22 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



sometimes get hold of a 14-bore gun in mistake for a 12, and find 

 a difficulty in getting cartridges. 



2nd. Test the locks carefully, and note whether they are rebounding 

 or otherwise. If not rebounding they can be altered at a cost 

 of about 2 IS. for doing them in good style. Take the locks off, 

 and see whether they have a 2, 3, or 4 pin bridle ; the increased 

 number of pins (or screws) in the bridle denoting the superior 

 quality of the locks. 



3rd. Examine the action of the gun, and see that it is not cracked. 

 Look to the firing pins, as in second-hand guns broken pins or 

 strikers are often found. 



4th. If light can be seen through the breech of the gun when the 

 gun is held up to the light, it will cost about los. to have the 

 breech tightened up. 



5th. Note whether the fore-part has the old-fashioned bolt or the 

 new patent snap fastener. 



6th. Examine the butt carefully and see if it is cracked, or whether 

 the wood runs straight in the hand, otherwise the butt is liable 

 to snap off short. 



7th. Try how the gun mounts in the shoulder. If the stock is too 

 long, or not of the right bend, it can be altered at a cost of from 

 5s. to lOS. 



8th. Hammerless Guns. Never buy a Hammerless Gun without 

 submitting it to a good gunmaker for inspection (excepting, 

 perhaps, the Anson-Deeley Patent Gun, which is about the 

 most reliable, and which nearly always works well), as there are 

 so many worthless Hammerless Guns offered for sale as second- 

 hand, many of them bearing good makers' names. 



9th. Beware of New Guns which are practically "wasters," and 

 which are often offered for sale as second-hand by dealers whose 

 address is usually within a few miles of Birmingham. These 

 guns are usually offered as wonderful bargains, with all the 

 latest improvements, at prices ranging from 30s. to 60s., whereas 

 they are barely worth that number of pence. 



In regard to the buying of new guns there is not so much 

 to be said. A good shot can shoot with almost any gun in 

 which the cast-off is fairly reasonable and the stock not too 



