830 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 
possible to the author, and would probably prove 
as little entertaining as instructive to the reader. 
The majority of purchasers cannot form an exact 
opinion relative to the merits of a gun prepared 
with the utmost skill and ingenuity to deceive them, 
and must rely mainly on the word of the seller or 
reputation of the maker. There is something, to 
be sure, in the smooth working of the locks, and 
still more in the perfect fitting of the stock; but 
after all, even to the experienced sportsman, there 
is little difference in appearance between the Sham- 
damn and the purest laminated steel. 
American importers have a peculiarly moral 
and respectable habit of vending German guns 
stamped with the names of English makers, and 
pacify their consciences with the idea that the 
manufactures of Germany are not inferior to those 
of England; but they would give more satisfaction 
to the public and more ease to their consciences by 
proving this in open contest, and establishing the 
reputation of the German makers, than by appro- 
priating the names and reputations that good 
work has made famous. So far is this deception 
carried, that some houses even order from the Bel- 
gian manufacturers a certain number, nominally, of 
each of the leading gun-makers. It may be that 
there is little real difference, although on the con- 
tinental guns you sometimes pay for useless orna- 
ment, money that should have been expended where 
it would tell, on locks and barrels; but the mode of 
proceeding is certainly not creditable. 
