163 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADEBS. 



possible to the author, and would probably prove 

 as little entertaining as instructive to the reader. 

 The majority of purchasers cannot form an exact 

 opinion relative to the merits of a gun prepared 

 with the utmost skill and ingenuity to deceive them, 

 and must rely mainly on the word of the seller or 

 reputation of the maker. There is something, to 

 be sure, in the smooth working of the locks, and 

 still more in the perfect fitting of the stock ; but 

 after all, even to the experienced sportsman, there 

 is little difference in appearance between the Sham- 

 damn and the purest laminated steel. 



American importers have a peculiarly moral 

 and respectable habit of vending German guns 

 stamped with the names of English makers, and 

 pacify their consciences with the idea that the 

 manufactures of Germany are not inferior to those 

 of England ; but they would give more satisfaction 

 to the public and more ease to their consciences by 

 proving this in open contest, and establishing the 

 reputation of the German makers, than by appro- 

 priating the names and reputations that good 

 work has made famous. So far is this deception 

 carried, that some houses even order from the Bel- 

 gian manufacturers a certain number, nominally, of 

 each of the loading gun-makers. It may be that 

 there is little real difference, although on the con- 

 tinental guns you sometimes pay for useless orna- 

 ment, money that should have been expended where 

 it would tell, on locks and barrels ; but the mode of 

 proceeding is certainly not creditable. 



