24 ON THE WING. 



made at some well-known English manufactory. 

 Select also the locks, and, having the gun fitted to 

 your shoulder, arms, strength, and style of using, get 

 it stocked and finished up to suit your taste. Almost 

 any of the prominent gunmakers in our Atlantic cities 

 can satisfy you \ their work and judgment can be 

 depended upon, and in this way an English gun can 

 be got up at much less cost than would be required 

 for importing one. The high rates of duties and ex- 

 change make the English finished guns very ex- 

 pensive, especially while the premium on gold is 

 so high as it is at present. 



In Boston I would recommend Joseph Tonks as the 

 gunmaker par excellence for judgment and workman- 

 ship. Schaefer and Werner also do good work, and 

 manufacture high-priced guns. Mr. Tonks took the 

 Gold Medal at the last Mechanics' Fair in Boston, 

 and is also in the United States a leader in the man- 

 ufacture of English breech-loading double-barrelled 

 shot-guns. Both of these makers can show as good 

 work as is to be found in any part of the country. 

 In New York, Patrick Mullen, and in Philadelphia, 

 Evans, are the leading gunmakers. 



Origin of the English Proof-Marks. 



The barrel-makers of England, having suffered 

 long for the want of some test in the proving of their 

 barrels, and feeling the importance of some pro- 

 tection to their trade, established a proof- house 

 where the proving of gun-barrels by heavy charges 

 of powder and ball could be made. This as- 



