32 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 



be persuaded to try it again and again ; for after 

 one or two trials he will instinctively adapt his eye 

 to its construction, and will imagine the gun suits 

 him an impression that the rapid flight of the first 

 quail he endeavors to cover will dissipate. The 

 triggers should give back at a weight of four or five 

 pounds ; the hammers of a muzzle-loader at ten or 

 twelve, and of a breech-loader at twelve or fourteen. 

 For the former, the best cone is what is called the 

 inverted, where the bore is larger at the top and 

 receives the entire flame from the cap. 



The shape of the breech for the muzzle-loader for- 

 merly gave rise to much learned disquisition and 

 many plausible theories ; but, in all probability, had 

 no influence on the shooting, which is due mainly to 

 the form and quality of the barrels. Joe Manton 

 founded his fame on the idea that the lines of force, 

 if reflected from a hollow cup, like rays of light from 

 a reflector, would be directed parallel to one ano- 

 ther and lengthwise of the barrel ; but later expe- 

 riments have tended to destroy this theory. The 

 simple fact appears to be, that powder exerts just so 

 much force, and, as it cannot escape sideways, it 

 must go out at the end of the barrel ; and that the 

 shape of the breech, except so far as it may affect 

 the rapidity of ignition, has no influence whatever. 



These questions, however, are being effectually 

 disposed of by the march of events and the general 

 diffusion of breech-loaders ; to the latter, as they are 

 not generally known or appreciated in our country 

 to which, by its natui'e and its game, they are 



