HOW TO SELECT A GUN. 15 



a specialty, or for a light duck gun, the weight is 

 8 lbs. ; length of barrel, 30 inches ; bore, II. 

 III. For a heavy duck gun, and for all kinds of wild-fowl 

 shooting, the weight is 9! lbs., length of barrel, 30 

 inches ; bore, 11. 



This comprises all the varieties of fowling-pieces 

 ordinarily used for shooting the different species of 

 game found in this country. And while there are so 

 many opinions regarding the proper size, weight, length, 

 and calibre of any gun that I cannot expect all sports- 

 men to agree with me in every particular, I believe, 

 nevertheless, that most experienced shots will in the 

 main coincide with the proportions above named. 



A gun for brush-shooting that shall be easily and 

 pleasantly handled, that will hold its shot well up to 

 the mark, that shall have no waste iron or wood about 

 it to fag the sportsman as he carries it in the hot 

 months of summer and early autumn, ought to be of 

 the following description : Length of barrel from nip- 

 ple to muzzle, 28 to 30 inches ; bore, 14 or 15. There 

 is no objection to the calibre of 13, if the length of 

 the barrel be proportionately increased. A well-made 

 gun of these dimensions, if properly loaded and cor- 

 rectly held, will kill handsomely anything, from an old 

 cock-partridge down to a snipe or salt-water peep. 



In choosing a gun, be careful to notice the name of 

 the manufacture;-. If it be a high-priced English gun, 

 and bear the name of Manton, Purdy, Greener, West- 

 ley Richards, or any other old established manufac- 

 turer, there is not much doubt about the quality of the 

 material or the workmanship. Notice whether the 



