GUNS 25 



rapid shooting is not possible, and which were not built for any 

 such purpose. 



His hammer gun weighing nineteen pounds with 36-inch 

 barrels costs ^31 los. 



Messrs. Tolley — who produce a lesser-gauge gun, of which 

 1 shall speak at some length later — also turn out wonderful 

 4-bores for about ^25 each. 



Personally, though I have shot with one, I do not habitu- 

 ally use a double 4-bore, and in this connection I may as well 

 quote the words of Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, the President of 

 the Wildfowlers' Association, and, of course, one of the most 

 famous of living shots. He says : — 



"We hear a great deal about the performance of large-bore 

 shoulder guns, especially of the doings of 4-bores. Some makers 

 advertise that these weapons will kill well — mark the word "well — up to 

 100 yards, and even do damage at 150 yards in what gunmakers call 

 *a flock. . . .' Perhaps a flock of sheep may receive a few pellets at 

 the latter distance, but a company of widgeon would not be in the 

 least danger. Few know what a distance 150, or even 100 yards, 

 is unless they measure it, though they may talk loudly of their extra- 

 ordinarily long shots." 



Finally, in dismissing the question of 4-bores, I repeat that 

 while it is pleasant, and often very useful, to own a gun of 

 this calibre, no wildfowler need regard it as a necessity to 

 do so. 



We arrive now at a gun of quite a different nature and 

 utility. I refer to the double 8-bore. 



This gun has long been recognised as the standard wild- 

 fowling weapon. Weighing from 12 lbs. (light) to 15 lbs. 

 (magnum), it is, of course, too heavy to carry long distances 

 and is unsuited for snap-shooting. But nevertheless it is 

 certainly the standard gun for shore work. 



I recommend always a light double eight with 32-in. 

 barrels full-choked, and chambered for the 3i-in. perfect brass 



