316 



FOKEST AND STREAM. 



place during explosion, pressure is the only result between the contend- 

 ing surfaces. In the case of extended lumps, pass a straight edge along 

 the surface of the bite an I it will miss the centre of the axle by nearly, 

 and sometimes over, half an inch, and the top of the bolt, whio.h is like- 

 wise essential, will be a great deal worse. Here then we have the ad- 

 vantage of a very powerful grip while it lasts, more than neutralized by 

 a shaer mechanical loss. In addition to this, there is much more power 

 in forcing the barrels into position when the bolt runs in its proper di- 

 rection, and in snap actions, where the power of the spring requires to 

 be economized, this forms an important consideration. 



Another feature, adopted in higher qualities of guns, is the practical 

 value of the extended and projecting rib which continues back into the 

 action. This rib, in having to work into the action at an angle sufficient 

 to clear itself as the barrels move upon the hinge or axle, does not admit 

 of that efficiency in holding the face of the action to the face of the bar- 

 rels so necessary at such a place; but it must not be forgotten that in the 

 case of actions carefully bolted they spring slightly beyond the bolting 

 from a neutral axis nearly half way between the face of the barrels and 

 the very back of the breech piece. Here, then, the extended rib helps 

 restrict, though not thoroughly, the tendency to separate between the 

 two faces. This style is likewise useful in presenting lateral motion, 

 making it a great assistance in the case of double rifles made upon the 

 drop down principle and using heavy charges of powder. To assist in 

 euch cases, a multiplicity of bolts have been adopted, forgetful of the 

 fact that if there is one effective place in the action for the bolt to ope- 

 rate to its best advantage, then the power of the spring had best be ex- 

 pended on that one than lavished away at other parts to counterbalance 

 the friction thus introduced. Tnis more particularly alludes to bolts 

 which labor under a mechanical disadvantage. To possess the extended 

 rib to its best advantage, it should, when looking down upon the top, 

 appear to put out suddenly to each side and then round off at the cor- 

 ners, instead of being nearly circular, as they are generally made. 



When safety and solidity have been well attended to it is not too much- 

 to say that certainty of fire is one of the most urgent requirements of 

 the breech loader, and, while speaking of this, I must differ from your 

 opinion in Forest and Stream oi December 9th . To the eye of the 

 sportsman it looks well to see the strikers or plnngers lying parallel with 

 the barrels. Now, were it possible to have the motion of the hammer 

 take place from a centre directly or vertically below the end of the plunger 

 where it has to strike, no one could dispute the efficiency of such a blow, 

 so that it took place at a sufficient distance from the centre of the turn 

 bier, and thus secure velocity; but gun locks, as they are ordinarily at- 

 tached, render it impossible to have this done without spoiling the ap- 

 pearance of the gun, and the question etauds, How can the greatest cer- 

 tainty of fire be secured with the present means at disposal? I would 

 urge that principle which gives the least friction at the point of contact 

 between the hammer aud plunger, and which gives the greatest or gene- 

 rates the luost sudden heat at the point of contact of plunger and per- 

 cussion. To effect this no better method can be adopted than to make 

 the plunger operate in the direction of a right angle with the axle of the 

 tumbler, the top of the plunger being the corner of the angle. If this 

 be done no force is lost in grating along the face of the hammer. But 

 jt is contended that it is lost at the front of the plunger. This will be 

 admitted, and also that it is the very place the force should be lost; and, 

 seeing that it is attrition, it merely means heat. Any one can notice in 

 those guns with direct strikers how the no3e of the hammer seems grated 

 down, and the amount of surface that seems to have been traveled over 

 before the blow has been completed. This means lost force, which 

 should have been expended at the other end of the plunger. It must not 

 be lost sight of that in the direct strikers the blow from the hammer is 

 given at a part nearer the centre of the tnmbler than is the case with 

 the oblique plungers. The consequence is less motion on the part of the 

 plunger, and, still more, less velocity. This is everything when certainty 

 of fire has to be taken into consideration, and gives conclusively the 

 preference to the oblique striker, so long as the obliquity does not ex- 

 ceed 45° . This excessive angle is merely the result of pitching the locks 

 too high and too far back; otherwise, with care and a good thick breech 

 piece, it need not exceed an angle of 30°, if that much. 



D. KlRKWOOD. 



MATCH RIFLES— MUZZLE LOADERS vs. 

 BREECH LOADERS. 



Dublin, Ireland, December 2d, 1875. 

 Editor Forest and Stream :— 



In yours of the 18th of November you do me the honor to quote from 

 a letter of mine to the Volunteer Service Gazette. 1 could have wished, 

 however, that your extracts had been made so as to enable your readers 

 to see that my letter was not written for the purpose of disparaging the 

 American victory over the Canadians, nor yet to excuse the defeat of the 

 rifles used by the latter, which any reader of your paper would suppose 

 were all "Eigbys," whereas there was only one of my rifles in the 

 match, the other "Provincials" using Metfords. I wrote to correct an 

 erroneous comparison made by the Volunteer Service 9azelte, and inci- 

 dentally remarked that the score showed that the American rifles did not 

 hold their elevation so well as the Metfords, inasmuch as about twice as 

 many misses were scored to the Americans as to the Canadians. You 

 ought, I think, to have quoted this remark as well as the sequel from 

 which you draw the conclusion that my rifles "want more powder and 

 more lead for long ranges.'' As the reputation of my rifles nas been 

 made by their shooting in strong winds at 1,000 yards, I can hardly take 

 this as proved; but as there is practically no limit to 'the charge which 

 may he used with a muzzle loader, except the ability of the shooter to 

 endure the recoil, whereas the charge of the breech loader is limited to 

 the capacity of the cartridge. No superiority can be claimed for the 

 latter on that ground. I have shot with both breech and muzzle loading 

 rifles for fifteen years, and for target practice have no hesitation what- 

 ever in prefering the latter. They need no cartridges; no previous prep- 

 aration of ammunition, and no cleaning between the shots. They will 

 give equal velocities with less powder than the breech loader. When- 

 ever the progress of art gives breech loaders which, without cleaning, 

 will equal the performance of muzzle loaders, I am ready to reconsider 

 this opinion. I am, yours truly, John Kioby. 



- . -*♦♦— — : r~ 



SHOOTING IN BAVARIA. 



Munich, November 14th, 1875. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I spoke in my last of the hare shooting here, and having now the leis- 

 ure time I send you a short account of it. Yesterday I bad the pleasure 

 of attending one of the first treib jagden of the season in the Kyi Elver. 

 About seven in the morning we met at the depot, some twenty or twenty- 

 five guns, most of them oid and well known sportsmen. I would like 

 here to say one word in regard to the politeness and attention of the rail- 

 road officials to sportsmen. As an illustration, one ol the company was 

 late, and hadn't sufficient time to procure his ticket, so when the guard 

 came round he stated the case to him. "It makes no difference," said 

 the guard, "you can buy a return ticket in Dachan (the name of our des- 

 tinatioa), and then give it to me." They also issue tickets for dogs, 

 which yon take with you in the cars. 



But to continue. At last we arrived at Dachan, after a half hour's 

 ride through a country all of which is preserved by the king. We saw 

 plenty of game from the car window, and anticipated good sport. On 

 arriving we were met by the head game keeper and about twenty boys, 

 called treibers, to collect and carry the bares. After a glass of beer in 

 the wirihsham we started out, and were soon at work. In the first boden 

 we had the best luck, and shot about thirty, of which I had the good 

 fortune to kill five. For about five minutes I had pretty warm work, for 

 the hares came so fast that, between my loading and shooting, several 

 escaped that I could have easily killed if I had been prepared. And so 

 the day passed away in excitement. On every side was heard the con- 

 stant shooting and the yelps of the dogs that were retrieving the wounded 



hares. About half past three the horn was heard telling us that the 

 shooting was over, the result being 115 hares and some six partridges 

 which was not up to the average. We then returned to the wirthsham 

 where we found a good dinner waiting for us, to which we did ample 

 justice; after which we rode home in our car, attached to a freight train. 

 Enclosed you will find the statement about grayling, which I promised 

 some time ago to send you. I send you the original in German, and the 

 translation. 



Now, one word more and then I am finished. In your paper for Octo- 

 ber 21st there is a picture of a so-called dachshund. I have shown it to 

 several of my friends here, and they all say it can be no real dachshund. 

 I shall send you a photograph of what is called here the real dachshund, 

 as soon as I can find one. W. Gt. M. 



-♦♦♦- 



ANOTHER CHALLENGE. 



New York, December, 1875. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: — 



I notice in your last issue a suggestion of testing shot guns of differ- 

 ent makers, for pattern, penetration, and merit of workmanship, mate- 

 rial and design, and as 1 have two guns for which I entertain a very high 

 opinion, I should he pleased to have them shot against any guns of the 

 same bore by any maker with reference to above claims to excellence. 

 Both of my guns are made by W. W. Greener, 10 bore, one weighing 

 9 pounds, the other 13} pounds, the heavier, modified choke bore, the 

 lighter, choke bored; charge for the heavier gun to be 5 drachms pow- 

 der, 1± oz. shot, and of the 9-pjund gun 4} drachms powder and 1} oz. 

 shot. Competing guns to use the same quality of powder and size of 

 shot. Chilled shot not allowed. The loading to be done by a party mu- 

 tually agreed upon. The targets to be at 40 yards range, and of uniform 

 size and thickness. 



Knowing that many of your readers have guns of high excellence, I 

 should be pleased to extend this challenge to all who may wish to com- 

 pete, to show which is the "champion gun." The match to come off 

 any time within two weeks of acceptance, and I hope that Mr. Scott's 

 and Mr. Pape's guns, or any other maker's guns of equal excellence, 

 will come forward and compete in this trial. Each owner of guus en- 

 tered to name a judge, and both parties to agree on an umpire. The 

 heavier gun is perfectly plain, the lighter gun engraved. Each competi- 

 tor to bear his own expenses. The ground selected to be within five 

 miles of this city. P. 



'ntioml jj$x$Umt8. 



Crtcket.— A meeting of cricketers was recently held in 

 London, at which it was resolved to send a representative 

 "gentlemen's eleven" to the United States during the Cen- 

 tennial Exhibition. The visit will be a combination of the 

 pleasures of a tourist party and of cricket, as the company 

 (which will include about twenty-five cricketers) will visit 

 .Niagara, Saratoga, and other places of note. Their prin- 

 cipal matches will be those played in Philadelphia. The 

 Philadelphia cricket clubs will shortly hold a meeting in 

 that city to arrange a grand international centennial cricket 

 fete for next July, in which representative elevens from 

 England and Canada will compete with the American 

 eleven — the sides being equal this time, there being no 

 longer need of odds being given to our American club 

 team. 



— A g3me has recently taken a step towards popularity 

 in this city which bids fair to be the commencement of a 

 rapid increase in public favor throughout the country, and 

 that is rackets. As played here and in Philadelphia— in 

 which city it has become quite a favonte recreation for the 

 Winter season — it differs from the English game some- 

 what, inasmuch as it is played with a small wooden bat 

 instead of the racket bat used in the English game. More- 

 over, the ball is larger and more elastic than the regular 

 racket ball. In all other respects "American rackets," as 

 the new version of it is called, is the same as the old game. 

 It requires gieat agility of movement, keen sight, and 

 quick perception, and it is an exercise which brings into 

 healthy action every muscle of the body in running, stoop- 

 ing, jumping, and in the active use of both arms in bat- 

 ting. The best racket court now in this city, and the only 

 complete one, is that of Barney McQuade, located in Madi- 

 son street, near the junction of Grand. On Friday, De- 

 cember 17th, a grand match was played there between Os- 

 car Manning, Philadelphia's champion player, and Barney 

 McQuade, New York's strongest exemplar of the game, it 

 being the first six games of a series of eleven, the other 

 five having to be played in Philadelphia. The match be- 

 gan at 2:20 P. M , and it was continued until near dark, 

 at which time each player had won three games, Manning, 

 however, scoring the most aces, or points. In the first 

 game McQuade was the victor by a score of 21 to 19, the 

 game occupying twenty-five minutes, it being admirably 

 contested throughout, the manly character of the play and 

 the courtesy shown each other being marked features of 

 th 3 match. The grace and activity of movement of Man 

 ning, and his gentlemanly deportment, won for him high 

 commendation from the crowded assemblage of spectators. 

 He easily won the second and third games, by scores of 21 

 to 9 and 21 to 10, but the fourth ended in favor of Mc- 

 Quade by 21 to 17. This left the score of games at two 

 for each side, and the closing play was watched with deep 

 interest. In the fifth game Manning handled his bat in 

 handsome style, both in "serving" and in his "returns," 

 and the result was his success by a score of 21 to 9. The 

 last game, however, was won with ease by McQuade, it 

 being nearly dark, Manning falling off in his returns. The 

 score w T as 21 to 6 in favor of McQuade, leaving the tally of 

 games at three to three. It will be seen, therefore, that 

 the match is in an interesting position for the concluding 

 games in Philadelphia. 



On Saturday, 18th instant, a four hand contest took place 

 at McQuade's between Manning and Moore on one side, 

 representing Philadelphia, and McQuade and Lenahan on 

 the other, the two latter winning three games out of the 

 five constituting the match. 



A splendid racket court is in process of construction in 

 Twenty-sixth street, this city, for a private club, the outlay 

 for the building reaching over $100,000. In fact, quite a 

 revival of rackets is promised, as it is eminently a game 

 suited for those of sedentary employment, ouch as our 

 merchants, bankers and commercial men, not forgetting 

 literary and newspaper men. 



— The advent of Mr. H. E. Bird, of the London chess 

 club— one of the most noted of its members, and a well- 

 known writer in the European chess magazines — in the 

 metropolis, has given quite an impetus to the game in the 

 chess circles of the city. He has met our leading chess 

 experts at the game, and only Captain McKenzie has been 

 able to cope with him successfully. He defeated Mason 

 with ease in four games out of five, Mason playing his 

 favorite Ruy Lopez gambet, and on Saturday night last he 

 polished off Signor Alberoni at the Brooklyn chess club to 

 the tune of four out of six games, one being drawn. Mr. 



Bird is a quiet, good natured, gentlemanly looking person 

 of forty-five; bald, short, portly, of round, florid face, 

 fringed with light, soft whiskers. He moves the pieces 

 gently, but without hesitation, and plays an interesting 

 game for lookers on to observe. 



Greco-Roman Wrestltng.— A match has been made 

 between M. Louis Carter on,, who is said to be champion of 

 Europe, and Professor Miller, the late antagonist of Andre 

 Christol. to be decided at the Brooklyn rink on Christmas 

 night. The stakes are $1,000. and the articles of agree- 

 ment permit of any hold. Christol is anxious to have an- 

 other bout with Professor Bauer, three falls in five, to be 

 decided before the close of the year. 



— The ball was hoisted at the Capitoline Lake again on 

 Friday, 17th instant, and on the 18th there was a large con- 

 gregation of skaters on the lake, the number of ladies on 

 the ice being noteworthy. No skating was at command 

 either at Central or Prospect Park, as the ice was not thick 

 or strong enough to admit of safety with such a crowd on 

 it as would throng the park lakes when the skating signal 

 goes up. At Prospect Park on last Thur- day, though there 

 was no skating, the ice boats of the Park club were out on 

 the lake, and rapid sailing was enjoyed, the Lady of the 

 Lake flying from the south end to beyond the dam in about 

 a minute and a half. As soon as the ice is in condition 

 there will be a regatta at the lake, in which boats of the 

 Park and Capitoline clubs will race for the pennant. A 

 base ball match will be played on the large lake at the 

 park on Christmas day, by which time no doubt skating 

 will be at command. 



— The National Curling Association committee have de- 

 cided to have the grand annual match, North vs. South, at 

 Prospect Park this season, instead of at Central Park, as 

 heretofore. The large sixty acre lake at ^Prospect Park 

 will be placed at their service for the occasion, and on this 

 thirty rinks can be laid out with ease, as it is half a mile 

 long and nearly a quarter wide. 



Slosson after Sexton.— Since Sexton beat Slosson at 

 the late Tammany Hall tournament, the latter has been ex- 

 tremely anxious to get on a match with his old antagonist, 

 as he attributed his defeat at that time to his want of 

 practice. Considerable talk has bee% indulged in pro and 

 eon, but the friends of neither party could effect a match . 

 Slosson has now gone at it in a business like way, as the 

 appended challenge to the editor of the Sportsman will 

 show, and we have been assured that Sexton, who has 

 just returned from Ihe East will accept: — 



I hereby challenge William Sexton to play me for $500 

 a side. The game to be three ball, 600 points up, governed 

 by the rules for the three ball championship of the world, 

 and to take place in this city. The date of play and other 

 details to be mutually agreed upon. In earnest of my in- 

 tention I enclose $250 as a preliminary stake. This chal- 

 lenge to remain open ten days from date. 



Geo. F. Slosson. 



All Sorts. — Rudolph Wendolake, aged 17, who had 

 charge of the fifteen ball pool table at Loton and Murphy's, 

 this city, died suddenly on the 19th instant from the effects 

 of a spider's bite. . . .Sexton and Gamier exhibited at the 

 Bay State House, Worcester, on the 17th instant. In a 

 three ball game of 250 points Gamier went out with a run 

 of 125 and an average of 17 6-7. Sexton scored 102. A 

 four handed game was then played, two prominent local 

 players assisting. This game, which was four ball, caused 

 a great deal of amusement, as the amateurs seemed not 

 over courageous when they found themselves in such dis- 

 tinguished company. Sexton and Gould, and Gamier and 

 Brooks played as partners. Brooks opened the game with 

 three, and Gould followed with thirty, the largest run made 

 by either of the local billiardists during the game. At the 

 close of the eighth inning the game stood — Gamier and 

 Brooks 1,158, Sexton and Gould 852, and the game was 

 brought to a close. . . .Henry A. Horn, of billiard notoriety, 

 repeats his lecture on "Drumming as a fine art" at Boston 



December 23d Patsy Fitzgerald is now in charge of the 



fifteen ball pool table at Garnier's As the proposition to 



match Wilson, of this city, against Ned Bryan* of Provi- 

 dence, for $1,000, best in thirty-one games at fifteen ball 

 pool, has not been accepted, the backers of Mr. Wilson 

 now propose to play two games, one in Boston and one in 

 New York, for $500 a side each game, and to be played 

 ten days apart. The balls to be 2J inches in size, the fif- 

 teen ball to be placed outside of the bunch, and the games 



to be played on a Collender table Joseph Gerstel is 



working at his trade, that of a jeweller, in Newark, N. J. 



Lawrence Farrell, formerly a partner with Maurice 



Daly, recently opened a wine room at 63 Nassau street 



William Zarringer, who marked the recent Burleigh-Mag- 

 gioli game, is superintendent of the Jewell billiard room 

 at New Orleans. Charles D. Quaid is at the Crescent hall, 

 and John Ouerlander at the St. Charles room, in the same 



city George F. Slosson ran 216 recently in a three ball 



game At Ypsilanti, Mich., December 15th, Albert Har- 

 rington, clerk of the Hawkins House, that city, ran 1,266 



at the four ball game James Kernan, the veteran pin 



pool player, is now with John T. Reeves, 234 Broadway. 

 He talks very seriously of getting up a pin pool tourna- 

 ment Neil Bryant was in Chicago on the 16th instant. 



. . . .The Drew of Texas proves to be Schafer, of San Fran- 

 cisco, who, together with Gates, were at New Orleans last 



week WmrBurleigh, considerably enriched in pocket, 



is back at Chicago. It is thought that Eugene Carter will 

 be the next challenger for the badge unless Louis Shaw, of 



Indianapolis, Ind., has not changed his mind Frank 



Parker/who beat Rudolph at Buffalo for the four ball 

 championship of the world, has opened a pin pool room at 



Tom Foley's place, Chicago Up to December 15th the 



result of the games played at Phillip Tieman's, Cincinnati, 

 fcr the amateur championship of the State of Ohio, were 

 as follows: West won two and lost none, Graham and 

 Meyer each won one and lost one, while Jones and Rad- 

 cliff had each lost a game. A correpondent writes that the 

 attendance has been large, and considerable interest was 



evinced by the billiard players of that city Cyrille Dion 



has published a card, giving his reasons for not accepting 



Garnier's challenge An amateur tournament is now in 



progress at Newark, N.J. .'. .The tournament for the cham- 

 pionship of the Fifth Avenue Hotel was concluded last 

 week at the Columbia room. Mr. Wright won the first 



prize, Mr. Ives the second, and Mr. Massey the third 



The room of Yan Oleaf, in Brooklyn, is offered for sale, 

 the proprietor going into other business. 



