FIRE-ARMS. 15 



Few realize the wonderful progress made in the last few 

 years in fire-arms. For a moment look back but a short 

 time at the arms used by the BOYS in the field, and compare 

 them with the present. Think of the roll of paper filled 

 with powder and ball, and the necessity of biting off the 

 end of the paper before turning the powder in the muzzle 

 of the barrel, then ramming down the ball, and finally put- 

 ting on a cap, and compare it with the quick movement of 

 simply inserting a shell, all ready to be discharged, in the 

 breech of the gun, as at present, and you will then realize 

 the degree of improvement that has been brought forward. 



The most recent invention is a gun without visible 

 hammers. The appearance is very handsome, though some- 

 what peculiar looking, owing to the absence of hammers 

 where we are accustomed to see them, but familiarity will 

 soon overcome whatever little objection this may raise in 

 the mind of anyone. The hammers proper are arranged 

 in a very substantial and at the same time simple manner, 

 on the inside of the stock, corresponding to the location of 

 the locks on guns in general use. They are so constructed that 

 throwing up the barrels for trTe- purpose of introducing a 

 shell, cocks both barrels, at the same time shifts an auto- 

 matic safety, catch into a position firmly locking the trig- 

 gers, rendering the gun safe from an accidental discharge. 

 The safety catch is situated on the grip near the position of 

 the thumb. Before the gun can be discharged the safety 

 catch must be shoved a little forward, which is easily done 

 by a slight motion of the thumb; then the gun is discharged 

 like other guns, by simply pulling the triggers. The ham- 

 merless gun is fast gaining favor with many sportsmen, but 

 at present they range at too high prices to come within the 

 means of the masses. 



Although it is difficult to see where there can be more 

 room fot improvement in fire-arms, or breech-loading shot- 

 guns in particular, still time will tell, and the rapid strides 

 that have been made in the last few years leads to the be- 

 lief that "the end is not yet." 



