302 VARIETIES OF SHOT-GUNS, ETC. 



superable difficulty in obtaining driving power in this class 

 of guns. Mr. Needham's breech-loader also nearly approached 

 to it, having driven through 39 sheets with one barrel. 

 Taking, however, the four shots (two at 40 yards and two at 

 60), Mr. Pape's muzzle-loader (No. 15) made the highest 

 score, being in all 78 through the four targets, while Mr. 

 Elliott scored 71, and Mr. Needham 69 in the same way. 

 The increase in the driving power of the breech-loaders is, 

 however, very considerable as compared with last year; and 

 there now appears to be little or no difference between the 

 two classes of guns in this important quality. 



Having thus gone through the several results, it is now 

 necessary to allude to the comparative merits of the various 

 guns tried on this occasion. The great contest has been as 

 between muzzle-loaders and breech-loaders, and it will be 

 seen that in each class the old-fashioned gun has carried the 

 day, though very closely pressed by its rival. Indeed, so 

 near is the performance of the two, that we cannot think for 

 a moment that for general purposes there can be a doubt of 

 the superiority of the breech-loader, when quickness of 

 loading, safety, and cleanliness are taken into consideration. 

 The present trial has, however, disposed of the claims of the 

 breech-loader to freedom from recoil, credit for which it is 

 shown not to deserve in the slightest degree. That, with 

 equal charges of powder, it does not kick so much as the 

 muzzle-loader, is tolerably clear; but with the additional 

 quarter of a drachm which it requires, it recoils quite as 

 much. The highly creditable performance of Colonel Whyte's 

 Joe Mariton is also another feature worthy of being recorded, 

 for though the gun is placed fourth in its class, it is con- 

 siderably above the average in all points but penetration at 

 60 yards. We have submitted the barrels to several gun- 

 makers familiar with " Joe Man tons," and they all are of 

 opinion that those sent by Colonel Whyte are his make, 

 while as to their state of preservation there can be no mis- 

 take that it is most extraordinary. At present they indicate 

 a recoil below the average, but the new breeches put in by 

 Messrs. Trulock and Harris, of Dublin, may possibly ac- 

 count for this. (See Colonel Whyte's letter in the Field of 

 June llth.) 



