THE GUN: AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



SECTION I 



ACCESSORIES 



CHAPTER I GAME GUNS 



THE evolution of the shot-gun has proceeded apace 

 during the past half-century. A space of little 

 more than thirty years has witnessed the introduction 

 of the breechloading, the hammerless, and the single- 

 triggered double gun. Mighty strides, truly, are these 

 in the march of improvement. Whilst fully alive to the 

 several advantages, in the way of celerity of movement, 

 ease of manipulation, and certainty of discharge, possessed 

 by the most approved types of the modern shot-gun, it 

 is possible that shooting-nren of the day do not suffi- 

 ciently recognise one other boon that has been conferred 

 upon them by the gun-makers. This is in the way of 

 safety, and I think few will be inclined to dispute the 

 statement when I aver that gun-makers of these times 

 have put us in possession of arms far more safe to use 

 than any the world ever saw before. Our sporting fore- 

 elders ran the risk of blowing off hand or head when 

 loading their guns at the muzzle. The breechloader 

 most effectually secures immunity from this danger. 



