MUZZLE versus BREECH LOADERS. 77 



paper cases. Then there is no liability in their use 

 to their giving trouble by adhering to the barrels, as 

 is the case with the paper cartridges ; and should a 

 sportsman go out for a few weeks' shooting, he would 

 not be burdened by an immense number, as fifty cases 

 would answer all purposes, whereas a tipping gun 

 with its paper cartridge-cases would need an extra 

 person to carry the latter along ; and then, should 

 these paper cartridges happen to get a little damp 

 or wet, the sportsman's hunt would all be up. Beside, 

 no elaborate machinery is required to load these car- 

 tridges. A simple little hand-rammer about six inches 

 long is all that is necessary. 



With reference to the shooting of these American 

 guns, I can say, from my own experience with them, 

 that in execution they equal the best guns in the mar- 

 ket, whether muzzle or breech loaders. 



My opinion, then, as between the muzzle and breech 

 loading guns, is, that the latter is the more serviceable 

 weapon, and that it is to be the gun of the future. I 

 am of opinion also that, of the breech-loaders to be 

 found in our market, those made by Messrs. Allen & 

 Co. are preferable to those made abroad, both on 

 account of their convenience and safety. 



The pains taken by the manufacturers in the making 

 of these guns is such that I can confidently commend 

 them to all who may wish good weapons. Messrs. 

 Allen & Co. have long been known as the manufac- 

 turers of one of the best breech-loading rifles of the 

 day, and they are not. therefore, novices in the art of 

 gun-making. 



