GUNS AND GUNMAKERS. 3 



to fire with nearly equal velocity. Still, however, for- 

 tunately for the leading gunmakers, there are yet left 

 many requisites which induce good sportsmen, though 

 a much smaller number than formerly, to go to the 

 heads of the trade: viz. 1. soundness and perfect safety 

 in guns ; 2. the barrels being correctly put together for 

 accurate shooting ; 3. the elevation being mathema- 

 tically true, and raised strictly in proportion to the 

 length of barrel; and 4. the stock being properly cast 

 off to the eye, and well fitted to the hand and shoulder. 

 I say nothing of the balance, because any good car- 

 penter, with some lead and a centre-bit, can regulate 

 this to the shooter's fancy. 



Who is now to be called the leading gunmaker I 

 hardly know, and there are so many competitors for the 

 title that it would be an unthankful office to name any 

 one in particular. Mr. Manton and Son, in partnership 

 with Mr. Hudson, carry on the old-established house, 

 at No. 6, Dover-street, in the best possible manner. 

 Mr. Purdey has, at this moment, perhaps the first 

 business in London, and no man better deserves it I 

 once asked Joe Manton whom he considered the best 

 maker in town (of course excepting himself) ; and his 

 answer was, " Purdey gets up the best work, next to 

 mine." This was when Purdey occupied a small shop 

 in Princes-street. 



Lancaster, who has raised many gunmakers to the 

 head of the trade by allowing them to put their names 

 to what was his work in all the essential part of barrels, 

 has some time since started for himself. This I advised 

 him to^ do if ever Joe retired ; and I anticipate that he 

 will, sooner or later, be entitled to the name of leader, 

 vice Joseph Manton. I recommended to him, for an 



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