342 SPORT IX BENGAL. 



4-gauge guns or rifles, and other pop-guns and field-pieces 

 may be superadded ad lib., according to length and depth of 

 purse. 



I regard No. 2 battery as perfect and equal to every 

 emergency in a sportsman's career in Bengal. It will cost 

 from 250 to 300, if bought of makers whose prices are the 

 highest, according to quality, fittings, and ornamentation ; 

 and from 200 to 225, if supplied by those whose haste to 

 become rich is more moderate. So far as actual shooting is 

 concerned there will be but little difference, perhaps none at 

 all ; but in the more high-priced weapons there will be a certain 

 feel, a finer finish, and a general look of superficial superiority 

 which may be wanting, or if present less noticeable, in the 

 others. The most costly guns and rifles will also wear better, 

 and last longer in thoroughly good condition I do not 

 allude to fancy goods at 60 to 100 each, but to 35 to 45 

 articles than cheaper ones ; but then the former are hard to 

 be disposed of at even half the prices paid for them when 

 new, whereas a good 20 gun, or an equally "good 30 rifle, 

 will always fetch Rs. 150 and Rs. 200 if in fair condition. 



I have recently seen many plain and strong, which cost 

 from 6 to 12 only, and shot very well too; but their looks 

 are generally harsh and inferior, and I believe they show 

 " wear and tear " rather early in use, unlike some which 

 look as well and shoot as accurately after twenty years' use 

 as when first purchased. I have a " Joe Manton " which has 

 been used by three generations for nearly seventy years, of 

 which the barrels appear to be as good as ever. This old 

 veteran started in life as a flint fire-lock, and was converted, 

 after much discussion on' the merits of the two systems, as 

 well as some hesitation on the part of its owner, into a per- 

 cussion, about the year 1826 ; its price when quite new was 

 50. I have tried sometimes to calculate the probable numbers 

 of furred and feathered game the old patriarch has brought 

 down, but the figure is too great to be lightly set down before 

 those who know it not. 



Hammerless guns and rifles do not make rapid advance 



