always be abandoned in
active service But the object of rifle
practice being to fit men to make a ready and skillful
use of the weapon in the field, no guns should be used
in target-practice which are not available for such
purpose, and no rest should be allowed." As I cor-
dially indorse these views, I shall not take any fur-
ther notice of the '' American Target Eifle," but pass
on to a consideration of those kinds of guns with
which ho may be expected to make such practice as
will enable him to emulate the feat of Lieutenant God-
CHOICE OF GUN. 249
frey, who, during the Crimean war, silenced a Eus-
sian battery at over six hundred yards with his rifle,
an ordinary Enfield ; or to stop an antlered buck
dashing at full speed through the woods in October.
The beginner, having settled the question with him-
self asL between muzzle and breech-loader, should
apply to some gun-maker, who has a character estab-
lished for good work, and order a gun made to fit him.
This idea of fitting may sound curious ; but I can
assure the uninitiated that it is as necessary to have
the gun fitted to him as his clothes, if he hopes to make
good work. The length and set of the stock is a most
necessary consideration, as also the weight of the bar-
rel. On this latter point, as well as the size of the bore,
opinions are greatly dividc^xl, and it is a most unusual
thing to find two sportsmen or rifle-makers agree. Of
course, in considering this question, it must be re-
membered that the service for which it is required is
the main point. If for sporting purposes solely, the
same considerations will not prevail. Any gun that
will throw a good-sized baU, strong and accurate for
a couple of hundred yards or so, is likely to answer
most of the demands that the sportsman or hunter will
make upon it. But if, on the other hand, the learner
is anxious to distinguish himself at target-practice,
he will do well to remember that the gun that wiU
erform well at forty rods may not possibly meet
250 THECRACKSHOT.
his expectations at eighty, owing to the difference in
the length of barrel, size of caliber, etc., etc. It may,
however, be considered as established, that from
twenty-eight to thirty-three inches length, with a
three-eighths inch bore, is the most suitable size for
a barrel. With regard to the spiral, I favor one turn
in twenty-four inches, though some prefer one turn
in twenty inches, as Whitworth's rifling is on that
principle. With regard to what is known as ''the
gaining " twist, opinions vary very materially ; one
first-class shot telling you that the good shooting he
does is attributable to his rifle having the gaining
twist ; another, that no good results can be expected
from it. Chapman, who is admitted to be a good
authority, says that no good firing can be expected
from a rifle that has not a " gaining " twist, and he
devotes a good deal of space, in his valuable and use-
ful work, to prove this. He states that "I should
not dwell so long upon this point, did I not know
that an erroneous opinion is entertained by some
respectable mechanics. It is not generally known,
by rifle-makers and others, that an increasing twist is
a true geometrical line, formed by the application of
an arc of a large circle to the surface of the cylinder ;
and the radius of this circle must of necessity be
longer for a slow, and shorter for a quick gain."
Stabler, whose name is well known throughout the
SETH green's choice. 251
states as a crack shot, is against the " gaining twist."
He winds up his views on the subject as follows : "I
have found no advantage of the 'gain^ over the
* even ' twist ; and my experience and observation
so far, is against the former." Whitworth, in his ex-
periments, found that an " even " twist was the best,
and he experimented to a larger extent than perhaps
any other man. Who is now to decide when " doc-
tors disagree " ? Good shooting is made by both,
and every man must choose his own style. I prefer
the " even " twist. A rifle weighing from eight to ten
pounds, with plenty of metal at the breech, carrying
a half-ounce ball, with from twenty-eight to thirty-
three inch barrels, by a respectable maker, will be
found a workmanhke tool, and, either in the forest
or at the target, is likely, if well held, to give a good
account of itself. Seth Green, the best shot in New
York State, and an ardent sportsman, prefers a rifle
made by Billinghurst, of Eochester, on Miller's patent.
It is a seven -shooter, having a cylinder similar to
Colt's, patch ball, round or long, and pill-lock. In
loading, the powder is put in the cylinder, and the
ball patched and pushed down the barrel to the
cyHnder, tui^ning the barrel every time a ball is put
down, until the cylinder is loaded ; then drop a jpill
in the prime-hole, and tallow it over, and you are all
right for seven shots. With this kind of rifle, Green
252 THE CRACK SHOT.
lias shot for many years, and always found it answer
well ; in his own words, " When you are in the
woods, with one of the above guns, you feel that you
are monarch of all you survey, and do not fear any
thing that wears hair." A very excellent kind of
rifle for sporting purposes is thus described by Frank
Forrester : " I should choose, for my own use, a
double-barrel to carry a conical ball of precisely one
ounce weight, the round bullet being proportionably
lighter, of from twenty-eight to thirty-inch barrel ;
the shorter length, if to be used principally, or much
on horseback, with a weight not to exceed ten
pounds. It should have a plain fowling-piece stock,
for quick shooting, and rather an open V-shaped
back-sight to facihtate rapidity of taking aim, though
it might be furnished also with a telescope back-
sight, and thread-and-ball end-sight, for target prac-
tice and rest-firing." I can readily understand such a
rifle to be first-class for hunting purposes, but I
much question its suitabihty for target practice, from
the difficulty of placing the axes of the barrels exactly
parallel with each other, so that each barrel would
shoot equally well with the same sighting at all
ranges. The adoption of separate sights for each
barrel would obviate this, but at the price of the loss
of all elegance of appearance. Such a gun seems to
be greatly in vogue with African hunters. Gumming
CHOICE o F A It I r L j: . 25:^
UHcd one, by Dickson, of Edinburgh, for a long time ;
and when it burst, he felt ** cut to the heart ; it was
my main-stay ; and as I thouglit of ilic many serv-
ices it had performed for njc in the hour of need, I
mourned over it as David mourned for Absalom."
Such a weapon in not, I think, lilcely to Ijccome very
popular in this country. Wlien a man abandons the
single barrel, he will take to the breech-loader or re-
peater ; and indeed as far as my experience goes, a
breech-loader is the only thing likely now-a-days to
be used, more particularly in the plains in pursuit of
buffalo, elk., etc. In writing thus, I know that my
views are diametrically opx)osed to those of Frank
Forrester, who says, at page IIG of his "Complete
Manual for Young Sportsmen," "No breech-loading
rifle has probably ever been made, with which the
best and most rapid markr;raan could fire two shots,
loading for the second, at one animal running at
speed away from him, or across him, unless it were
once in a thousand times, on a perfect open and
level plain, at a very large object In point
of rapidity of firing, therefore, for sporting purposes,
no breech-loading rifle can ever equal, much less
surpass, a finely made, accurately sighted, double-
barreled hunting rifle." In my experience, — and I do
not pretend to be either the best or the most rapid of
marksmen, — I have found the reverse of this. Last
fall, when out deer-hunting, I fired at a buck, and
254 THE CRACK SHOT.
only slightly wounded him, my aim being discon-
certed by jumping on a large pine tree ; I imme-
diately reloaded and brought him down. I had
scarcely time to put in a fresh cartridge before an-
other deer came bounding down the run-way, and I
dropped her in her tracks. "Where would the double-
barreled rifle be about that time ? Why, the charges
of powder would scarcely be measured out in the
time I took to slip in a cartridge and knock over the
hind. The rifle I used was one of Frank Wesson's.
Stabler, in a letter to Cleveland, gives his opinion
on this subject in the following words : "I took my
rifle with me on my recent trip to the Alleghany
mountains, and having pretty much got through my
business, I took an afternoon hunt. A light snow
had fallen, and I soon came upon the tracks of a
couple of deer, which I followed for a mile or two,
coming on them within fifty or sixty yards ; they
standing three or four feet o& each other. I dropped
the first in his tracks, and before the second had
moved twenty-five yards, I had reloaded and knocked
him down also. So much for the Maynard rifle."
For sporting purposes solely, I do not think that
any man, desiring to be considered a sportsman,
would any longer carry the single-barrel muzzle-
loading rifle. Eepeaters or breech-loaders will pre-
vail ; and the only question to be decided is, which
one out of the many good ones offered will he select ?
HOW TO CHOOSE A IlIFLE. 255
I do not wish, to advocate any riile in particular, and
will therefore leave the selection of the gun to his
own judgment ; and he will be difficult to please, if,
among all those mentioned, he can not find one to
suit his taste. I consider the Ballard, SjDencer,
Wesson, Eemington, and Ball as the best. I will
reproduce here the remarks of Frank Forrester on the
choosing of a rifle. '^ The mode of selecting a rifle
to suit the shooter is identical with that of choosing
a shot-gun. The way to ascertain its operation is for
the buyer to have it tried in his own presence at
arm's length and at rest, at long and short ranges,
with the wind, against the wind, and across the
wind, — which last, if it be blowing any thing like a
respectable breeze, is the hardest test of all, — ^by some
one in whose shooting, if he be not confident of his
own, he may have perfect reliance. If it execute
quickly, surely, and forcibly, he may be sure that he
has got what he requires. But, by all means, let him
insist on trying it, or seeing it tried, in the open.
No testing in a gallery of fifteen or thirty paces is
worth sixpence, as a real proof of the weapon or the
shooter ; and none but a tyro would dream of piu'-
chasing on such a childish assay."
Having now, I trust, given such directions as will
enable the beginner to make his selection, I will oHer
a few suggestions with respect to the mariner of t:ik-
ing care of it. It must be laid down as a golden
256
THE CRACK SHOT.
rule, never to put away a riile in a dirty state ; no
matter how tired you may be, always see that your
piece is properly cleaned. This, in a breech-loader,
is a very slight matter, as most of them are now pro-
vided with a kind of brush-wiper, which, by simply
passing it through the barrel, cleanses it of all im-
purities ; but with a muzzle-loader, a great deal more
pains is required. Some first-class shots say that no
water is to be used, but with a number of pieces of
oiled rag, thoroughly cleanse the barrel from all
fouling, and having lightly oiled it inside and out,
rub carefully with a flannel cloth, and put away in a
dry place. Chapman recommends pouring a table-
spoonful of good bear's or lamp oil into the barrel,
having previously stopped the vent and cone, and
allowing it to remain until again required ; but I do
not see that any thing is gained by this, and prefer
to do ujD the job at once. Almost any animal oil is
good, such as sperm, carefully clarified neat's-foot,
etc. ; only avoid using vegetable oils, as they are
liable to get gummy. In England there is greatly in
vogue a preparation known as " Wishart's Com-
pound," for cleaning the rifle, which has been found
very efficacious. I believe it to be prepared from
coal-oil. I do not consider that these methods prop-
erly clean the rifle ; for I am confident that some
portion of the fouling will remain in the grooves,
and be forced down into the breech. I think it
ON CLEANING A niTLE. 257
better to clean tlie rifle ^vell T\'itli cold water, after
which use a small quantity of Lot water, the hotter
the better, as it dries quickly, the barrel becoming
heated from it ; force it well through the nipple, and
then carefully dry your barrel with successive rags,
or, if you can obtain it, good dry tow, then use very
slightly oiled rags ; and having stopped up the
muzzle to exclude air, place it in a dry corner, care
being taken to look at it from time to time, and oc-
casionally wipe it out for fear that rust might
gather. Forrester thinks loon-oil, " the sovereignest
thing in the world to prevent rust," and I do not
doubt it ; but as it is not easily obtained, we must be
content with what is recommended above. With
respect to the lock, I would counsel the beginner to
leave it alone ; if it requires any easing, oiling, or
regulating, let him go to the nearest gunsmith, and
he will set it right for him in a few minutes ; to
old sportsmen, of course, I do not presume to offer
any advice, as they are fully as competent, in most
cases, to adjust their locks as a gunsmith. And
now, having chosen our gun, and received instruc-
tions how to take care of it, I propose in the next
chapter to offer a few directions as to the manner of
usin<2r it.
17
CHAPTER V.
THE RIFLE, AND HOW TO USE IT.
TT may be proper, before proceeding to the target,
^ to offer a few remarks on sights, bullets, pow-
der, etc. Kespecting the sighting of a rifle, I find
Cleveland's remarks so completely explain the sub-
ject, that I can not do better than quote him. The
telescope sight is only applicable to the heavy target
rifle, and therefore useless to sportsmen. The
" globe " and '' peep " sights consist of a small metal-
lic disk, pierced with a very minute aperture, and
fixed upon the stock of the gun by a screw or slide,
by which it may be raised or lowered, and a bead or
globe upon the point of a slender steel wire on the
barrel, just over the muzzle, protected by a cylinder
of steel in which it is inclosed. The bead is sighted
through the pin-hole of the back sight, and, being
brought in line with the target, affords a very perfect
means of directing the shot. But even this is too
delicate an arrangement for field service, and is
rarely used, except for target shooting, though com-
OF SIGHTS. 259
monly furnislied witli the equipments of a thoroughly
furnished rifle, to be made use of when required.
The most common arrangement consists of a bead
or " knife-edge/' of bright metal, fixed in the top of
the barrel just over the muzzle, and called the " fore-
sight," and an " after-sight " or guide-sight, near ihe
breech, which is constructed with a notch like the letter
V, through which the fore-sight must be aligned with
the target. If these sights are properly arranged, so as
to be in the same vertical plane with the axis of the
barrel, the hne of sight drawn through them should
coincide precisely with that of the flight of the bullet,
except so far as the latter is affected by external in-
fluences. It is rare, however, that the sights are
arranged with perfect accuracy as they come from the
g-un-maker's shop; but the error may be detected by
a few experiments, and rectified by moving the fore-
sight a little to one side or the other, as it is com-
monly fixed upon a plate which is moveable in a slot
cut across the barrel.
The after-sight being so arranged that it may be
raised or lowered, the proper degree of elevation of
the line of fire for any distance, within the range
of the piece, may be given, and the line of sight still
directed exactly at the target. In order, however, to
render this power practically useful, it is necessary
that the degrees of elevation for different distances
260 THE CEACK SHOT.
be ascertained by actual trial, and marked upon the
slide or screw of the sight, and also that the shooter
should acquire the power of estimating distance by
the eye, so that he may be able to tell by a glance at
the object at which he wishes to shoot, the degree of
elevation required. And the longer the range the
more important it becomes to estimate exactly the
distance; because, at the end of a long flight, the
bullet is falling more rapidly, and describing a much
shorter curve, than at the end of the shorter one, and
consequently the probability is much greater either
that it will fall short or overshoot its mark, than
when it is moving more nearly in a horizontal direc-
tion. From this it will be understood that for fine
shooting, "peep and globe " sights are necessary; but
for ordinary sporting purposes, where " snap " shots
are common, a sight must be used by which aim can
be taken instantaneously, A very large number and
variety of sightc are in use in England and on the
Continent, and a long chapter might be written upon
them, but I do not purpose dilating at greater length
upon this subject. The sights above noted are quite
sufficient, if used to advantage, to enable the learner
to attain to such a degree of excellence as will enable
him to experiment for himself. In Captain Heaton's
" Notes on Kifle Shooting " will be found some very
interesting particulars respecting sights and sighting.
OF BULLETS. 261
One point must not be omitted, — avoid all brightness
of metal about the sights, or it will be found impos-
sible to make good shooting from the glare caused by
the sun shining on bright or pohshed metal. The
fore-sight, if open, should be of a dead black, and let
the back-sight at the V be smoked, or in some way
blackened, to avoid the reflection. In using a muzzle-
loader, great care must be taken in the preparation
of the bullets, if good shooting is to be expected ; the
purest lead must be used and the greatest nicety ob-
served in casting them. Use a large ladle, and do not
make the* lead too hot ; the bulleL-mould can not be
too clean, in my judgment, though some writers ad-
vocate smoking it; and it is desirable that it should be
heated before commencing, or otherwise lay aside a
couple of the first cast ; by this means the mould is
in good order, and the bullets will drop readily from
it. When a number have been cast, they should be
passed through a steel gauge of the precise intended
diameter. They should then be trimmed off, oiled,
and put together and worked in a bag, after which
they are to be " swedged," and laid aside for use.
Among the many ingenious inventions connected
with breech-loading fire-arms, I must not omit to
mention Peck's Pate:nt Patched Bullet, which is thus
described by the inventor :
262
THE CRACK SHOT.
" No rifie-barrel can be made perfectly true in its inside cali-
ber; and it is the universal practice among riflemen, where
close shooting is required, to patch the bullet, in order to insure
a smooth, even fit, and perfect lubrication between the bullet
and bore of the rifle. The ease with which this is accomplished
with the old muzzle-loader, and the want of any device for do-
ing the same for the breech-loader, have caused the old rifle to
retain its place among riflemen for sharp shooting. With the
use of the invention herewith illustrated the breech-loader will,
in addition to its other advantages, possess all the accuracy of
the muzzle-loader. Fig, 1 represents the bullet cast as it comes
from the mould and ready to receive the patch — which patch
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
mny be of cloth, parchment, paper, or other material. The
patch is by means of a die brought over the end and the edges
turned into the groove around the casting, where it is secured
by pressing down upon it the the upper portion of the casting,
leaving it as shown in fig. 2, which is then placed in another
die which gives it any form required for muzzle or breech-
loader, as in fig. 3, which is designed for use in the metallic
cartridge of the breech-loading rifle."
Having no experience of the merits of this inven-
tion, I can not pass any opinion on it, though it ap-
pears as if it might be serviceable.
The next item, and a most important one it is, to
be considered is the pov/der. Never use any but the
OF POWDER. 263
very best ; it is the poorest economy, and causes
great vexation to use common powder. All writers
and ''- crack shots " urge this point. Captain Lacy, in
his work the "Modern Shooter," says, ''It is the
very life-blood of shooting ; for if indifferent, the very
best guns are comparatively of but Httle use." If
good at first, and afterward kept perfectly dry, as it
ought always to be, it will retain its virtues unim-
paired for a considerable time ; but if it once gets
damp, and particularly if it remains so for any time,
the grains have a tendency to dissolution or decom-
position, which no after-drying can ever so fully re-
cover as to restore the powder to its pristine strength.
It ought to be kept wholly excluded from atmospheric
influence, as ttie saltpetre, especially if not of the
purest kind (and it is often impregnated with marine
salt, which vastly increases its tendency to absorb
moisture), readily imbibes damp ; and powder will
preserve its strength, — to say npthing of greater safety
from accidental explosion, — better for two years in
tin than for one in wood. It is unnecessary for us to
inquire who invented gunpowder, whether it was
known (as is claimed by some writers) to the Chinese
as far back as two thousand years ago, whether it was
used at the seige of Mecca in the year A. D. 690, is of
very little consequence. It was not manufactured in
England until 1346, and was necessarily of very rude
264 THECRACKSHOT.
make. It is composed of sulphur, saltpetre, and
charcoal in the following proportions : twelve,
seventy-four, fourteen ; very little variation from
these proportions being made by any nation. The
very best powder that I know of is Curtis & Harvey's
No. 5 or 6 ; next to that the Eoslin Mills. Some of
the American powder is very good, particularly the
" Orange," manufactured by Smith & Kand, of New
York, and which is unquestionably the best that I
have met with of American manufacture. At the test
of arms in Washington in 1866, cartridges made with
this powder gave far superior results as to penetra-
tion, range, and cleanHness, than those made from any
other American powder. Another proof of its supe-
riority is the fact that at the State trial of arms, at
Albany, May 18, 1867, it was one of the conditions
that "the powder to be use is the Orange Eifle
Powder, Fg." It possesses all the necessary qualifi-
cations, such as uniformity in appearance of the
grains, which are crisp and sharp to the touch, and
not easily reduced to dust by pressure between the
fingers, nor dusty in handling. I have full confi-
dence in recommending this powder to gentlemen
desirous of obtaining a good article of native pro-
duction. It is claimed that powder that is very
slow of combustion is best suited to the purpose
of target firing ; and Chapman recommends that
BEST KIND TO USE. 2G5
inacla by the Boston Compan}'', for Mr. Wesson, on
account of its " mildness and moderate strength, be-
cause the English and some other noted powders are
too good and strong for the target rifle." A quality
of powder is made in England and America, ex-
pressly for rifle-shooting, and known as " Eifle Pow-
dar," so that no difficulty will be found in selecting
the right kind. Fire a number of shots with different
kinds, carefully noting the results, and that kind that
gives the closest and most uniform shooting, is best
suited to the gun.
I had purposed making some remarks on the
adaptability of gun-cotton as a fulminate, but fear to
do so, owing to the transition state the manufacture
of it is in. Numerous experiments are being made to
utilize it, and, doubtless, ere long we shall see some
s.itisfactory solution of the problem. BiUinghui^st
uses it with his small pistol, and some extraordinary
shooting has been made \vith it. It is also proposed
to enclose it in a waterproof casing of India-rubber.
Having now, I beUeve, laid down such principles
and given such directions as will enable the young
beginner, I trust, to understand the princiiDles of
rifle-shooting, and having chosen his arm, I propose
now to offer him a few remarks how to go to work, to
make a practical use of w^hat he has akeady learned.
CHAPTER VL
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING RULES.
"YXy^E will now suppose that the beginner, having
^ ^ chosen his rifle, prepared his ammunition
and feehng in " good case," chooses a fine clear
day to try in practice what he has learned in
theory. We will begin by offering a few remarks
on the important subject of loading. As I do not
imagine that he will undertake to have any deahngs
with the " Target Rifle " and telescope sight, until he
has become somewhat perfected in his art, I will not
take it into account, referring him to Chapman's ex-
cellent treatise for full information on that subject,
but deal with an ordinary eight or ten pound muzzle-
loading rifle. The greatest care and nicety are re-
quired in loading, as a few grains too much or too
little powder will alter the range of the bullet, and it,
on its part, if not placed accui^ately in the barrel, will
come out at an irregular angle, and, instead of going
straight to the mark, will be turned sideways. This
CHOICE OF PRACTICE-GROUND. 2G7
is corrected, or, properly speaking, avoided, bj the
use of a " starter," an implement that can be seen at
any gunsmith's, and which will be better understood
by being so seen, than it could be by any written de-
scription about it; suffice it to say, that the one most
in use is made of brass, and has a socket to fit over
the muzzle, with a starter working up and down
in it. But to proceed with our subject. In the first
place, it will be necessary for him to choose some
place where there is no danger of accidents ; for the
flight of a rifle ball is so gxeat, and the liabihty to ac-
cident so serious, that the greatest care must be
exercised. I have known a man seriously injured at
nine hundred yards distance, and who stood over one
hundred and fifty yards to the left of the firing point.
Indeed, instances innumerable could be quoted of the
eccentricity of a rifle ball ; if it should happen to
strike a stone, stump, or any projection, it will go ofl^
at an angle, and, may be, do an injury long after
the firer thought that it had become inert. Cleve-
land has some excellent remarks on this subject,
which I reproduce for the benefit of the beginner, as
they can not be too strongly impressed upon his
mind. The remorse that would ever attend a right-
minded man, if by carelessness he had been the
means of dei)riving a fellow-creature of life or limb,
would be very great, and the way to guard against it.
268 THE CRACK SHOT.
is by paying due regard to these remarks. " A rifle
bullet is easily fatal at a mile's distance, and no man
should ever send one out of his barrel without con-
sidering the possibilities of its range. Yet many men,
who know this fact, are constantly regardless of it,
shooting not only at targets without regard to the
course of their bullets beyond, but at any bird in a
tree which offers a fair shot, though the elevation re-
quired must necessarily send the bullet to such a dis-
tance that it is impossible for them to know what
may be in the range. It is true, the chances are that
no mischief will ensue, and most men seem to be
willing to trust to chance rather than common sense,
perhaps owing to the fact that they have not enough
of the latter commodity to make a perceptible differ-
ence of effect. But this is precisely the kind of care-
lessness from which an accident occasionally results,
which is sounded as a warning through the news-
papers, while nobody hears of the thousand narrow
escapes which indicate the frequency of such careless-
ness. I was surveying not long since in a field within
ten miles of Boston, when a bullet cut the sod within
a foot of where I was standing, shot from such a dis-
tance that I had no time to go in search of the worthy
to whom I was indebted for the attention.
"The danger from ^ricochets,' or glancing shots, is
one also of which no one can have a realizing appre-
THE KIND OF TARGET TO USE. 2G9
ciation wlio has not witnessed their eccentricities. I
have know^i bullets which the shooter supposed to be
safely lodged in the hillside against wjiich he had
placed his target, to glance out at a widely divergent
angle from his line of fire, and be heard cutting
through tree tops a quarter of a mile off. In fact,
unless shot into an embankment, which is very nearly
perpendicular, they will rarely fail to glance out, and
their further course is one which can not possibly be
foretold. Neither is this danger confined to the case
where the bullet strikes upon hard or stony ground.
They will ricochet from a soft, peat meadow, even
vfhen shot downward at a very considerable angle;
and I have known a bullet shot into a stream from a
high bank to rebound and lodge in a tree at least fifty
feet above its surface on the other side.''
Having arrived on his chosen ground, let him put up
his target and measure off the range, placing a stake
at every fifty yards; be careful to measure the ground
accurately, as a few feet make a difference. The
target I would recommend would be six by two feet,
or about the size of a full-grown man. A good plan
is to have a frame of iron with strong canvas laced on
to it, and stout paper pasted over it ; divide this into
sections of s!x inches, with an eight-inch bull's-eye in
the center ; this will do very well for a beginning.
Of course, when a certain degree of accuracy has been
270 THE CRACK snoT.
obtained, mncli finer work "will be necessary, and lie
will be expecting to put a "succession of bullets into
a bole the size of a dime,'' as I bavo beard some
wortbies boast of doing, but never saw accompbsbed.
Bein^ now i:)repared, be can proceed to load bis
gun, wbicb is to be done in tlie following manner :
Take bold of llie barrel near tbe muzzle, turn it round
so tbat tbe lock is outward ; tben pour out of your
flask tbe proper cbarge, wbicb tbe maker of tbe gun
bas furnisbed you witb, being particularly careful to
see tbat you bave tbe cbarger full eacb time, for it is
necessary to bave every tiling uniform to do uniform
sbooting. Some marksmen weigb tbeir charges, but I
do not tbink tbis necessary, as wben bolding tbe flask
reversed, two or three sbarp raps will generally an-
swer tbe purpose of filling tbe cbarger. Pour it
gently down tbe barrel, being particularly careful to
bold it uprigbt, so as to avoid any particles sticking
to tbe sides, and thereby losing a certain portion of
tbe power ; place a " patch," which has been pre-
viously prepared from tbe finest linen, oiled, or as
some recommend, greased \Ndth spermaceti ointment,
and cut out with a punch twice the size of the butt
of the bullet ; on the muzzle, the greased side down-
ward ; now place the ball perfectly straight and true
in the muzzle, and with the "starter" press it down
two or three inches, using the ramrod to force it
POSITION FOR O F I - U A N D S U O O T I N G . 271
home. And hero let me offer a word of warning,
avoid the common error of "ramming" home the
bullet, for two reasons ; firstly, because the bullet be-
ing jammed on the powder, meals and grinds it,
thereby depriving it of a portion of strength ; and
secondly, because injury is done to the face of the
ball, which is thereby prevented from following a
perfectly true and accurate flight. Nothing is more
common than to see men, after driving the ball home
with some violence, make the ramrod rebound in the
barrel, to assure themselves that it is ''home."
Nothing can be worse than this ; a moderate pres-
sure, to satisfy yourself that the bullet is home, is
quite sufficient. It is a good plan to mark on the
ramrod how far into the barrel it should be, and then
it can be seen at a glance if the ball is down. Place
a cap on the nipple, and you are ready for action.
The position in which you should be for " off-hand "
shooting, and it is for such shooting I propose giving
directions, is one that admits of a good deal of
discussion. There is great difference of opinion on
the subject, some good shots contending that they
never could see any difference in their shooting,
whether they were in one position or the other; while
others maintain that it is absolutely necessary to
good shooting that certain fixed rules should be ad-
hered to. There are tliree recognized methods of
272 THE CEACK SHOT.
firing, viz., the Britisli or Hythe position, the Swiss,
and the American. In the former the rifleman
stands perfectly erect, head sUghtly bent forward,
feet at right angles to each other, the left advanced
about twelve inches, the right arm raised well up, the
left hand advanced so as to take a firm yet easy grip
of the rifle, the butt of which is to be pressed firmly
against the right shoulder, the right hand grasping
firmly the small of the stock. Captain Heaton de-
scribes the second as follows : "Next we have the
Swiss standing position, in which no particular man-
ner of placing the feet is required. The whole body
is kept perfectly rigid, the chest expanded as much as
possible, against which the left elbow is allowed to
rest, the rifle being held vdth the left hand, as near
the trigger-guard as possible. The Swiss rifles have
a kind of handle for this purpose. The upper part
of the body is thrown back. Before firing, you may
notice the Swiss marksman taking a long, deep inspi-
ration, which he holds until the bullet has left his
rifle, when he gives a loud grunt of satisfaction if the
shot has pleased him."
In the latter the legs are kept wide apart, body
slightly bent backward, the left shoulder a little
back, with the left hand he grasps the rifle well
out, bringing the arm nearly under the barrel, so as
to form a support, the right arm is thrown out
PROPER MOMENT TO FIRE. 273
square, similar to the style adopted in the Hythe
position. The butt of the rifle is not pressed against
the shoulder, but in the hollow between the biceps
muscle and the shoulder. Cleveland prefers this
method to the Hythe, but I do not. I think that by
pressing the butt close into the shoulder one is less
likely to feel the recoil or " kick,'' and in addition, it
(the Hythe) is less constrained than either of the
others. But good firing can be made in all these
positions, so I will leave the learner to choose that
one which seems to suit him best, and now to reduce
all this theory and instruction to practice. Every
thing being in readiness, we will suppose him about
to fire his first shot. The rifle is brought up care-
fully to the shoulder, the eye being steadily fixed
upon the object to be fired at, gradually raise the bar-
rel until the sights and the object are in a direct line,
and the instant that this is obtained, press the trigger,
keeping the eye steadily fixed upon the mark, and the
rifle in position for a second or two after delivering
your fire. Just before the muzzle sight is made to
cut the center of the bull's-eye, the* breath should be
held ; and in pressing the trigger, the forearm alone
should act, the arm and wrist being stationary ; no
movement of the body should take place until you see
the result of the shot. I am in favor of a tolerably
quick aim. I do not see what is to be gained by
18
274 THE CRACK SHOT.
pausing or dwelling ; the finger should obey the
brain. On this point Frank Forrester says: "Though
it is necessary to get a sure aim before firing, it is not
necessary to dwell on it before doing so. Every sec-
ond between the having taken true sight and the
giving fire is a second lost, or worse than lost ; for
the longer the rifle is held to the face, the greater the
tension of the muscles and nerves, and the likelier are
both to shake and give way. The first true sight is
always, with all fire-arms, the best sight, and a quick
shot has as much or more the advantage over a slow
shot, with the rifle as with any other weapon." The
finger should be held well down toward the point of
the trigger, and a shght pressiu^e commenced from
the moment the aim is begun. I may here mention
that the pull of the trigger is a very important con-
sideration ; it should not be so shght as to go off al-
most involimtaiy, nor so hard as to require force, but
so, that by a gentle pressure, commenced at the mo-
ment of taking aim, the shghtest extra sqneeze will
cause the hammer to fall at the very instant the aim
is perfected. I consider a pull of from two to three
pounds about the proper thing. The method of
ascertaining the pull of the trigger will be shovni by
any gunsmith. If you should not be satisfied with
jowrfiM aim, do not hold on endeavoring to better it;
drop the rifle and rest the eye for a few moments.
EFFECT OF WIND, HUN, KTC. 275
It is better to take a few Bcconds extra than to jeop-
ardize the Huccess of your shot ; for, once you tap tlie
trigger, it is too late then for reflection. I must not
omit to caution the beginner against canting the rifle
in his hand. This we are all liable to do ; even the
grip of it in the left hand tends to this, and it is
necessary that the greatest pains be tnkau to see that
the sights are perfectly upright, as the slightest dcjvia-
tion from a vertical position will cause the bullet to
incline to the right or left, according to the inclina-
tion of the foresight. A very common practice pre-
vails, among some riflemen, of wiping out after every
shot. I do not think that this is at all necessary in
ordinary target practice, though it may be advisable to
do so with the heavy target rifle, where large charges
of a low grade of powder are used. But, on the other
hand, do not continue to fire with a rifle after it has
become foul. No accuracy can be obtained after the
barrel is dirty. In target practice, the e^lect of the
wind, sun, atmosphere, etc., must all be taken into
account ; and though I do not believe that I shall bo
able to lay down such rules as will enable the learner
to overcome all the adverse effects of these various
elements, still I think that, by carefully attending to
the few simple directions I shall give, when he is
about to practice, his chance of making good work
will be materially increased. I will first deal yviih the
276 THE CBACK SHOT.
wind, as there is notliing so difficult as to acquire a
knowledge of tlie force of it, and to know what allow-
ance to make, if from front, right, left or rear.
Crack shots in England use various instruments, such
as anemometers, etc., and adopt various devices for
ascertaining the force of, and registering the pressure
of the wind and its direction ; but as the learner is
not supposed to carry an instrument maker's shop in
his pocket, I will not take up his time by describ-
ing any of them. It is well to bear in mind that a
wind from the rear elevates the ball, while a wind
from the front depresses it, but in a greater degree.
The effect of a side wind is two-fold, it not only
causes the bullet to deflect from its course, but like-
wise depresses it, so that with the wind from side or
front, a slight elevation will be required, while from
the rear, a slight depression from the elevation is
necessary. Captain Heaton believes it to be neces-
sary to make more allowance for the wind blowing
from the left than from the right, as in the former
case, the wind and the "driff are acting in concert
with each other, whereas in the latter case, they are
struggling one against the other, and the drift partly
overcomes the influence of the wind. The spiral of
the barrel being from left to right, causes the ball to
have a tendency to incline to the right, this is what is
known as " drift," and which at long ranges is very
USE OF WIND-GAUGES DISAPPROVED OF. 277
great. To counteract the effect of the wind, w^ind-
gauges have been invented, and are used by many
shots, but are not I think generally approved of, at
least Heaton, who, on this subject, may certainly be
said to be a judge, quotes Mr. Fellowes approvingly,
when he says of wind-gauges, '^No sportsman, I need
hardly say, ever makes use of such contrivances ; he
knows that one of the great principles of shooting
consists in having faith to aim, on certain occasions,
away from the object, either in consequence of the
motion of such object, or the deflecting influence
of the wind, or of the gravitation on the bullet.
Kow, there is unquestionably a strong natural ten-
dency to project a missile on all occasions directly at
the mark.
'' Inexperienced shots, and indeed many in whom
the use of fire-arms might have been expected to
dispel the illusion, are very apt at the moment of fir-
ing to cheat themselves with the idea, that a direct
shot must strike correctly, although common sense
shows the occasional fallacy of the supposition ; the
act is involuntary. A knowledge, then, of the amount
of allowance, quickness in the apphcation of this
knowledge, and faith in the result, are qualifications
on which success materially depends, and long ex-
perience alone can master."
It is a common fault to make too little allow^ance
278 THE CKACK SHOT.
for tlie wind, indeed, many riflemen can not ever make
up their minds to lose siglit of the bull's eye, and so
frequently miss the target when they were confident
of a good shot ; however, it will be found that the
amount of allowance to be made, etc., etc., can only
be gained by experience. It is not possible, within
the compass of a volume like this, to lay down the
rules and give the calculations necessary to arrive at
a j)erfect understanding of this subject.
The influence of the atmosphere upon the bullet is
dependent upon the quantity of moisture it contains;
the greater the quantity- the lower will be the eleva-
tion. It is generally noticed that better shooting is
made in damp weather than in dry; this arises from
the fouhng becoming moist, instead of being hard and
gritty. A dull gTcy light is most favorable to rifle
practice. Great heat has also an efl:ect on the aim.
It no doubt has often been noticed that the air
seems to dance on one of these very hot days. This
will cause you to aim above the target, it being ap-
parently raised ; this is caused by refraction, and to
correct this you will require less elevation. The
effect of the sun is very diverse, and a careful series
of experiments by Captain Heaton has led him to
form the following conclusions: that if shooting on a
dull day, the sun suddenly appears and Hghts up
your sights, still leaving the target dull, more elevation
heaton's rules for elevation. 279
will be required ; that is to say, if you continue to
shoot with the same elevation that you had before the
sun appeared, your shot will fall low. If shooting
under similar circumstances, the sun appears and
lights up the target, you require less elevation. If
shooting on a clear, bright day, with the sun shining
on the target, you will require more elevation than
when he is hidden behind a cloud; and less elevation
will be required when the sun is hidden, if you were
previously shooting with his rays shining on your
sights. He therefore suggests the following rules for
shooting at five hundred yards, allowance for other
ranges to be made accordingly :
"When shooting on a dull day, if the sun ap-
pears and Ughts up the target, aim two feet lower ; if
it appears in front, and lights up the sights, and not
the target, aim two feet higher.
" When shooting on a bright day, with the sun in
front, if it disappears, aim two^eet lower; if the sun
be at your back, or on one side, so as to Hght up the
target, and it disappears, aim two feet higher.'*
Having now, I believe, touched upon all points
necessary for the instruction of the beginner, I wiU
conclude this chapter by a few general remarks, and
ofi*er a httle advice that may aid him in carrying out
the princi^Dles previously laid down. I have not made
any mention of a rest, as I am opposed to rest firing;
280 THE CBACK SHOT.
but it may be advantageously used for the purpose of
sighting a rifle, indeed you cannot properly sight
your weapon without it; and I will therefore describe
one suitable for the purpose. Have a bench made
about three and a half feet long and ten inches wide,
with four stout legs standing out at a considerable
angle. The height should be about level with the
breast, when sitting down. At one end place a stout
piece of wood about five or six inches high, cross-
wise, with notches cut in it to lay the barrel in, and
well covered with cloth, or something soft ; this
should be securely fastened to the bench ; the end of
the bench nearest the shooter may be hollowed out a
little for the breast to fit in, and now you have the
rest. If any one wishes to go into rest-firing, and de-
sires to know how to malie a superior one, I ad\ise
him to consult Chapman at page 70. A rough-and-
ready rest may be made of three moderately stout
stakes, tied together near the top, and then tmsted
out at right angles ; place your coat or any con-
venient thing to rest the rifle on in the crotch, and
you will find that you can manage very well. Or a
rest may be extemporized out of a ramrod and a couple
of walking-sticks. A very excellent practice will be
found in judging distances, as, without the power of
estimating distances, he will find, be he ever so good
a shot at a target at a set and known distance, that
JUDGING-DISTANCE DKILL.
281
that skill may not avail him when called upon to
exercise it in the battle-field or the forest. By a
knowledge of judging distances, he will be enabled to
render his skill available at critical times. An error
of a few yards in distance will cause the best-directed
bullet, either to bury itself in the ground at the foot,
or to pass clear over the head, of the foe. From
this it will be apparent that, unless the rifleman pos-
sesses this knowledge, he will be of very Httle use on
the field, where, during the vicissitudes of battle, the
distance at which he encounters his foe is ever chang-
ing. I could not, within any limited space, give such
directions as would enable any one to master this sub-
ject, but he can learn a gTcat deal by himself, by
making a practice, when oat walking, of taking points
and estimating the distance to them, and then, accu-
rately measuring them, he will find that he makes
rapid progress in this way; he will
likewise find a " stadium " a great
aid to him. This consists of a
small brass instrument with a cord,
of which I give a rough outline.
It should be about three inches
high and an inch and a half wide.
It is provided with a shding-bar, b,
and is made to enclose the figure,^
whose distance it is required to
IjiJ. ® Cdx
,. 6 Fi-. 8 Fir.
5o-\^y
^B
282 THE CRACK SHOT.
measure. The end of the cord is held in the left
hand close to the eye, and the right arm is extended
at full length, holding the stadium upright. As the
distances are graduated with great accuracy, very
satisfactory results are attainable by its use. If the
learner is desirous of perfecting himself in this branch
of the subject, I would advise him to get Hans Busk's
" The Eifle and How to Use It," and therein he will
find the necessary directions to enable him to do so.
Should the learner not have many opportunities of
practising, do not let him imagine that he will not be
able to become a good shot. At the musketry school
of Hythe, it is held that the less previous practice a
man has had with fire-arms, the better is the pros-
pect of making him a marksman, as he has no bad
habits to unlearn. The system adopted there is the
result of innumerable trials, and having carefully
ascertained the best way for performing every thing
requisite to become a marksman, they have proved,
that by a "rigid adherence to them, fai' more than
average proficiency in shooting is attainable, without
the expenditure of a single ball-cartridge.'* This
may seem incredible ; but it is nevertheless true. It
is done by constant attention to a course of aiming
and position drill. Let the learner practice for a few
minutes, morning and evening, or whenever conve-
nient, at a mimic target, carefully following the direc-
ACHIEVEMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS. 283
tions laid down, and he will be surprised at the
result. A very excellent practice is that of snapping
caps ; let him carefully aim and go through all the
motions as though the gun were loaded. He can
further improve himself in the evenings, in his own
room, by placing a candle a few feet from the muzzle,
and taking aim at the wick. He will find that if the
aim has been true, that the explosion of the cap will
extinguish the candle. There is no greater fallacy in
the world than to believe that a man can only be-
come a good marksman by a Hberal consumption of
powder and lead.
In the present unsettled condition of our country,
only partially recovering from the late fratricidal
struggle, and looking to the position of affairs in
Mexico, and the "war-cloud'' which now hangs
lowering over Europe, it is impossible to predict what
may be the course of events. Under such circum-
stances, it behooves every loyal man and true that he
should becoDQC familiar with the us.e of fire-arms, in
order to qualify himself to assist his country in time
of need. Volunteers, expert in the use of the rifle,
have on many occasions played a prominent part in
warfare. In this country we can point with pride
to the part they took in the struggle with Eng-
land, that resulted in achieving our independence.
It was to a body, chiefly consisting of rifle volunteers,
284 THE CRACK SHOT.
that Burgoyne and Ids entire army, composed of the
finest troops in the world, surrendered at Saratoga in
1777. The indomitable prowess of volimteers again
prevailed in 1781, when Lord Cornwalhs and another
English army were compelled to lay down their arms.
The deeds of valor performed by the German student
volunteers, in 1813-15, are too well known to need
recital here. Again, the whole might of Kussia, with
half a million of troops at her back, in a long and
sanguinary war, extending over thirty years, hardly
accomplished a success worth recording against the
hardy volunteers of Circassia. Nor must we forget
the gallant deeds performed in Mexico under Scott
and Taylor. I cordially endorse the following senti-
ments, extracted from a writer in "Frazer's Maga-
zine," and as well as part of the above, quoted fi^om
Hans Busk : " What is wanted for home protection,
is your patriotic home guerilla force, lining hedges,
popping fi^om pits and tree-tops, galloping fi*om point
to point, and blazing away at foragers, skinnishers,
and outposts, and so thinning off the foe marvel-
lously, and making him, to his bitter astonishment,
* small by degrees and beautifully less ! ' . . . But
for real loss to an invading army, post me five hundred
quick-sighted and quick-footed amateur riflemen, in
their own well-known woods, and see how they'd pick
off all the heutenants, and colonels, and artillerymen
BAD SHOOTING AT BULL RUN 285
half a mile away." This matter is well understood in
England, and every effort is made to induce a profi-
ciency in the use of the rifle; and the wonderful ad-
vance in the numbers and excellence of the rifle-shots
of Great Britain is a constant source of congratula-
tion to that country. I have not space to give details
of the shooting average of thousands and tens of
thousands of the young men of England ; but it dis-
plays wonderful results. By the training of our youth
to the use of the rifle, we would not be found again
in as unprepared a state as we were when the late
stupendous rebellion burst upon us. Nor would we
see such records as those of the battle of Bull Kun,
where many thousands of rifles were picked up after
the battle, improperly loaded, and where, by a careful
computation, for every man killed, his own weight in
lead was expended. If by my writing, and by precept,
I am able to help to better such a state of things, I
shall feel amply repaid.
CHAPTER VII.
BISON.
Far where the glittering, snowy thrones
Of the Eocky Mountains uplift their cones,
In grassy meadows and valleys around,
One endless pasture of flowery ground,
The tawny herds of the buffalo rove,
Or browse at will in the shady grove ;
There hunter's rifle and Indian spear
Spread wasteful slaughter and frantic fear.
Isaac McLellan.
nriHE American Bison (Bos Bison, Linn.) is an
-^ animal of vast size and strength, and of a most
savage nature. He has a long shaggy mane, which
forms a kind of beard under his chin ; his eyes are
fierce, his forehead broad, and his horns extremely
strong. They are common to almost the whole of the
uninhabited parts of North America, from Hudson's
Bay even to the frontiers of Mexico. The more
southerly their situation the larger is their size and
the greater their numbers. Modern American travel-
ers, particularly Lewis and Clarke, and Dr. James,
bear frequent testimony to the almost incredible
numbers in which they assemble on the banks of the
DESCRIPTION OF THE BISON. 287
Missouri. "Sucli was the multitude of these ani-
mals/' says the former gentleman, "that, although the
river, including an island over which they passed,
was a mile in width, the herd stretched, as thick as
they could swim, completely from one side to the
other." And again ; " If it be not impossible to cal-
culate the moving multitude which darkened the
whole plains; we are convinced that twenty thousand
would be no exaggerated number.'' Dr. James writes,
that, " in the middle of the day, countless thousands
of them were seen coming in from every quarter of the
stagnant pools ; their paths," as he informs us else-
where, " being as frequent and almost as conspicuous
as the roads in the most populous parts of the United
States."
The American male bison, when at its full size, is
said to weigh two thousand pounds, though twelve or
fourteen hundred weight is considered a good growth
in the fur countries. Dr. Eichardson gives eight feet
and a half as its length, exclusive of the tail, which is
twenty inches, and upward of six feet as its height at
the fore quarters. The head is very large, and car-
ried low; the eyes are small, black, and piercing; the
horns are short, small, sharp, set far apart, for the
forehead is very broad, and directed outward and back-
ward, so as to be nearly erect, with a slight curve
toward the outward pointiQg tips. The hump is not
288 THE CRACK SHOT.
a mere lump of fatty secretion, like that of the zebu,
but consists exclusively of a deposit of fat, which
varies much in quantity, of the strong muscles at-
tached to the highly developed spinous processes of
the last cervical and first dorsal vertebrse, forming fit
machinery for the support and movement of the
enormous head. The chest is broad, and the legs are
strong ; the hind parts are narrow, and have a com-
paratively weak appearance. The tail is clothed with
short fur-lilce hair, with a long, straight, coarse, black-
ish-brown tuft at the end. In winter the whole body
is covered with long shaggy hair, which in summer falls
off, leaving the blackish wrinkled skin exposed, except
on the forehead) hump, fore quarters, under jaw^, and
throat, where the hair is very long and shaggy, and
mixed with much wool. Catesby observes, that on
the forehead of a bull the hair is a foot long, thick,
frizzled, and of a dusky black color ; that the length
of this hair hanging over their eyes, impedes their
flight, and is frequently the cause of their destruction;
but that this obstruction of sight is in some measure
counterbalanced by their good noses, which are no
small safeguard to them. A bull (says he) in summer
with his body bare, and his head miiffied with long hair,
makes a very formidable appearance. In summer the
general color of the hair is between dark umber and
liver-brown, and lustrous. The tips of the hair, as
GENERAL P K EP A R A TI O N y . 289
it lengthens in winter, arc paler, and before it is
shed in summer, mucli of it becomes of a pale, dull,
yellowish brown. In the female, the head is smaller,
and the hair on the fore parts is not so long as in
the male.
It will be observed that I have always used the
word Bison, which is the correct teim, though the
animal is generally, yet incorrectly, termed builalo in
this country. The buffalo is an entirely different ani-
mal, and a native of the East ; but as the name is, as
above stated, famiharly used by all in speaking of the
bison, I will adopt it in the following directions for
hunting them, for which I am indebted to the coui^-
tesy of a western gentleman of high stcinding and
wide-spread popularity. This kind of hunting is of v.
most exciting character, and not unaccompanied with
danger, and a proficiency in it can. only be attained
by those inured and accustomed to a life on the great
plains of the Far West. It is an existence peculiar to
itself, and not only requires the experience and train-
ing of years, but a natural adaptability. Buffalo
shooting is quite a simple affair ; but their pursuit, as
followed by the Indians, hunters, and trappers, in-
volves all the requirements of a thorough prairie life.
It is not, however, my purpose to enter upon the de-
tails and requirements of a life on the prairies, but to
offer such advice and information as would enable a
19
290 THE CRACK SHOT.
party of amateurs to fit themselves out for a dash
upon the prairies, which is, in almost every respect,
(liferent from the requirements of the hunter and
trapper, who turn their backs upon civilization for
months together, and make their home upon the
boundless prairie.
The buffaloes are fast disappearing before the " star
of empire," and are now only to be found in. the far
off and unfrequented portions of the great plains of
the far West. Their habits are eminently gregarious,
and they move together in numberless small bands, so
that hundreds of miles may be traversed in the
buffalo range, before striking a fresh trail ; but once
upon them, the herds extend for miles, dotting the
whole surface of the country farther than the eye can
reach, and moving gradually in an uniform course. The
Indians and trappers, who pursue them for food and
profit, follow them up, camping within a short dis-
tance of their range. The robes are only valuable in
the winter, when they are full-furred. It is but sel-
dom that straggling bands or single buffaloes are
found far from the consohdated band, and then only
after having been incessantly hunted by different
parties ; under such circumstances, they spread out
over a great extent of country, to re-unite when un- ,
disturbed. They are exceedingly timid, and scent
danger from afar, and when alarmed, scramble
MANNEB OF HUNTING. 291
rapidly away in an ambling kind of gait. The hunter
approaches fi'om the windward upon the feeding
band, and as soon as they take the alarm, dashes
upon them, and, having selected a fat cow, ranges
alongside, and taking aim, immediately behind the
shoulder, fires at the distance of but a few feet; the
buffalo, feeling the death-stroke, swerves to gore its
foe, but the horse, accustomed to the chase, antici-»
pating this movement, swerves suddenly and widely
at the report, still dashing on and keeping up with
the band, until the hunter has reloaded, and, selecting
another victim, the same thing is repeated. He con-
tinues the chase until warned by the distance he has
gone and the number that he has slain, that it is time
to return to camp. The robes, humps, and other
choice portions of the slain animals make no incon-
siderable load, and he returns laden with the spoils
of the chase, and round the camp-fire, after feasting
luxuriously, the hunters kill o'er again their game.
The horse best suited for this kind of hunting is one
of a good strain, reared by the whites ; but it is ab-
solutely indispenable that he should have a prairie
education, as the life he is required to lead, and the
service he is called upon to perform, are entirely dif-
ferent to those he has been accustomed to. It will
require long and difficult training to accustom and
perfect him in approaching and pursuing them, as the
292 THECRACKSnOT.
very sight of the great shaggy brutes is calculated to
strike him. with terror ; but if surrounded by millions
of them thundering over the plains, making the earth
vibrate, he would become completely panic-stricken.
The horses used by the Indians and trappers are
those of the plains, the wild horse ; and though much
inferior in speed and endurance to what is called by
them an " American horse/^ or one raised by the
whites, yet he would be the most serviceable and
rehable for amateurs, unless by great good fortune a
real good " buffalo-runner " could be obtained. This
is a very difficult matter, as good horses are highly
prized, and their owners are very unwilling to part
v/ith them. The saddle most in use is the Mexican
tree, with a blanket strapped over it. As to arms and
equipments, the best and easiest weapon for shooting
buffalo, on horseback, is a large-bore holster pistol,
the range is never more than a few feet, and a pistol
can be readily and effectively used with either hand.
Of rifles, the best in the world is a double-barreled
Pui'dy ; but as the cost will prevent its use by any
but the wealthiest, I would recommend a thoroughly
well-made, substantial rifle, of from forty to sixty to
the pound. The hunter or sportsman cannot be too
careful in his selection of a weapon for use upon the
plains (or indeed any where else), for upon that he
alone depends for every thing. A rifle, of the caliber
THE PROPER RIG AND RIFLE. 293
above noted, requires the transport of but small
weight of ammunition. A great desideratum for
praii^ie life is to render your " pack " as Ught as pos-
sible. The best rig is a flannel shirt, hunting-shirt of
buckskin, pants and moccasins of the same material,
and a soffc cap, — no change is needed, for when they
wear they can be patched, — a good blanket, knife,
and ammunition, your rifle and your horse, and you
may start for a month on the prairies, with the pleas-
ing episode of occasionally encountering bands of
Indians prowHng about, bent upon their favorite
amusement of scalp-hunting.
Such is the substance of the advice of that accom-
plished gentleman and ardent sportsman, Charles P.
Cassilly, Esq., of Cincinnati, and those who know
him — and who in the western country does not —
will admit that he is qualified to give advice on so
momentous a question, as he has been " thar." I can
not but beheve, with all due deference to so good an
authority, that one of the many good breech-loaders
at present before the pubHc would be a most ser-
viceable weapon for buffalo-hunting ; and though
both the Ballard and Wesson are well suited for
the purpose, yet I think that the Improved Spencer,
with Sfcabler's check, would be found to answer evei^
requirement ; and would be such a tip-top article
to have on hand, in case of encountering any of
294 THE CRACK SHOT.
those " pesky " red warriors, who are just now
making the great plains such an uncomfortable
camping-ground. This, however, is a point that will
be decided by each man according to his own taste
and judgment
CHAPTER VIII.
MOOSE.
When the winter snow lies heavy and deep,
In rounded hillock and drifted heap,
When the shaggy moose and the caribou,
With clattering hoofs scarce wallow through,
Then forth to the howling wilderness
The hardy trappers and hunters press:
Their limbs are of iron, and strung to toil,
And the snows are crimsoned with their spoil.
Isaac McLellan.
rTlHE Nor til American Elk, or Moose, is principally
-■- found in the Eastern States and Canada, though
a few are stiU to be met with in the northern parts
of the State of New York. Its habitat extends to the
frozen regions of Hudson's Bay. But I do not pro-
pose to write of it as a naturalist, but as a sportsman,
and I shall therefore confine myself to the region
wherein it is generally hunted. Maine, New Bruns-
wick, and the country north of Quebec, between the
Saguenay and Ottawa rivers, is the best sporting
range.
The moose is the largest of the Cervidce ; a full-
grown male stands from seventeen to eighteen hands
high, and weighs from one thousand to twelve hun-
206 r II E C E A C K SHOT.
dred pounds. In appearance they are very ungainly,
owing to the big head, short neck, and dispropor-
tionately long fore-legs, which characterize them.
The summer coat is of a light ash color, excepting on
the legs and belly, where ifc is of a lighter hue; the
hair is long and exceedingly brittle : in winter, the
coat assumes a much darker hue, becoming almost
black in an old bull, a bristly mane of a few inches in
length, and a tuft of coarse hair under the throat, sum
up their distinguishing characteristics. The cow is
smaller than the bull, and is of a redder color ; she
has but one at a birth at first, but subsequently very
generally two. It is stated by some waiters, that the
young remain with the mother until the following
year, which is a most unusual circumstance. The
growth of the horns is a very slow process, growing
only about an inch the first year, and so gradually
until the full growth is attained. In very large ani-
mals they sometimes measure six feet from tip to tip.
They are generally shed very early in the spring, yet
so rapid is the growth, that they are again fully de-
veloped by early summer. The young males do not
shed theirs until late in the spring, and are conse-
quently later in reproducing them. Major King states
that the horns of an old moose will weigh from fifty
to sixty pounds.
Moose-hunting begins in October, and lasts until
"CALLING" THE MOOSE. 297
late in the spring. By the game-laws of Canada, it is
not lawful to kill after the 1st of February ; but in
Maine it is carried on until much later. It is gTeatly
to be desired that sj)ortsmen in the two countries
would endeavor to have a stringent game-law passed
to prevent the wholesale destruction that has of late
been going on among them. Various methods are
adopted at different seasons to hunt the moose, but
the most common are calhng, stalking, and hunting
them in winter on snow-shoes. For a description of
the former method I am indebted to Major King's
" Sportsman and Naturahst in Canada."
" Calling, which is practiced generally in September
and October, as soon as the bellow^ of the bull begins
to be heard at night, is thus managed: On a calm,
light night, the hunter, accompanied by an Indian or
Canadian, skilled not only in wood-craft, but in the
imitation of the call or bellow of the cow-moose, re-
pairs to the forest or swamp in which the animals are
known to be feeding. The instrument by which the
call is produced is a cone or trumpet of birch-bark,
about a foot and a half in length. With this the na-
tive mounts a high tree, in order to enable the sound
to travel further.
" After the startling sound of the call has echoed
away through the dusky forest, the ordinary deathhke
silence again ensues, till the answer of the bull is
298 THE CRACK SHOT.
faintly heard in the distance, for the range to which
the call reaches on a still night is almost incredible.
When necessary to guide or encourage the advance
of the approaching moose, the call is repeated; but he
generally makes straight to the point with wonderful
accuracy, even from a distance of a mile or more.
Listening for the first response to the call, and still
more anxiously for the slightest indication of an ap-
proaching animal, is a period of some excitement ;
but the moment the formidable beast is heard actu-
ally advancing nearer and nearer, crashing heavily
through the obstructing branches in his onward
course, now emitting a dull hollow grunt, now strik-
ing his antlers sharply against the trunks of the trees,
every nerve is strung to the highest pitch, till the
mighty tenant of the forest stands before the con-
cealed hunter, who hardly dares to draw his breath
as he steadies his hand for the fatal shot.
Sometimes an animal on approaching comes to a
stand, apparently seized with vague doubts, and the
caller lures him on again with a suppressed grunting
sound, the imitation of which at close quarters is the
most difficult part of the accomplishment. If the
sounds are clumsily executed, the disappointed ani-
mal, though he would not hesitate, if confronted, to
attack any one rash enough to meet him, takes alarm
at an invisible danger, and beats a rapid retreat, at
THE MOOSE. 299
the very moment wlien the anxious watcher was about
to realize the reward of his toil and patience. When
this unfortunately happens, the sport is over for the
night, and there is nothing to be done but light a fii^e
and smoke, or lie down and sleep till a little before
daylight, which is a very favorable hour for calling,
and by that time the alarm has generally subsided, or
other moose have fed up within call."
Should it happen, as is sometimes the case, that
two bulls chance to meet, a terrific combat imme-
diately ensues ; they will rush at each other with
tremendous force, roaring and bellowing in a most
furious manner. Their antlers occasionally becoming
locked, and thus both perish.
The greatest caution is necessary when hunting the
moose in the foregoing manner, as he is very wary,
and invariably comes up wind, often making consider-
able of a detour to do so, and therefore not easily led
into ambush.
The moose is also hunted by being driven to the
hunter by Indians, in the same manner as red-deer
are hunted with hounds. The hunter posts himself
on a likely stand or " run," and patiently awaits the
coming of the gigantic game. The Indians, having
ascertained the covert where the moose is concealed,
get round it, and advancing through, drive him up
toward the sportsman.
300 THECRACKSHOT.
When moving through the forest, they carry their
heads thrown back, with their noses pointed high in
the air. It is astonishing with what speed they will
go through the densest wood, avoiding striking their
vast horns against the trees all the while. Their gait
is a kind of slouching trot, though I beheve they are
capable of a gallop if hard pressed.
Still-hunting is also practised in the pursuit of the
moose, and great care and skill are here necessary to
ensure success ; for the moose is very wary and keen
of scent, the sense of hearing being also very acute.
When the hunter arrives in the neighborhood where
he expects to find moose, he exercises great caution in
his movements through the forest, as the snapping of
a dry twig may send a herd scampering off in hot
haste, and he may have to travel weary leagues ere he
again sees the game. I do not purpose speaking at
length on this part of the subject, as I feel sure that
no one will set out to hunt moose in this manner, un-
less he has an Indian guide, who will be eyes and ears
and all things necessary to him, or he has already
taken his degrees in wood-craft ; and to whom any
instructions I could offer would be but a repetition of
that which he perhaps knows better than myself.
The proximity of moose is known by a faint smell of
musk that taints the air, and this should put the
hunter doubly on the alert. In the fall their color so
THE MOOSE. 301
closely assimilates to surrounding objects, that not
unfrequently the first knowledge that the hunter has
of the near presence of a moose, is the flapping of his
great coarse ears.
On the Upper Ottawa, the lumbermen and Indians
" shine " the moose, in a manner similar to that prac-
tised in the Southern States in the pursuit of the com-
mon deer; only that instead of a fire in a cresset, they
ordinarily use a small bulFs-eye lantern. I have heard
of Indians in this manner approaching a moose so
close that they could lay their hand upon him. But,
as I said before, he is pursued in season and out of
season, and all kinds of means are adopted to secure
the prey. I will not further dwell upon those meth-
ods, but come at once to that in general use in Eastern
Canada and the Lower Provinces, and which tests a .
man's endurance and mettle to the very utmost ; no
standing quietly on a runway, no easy " drive," but
downright hard work, that sweetens the reward all the
more, when the noble fellow has been made to bite,
not the dust, but the frozen snow.
Having been furnished with every requisite for
camping in the bush, and well provided with snow-
shoes, we will suppose our hunters arrived at the
farthest point practicable for winter vehicles. Here
the impedimenta are packed on tabogans, or light
boards turned up at the end, to serve as hand-sleds.
302 THE CKACK SHOT.
and drawn by the Indians. Every thing being in
readiness, they set forth on their tramp into the
trackless wilds of the northern forest, the dusky guide
needing no path, his unerring instinct serving to
guide him in the right direction. Having arrived at
a likely place a camp is made, a snug and sheltered
spot being selected ; the snow is dug or scooped out,
and a lot of " sapin " branches being gathered and
placed on the ground, the buffalo robes are spread
over them, and the bivouac is complete. A blazing
fire adds cheerfulness to the scene, and enables the
hunters to boil their pot and fry their fat pork. On
turning in for the night, all hands lay with their feet
to the fire, and pack together as closely as possible,
as it may be well imagined that it is no easy matter to
keep up the caloric exposed to the rigors of a Cana-
dian winter, the thermometer often marking as low as
forty degrees below zero.
The Indian guide having found "sign," all is in
commotion ; camp is broken up, and the excited hun-
ters, donning their snow-shoes, and looking carefully
to their priming, are ready for the fray, and eagerly
set forth in pursuit of their noble quarry. Having
come upon the tracks, great care is taken to keep
to leeward of them, and every nerve is strained to
overtake the fleeing moose, but this is not a matter
of easy accomphshment; for though the laboring crea-
THE MOOSE. 303
tui'e sinks knee-deep at every stride, cruelly lacerating
itself against the hard crust, it is able to go at such
speed, that ofttimes hom^s, and even days, of tremen-
dous effort are necessary to come up with the chase.
When sighted by the hunters, renewed exertions are
put forth to secure the prize, but this is met by the
hunted deer by desperate efforts to escape, and again
the pursuers are left in the rear ; but on and on they
press with a will that knows no defeat, and soon again
they close with the now exhausted yet furious animal,
who, seeing escape hopeless, turns at bay, and with
heaving flanks and distended nostrils, presents a
grand yet terrible sight, and woe is he that possesses
not a cool head and steady hand to send the leaden
messenger on its deadly errand. The noble beast be-
ing dispatched, the Indians immediately set about
flensing him, and selecting the choice bits for the
hunters, who meanwhile are making preparations for
a '' snack," which will be eaten with a zest, such as
the choicest viands prepared in Delmonico's best style
would fail to induce: and while enjoying that greatest
solace of a hunter, a good smoke, arrangements are
made for a homeward tramp, or if the chase has
lasted till late in the afternoon, as is often the case,
they arrange a bivouac, and prepare to pass the night
as best they can. The choice parts are the tongue^
palate, mouffle, and marrow-bones, though the flesh,
304 THE CRAC KSHOT.
when in good condition, is excellent, resembling beef
somewhat, though much coarser in grain. The fat is
quite soft, differing in this respect from all of the
Cervidce, that portion of it known as the depouille,
being the layer covering the chine, is greatly esteem-
ed. I should have mentioned that the moujfle is the
upper lip, which is of extraordinary length and pre-
hensile power, enabling the animal to obtain its
favorite food of young twigs, and the small and ten-
der shoots of trees, at great height.
It will be apparent from the description that the
pursuit of the moose requires a rare combination of
skill and endurance, and to be successful, requires
such a trial of these, that none but the most robust
need hope to endure. The hunters in this pursuit use
snow-shoes, the form and construction of w^hich, I
presume, are perfectly familiar to my readers, and so
I need not give any description of them, but state that
they are very trying at first, and unless the tyro prac-
tises somewhat before setting out on a hunt, he will
be laid up completely, the strain on the muscles being
so severe.
Some parties prefer a double-barreled rifle for moose-
hunting, but I should counsel a good breech-loader.'
I would like to see it fifty-four caliber, as it takes a
heavy ball to administer the coup de grace to an old
bull, and, if wounded, he is apt to be an ugly cus-
THE MOOSE. 305
tomer. But chacun a son gout, each one to liis taste,
and so long as a man has a good gun and dry pow-
der, he will do well enough. A breech-loader has a
vast advantage in the cold weather, as the cartridge
is easily inserted, while with the muzzle-loader, it
takes some time to load, more particularly with the
thermometer thirty or forty degrees below zero; and
then the misery of fumbhng, with half-benumbed fin-
gers ; the cap.
20
CHAPTER IX.
' CARIBOU.
♦ * • * * *
Mounted on snow-shoes, with their food,
And blankets on light sledges packed,
The hunters of the wild stag cross
The snow's immeasurable tract.
iti * * * * rtf
Until the browsing "yard" is found;
******
Then comes the conflict — rifles flash,
And all is wild, tumultuous fright;
. The wounded, bellowing, madly dash
Thro' the dense wood in headlong flight!
While many a forest monarch lies
Bleeding and struggling till he dies,
Encrimsoning with spouting gore
The forest's white, unspotted floor.
Isaac McLellan.
THIS animal {Cervus Tarandus var. Caribou) which
only inhabits high northern latitudes, has been
frequently confounded with the reindeer {Cei^us
Groenlandicus) by writers. This arises from the fact
of its being of the same family, and that no perfect
skeleton exists in any European collection.
The tract of country over which the caribou • is
found, reaches from the southern shores of Hudson's
Bay to the frontiers of Maine, extending in a westerly
THE CARIBOU. 307
direction to Lake Superior's northernmost shore.
They are found of a larger size the farther northward
they are discovered ; indeed, there are two kinds
known to sportsmen, the upland and the lowland, the
former of which greatly exceeds the other in size.
As to size, the North American Caribou is much larger
than the reindeer, a full-grown male standing fi'om
three feet six inches to four feet in height, six feet in
length, and weighing from four to five hundred
pounds, when in good condition. The horns of
the caribou present a very peculiar appearance.
They are well described by Major King, at page 79.
Partly palmated and partly cyhndrical, the caribou
antlers are of singular and fantastic form, and though
of great expanse — apparently but ill adapted for a
forest life — are so sHght, that their weight seldom
exceeds nine pounds. The stem of the horn is con-
siderably curved, the concave side being to the front,
and the extremities of the palmated brow-antlers pro-
ject nearly fifteen inches over the face. Sometimes
only one of these brow-antlers occurs on one or other
of the horns, though they are more frequently present
on both, especially in the case of the older males; and
it is doubtless their peculiarity of form which has led
to the belief that they are intended by natui^e for the
purpose of removing the snows of winter in search of
food. The fact, however, that the male animal sheds
308 THE CRACK SHOT.
liis horns about the commencement of that season,
demohshes the theory in his case ; and it is well
known that he uses for this purpose his fore-feet and
muzzle only, the skin of the latter being exceedingly
hard and tough.
The female is furnished with antlers as well as the
male, and it is a curious fact, that while he sheds
his at the commencement of winter, she, in common
with the rest of the CervidcE, retains her until the
spring.
There is a great difference between the horns of
animals at different stages of growth, the younger
ones having them in the shape of plain, slender, and
very slightly curved stems, bearing equally slender
cylindrical brow-antlers, or rather tines, with no ap-
pearance of any tendency to palmate.
The appearance of the caribou is not at all elegant;
his short and thick legs, large head, and want of gen-
eral symmetry, making him very dissimilar from
most of the beautiful and elegant family to which he
belongs.
The hair is rough and short, of a tawny or reddish-
brown color, inclining to grey in winter ; the throat
and belly being white. This animal is much troubled
in summer by a kind of ^'tick," which causes it a great
deal of annoyance, and sometimes are so numerous as
to render the skin quite unserviceable. He is far
#
THE CARIBOU. 309
more gregarious than the moose, being generally
found in herds of five to ten, in the vast and solitary-
wilds north of Quebec, and about the head waters of
the Eistigouche, in New Brunswick, these being the
localities where he is principally hunted. His favor-
ite food, the Cladonia rangiferna, a kind of hchen,
being very plentiful, he is found in considerable
abundance in these parts of the country, though he
may also be met with in the districts of Argenteuil
and Ottawa, where, according to D'Urban, the gneiss
rocks are covered with its peculiar food. It also
browses upon leaves, bark, buds, and young twigs
It is hunted by being stalked, after the manner of
the red-deer of the Highlands ; its immense speed
setting any other method at defiance, unless when
there happens to be a light crust, just capable of sus-
taining the hunter on his snow-shoes, but letting the
hunted animal through at every step, cutting his legs,
and so crippling him as to put the hunter more on an
equality with him ; but even when thus crippled, it is
no easy job to run down a strong, well-conditioned
bull, though the females being generally fatter than
the males, and not being in a condition to run, are
much easier run down.
The greatest care and circumspection are necessary
in tlie pursuit of the caribou ; for, though not so
wary and suspicious as the moose, he is ever on the
310 THE crack: shot.
alert. The hunters generally provide themselves
with Indian guides, and, bj strictly following their
directions, are generally successful. The caribou,
when closely pressed, will turn and stand at bay,
and then he is an animal not to be despised. They
do not '^ yard " like the moose, but depending upon
their swiftness, and from the conformation of their
feet, being better able to travel on the snow, they
usually roam through the forest in herds, of some-
times a dozen or more. The flesh is tender and well-
flavored, and by most people esteemed superior to
that of the moose.
I have dwelt so fully on the method of hunting
the moose, that I think it unnecessary to say any
thing on the subject in this connection, as the method
to be pursued in this case is the same as is adopted
when hunting the larger animal.
CHAPTER X.
DEER.
Where the forests primeval — a golden domain^
In sylvan solitudes hold their reign,
The dun-deer, in bosky thicket and wood,
Scour the wild passes or stem the flood,
Crop the sweet grass, or seek retreat
In tangled copse from the sultry heat,
And these the keen-eyed hunters attack
With deadly rifle and yelping pack.
Isaac McLellan.
TT seems almost unnecessary to give any detailed
-^ description of the common deer of America
{Cervus Virginianus), as it must be well known to
nearly every dweller in this country, and must be an
old acquaintance with all sportsmen, yet, for the in-
formation of the tyro, I will venture on a few remarks
respecting its appearance and habits. It is Hght and
graceful in form, being one of the most elegant of
animals. The horns, which are very beautiful, are bent
backward from the base, and then curved outward
and forward, having from three to seven tines ; the
one nearest the skull springs from the fore -paii, of the
horn, while the remainder start from the uj^per edge
312 THE CRACK SHOT.
of it ; they are smooth and light, seldom weighing, in
a good specimen, more than six pounds. They are
shed in January and February, and almost imme-
diately begin to re-appear, so that they are fully
grown by the end of August. A full-grown buck
stands about four feet high ; their color changes with
the season. In summer the coat is of a yellowish
red, being lighter on the sides and legs ; as winter
draws on a change takes place, the hair turning to a
kind of roan or grayish color; the under parts always
remaining white. I have seen some that were of a
very dark iron-gray. The hair grows much thicker
in winter than in summer. The hind generally has
one fawn at a birth, though two are by no means un-
usual. During the first summer, they are beautifully
spotted ; these spots, however, gradually disappear
as they grow older. This animal is scattered all over
the country, from the sunny South to the frigid re-
gions of the North ; it is very plentiful in some parts
of New York State, and in portions of the Upper Ot-
tawa the country teems with them. It feeds early in
the morning and again late in the evening, generally
resorting during summer to some shady nook to pass
the intermediate time ; it may also often be seen in
lakes quite up to its neck, whither it has resorted for
the double purpose of cooHng itself and escaping the
attacks of the flies. They will remain around clear-
VARIOUS METHODS OF HUNTING. 313
ances, and constantly make inroads upon the settler's
tiurnips and potatoes, for whicli they not unfrequently
pay with their lives ; for the backwoodsman, or his
hardy son, having seen " sign,'' posts himself in some
suitable locality, and when the noble buck or timid
hind comes all unsuspiciously to enjoy its favorite
food, he '' pots '' it over with his old rusty smooth-
bore. Various modes are adopted in hunting them,
such as watching at " salt Hcks," shining, still-hunting,
driving, etc. The first of these is such a cov/ardly,
unsportsmanhke style of obtaining meat, that I
shall pass it by. The second method I have very
Uttle experience of, though I beheve that in some
X3arts of the States, more particularly in the South,
it is practised to a considerable extent. It is thus
described : " A blazing light of birch-bark and ' fat
pine' is kindled in an iron cresset, fixed in the
bows of a canoe, precisely as in salmon-spearing ; the
rifleman sits amidships, covered by green boughs, and
the steersman, similarly concealed, gently paddles the
little skiff along the dark-wooded shores of the lake
or river, at the hour when the deer, after the heat of
the day, repair to the cool waters. As the strange
hght gUdes noiselessly toward them, they stand trans-
fixed, and apparently fascinated by the glare, until its
reflection in their glittering eyeballs discovers their
position to the concealed marksman, who, at close
314 THE CRACK SHOT.
quarters, fires between the two with deadly effect."
This is the manner adopted in Canada, or where there
may be water. Of course, it is somewhat different in
following them into the forest: one carries the fire,
and another, with his rifle cocked, is ready to "blaze
away " when he sees the shining orbs in front of him.
I now come to the two remaining methods, stalking
or '' still-hunting,'' and driving with hounds. Each
of these has its strong advocates ; he who practises
the one generally denounces the other. For my part,
I believe that both are legitimate and really sports-
manlike ; the former doubtless calls for more skill
and patience than the latter ; but, on the other hand,
the sport of driving is more exhilarating. The melo-
dious refrain of the dogs as they dash along in full
pursuit of the quarry, on a fine crisp day in glorious
October, is the finest music it is possible to imagine.
But to get our deer by stalking. The extreme wari-
ness of the deer is such, that it requires the utmost
circumspection to advance toward them. When they
are approached, it must always be done upwind, to
prevent the animal effluvia of the s]3ortsman being
received by the quick-scenting powers of the deer.
A circuit of very considerable extent, in some cases
even of miles, must be traversed to enable the hunter
to approach the game undetected ; and it not unfre-
quently happens that all the toil and labor are lost by
"STILL- HUNTING. '* 315
the sudden snapping of a twig, or something else ap-
parently as trivial. Having approached the game
within a certain distance, the hunter has not unfre-
quently to crawl carefully on all-fours, or insinuate
himself, like a snake, through the brushwood to effect
his purpose. No sound must be heard, the stillness
of death must reign around, for the work of death is
at hand. Approaching thus cautiously, and having
been especially careful to gain the wind of the deer,
he comes within shot, when carefully drawing up, he
takes aim, and touching the trigger, the bullet speeds
on its deadly errand. If the aim has been well taken,
the stricken deer gives a convulsive leap and dashes
off with furious speed. The hunter at once knows
whether he is mortally wounded or not, by the way
the tail is carried ; if down, it is a sure sign that he is
done for, and he may find him within a few yards
in the agonies of death. So great, however, is the
tenacity of life in the deer, that they have been known
to run long distances after being mortally wounded.
They are easily traced by the blood on the fallen
leaves and snow, and a smart chase brings the hunter
up to his game. The throat is immediately cut, and
the animal being " gralloched,'' is hung upon the
nearest tree, or at once "toted" into camp. Dogs are
oftentimes used when thus hunting the deer, as it is
well known that they will stand for a deer, if they get
316 THE CRACK SHOT.
a chance, just as they would for birds. Frank For-
rester does not believe in the fact, that more than one
man in every ten thousand ever goes out '^ of set pur-
pose " to beat for deer with setters.
"Well, I gather quite a different idea from what my
friend Seth Green writes, and what he says is worthy
of attention, as he is a mighty Nimrod. I infer that
it is not at all uncommon, in New York State, for
sportsmen to go out for deer with dogs, he often does
it himself ; he says : '^ For still-hunting, I have used
a pointer ; he was broke to stay with me ; he was
learned to stand a deer the same as he would a bird.
I have killed a great many deer when old " Sport" or
'' Othello " was on a dead point. I never use but one
dog at a time ; he was learned to go about six feet
ahead of me, that is all the breaking he needs."
From this it will be seen that it is not at all unusual
to hunt deer in this manner ; and though I have no
experience of it, yet I must say that I have no fancy
for it.
I now come to that most exciting sport, ^' driving,"
or runway shooting. My manner of doing this is very
different from that described by Major King, who
says, at page 93 of the " Sportsman and Naturalist in
Canada : " '' The dogs and drivers enter the forest at
a distant point, and the intervening tract is hunted
with loud halloos and the barking and yelping of the
STALKING, OR RUNWAY SHOOTING. 317
motley pack. These dogs, however, are not taught to
keep together on one deer, but are allowed, or rather
encouraged, to chase different animals, a part of the
pack following the original or first viewed one, while
the rest in twos or threes are hunting others." I
must acknowledge that I read this with a great deal
of surprise, as it was so different fi^om every thing I
have seen or previously heard of. The idea of going
through the woods hallooing, accompanied by the
"barking and yelping of a motley pack," is a thing
unknown to me or my brother sportsmen. I think
the gallant major must have believed himself at a
German battue, or beating, up the jungle for a royal
Bengal tiger.
I will describe one of our hunts, as I believe that a
short narrative of one will be the most suitable
method of conveying the information I desire to. I
will suppose all preliminaries arranged, and the par-
ties about leaving camp. Breakfast having been dis-
patched, a short consultation is held as to the most
suitable localities for the day's hunt ; this agreed
upon, the various stands are allotted, and away we all
go, eager for "blood." Alick, that noble forester,
after allowing us ten minutes' law, starts for the woods
with the hounds in leashes. He has not gone far be-
fore Patch, the little villain, cocks both nose and tail,
indicating that he sniffs something more than com-
318 THE CRACK SHOT.
mon. He is immediately cast off, and at once begins
to seek, beating back and forward -with short, quick
yelps; ere long lie comes iipon the track, or, mayhap:*,
the very spot from which the deer has just sprung,
and, with a long deep-toned note, dashes off in pur-
suit, giving tongue from time to time, by which the
anxious hunters are warned of the whereabouts of the
game ; for at the first sound of the dogs giving
tongue, every gun is cocked, and the utmost caution
is observed. As they cast their eyes in ever}^ direc-
tion, each one hopes that the chance v/ill be his, and
in turn they are encouraged by the turnings and
windings of the deer, which strives by all means to
throw- off the dog ; but this can not be, and in his en-
deavors to escape, he dashes down the runway, where
"friend Pittman " (who is known throughout the
whole district wherein he Hves as an ardent sports-
man and whole-souled fellow) is standing, finger en
trigger, his eagle eye taking in the whole scene. He
is tuned up to the highest pitch by the sweet music
of the hound giving tongue, and with beating heart
yet steady nerves, he waits the moment w^hen the
antlered buck in all his pride shall dash by. Louder
swells the refrain, as Patch closes with the chase, and
the next instant his anxious eyes are gladdened by
seeing the noble game. In a moment he levels his
" Westley Richards," and with sight taken almost by
ADVICE TO YOUNG SPOKTSMEN. 319
faith, so well does he know the weapon, he touches the
trigger, the rejport wakens the echoes of the woods,
the stricken deer plunges madly along, and with
drooping tail — an unerring indication that he is mor-
tally wounded — disappears from view. Hastily re-
loading, he follows the gory track, and finding him,
mayha^D a few yards off, either stone dead or strug-
ghng in the last agonies, he draws his coteau du chasse,
and speedily bleeds him, and then wakes the echoes
by the " death halloo," which brings in from all points
the rest of us, to find him sitting on the dead deer,
enjoying to the full the soothing influence of the Vir-
ginian weed. Such, in a few words, is our method
of hunting; and I submit that more enjoyment and
real sport is afforded by it than is found in sohtary
stalking through the woods. I have not given any
directions for posting the party on the stands, or for
laying on the dogs, as this kind of sport will never be
undertaken unless one or more experienced hunters
are in the party.
I cannot do better than, quote Frank Forrester's
advice to the beginner, which is, "If placed at a
stand, to hold himself perfectly silent, perfectly mo-
tionless, perfectly observant and attentive, neither to
smoke cigars nor go to sleep ; neither to fire his gun
at any thing but the deer, nor to let the deer go past
without firing at him. In a word, let him keep his
320 THE CRACK SHOT.
mouth shut, his eyes open, and his head clear, trust
in Providence, and be patient.''
The best kind of gun for this shooting is assuredly
a breech-loader ; if a rifle be used, or what answers
well, a good double-barreled gun throwing a heavy
ball, aim so as to hit at the point of the shoulder, and
if you should be a little behind, you will put such a
hole into a chap as will soon stop his gallop.
Deer are also occasionally " coursed" with hounds;
some gentlemen having the large rough hound, which
when put on, run with such amazing swiftness, as Yerj
soon enables them to pull down the stoutest buck ;
but I see no sport in such work, so merely mention it
671 passant
CHAPTER XL
THE HOUND.
Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail
Flouri.-jliM in air, low bending, plies around
His busy nose, the steaming vapor snuffs
Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried
Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart
Beats quick ; his snufRng nose, his active tail.
Attests his joy ; then, with deep-o[)ening mouth,
That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims
The game.
SOMERVILLE.
I AM induced to add a few remarks on the hound
used in hunting the deer, his rearing and break-
ing, as they may be of interest.
Two kinds of hounds are used in pursuit of the
deer ; one runs by sight, the other by scent. With
the first I have nothing to do ; for though greatly
used in Scotland and highly esteemed, the manner of
hunting in this country is so different from that prac-
tised there, they are very little used. I shall there-
fore confine my remarks to the animal in general use
in America. I believe that the hound most in use is-
the English foxhound, though by various crossings he
21
322 THE CRACK SHOT
may have lost somewhat of the characteristics by which
he is so strongly marked. '*It is generally admitted/'
says Blaine, "that the 'Talbot' [Canis sagax, Linn.)
is the original stock from which all the varieties of
the scent-hunting hounds are derived. Biis own de-
scent is, however, not so certain, although we venture
to hold out the probability that he is only a modified
and lessened type of the bloodhound of early times."
Few genuine specimens of the talbot now remain :
we ourselves remember to have seen two only.
These dogs were remarkable for their great size and
strength, the depth of the chest and the length of the
ears "that swept the morning dew." The head of
the hound should be neither short nor thick, but it
should with proper length have sufficient breadth of
nose, and an open but not greatly elevated forehead;
graced with open nostrils, and a pair of ears fine in
substance and of a good length. The neck likewise
should present both length and fineness. The shoul-
ders, Hke those of the race-horse, ought to incline
obHquely toward the back, and, without being coarse,
they should be muscular. The fore-arm is particu-
larly required to be strong, and of such length as to
extend the knee low down in the limb, exactly after
the fashion and on the principles of the formation of
the race-horse. When the fore-legs are either crook-
ed, or there is too much length from the knee to the
DESCRIPTION OF A PERFECT HOUND. 323
gi'ound, before, and from the hock to the ground,
behind, great speed is hot to be expected of that
hound. The haunches or gaskins, as the huntsman
calls them, should be expansive as well as firm to the
the feet; and the hock is required to be broad as well
as low placed. Eeject a flat-sided hound as you
would a flat-sided racer, both of them being soon
winded. The feet also must be well balled, well
clawed, and well knit up, i, e,, the toes must be firm
and resisting against any trifling attempt to straighten
them ; a loose-clawed dog soon gets foot-sore. The
fore quarters of a hound can hardly be too deep, nor
his carcass too much trussed up, provided his back be
straight and his loins sufficiently broad; without
which advantages he can be neither speedy nor last-
ing. It is not necessary that his croup should be as
square as that of the pointer, which would confine his
strides ; but it must not be let down with the rotun-
dity of the Newfoundland dog, or cart-horse. The
stem should be shghtly curved upward, and its under
surface be fringed with a moderate line of hair.
Somerville describes a perfect hound as follows :
. . . " See there, with countenance blithe.
And with a courtly grin, the fawning hound
Salutes thee cow'ring ; his ^vide opening nose
Upwards he curls, and his large sloe-black eyes
Meet in soft blandishments, and humble joy ;
His glossy skin, or yellow pied, or blue,
In lights or shades by nature's pencil drawn.
324 THE CRACK SHOT.
Reflects tlie various tints : his ears and legs
Fleckt here and there in gay ^namel'd pride,
Rival the speckled pard ; his rush-grown tail
O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch ;
On shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands ,
His round cat-foot, straight hams, and wide-sj^read thighs,
And his low, drooping chest, confess his speed.
His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill.
Or far-extended plain ; in every part.
So well proportion'd, that the nicer skill
Of Phidias himself can't blame thy choice
Of such compose thy pack."
The color of the liound is witli some a great object;
but I agree with Mr. Beckford, who observes that '' a
good dog, like a good horse, can not be of a bad
color." Venus, one of the best bounds I ever saw,
and tbe property of a sporting friend, is white, pied
with black, and yellow or tan eye-patches. For ap-
pearance, style, and working, she seems to be the
perfection of a hound ; she never commits a fault,
and once laid on knows no "give up." I have a
young dog out of her by Patch (mentioned else-
where), and if he only resembles her as much in
quality as he does in appearance, I shall be thoroughly
satisfied.
Frank Forrester says : " The American foxhound,
as used wherever deer-hunting on horseback or by
driving is practised, is in fact actually the hound,
unaltered and identical, of Beckford and Somerville.
I am of opinion, moreover, that he is the best adapted
HOW TO CHOOSE A HOUND. 325
hound for this country, where so much of the hunting
is in difficult, intricate, entangled woodlands, marshy
brakes, and deep forests, w^here perfection of scent is
the most desirable of qualities, and where great speed
is not attainable, owing to the nature of the ground;
and not desirable, owing to the extreme difficulty of
following the hunt, which must be kept in hearing
rather than in sight by the sportsman."
From twenty-two to twenty-four inches is about the
proper height for a hound; and, when choosing him,
endeavor to have him come as near Beckford's descrip-
tion of what a hound should be as possible. The fol-
lowing passage in that author is the one alluded to :
"Let his legs be straight as arrows, his feet round
and not too large ; his shoulders back ; his breast
rather wide than narrow ; his chest deep ; his back
broad ; his head small ; his neck thin ; his tail thick
and bushy — if he carry it well, so much the better ;
. . . a small head, however, as relative to beauty
only; for as to goodness, I believe large-headed hounds
are in nowise inferior."
With regard to the breeding of the hound, I will
only say, that having hit upon a good strain, stick to
it. As a general rule, in the reproductive system of
all animals, "hke will produce like." IVIr. Beckford
says, "Consider the size, shape, color, constitution,
and natural disposition of the dog you breed from, as
326 THE CEACK SHOT.
well as the fineness of his nose, his stoutness, and
method of hunting. On no account breed from one
that is not stout, that is, not tender-nosed, or that is
a skirter." Great care must be taken in rearing the
young dogs, as all fine-bred dogs are peculiarly Hable
to disease. Let them be fed as soon as they will take
nourishment, and give them plenty of air and exercise.
For fuller particulars, I would counsel the inquirer to
consult " Dinks on the Dog," a very popular treatise,
and the most perfect and comprehensive work in ex-
istence for the dog-fancier and dog-lover.
The breaking of the young hound consists mainly
in teaching him to adhere to the scent and follow the
track of the game, to hunt close without loitering too
much, to avoid skirting and overrunning the scent.
The best way to do this is to couple the young dog
with an old and tried one, that will act as a mentor to
him. " Stoop the young hound to his proper game,
and that only, is a maxim that ought not to be de-
parted from, but under very particular circumstances.
The blood which he first tastes of his own killing is
that which he will, in all probability ever after prefer."
This is the advice of one of the best writers on field-
sports (Blaine, " Eural Sports," p. 478j. A judicious
course of rewards and punishments should be adopt-
ed ; and whatever is done toward training the hound
should be done with temper and firmness.
CHAPTER XIL
TURKEY SHOOTING.
THE wild Turkey of North America {Meleagris
gallo-pavo) is one of the finest birds pursued by
the sportsman ; and when in prime order, as they
are in the fall, are well worthy of the attention of the
hunter.
They are found in all parts of the States, though
of course the advancing tide of civiUzation drives
them further and further into the unfrequented
wilds.
The length of the male bird is nearly four feet ; its
head and neck are covered with purplish-red excres-
cences, on a naked blue skin, thickly overspread with
bristles, and a tuft of horsetail-like hairs hangs from
the breast similar to that seen in the domestic bird, but
larger and longer. The game-looking head is smaller
than that of the latter, and the general hue of the
plumage is a beautiful golden copper, with purple and
green reflections, mottled and banded with a deep
328 THE CRACK SHOT.
soft black. The lower part of the back is an irides-
cent brown, and the tail, which is of a darker hue, has
a broad black band at a short distance from the ex-
tremity, with an outer border of dark yellowish
brown. About sixteen pounds is an average weight,
when in good condition, though they have been shot
weighing double as much ; Ihey vary greatly in this
respect, according to the season, and to the abun-
dance or scarcit}^ of food obtainable. In the summer
months they are poor and lean, and much infested
with vermin, but improve rapidly when the beech-
mast comes in, and are in their highest perfec-
tion late in autumn. The flesh is darker in color
than the domestic bird, and has a more gamelike
flavor.
The female bird is much smaller than the male, and
far less showy in plumage. The legs are red in both
sexes. Their breeding season is from the beginning
of March to the end of April, according to the lati-
tude. The hen lays from ten to fifteen eggs at a
time, scratching a hollow in the ground for the pur-
pose, and filling it with dead leaves.
The wild turkey subsists principally on nuts, beech-
masts, acorns, wild strawberries, grapes, and dew-
berries ; corn, when it can be got, and grasshoppers
and other insects, whenever they chance to come in
its way. Though properly speaking not migratory.
DIFFERENT METHODS EMPLOYED. 329
these birds range very widely in search of food, and
the common impulse to desert an exhausted country
for fresh ground, causes them to wander, as well as to
assemble together in the flocks which are commonly
met with in the month of October ; but they invari-
ably return to certain locaHties in which they may be
said to be resident.
As a sport, the pursuit of the wild turkey ranks
high in the estimation of the sportsman. The proper
season for hunting them is late in the autumn, when,
after a summer diet of strawberries and wild fruit,
they have had a six-weeks or two months' run among
the*acorns and masts. It is then a splendid bird in
every respect, and so wild and difficult of approach
as to require no inconsiderable skill in stalking. A
bird with these quahties, exceUing also in point of
size, beauty of plumage, and cuUnary qualities, may
well rank among game birds of the highest order.
Various means are adopted to bring this noble bird
to bag, the principal of which are stalking, calling,
and hunting with small dogs. As the latter method
is only followed when using a shot-gun, I shall pass it
over and speak of the others. " Calling " is practised
in a similar manner to that pursued in following the
moose. The sportsman having provided himself with
a pipe, proceeds to the woods, and ensconcing him-
self in a suitable spot, proceeds to imitate the crying
330 THE CRACK SHOT.
of the hen daring the breeding season, which has the
effect of bringing the cock-bird within range. A good
good deal of skill and patience are necessary to effect
the desired object.
But the most legitimate and exciting way is by
"stalking;" for it requires both skill and caution to
come within range. The old birds, even while feed-
ing, are ever on the alert, and having a quick ear and
keen eye, combined with great watchfulness, are en-
abled to quickly detect the presence of danger, and it
therefore requires all the caution and address of the
practised stalker to steal in upon them. The chief
difficulty is the absence of sufficient trail to indicate
their proximity, whence it happens that one may
either never find a flock at all, or may come on it un-
awares, and f lighten the birds away before there is a
chance of a shot.
A rifle carrying a very small ball is best adapted to
this sport, and should be light and handy.
I have had very little experience in hunting the
wild turkey, and am indebted for a great portion of
the above to Major King's " Sportsman and Natural-
ist in Canada."
In the foregoing pages, I have endeavored to give
such plain and simple directions as may prove of use
to the beginner; but the impossibility of teaching him
to do all these things is well described by Frank For-
PRACTICE THE ONE THING NEEDFUL. 331
rester, when lie says, at page 351, of his " Manual for
Young Sportsmen: "
" Of all those grander wild sports of the extreme
North and West, the moose and caribou hunting of
the British provincial forests, and of the hyperborean
regions of Maine; the elk, buffalo, and antelope hunt-
ing of the western plains and prairies ; the bear-
huuting of Arkansas and the Southwest ; nay, even
the deer and turkey-hunting of the regions wherein
those animals are still to be found, survivors of the
innumerable multitudes which formerly roamed un-
molested from ocean to ocean ; there are no rules
positive which can be laid down, no instructions
which can be of much use to the young sportsman.
Where the rifle is the implement, beyond the mere
directions how to take aim, load, and fire to the best
advantage, nothing can be taught.
'•' Of all things wholly unteachable by writing or oral
instruction, unless upon the spot, with practice and
example to illustrate precept, the most impracticable
is wood-craft.
''How to follow or find the trail of an animal, itself
not discernible to the sharpest unpractised eyes, in
the seemingly untrodden grass, or on the leaf-strewn
surface of the pathless soil of the wilderness, can not
be taught by words written or spoken. How to judge
bj the foot-TDiints, half seen, of bear or deer, as a
332 THE CRACK SHOT.
woodman will do at a glance, whether the animal
which left the sign was young or old, fat or lean, go-
ing to or returning from his lair, how long he has
gone by, and whether it avails to follow him or not,
can only be learned by long experience, attentive ob-
servation, and a course of pupilage on the ground,
under thorough and competent teachers.
" In the same way it is evident that one can not
give directions how one shall steal up, unseen and
unheard, within rifle-shot of a herd of deer, a gang
of elk, or a watchful moose or caribou. This may be
told, and this is about all, that you must invariably
advance on all wild animals which it is desirable to
stalk, up mind. If you attempt to go down wind on
them, their unerring scent will frustrate your every
endeavor, and render it impossible to approach within
half a mile, much less within gunshot of the quarry.
It is wise also to stalk game so far as it is possible,
owing to the state of the wind, with the sun on your
back and in their eyes."
And now my work is done, and the reader and I
must part ; but ere we do, let me commend to his
perusal the following remarks on the important influ-
ence of this branch of field sports, taken from the
writings of an ardent lover of the art : " Shooting
is one of the great branches of our field sports,
and is keenly relished, and almost universally prac-
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF FIELD SPORTS. 333
ticed, throughout every part of the country. Looking
at shooting as a mere sporting art, it has many
things to recommend it. It can be personally en-
joyed. It does not bring a man into a crowd, where
reflection is almost impossible, but it leaves him at
liberty to thinli and contemplate, and to measure out
his amusemenLs in strict accordance with his circum-
stances, strength, and inchnation. Shooting aug-
ments the pedestrian capabilities of man, on the due
balance and effective exercise of which so much of his
real health of body and mind depends. Its pleasures
are gently exciting, without precipitating him into a
state of reveky and danger. Its well-regulated en-
joyment is connected with all that is manly, ener-
getic, and healthful. It is a wholesome, mental
tonic, giving the intellect that gentle, material im-
pulse so requisite for jDreventing it from sinking into
the mopish nervousness and sedentary sensibility
which impair a man's power to grapple with, and suc-
cessfully overcome, the necessary evils and perplexi-
ties of human life. ' There is no one,' says Zimmer-
man, ' who may not, by quietly traversing the moun-
tains with his gun, learn to feel how much the great
secrets of nature will influence the heart, when
assisted by the powers of the imagination. The
sight of an agreeable landscape, the various points
of view which the spacious plains afford, the fresh-
334 THE CRACK SHOT.
ness of the breeze, the beauties of the sky, and the
appetite which a long ramble procures, will give
energy to health, and make every new step seem too
short. The privation of every object that can recall
the idea of dependence, accompanied by domestic
comfort, wholesome exercises, and useful occupations,
will add vigor to thought, and inebriate the heart
with the most delicious sensations.'
" We hold the sport of shooting to be susceptible of
imparting the most lively gratification to all well-con-
stituted minds, and to be a most necessary relaxation
from and counterpoise to the wasteful pressure of
incessant toil and watchful thought. The social and
individual advantages of field sports are beyond cal-
culation.
"A love of field sports generally, and of shooting in
particular, takes us from the noise, and filth, and
moral degradation incident to large towns. It places
us in the midst of the cultivation of the soil — the
real foundation of all national wealth and happiness.
Every thing connected with the wanderings of the
sportsman is calculated to foster the best and noblest
feelings of the soul, and to impart to the mind the
most lofty and sublime ideas of universal nature.
" To men of genius and contemplative habits, the
roaming among the mountain wilds and the green
fields, give rise to the most refined intellectual enjoy-
FINIS. 335
ments. Such persons may be said to live in a world
of their own, and are the recipients of joys and
sorrows with which the world at large doth not
intermeddle. How pure, refined, and exquisite are
the delights which fill the mind fi^om gazing on
the mountain pass, the woods, the rocks, and water-
faUs!"
APPEI^DIX.
AS I was obliged, when preparing the foregoing
pages, to omit the mention of a great many
rifles from the utter impossibihty (within the compass
of such a work as this) of describing and illustrating
them all ; and as I think that some have been omitted
that should have found a place, I propose to sup-
ply the omission, and to add some further informa-
tion gleaned since the preceding pages were placed in
the printer's hands. The first rifle that I shall direct
attention to is "Allen's " Patent Breech-loading Sport-
ing Eifle. This gun is very neat and workmanlike, and
has gained an excellent reputation wherever it has been
introduced ; it is very popular among hunters, being
well adapted for sporting purposes. The patentees
confine the manufacture to rifles for that purpose, and
it has never been tested as a military gun ; though it
is believed that it would answer well in that shape.
It has a vertically-sliding breech-piece worked by a
trigger-guard lever, which is locked in position by a
spring-latch. It possesses several novel features, but
which it would be no use to describe without a let-
tered vertical section; it is easy to handle, and it is
claimed that it can be loaded and fired very rapidly,
and with great accuracy.
APPENDIX.
337
Fig. 1.
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org c' ^ 5 2;
I S I 2 -^
rl.i!l
< o " c «:r
* - ^ B. I
•i «
K
Z
ft:
K
r
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S
o
H3
338 THE CRACK SHOT.
Another American invention is "Eoper's Patent
Arm," constructed both as a rifle and shot-gun. It is
upon the revolving principle, a carrier being substi-
tuted for the chambered cyHnder. The cartridge
shells, which are of steel, and indestructible, are
loaded with powder and ball, or shot, and, capped
with the ordinary percussion cap, are dropped through
an opening in the receiver, covered by a hinge lid.
A very full and perfect description of this arm, illus-
trated by four cuts, was published in that very
excellent scientific and mechanical journal, the
"American Artisan," of December 5th, 1866. I have
never seen this gun, nor was I aware that it was
manufactured as a rifle until I saw it described there,
though I was acquainted with it as a shot-gun.
Gunn's Patent Breech-loader is one of the latest
candidates for popular favor; (patented September 10,
1867. ) The breech-block is chambered, and opens and
closes in a somewhat similar manner to the Snider ;
though the manner of locking it when closed is differ-
ent, and in this and the arrangement and mode of
operating the cartridge-shell ejector consists its pecu-
liar features.
The Roberts system of conversion of muzzle-loaders
into breech-loaders is pronounced by the New York
State Board of Officers " as superior to all others ex-
amined ; " and, in consequence of this, has been
adopted as the principle upon which the State arms
are to be converted. In this system the breech-block
moves on a pivot or shoulder at its rear end, with its
forward end dropping in the receiver below the
A P P E IT D I X . 339
chamber, to permit the insertion of the cartridge in
the latter.
Hammond's Mihtary Breech-loader is another
American invention that has attracted attention in
England, and has been very favorably commented on.
No written description would afford any idea of this
gun, so I shall pass it over ; as I must also some
others, containing certain meritorious properties, as
this book is not written as a guide to rifles, but as a
guide to riflemen. Great attention is being devoted
to the subject in England, and the government are
proceeding upon a proper principle. They offer hand-
some prizes to induce inventors to come forward; the
first or highest, one thousand pounds sterUng, was
oflered for the best rifle, forming a combination of all
qualities ; the second, six hundred pounds, for the
best breech mechanism, combined with a sufficiently
good degree of accuracy in other particulars; and the
third reward, of four hundred pounds, for the best
cartridge. A commission of the most eminent ex-
perts was appointed for the pm^pose of ascertaining
which arm should be adjudged the best ; rules were
laid down for conducting the competition, and certain
conditions imposed as requisite in mihtary rifles.
One hundred and four breech-loaders were sent in ;
of these, sixty-seven were at once rejected for non-
comphance with the conditions laid down ; after the
first trial, twenty-one more fell out ; and a further
trial reduced this number to nine, the Remington and
Peabody being of the number. Ten rifles of each
pattern and one thousand rounds of ammunition were
340 THE CEACK SHOT.
supplied by each competitor, and a series of experi-
ments (wliicli extended from November, 1867, to Feb-
ruary, 1868, with sHght intermission) were com-
menced. The points to be considered were accuracy,
rapidity, recoil, penetration, trajectory, fouling, and
capability of sustaining rough usage. The present
Government arm (Snider-Enfield, naval pattern) was
made to take part in all the above trials, and it must
be very gratifying to the admirers of that gun to
know that it endured with the competing arms all the
required tests, except that of accuracy, which the
regulations fixed by the war-office had set so high
that none of the competing rifles could reach it. The
trials were very satisfactory ; the final result being to
leave the Henry first, Burton's (pattern No. 2) sec-
ond, and the Albini and Braendlin third. None of
the rifles came up to the standard fixed by the war-
office, and, consequently, the first prize was not
awarded, though the second prize was given to the
Henry, as it approached the nearest to the required
qualifications : it therefore received the prize for the
best breech mechanism. The Government will now
probably acquire all the desirable points, by compen-
sating the different inventors, and by combining
them, produce a composite arm that would be per-
fection.
The Carter-Edwards rifle seemed at one time to be
the coming gun, previous to the trial, when it was one
of the rejected ones. Since then, however, the in-
ventors have made some alterations that have over-
come the defects then exhibited, and it is now claimed
APPENDIX. 341
that it is all that a rifle should be ; though I con-
sider that it has many defects, but I have not space
herein to enumerate them.
Hen- Von Dreyse, the inventor of the needle-gun,
before his death (December 9th, 1867), brought for-
ward the grenade rifle, which, in its physical and
moral effects, is expected to echpse every thing. The
ball, which is hollow, is filled with a charge of two
and a half grammes ; on striking, it explodes with the
greatest certainty, and, dispersing its fragments three
feet in every direction, is reputed to do as much dam-
age as three or four ordinary balls, and create as
much dismay as would a dozen.
I may mention here that the " Henry " rifle re-
ferred to above is not the American repeater of that
name, but a gun presented by Mr. Henry, the cele-
brated gun-maker of Edinburgh. The Daw central
fire cartridge obtained the prize, though it is inferior
to the present (Boxer) Government cartridge, in which
great improvements have been made since its first
introduction. I had intended giving some account of
the various cartridges in use, but find that my space is
too limited. The American cartridges are usually of
the rim fire species, while those of the English are
central fire. It will be seen from the fact that no less
than one hundred and four rifles were entered for the
above competition, how impossible it would have been
to have mentioned all the breech-loading rifles having
good points. I have only drawn attention to those
that have been the most prominent, and it is casting
no discredit on any rifle that I have omitted it.
342 THE CRACK SHOT.
Just as this sheet is going to press, we learn from
Galignani's Messenger, May 27, that Marshal Neil, the
French Minister of War, has just presented a report
to the Emperor on the results obtained from the prac-
tice with the Chassepot rifle. The troops have been
armed with this weapon but about a year, and have
obtained considerable efficiency in its use. It is
claimed that the men can fire 8 to 10 shots per
minute, taking aim ; and 14 without shouldering the
gun. The range is nearly double that of the old
musket, and its precision more than double. The
subjoined table shows the average number of hits per
cent., and also the great contrast with the old musket :
A'verages obtained.
, Distance in meters ^
200. 400. 600. 800 1,000.
With the old rifled musTcet,
Infantry of the line ^ 30.8 15.8 8.3 — —
With the Chassepot rifle.
Infantry of the line (instruction
recently commenced) 35.6 26.2 19.7 143 8.2
Foot regiments of the Guard (in-
struction more advanced) 59.4 37.3 26.0 21.0 16.0
Foot chasseurs of the Guard (com-
plete instruction) 69.8 46.6 36.1 28.4 24.7
The Minister then points out some defects which have been
discovered during the use of the new weapon, but of which none
was of a serious nature, and all of which have been in a great
measure remedied. The most frequent accident appears to have
been the breaking of the needle ; but even that inconvenience
was more rare than the fracture of the nipple in the old percus-
sion muskets. Greater attention has now been de^"0ted to the
manufacture of that portion of the mechanism, and the number
broken is at present inconsiderable.
This is very satisfactory, and far superior to what I
believed the Chassepot capable of.
CHOICE BOOKS FOR SPORTSMEN.
" Grreat in. momth-s of* wisest oeixsiire."
I.
FRANK FORESTER'S FIELD SPORTS of the United States
and British Provinces of North America. By Henry
Wm. Herbert.
New^ Edition, revised since the death of Mr. Herbert, containing corrections
and additions, with a brief Memoir of the author. With numerous Illustra-
tions on wood of every species of Game, drawn from Nature.
Two vols, crowu 4to., tinted paper, green and scarlet cloth, gilt back and sides. $7 50
II.
FRANK FORESTER'S FISH AND FISHING of the United
States and British Provinces. Illustrated from Nature
by One Hund: ed Engravings on Wood, and a Steel Plate
of Twenty-four Colored Flies. By Henry Wm. Herbert.
This Edition has been thoroughly revised since the death of Mr. Herbert, and
is enlarged by the addition of a Practical Treatise on Fly Fishing, by Dinks.
One vol. crown 4to., tinted paper, green and scarlet cloth, gilt back and side 5 50
III.
FRANK FORESTER'S HORSE AND HORSEMANSHIP of the
United States and British Provinces of North America.
By Henry Wm. Herbert.
Illustrated with steel-engraved Original Portraits, from paintings and drawings,
by the most distinguished arMsts, of celebrated Horses, including numerous
fine wood engravings. New Revisod Edition.
Two vols, imperial Svo., embossed cloth, gilt back and side 20 00
IV.
FRANK FORESTER'S COMPLETE MANUAL for Young
Sportsmen, of Fowling, Fishing, and Field Sports.
With directions for handling the Gun. the Rifle, and the Rod. Illustrated with
numerous Engravings on Wood. Prepared for the instruction and use of
the Youth of America, by Henky Wm. Hkkhkbt.
One vol. crown Svo., tinted paper, green and scarlet cloth, pp. 480 3 00
V.
THE DOG. By Dinks, May hew, and Hutchinson. — Com-
piled, Illustrated, and Edited by Frank Forester.
Profu.sely Illustrated with Original Drawings. Embracing the Spoktsman's
Vade-Mecum, by "Dinks." Dogs: thkir Management; by Edwaed
Mayhew. Dog-Breaking: by Col. W. N. Hutchinson.
One voL crown Svo. , tinted paper, green and scarlet cloth, pp. 664 3 00
VI.
THE DEAD SHOT; or, Sportsman's Complete Guide; being a
Treatise on the use of the Gun, with rudimentary and
finishing: lessons in the Art of Shooting Game of all kinds ;
Pigeon-Shooting, Dog'-Breaking, etc. By Marksman.
With six full page Engravings of Attitudes and Positions. "With explanations
of the difference .ind relations of English and American Game, from the
works of Frank F<h:estf,r.
One vol. 12mo., uniform with The Crack Shot. 2 00
Published by W. A. TOWNSEND & ADAMS, 434 Broome Street.
jfailed by the Publishers free of Postage ^ mul for sale by all BookseUera.
MAYNARD SP0RTI2TG RIFLES
MANUFACTURED AND SOLD BY
MASSAGaIUSETTS ARAIS CO.,
CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS.
These celebrated target and hunting rifles,— which, for convenience, accuracy,
and penetration, have secured a reputation superior to any other breech-loading
arras, — may be obtained directly from the manufacturers on the most favorable
terms. CiUCULAES, with DeSOEIPTION, PeICE-LIST, TaEGET REPE£8ENTATI0^8,
ETC., WILL BE FOEWAEDED OX APPLICATION AS ABOVE.
Testimony of H. W. S. Cleveland, author of " Hints to Riflemen''
Taeeytown, N.Y., Sept. 10, 1867.
Mass. Arms Co: —
Gentlemen,— Since the publication of my " Hints to Rifle-
men," I have been, and am still, in frequent receipt of letters from all parts of
the country, asking my advice or assistance in procuring rifles. The responsi-
bUity thus thrown upon me has compelled me to exercise my best powers of
judgment in the selection ; and after the most careful comparative tests of work-
manship in all the details of construction, and of reliability of performance of all
the duties required by the sportsman, I have long since recommended the May-
nard rifle in preference to all others, and, in fact, as the only breech-loader which
completely fulfills my conception of the requirements of a sportsman's weapon,
I have, as you know, sold hundreds of them to sportsmen, from Maine and
Canada to Texas and California, and I have never, in a single instance, heard any
expression from the purchasers but that of complete satisfaction.
Many of these purchasers were men who had never used any but muzzle-
loaders, and others had been dissatisfied with the performance of other breech-
loaders. Three different Rifle Clubs, to my knowledge, have adopted the May-
nard, after testing a great variety of rifles, and I have myself won several prizes
at shooting-matches with my favorite 20 inch 4-lOths caliber Maynard, weighing
six pounds, though competing in some instances with muzzle-loading target rifles,
made by celebrated manufacturers, and weighing as high as twenty pounds.
I heard only a short time since from a thorough, practical sportsman in Mich-
igan, who had procured a Maynard rifle on ray recoraraendation, — having never
before used any but a rauzzle-loader, — who says, after having tested his new
weapon :— " I must confess that the Maynard fully comes up to aU that you
claimed for it, and in force and accuracy excels any rifle I ever saw." And this
is a fair sample of the reports I have received from a very great number of per-
sons, who have expressed their satisfaction to me verbally or by letter.
Truly yours,
H. W. S. CLEVELAND, late of Danvers, Mass.
The annexed diagram of targets, exhibits a few of many of equal merit made
with these arms.
No. 1, by O. S. GooDELL, Chicopee Falls, .35cal. 10 consecutive shots, 10 r.
2, " A. H. Wyant, Washington, Ct., .4 " " " " 10 r.
3 & 4, '* Cyeus Bradley, Hartwich, N.Y., .85 " " '* " 10 r.
f), " '' '' " " .?,b " " " " 20 r.
6," E. IT. JoiivsoN, Chicopee Falls, .35'* " " " 10 r.
7, " W. P. McFaeland, " .4 " " " *' 10 r.
THE HAZARD POWDER COMPANY.
HAZARDVILLE, CONNECTICUT,
MANUFACTUEEES OF
SPORTING, RIFLE, AND TARGET
GUNPOWDER,
OF THE FOLLOWING STANDARD BRANDS;
" ELECTRIC/' Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grain, in 1 lb. canisters.
" AMERICAN SPORTING/' Game size, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, in 1 lb. canisters
and 6^ lb. kegs.
*' DUCK SHOOTING," Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grain, in 1 lb. and 5 lb. canisters,
and 6^ lb. kegs.
'' KENTUCKY RIFLE," in i lb., 1 lb., and 5 lb. canisters.
*' KENTUCKY RIFLE," FFFG, FFG, and Sea-Shooting FG, in kegs of
25 lbs., 12i lbs., and 6} lbs.
GANNON AND MUSKET POWDER,
U. S. GOVERNMENT STANDARD,
IN BARRELS AND KEGS.
MINING AND BLASTING POWDER.
The above \rell-kno\v^n POWDERS are supplied by the Company's Agents,
and by all dealers in Guns and Sporting Materials throughout the United
States, and at the office of the Company,
89 WALL STREET, NEW YORK.
A. G. HAZARD, President.
THOS. S. POPE, Secretary.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE
SHARP'S PATENT IMPROVED BREECH-LOAD-
ING METALLIC CARTRIDGE RIFLE
AND CARBINE,
MANUFACTURED ONLY BY
SHARP'S RIFLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
AT HARTFORD, STATE OF CON-
NECTICUT, U.S.A.
The barrel is of decarbonized steel; length of rifle-barrel usually thirty
inches ; carbine, twenty-four inches; caliber such as may be desired.
A substantial flat thread screw of eight turns to the inch is cut upon the
breech, and the barrel is thereby securely attached to a very strong breech-piece
or receiver, made of the best quality of Norway Iron.
The rear end of the barrel is counter-bored to the precise size and shape re-
'quired for the bearings of the ball and the shell of the cartridge.
The breech-piece or receiver has an aperture directly contiguous to the rear
end of the barrel, in which a breech-pin is moved by a lever downward or up-
ward to open or close the breech at pleasure, either in loading or cleaning.
The shell-extractor is operated by moving the breech-pin, a spur on the ex-
tractor working in a slot in the face of the breech-pin.
The detonizing bolt explodes the cartridge by the stroke of the hammer, and is
so adjusted that the hammer can not possibly come in contact with it until the
breech is perfectly closed, and the operator protected from injury by any acci-
dental discharge. By depressing the lever the detonizing bolt is automatically
moved rearward by a spur or tooth on its forward end, which moves from a niche
in the inner plane of the receiver, so far as to clear the bolt point from the shell
of the cartridge and the rear end of the barrel, thereby dispensing with the usual
small spring, and not liable to become inoperative by the accumulation of dirt or
rust.
The tang forms a part of the receiver— and the lock, which is of the most ap-
proved back-action model, and the stock-butt, are most securely attached to the
receiver.
The material, workmanship, symmetry, and strength of the arm are unsur-
passed by any other product of the kind.
Since the compilation of this work the Sharp Co. have adapted their gun to the
use of the Metallic Cartridge, with such success, that the War Department has
ordered some forty thousand stand to be converted to this system, and several
thousand stand sold for shipment to China, Japan, Chili, and California,
F. IVESSOl^'S
SUPEKIOB
Breech-Loading Rifle,
AND
BREECH-LOADING SHOT-GFIV.
These improved Breech-loading Rifles have now
been in use and before the public a sufficient length
of time to be thoroughly tested as to capacity — their
rapidity in loading and firing, simplicity, greut
force and accuracy in shooting.
For these qualities, together with the superior
finish, and exceedingly low price at which they
are sold, the Rifles justly merit the commendation
so generously awarded by army officers, and many
others well versed in rifle shooting, that, *' It is the
best Breech-loading Rifle yet constructed, while its
accuracy is pronounced equal to the celebrated
Target Rifle."
In com':ination with the Breech -loading Rifle,
the inventor has constructed what is termed a set
of loose ammunition tools for muzzle -loading, con-
sisting of steel chamber with tube to form a per-
fect breech or chamber to barrel, molds, both slug
and ball, with starter and patch cutter, thus con-
verting the Breech-loading Rifle into a muzzle-
loader in three seconds' time.
The Carbine or Cavalry Arm, No. 44 bore, 24-
inch barrel, weight 6^ pounds, with open sights,
and throwing a slug 28 to the pound ; swivels and
strap attached to sling upon the back when riding
on horseback or otherwise, may be considered the
best arm to be found for mountain use where
long range of shots is required, and rapidity in
firing is desired.
One having become accustomed to the use of the
above arm, can fire twenty-five shots per minute
with good aim.
For further knowledge of the Wesson Breech-
loading Rifle, those interested are referred to test
of arms at Leavenworth, Kansas, for a stand of
colors, value $600. Also test of arms by General P.
F. Robinson, Kentucky; and also test of arms at
Readville, Mass., and Canada, and South America,
and Europe, and others too numerous to mention.
Send for illustrated circular with prices, to
F. WESSON,
Manufacturer of Patent Breech-Load-
ing Rifles, &c.,
^WORCESTER, M:ASS.
J. W. STORRS & CO.,
M^aniafictmrer's Agent,
252 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
DUPONT'S
Sporting Powder,
OF ALL KINDS AND SIZES
( In Kegs, half and quarter
RIFLE FFFg, FFg, AND Fa, •] Kegs. Also in 1 lb. and
( ^ lb. Canisters.
DIAMOND GRAIN f Sn^teVs. ^^' '^ "^ ' '''
EAGLE SPORTLNG AND RIFLE . | f \^^ ^n^ tifcanisters.
(Nos. 1, 2 and 3. In 12^
THE EAGLE DUCKING ] and 61 lb. Kegs.
( 5 lb. and 1 lb. Canisters.
SPORTING, MINING AND SHIPPING POWDER of every
variety, manufactured at the CELEBRATED MILLS of E. J.
DUPONT, DE NEMOURS & CO., WILMINGTON, DELA-
WARE, WHOSE REPUTATION HAS STOOD UNRI-
VALLED FOR SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS.
FOR SALE BY THE AGENTS AND DEALERS THROUGH-
OUT THE UNITED STATES.
Represented by F. L. KNEELAND,
76 Wall Street^ Cor. of rearl, N. Y.
We take the following from Bishop's History of American
Manufactures :
Eleuthere Irene Dii Font
Was the founder of the immense Works distinguished as the
"Brandy wine Powder Works," near Wilmington, Delaware.
He was a native of France, and emigrated to the United States
in the fall of 1799, landing at Newport, Rhode Island, January
IstflSOO. Having noticed the poor quality of the Gunpowder
then made in America, he resolved to engage in its manufac-
ture, of which he had some knowledge, having been a pupil of
the celebrated French chemist, Lavoisier, wlio had charge of the
" Bureau de Poudres et Salpetres" under the French Government.
After some time spent in selecting a location, Mr. Du Pont
2
established himself on the Brandywine creek, about four miles
above the town of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, wiiere
he prosecuted the business with such success that, at the time
of liis decease, at the United States Hotel in Philadelphia, in
1834, his establishment was the most extensive of its kind in
this country, as it now is probably in the world.
Since the decease of its founder, the business has been man-
aged by his sons and grandsons, who maintain the old firm-
style of E. J. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. The Works of the
firm comprise five comi)lete factories, — four of them on the
Brandywine, and one in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where
Blasting Powder for colliers' use is largely made.
The original works, on the Brandywine, commenced opera-
tions in 1802, and have a capacity for producing five thousand
pounds of Sporting Powder per day.
The middle, or Hagley Works, commenced in 1812, comprise
two complete sets of works, in one enclosure, under a fall of
t^venty-two feet — so arranged that both can work on the same
description of powder ; or, if required, one set can manufacture
one kind of powder, and the other set another kind ; the two
combined having a capacity of twenty-five thousand pounds of
Blasting Powder per day.
The Saltpetre Refinery, with Laboratory attached, is two
hundred and fifty-eight feet, by ninety-six feet, with ample
appliances for supplying all the nitre required for the fabrica-
tion of Powder, and also considerable quantities for the market,
for such purposes as require an article chemically pure. In
proximity to the Refinery are large warehouses for the storage
of saltpetre.
The Charring Houses, for the preparation of charcoal — three
in number — are capable of furnishing all the coal required for
the mills, the wood being stored and seasoned in extensive
buildings adjacent.
The firm having two shipping points — one on the river Dela-
ware, with magazines, and a w^harf at which large vessels can
lie ; the other on the Christiana creek, with ample wharfage
for coasters, and for landing coal, wood, &c.
A Passanger Railway has been established between the city
of Wilmington and the property of the Messrs. Du Pont.
Attaclied to the Powder Works are extensive Machine and
IMiilwright Shops, where all repairs are made, and most of the
machinery is built ; also a Saw-mill, Planing-mill, Carpenter
and Blacksmith shops, and capacious buildings for the maflu-
facture of wooden and metallic kegs and barrels, and of powder
canisters.
Railroad tracks are laid through the Powder Works, and the
bulk of the transportation of the powder, in its various stages of
manufacture, is done on cars drawn by horses or uiulcs, of
vvbicii the firm have about eighty.
Besides tlie Powder-mills, the firm own over two thousand
acres of land, that stretch for a distance of three miles on both
sides of the stream ; and on this properly there are three Woolen-
mills, a Cotton-mill, a Merchants' and Grist-mill, and a popula-
tion of nearly four thousand persons. The farms attached to
the works are in a high state of cultivation, and the roads are
all macadamized for ease of transportation. The buildings on
the estate are mostly of stone, and very substantial, end the
machinery is of the best and most costly character.
The high reputation so long maintained lor the Brandywine
Powder is due to the care bestowed on its manufacture, and to
the constant personal supervision of the owners. The con-
sumption of saltpetre, the principal ingredient in the manufac-
ture, has been in a single year, including the Luzeine County
mills, ocer seven millions of pounds, the bulk of which was
imported from Calcutta. The machinery in operation for the
manufacture of Gunj)Owder is driven by three steam-engines
and forty-seven water-wheels, the greater part of which are
Turbines.
The manufacture embraces all descriptions of Powder, viz.,
Mammoth, Cannon, Mortar, Musket, and Eifle, for aimy and
navy ordnance service ; Diamond-grain, Eagle, and the various
grades of Canister and Sporting Powders; Shipping, Blasting,
Mining, and Fuse Powders.
The production of the mills is principally consumed in the
United States, the firm having agencies and magazines at all
the most important points, with a xrincipal depot lor the
Pacific States at San Francisco, and agencies in South America,
and in the East and West Indies.
To illustrate the progress which has been made in the m.anu-
facture of Powder in the United States, it is only necessary to
recall the fact that during the Crimean war the Allies, to
enable them to prosecute the siege of Sebastopol, were obliged
to procure large supplies of Gunpowder in the United States,
(one-half of which was furnished by the Brandywine Powder-
mills), and that the American Powder compared favorably with
the best they could procure in Europe. Notwithstanding the
immense consumption of Powder during tlie war for the sup-
pression of the rebellion, the United States were enabled to pro-
cure ample supplies at home for all their wants, without import-
ing a pound of Powder, and without interfering with the
current demand of the country for Sporting, Blasting, and
Mining Powder , which is the more remarkable from the fact
that, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, all the stocks of Powder
in the Southern States were lost by seizure.
CHA.RLES FOLSOM,
33 MAIDEN LANE,
POST-OFFIOE BOX 5555,
NEW YORK CITY, U. S. A.
Dealer in Fire-m-rns, Ammunition, Fishing-Tackle, Base-hall Goods, and all
articles connected with the same, will execute orders from any part of the
world, for goods in his line, or fur any thing that can be purcliased in this market.
PRICE LIST OF LEADING RIFLES AND CARBINES.
The price includes the regular implements and usual sights. Globe Sights,
$6.00 extra. Arms of any kind can be mounted in gold or silver, and engraved
or finished in any desired style or price.
Winchester or Henry Kifle, 18 shots, 44 caliber {i.e., the diameter of the
ball is 44-lOOths of an inch) $50.00
Carbine, 13 shots, 44 calibre 40.00
Kemington's, 32, 38, or 44 caliber 31.00
Spencer Carbine, 56-52 caliber 35.00
Spencer Army Eifle, 56-52 caliber 40,00
Spencer Sporting Rifle, 53-46 caliber 55.00
Maynard, 35, 40, or 50 caliber ; 20 inch 40.00
Maynard, 35, 40, or 50 caliber ; 26 inch 45 00
Allen, 85, 88, or 44 caliber 26.03
Pcabody Army Rifle, 45 or 50 caliber , 38.00
Peabody Sporting R'.fle, 45 or 50 caliber 44.00
F. Wesson Carbine, 22, 82, 38 or 44 caliber 30.00
F. Wesson Sporting Rifle, 22, 32, 38 or 44 calibre 35.00
Ballard, 32, 38, 44, 46 or 50 caliber ; 24 inch 35.00
Ballard, 32, 38, 44, 46 or 50 caliber ; 28 inch , 38.00
Howard, 44 caliber 28.00
Cochran, 33 or 46 caliber ; 28 inch 28.00
Ammunition for all the above, per hundred.
$0.60 $1.C0 $1.75 $2.10 $3.00 $4 25 $3.20 $3.20
22 32 38 44 46 50 56-46 56-52
Roper's Breech-loading Repeating Shot-gun, 4 shots, 16 gauge, fine steel
barrels, with implements $60.00
Do. with laminated steel barrels, 12 gauge 100.00
Allen's Breech-loading Double Gun, 12 gauge, with implements 100.00
English and German Breech-loading Double Guns from $50.00 to 400.00
A liberal discount for quantities, or to the trade, and the utmost care given to
the supply of goods exactly as ordered.
C^"C. F. refers by permission to Messrs. Townsend & Adams, the publishers
of this work, and to others upon application.
PEABOD Y
BREECH -LOADING MUSKET,
CAEBIME, AHD SFOETINQ EIFLE.
MANUTACTURED BY
PROVIDENCE TOOL COMPANY,
ZTneqiiated for Strength, Symmetrical A.ppearance,
a7id "Rapidity of I^ ire.
The perfection reached in their manufacture insures great accuracy in shooting,
and the Metallic ammunition used gives splendid results for trajectory and pene-
tration.
The Small-arms Committees of Austria, Prussia, Belgium, Holland, and Den-
mark have pronounced this system as '' meeting every requirement of a Military
Weapon."
Other Governments have made similar and equally satisfactory reports, but
copies of official reports can he given of these.
Large orders have been executed for the Swiss Military Department, than
whom no people are better instructed in the use of fire-arms, or are better judges
of their merit.
The Dominion of Canada, also has these arms largely in use.
A Military Small-arms Commission in our own Country, closes its report by
saying, "Having examined and tested all the breech-loading arms submitted
for their consideration, the board recommends for adoption the breech-loading
arm known as Peabodyb."
In all the trials hitherto made of this arm with heavy charges, or after ex-
posure to the weather, not one has ever been known to burst, or fail in any of its
parts.
JOHN B. ANTHONY, Treas.
E. REMINGTON & SONS,
MANUFACTURERS OF
AND
ARMY AID NAVY REVOLVERS
FOE THE
U. S. GOVERNMENT.
Our New Breech-loading Rifle for Military Service is
now being manufactured for several European Governments
in large quantities.
We also Manufacture a variety of
POCIiET PISTOLS
OP APPROVED PATTERNS,
rOE BOTH OEDINAEY AND FIXED AMMUNITIOir,
TOGETHER WITH
RIFLE AND SHOT-GUN BARRELS, GUN-LOCKS, MOUNT-
INGS AND GUN MATERIALS GENERALLY.
Directions for forwarding should accompany each order, mentioaing whether
to Bend by Railroad as freight, or by Express.
TERMS, Net Cash (Current Funds),
Address E. REMINGTON & SONS,
ILIOIV, IV. Y.
NATIONAL ARMS COMPANY,
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
U) BY THE TRADE GENERALLY.
THE NATIONAL REVOLVER IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE POCKET
REVOLVER ever produced, being of same capacity, and only half the size
and weight of present style of Cartridge Revolvers : is only 7 inches extreme
length ; weighs but 14 oz. : carrying six 32-lOOth balls, and can be carried
safely in anv pocket without inconvenience. It loads from fore end of the
cylinder, with a CENTRAL FIRE WATER PROOF COPPER SHELL CAR-
TRIDGE. The fulminate used in this cartridge, being confined in one place,
viz., the teat at the rear end, INSURES A CERTAINTY OF FIRE, which is
not the case in the ordinary rim cartridge, as from ten to fifteen per cent. fail.
Nor does the small quantity of fulminate used force the powder from the shell
before burning, as in the rim cartridge, thereby losing a large portion of its
strength. The Copper shell of the Cartridge extending the entire length of
the Cylinder, forms a lining which receives all the Escape Gas, thus prevent-
ing the cylinder from fouliiig'or becoming dirty,
CIF~ The penetration of this Pistol is as much, while the recoil is much less,
than in any other using the same size ball, although it is only half their size
and weight.
In this Revolver we also overcome the objections to the present style of rear-
loading cartridge revolvers, viz., swelling of head of cartridge, and thus inter-
fering with rotation, fouling of fore end of cylinder, dislodging of cylinder for
the purpose of loading.
ITS ADVANTAGES ARE
1st, It is loaded with perfect ease ard safety, without removing the cylinder,
(or any part of if)^ at the fore end, and can be carried when loaded without
the slightest danger.
2d, The cylinder never fouls; is made from solid steel bored, and cannot get
out of repair, or clog, as cylinders made of many parts will do.
3d, The cartridge is made on an improved plan, injuring certainty of fire;
is Metallic, Centkal Fiee and Water Proof.
4th, Its peculiar model makes it the most desirable Pocket Revolver ever
made.
Among the numerous certificates received we only puLlish the following, as '
the parties are well known :
Brooklyn, Dec. 20th, 1SC5.
National Arms Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Gestleme-V : — I have used the '■ National Revolver" for nearly two years, duriii?
which p,iiiod I have ihoroughly tested it. aud it has given me much saiisfaciiou. 1
think it the best Revolver ever ofiFered to the public — the construction being timple aud
not liable to get out of order. Certainty of fire is one cf its great advantages.
JOHN S. FOLK, Inspector Police.
Mason Centre, N. H., May 2', 1868.
In regard to this kind of Pistol made by you, under D. Williamson's patent of January
5, 186i, I would say I have carried this one four years, most of the time in my pocket iu
the fields and woods (as I am a farmer.) In that time I have shot and killed very many
partridges, rabbits, squirrels, and small birds, and believe it to be the best pistol of its
size and weight in the market. Yours, kc, JAS. A. MANSFIELD.
We C.\ll Particulab Attention, also, to our SINGLE SHOT feREECH-
LOADING PISTOL, (formerly called the Derringer) as being the most eflec-
tive Pocket Pistol in the world. It can be carried easily in tlie vest pocket, car-
ries same size bill ;'S the old fashion Derringtr, is breech-loading, uses a copper
shell water proof curtridge 41-lOOths. Weighs but 10 oz., is only 4^ inches in
length, being the simplest, strongest, and least liable to get^ut of order.
THE
New York Citizen
THE GREAT SPORTING AND FAMILY PAPER,
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY mmm
AT
NO. 32 BEEKMAN STREET, NEW YOBK,
IS THE
Favorite Newspaper
OF THE
SPORTSMEN OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE "FIELD SPORTS,"
EDITED BY MR. ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT,
FORM AN EXCEEDINGLY ATTRACTIVE AND GREATLY ADMIRED
FEATURE OF ITS COLUMNS. IT CONTAINS ALSO EACH
WEEK CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PEN OF
MILES O'REILLY;
TOGETHER WITH A CHARMING VARIETY OF LITERARY MISCEL-
LANY, STORIES, POEMS, Etc., Etc.
TERMS, $4.50 PER ANNUM.
CHAHLES G. HALriNEA
MOBT. B. ROOSEVELT, [Editors.
JOHN B. WALKEB, )
WM. LALDEX, Assistant Editor.
FUR, FIN, AND FEATHER:
CONTAINING THE
OF THE PRINCIPAL STATES OF THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
Price, in Paper Covers, 50 Cts. ; Cloth, $1.50.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOE THE GOVEENMENT OF
RACING, TROTTING. AND BETTING,
REVISED AND CORRECTED.
TO WHICH IS ADDED NUMEROUS DECISIONS ON DISPUTED TURF
MATTERS, COMPILED FROM THE ''ANSWERS TO COR-
RESPONDENTSr AS GIVEN IN " WILKES' SPIRIT
OF THE TIMES," THE RECOGNIZED AU-
THORITY ON ALL SPORTING TOPICS
IN AMERICA.
PRICE:
Paper Covers, $1.50; Boards, $2; Cloth, $2.50.
ir^" Mailed free of Postage on Receipt of Price, Iby
M. B. BROWN & CO.,
Maett^ B. BeownI 99 & 101 William Street,
Chaeles Stjydam. f
M. B. BROWN & CO., Commercial Printers, Stationers, Blank Book Manu-
facturers, Lithographers, Engravers, &c., 99 & 101 William Street, near John,
New York.
ORANGE SPORTING POWDER
THE PEIZE POWDEE OF THE WOELD.
This Powder has greater strength and range, and leaves less residuum, tharj
any other, and that of an oily nature, so that comparatively there is no foaling
In the experiments made by the Russian Officers (the most exhaustive of any
ever made, and running through a penod of fifteen months), there were fin^l
ten thousand rounds of this powder ivoxa. two rifles, and without once waslihig
the rifles, and without once missing fire ; a feat never paralleled in the annals of
gunnery. After testing all the principal brands they gave their orders for Oe.vnok
Powder, and adopted this as their standard hereafter.
Before the Examining Board in Washington, August, 1866, it provod
superior to all others.
At the WiMBLETON Rifle Meeting in England, July, 1866, in competitloa
with the best foreign powders, it won the first prize.
The Board convened by the Commander-in-Chief of the State of New York, for
the examination of military small arms, whose sessions were attended by officers
specially detached by the Russian, Prussian, and Danish Governments, say, in
their printed report of the numerous guns on trial, that after firing 100 rounds,
all but one became so foul as not to admit the cartridge.
This led to a test of the powder^ and they deem this subject of so much impor-
tance that they say in their report: "The powder used in these cart)'idges,
which did not foul the gun., deserves special mention as being vetnj superior.
It is the Orange Rifle Powder.
In their Supplementary Report, March 27th, 1868, they say: " The results of
the recent trials induce no modification of the favorable opinion of this powder
as previously expressed.
After firing one hundred rounds of seventy grains each, the residuum left in
the barrel weighed less than a grain, while the United States Musket Powder
fouled the barrel excessively.
. In SHOOTING-MATCHES it has been universally successful. The celebrated trap
shooters, John and William Taylor, of Jersey City, say: — "It is the best
powder we have ever used."
One of the best sportsmen in this State writes;— "With the Orange Powder
I made the largest score I ever made,'' Another celebrated shot from
Central New York, writes : " Your powder is in high repute here, and the
country round about, and will supersede all others," — and this is the tone of all
the best sportsmen who have tested it.
OUR PRINCIPAL BRANDS ARE
ORANGE LIGHTNING.
ORANGE DUCKING.
ORANGE GAME.
ORANGE RIFLE.
MANUFACTURED BY
SMITH & RAND POWDER GO»
NO. 170 BKOADWAY, N.Y.,
And for sale by Dealers generally.
"ALLEN'S" PATENT
BREECHLOADLNG SPOIiTlNG RIFLE.
Tins cut represents "ALLEN'S" CELEBRATED "PATENT" BREECH-
LOADING RIFLE, unsurpassed for force and accuracy in shooting, and for
simplicity of mechanism. The barrel is easily detached from the frame by
simply drawing out the connecting bolt, thus leaving it in a
verv compact form.
ONE OF THE PECULIAR FEATURES OF THIS
ARM is the facility with which the set, or j)ull, of the trig-
ger can be regulated ; thus enabling the sportsman to have
any degree of fineness he may desire. This is done by
simply "turning the set screw which passes through the
tumbler, the h^ad of which is exposed to view when the
hammer stands at full cock.
Rifles on hand and made to order, with " Allen's Patent"
and Globe Sights, any length of barrel and style of finish
desired. Extra barrels fitted when required. Calibres,
35-100, 38-100, 42-100, 44-100.
v-^
BREECf/
LOAD%
The above represents the gun with the lid open, the guard
down, and a cartridge partly withdrawn ; also a longitu-
dinal section of a loaded cartridge shell, showing the coni-
cal or patent chamber form. The shells with which these
guns are loaded being made of drilled steel, can be re-
loaded, lasting as long as the barrels of the gun ; which
fact, taken with its efficiency, simplicity, and neatness of
finish, make it the most desirable shot-gun ever invented.
Guns of the above patent on hand and made to order, of
any length, crook of stock, and style of finish to suit.
For sale by ONION, IIAIGH & CORNWALL, Sole
Agents, IS Warrf.n Street. N Y., Devlees ix Guns,
Pjstols, Eiflis. Gun Materials, and Fishing Tackle of evekv dfscrip-
•noN, 8riTAi-,LE FOK ALL PASTS OF THE "cou^sTSY. Please Call and examiue, or
send for circular.
Books for Sportsmen and Agriculturists,
PUBLISHED BY
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS,
4:16 Broome Street , New York*
THE HORSE IN THE STABLE AND THE FIELD. His varieties; Man.
agement in Health and Disease ; Anatomy ; Physiology. &e. By Stone-
HENGE. Illustrated with ITO ^gravings by Barraud, Weir, Zwecker, and
others. 8vo., cloth, $5.00 ; half-bound in leather, $6.00. {A new Edition
will he ready in Augu.st.)
" A masterly treatise on a noble animal." — New York World ( Weekly).
May 20, 1868.
" So far as authority goes, we need hardly say that this book is entitled to
the first rank We know of no treatise on the noble animal more worthy
of attention than this." — Boston Daily Advertise7\
STONEHEXGE'S SHOT-GUN AND SPORTING RIFLE. A complete
Compendium for Sports wherein the Gun or Rifle is used, with full descrip-
tions of the Dogs, Ponies, Ferrets, &c., used in the various kinds of Shooting
and Trapping. Illustrated with 20 large page engravings and 100 wood-cuts.
Post, 8vo., half-bound, $5.00.
Pages 168 to 290 of this excellent manual are devoted to descriptions of the
various guns and rifles of the most celebrated makers, and contain upwards
of 60 engravings of different descriptions of guns and rifles, both breech and
muzzle-loading.
e^- THE RIFLE AND HOW TO USE IT. Containing a description of that
valuable weapon in all its varieties. By Hans Bask, author of " Navies of
the World,'' "■ Rifle Volunteers," &c. Eighth Edition, considerably enlarged
and improved. Illustrated with numerous wood engravings and portraits.
F'cap, 8vo., half-bound, $1.25.
THE POULTRY BOOK. Comprising the Breeding and Management of Pro-
fitable and Ornamental Poultry, and their qualities and ch.aracteristics. By
W. B. Tkgktmeiee. With 30 full page colored illustrations and numerous
wood engravings. Royal 8vo. Cloth, $9.00.
" Mr. Tegetmeier has certainly succeeded in producing a work which not
only excels any we have met with on the subject, but one which must, from
its comprehensive character, long remain the standard book of instruction
and reference to all poultry fanciers." — Round 'J'ahle,
PIGEONS. Their structure, varieties, habits, and management. By W. B.
Tegetmeier, author of '' The Poultry Book." Illustrated with many beauti-
fully colored representations of the different varieties, drawn from life by
Harrison Weir. Royal 8vo. Cloth, $5.00.
"The editor has endeavored to produce a treatise that shall furnish the
amateur of Pigeons with a gi'eater amount of practical information than is to
bfe found in any previous volume." — Fiom the Preface.
FRANCIS ON FISH CULTURE, and the modern system of breeding and
rearing fish in inland waters, containing numerous illustrations. Post, Svo.
Cloth, $2.00.
HOW TO FARM PROFITABLY ; or the Sayings and Doings of Mr. Alder-
man Mechi. With a portrait, and illustrations from photographs by Mayali
A new and enlarged Editioii. F'cap, 8vo., half-bound, $2.50.
In this Edition are inclnded Mr. Mechi's valuable pamphlets on Town
Sewerage and Steam Ploughing.
!^r'33
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