448 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTKAL INDIA. 



use a single rifle is to sacrifice many chances, while it pos- 

 sesses no advantage whatever over a well-made double. A 

 good price will, however, have to be paid for a really true- 

 shooting double rifle ; and when this is a matter of the first 

 consideration, a breech-loading single Express rifle will be 

 found to give a wonderful command of shots. There is, in 

 my opinion, no system of breech-loading for single rifles at 

 all comparable with that of Mr. Henry of Edinburgh. It is 

 probable that considerations foreign to the mere merits of the 

 actions will induce our Government to adopt the Martini in 

 preference to the Henry breech for the new military arm ; 

 but sportsmen will probably always continue to prefer that 

 of Mr. Henry, which is much more simple and enduring, 

 more certain of ignition, and possesses the incalculable ad- 

 vantages of allowing the barrel to be inspected and cleaned 

 from the breech end, and of possessing a half and full 

 cocking action, exactly like that of ordinary guns. The 

 Martini has no such action ; and consequently the rifle must 

 be carried either unloaded altogether or on full cock. This 

 would never do for emergencies ; and in the opinion of all 

 practical men forms a fatal objection to both the Martini and 

 the new Westley-Kichards actions. There is no plan of 

 breech-loading superior for double rifles to the "double 

 grip " action commonly adopted by gun-makers. Some 

 patented actions are probably equal in strength and dura- 

 bility to the double grip, when really well made ; but 

 they usually require more careful workmanship, while the 

 monopoly of the patentee is apt to lead to the reverse ; so 

 that on the whole my experience is that the sportsman had 

 better avoid them for his rifles. None of the " snap " actions 

 have sufficient power for a heavy rifle, I believe, though I 

 certainly prefer them for shot guns. The best for the latter 



