MY SOMALI BOOK 301 



stopping power at close quarters, and its marked 

 superiority in lightness and handiness. 



There are, however, other factors which may affect 

 the final decision : {a) the length of your purse, which 

 may place the more expensive type of weapon out of 

 reach, and may make it necessary that one weapon 

 should do the work of two ; (b) (in the latter event) 

 the nature of the other work that may be required of 

 your single arm ; (c) your physique in relation to the 

 work to be done. 



As to expense. Good double rifles are expensive, 

 costing often more than double the price of the single 

 or magazine type : this because of the amount of skilled 

 labour that has to be expended in regulating both 

 barrels to shoot exactly alike. A good second-hand 

 rifle, however, can often be obtained from the London 

 dealer at little more than half cost price. But don't 

 buy a rifle by an unknown firm, and, if possible, take 

 the one you do choose to the original maker to be 

 overhauled. And do not be led away by the argument 

 that it is not worth while paying 50 per cent, extra for 

 the name on your rifle of a firm with a reputation to 

 lose. Believe me, it is worth while in the long run. 



As to the work your rifle is to do. Not long ago 

 there was an interesting correspondence in The Field 

 as to what is the best all round rifle. It demonstrated 

 clearly, if that were necessary, that there is no such 

 thing as an " all round " rifle. But the consensus 

 of opinion veered between the -400 and -350 H.V. 

 rifles as coming nearest to that ideal ; advocates of 

 the former considering the -350 and its like not safe 

 enough for dangerous game, while the opposite party 



