CHOKE-BORES. 287 



cable to either system, I need only mention the fact 

 that by its use the effective range of any gun may be 

 greatly increased, in many cases fully doubled, and 

 its claim to pre-eminence is fully established, for who 

 among sportsmen does not experience a greater 

 pleasure and satisfaction upon the occasion of one 

 long, clean, successful shot than at the killing of a 

 dozen close ones ? 



Just when choke-boring was first practised, or who 

 is rightfully entitled to the honor of its invention, will 

 probably never be known. There have been scores of 

 claimants, however, and one, Mr. Pape, of Newcastle, 

 England, so far made good his claim as to receive 

 recognition as the inventor, and a testimonial in the 

 shape of an elegant silver goblet from the proprietors 

 of the London Field, who appointed a committee of 

 sportsmen to investigate, and if possible determine the 

 matter. Mr. Pape, however, is 7iot the original in- 

 ventor, for he dates his discovery back only to the 

 year 1866 ; and though he may have found out its 

 peculiarities by personal effort and without knowing it 

 to have been previously practised, yet he put his reve- 

 lation to little use, and, it would seem, hardly appreci- 

 ated its value. 



Choke-boring is, without a reasonable doubt, an 

 American invention. I have most positive and relia- 



