68 ON THE WING. 



steps at least in the direction of simplifying the use 

 of the fowling-piece, and consequently tending to 

 make it a more serviceable weapon. 



For all practical purposes the breech-loading rifles 

 and muskets have superseded the old-fashioned muz- 

 zle-loader, so much so that the leading nations of 

 the world are making the breech-loader wellnigh uni- 

 versal in their armies. And even for sporting, — for 

 shooting of the closest kind, — the breech-loading rifle 

 is now a general favorite with our best marksmen. 



As might be expected, the successful application of 

 the breech-loading principle to the rifle led to the 

 application of the same principle to the shot-gun. 

 The two weapons, however, having very different uses, 

 and differing widely in their construction, made the 

 application of this principle to the latter gun a matter 

 of much greater difficulty than its application to the 

 former ; and I have heard many old sportsmen declare, 

 that in their opinion no breech-loading shot-gun ever 

 could be made that would prove -serviceable, and at 

 the same time be perfectly safe. 



But notwithstanding all the objections that have 

 been brought against them, breech-loading fowling 

 pieces have been and are manufactured in large num- 

 bers, both in Europe and in this country. Also they 

 are manufactured in a style of mechanical excellence 

 that equals, if it does not surpass, that bestowed upon 

 the muzzle-loaders. Then, too, they are commended 

 by some of our best sportsmen, and in such a way 

 that I cannot, even if I would, avoid a discussion of 

 their merits in a work like the present. 



