MATCHLOCKS OF SINDH. 85 



and as liiglily finished as the foreign barrels. 

 The Ameers always appreciated the English 

 locks, but thought our barrels too slight for 

 their heavy charges; to this, however, Meer 

 Ali Moorad was an exception, as he knew 

 the superiority of English guns over all others, 

 and, as I have before said, took back with him 

 a very large supply of the finest guns made by 

 the first makers in London. His Highness, 

 moreover, brought with him to England the 

 head gunsmith of Khyrpoor, who thoroughly 

 understands his business, as far as it can be 

 learned in India, and I have no doubt profited 

 by his frequent visits to the establishments of 

 Messrs Purdey, Lancaster, &c., where he passed 

 a good deal of his time when in London. 

 I have seen a very nice-looking rifle of this 

 man's make, and was assured that it shot very 

 strong and true. He also turns out excellent 

 knives, of an English pattern. The match- 

 locks of Sindh are heavy, awkward weapons, 

 and most unwieldy, from the stock, which is 

 cmiously shaped, being out of all proportion 

 too light for the barrel ; but they take a very 

 heavy charge, and throw a ball to a gi-eat 

 distance. 



