FOREST AND STREAM, 



6'i 



'9 



-nee for the iron targets. They say that if the firing is 

 heavy the strictest attention is necessary to see the shots 

 Soon the canvas targets, causing a great strain upon the 

 pves when the sun is bright, that they are harder to work, 

 nd more trouble to keep in order than the iron slabs . The 

 fact that they are less likely to cause injuries to the mark- 

 ers does not seem to weigh with them, Since the plan of 

 the butts at Oreedmoor has been, changed, and the traps re- 

 duced in size and set back from the target, there have been 

 hut few injuries from the splash of the bullets, and the 

 markers consider that their risk is no greater when mark- 

 ing; at the iron slabs than from the iron frames ot the 

 canvas targets, from which a piece of lead will sometimes 

 nV This change in the trap has also reduced the quantity 

 of glass broken to a minimum. Du; lug a rain, there is no 

 Question but that the canvas targets are superior to the 

 iron. There seldom, however, is very wet weather at 

 Creedmoor, and the number who shoot when it prevails is 

 so few, that that cannot be considered as overriding other 

 obtections to this description of targets. 



The Committee are therefore, of opinion that, while 

 canvas targets may be preferable in a climate like that of 

 England, they are not to be recommended in America. It, 

 is proper to say that there are few ranges where the test 

 p-iven to a target is more severe than at Creedmoor. From 

 may to November the range has beeu used on three days 

 in the week by an average of three hundred men a day, 

 whose practice is almost continuous and as rapid as 

 possible. This is exclusive of the practice of the regular 

 numbers and teams on other da_>s, and of the spring and 

 fall meetings and the weekly matches of the Association. 

 Consequently, it scarcely follows that because a target 

 doss nut answer at Creedmoor, it might not serve the pur- 

 pose on a small range, where time is not of such iinport- 



The objection of the persons using the range to the 

 canvas targets having made it necessary that a change, 

 should he made, the experiment was tried of covering them 

 with light flheet iron, the result being a great improvement. 

 The blow of the bullet on the iron made a Sufficiently loud 

 sonnet to attract the marker's attention to the spot hit, and 

 it was also frequently heard at the firing-point. The shot- 

 hole not closing up, as is the case on me canvas targets, 

 was clear and distinct, and often visible with a good glass 

 from the tiring-poiut. The iron cover stands much more 

 shooting than wonld be imagined, and after several months' 

 practice has not as yet required renewing. In addition to 

 this improvement, the canvas targets were placed upon a 

 square instead ot a round frame, when used as second- 

 class targets, to give thenr the Same surface as the iron 

 ones. These changes have done much to place them up <u 

 an equality with the latter. Stili, they are not liked as 

 well as the iron ones by the riflemen using the range, and 

 were therefore used only as pool targets during tne fall 

 meeting. 



A sandstone target, manufactured by the Potsdam Sand- 

 stone Company, was introduced upon the rauge in Sep- 

 tember, 18<o, and has given satisfaction. It is composed 

 of a slab of line-grained brown sandstone, six inches thick 

 and six feet square. Contrary to all expectation, it has 

 subtciined little or no injury, although it has been used 

 more than any other target upon the range during that 

 period. Shots striding it are heard and seen the same as 

 upon an iron target, and the paint put on to obliterate 

 the bhot-marks dries much more rapidly than on the iron 

 target. In wet weather, there! ore, it- has a more clear and 

 distinct appearance than any other target on the rauge. 

 It is as yet uucertain whether it will continue to stand the 

 wear it has received. While in these respects it will prove 

 a success, the great objection to it is its great weight, and 

 that its size cannot be altered, as with iron targets, it 

 costs less than half the price of iron slaus, but the expense 

 for Ireightage, carting, etc., is heavier, is made with light 

 rails, and has a fall 01 about six leet at each end, which 

 descent, together with the impetus given by the push lrom 

 the marker, gives the necessary speed to carry the deer 

 across. Firing is oniy allowed while the deer is crossing 

 a space 90 feet long in the centre, which requires about 

 five seconds. 



This structure was painted and put in complete order by 

 the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, before it was 

 presented, at a cost to them of $1,417.17." This donation 

 exceeds in value almost anything that the association have 

 ever received from a single individual or corporation, and 

 merits our warmest thanks. The association are also 

 indebted to Capt. Douglas Smith, for his services as arch- 

 itect, which he rendered gratuitously, not only in this 

 instance, but in the erection of the short range butts. 



Owiug to the lateness of the season, but little oppor- 

 tunity was had to practice at this target ; the last match 

 was, however, very successful, and demonstrated that it 

 was certain to be popular. . 



The last full meeting of the association was undoubtedly 

 the most successful it has ever had. The Centennial and 

 Irish Matches took place at Creedmoor, on September 13, 

 14, and 21, and attracted a large number of spectators. 

 During these, and the reguhv matches of the association, 

 occupying the next week, over twenty teams and ten rifle 

 clubs, occupying nearly a hundred tents, were camped 

 upon the rauge. In pursuance of the direction of the 

 board, the committee leased a portion of the ground in 

 rear of the long range targets, during the Centennial 

 matches. They aiso moved the sink fifty feet further from 

 the well, leveled off the land hired from Messrs. Poppen- 

 husen and tilted it for shooting over. The firing points at 

 a number of the long-range targets were raised ana sodded, 

 and many small improvements made. The railroad com- 

 pany have added to the attractions of the range by planting 

 lour rows of trees th rough the avenue leading to it, and 

 in building a large depot, to be used duiiug lue matches. 

 Ihe outts and embankment have stood through the season 

 without damage, and all the trees are thriving. 



—The United Schuetzen Corps held their annual election 

 for Directors on Tuesday night of last week with the fol- 

 lowing result: JNew York Corps— John M. Brunnie, John 

 U. Huser, JEL H. Hmgstage, Fnd. Harenburg, William 

 Jose, Carl Mahnken, Henry R. Meyer, Charles Pirovano, 

 JohnF, Rottman, C. O. Tietjen, B. ri. Timken, J. H. Weli- 

 brock, L. Timmerman. New Jersey Corps — .Nicholas Cru- 

 cius, John C. Duhrkeep, August Emerisch, Henry D. 

 Gerdts, Frederick Hanseu, John Horsman, Andrew Kroll- 

 inan, L. A. Lttnan, J. F. W. Naugels, Henry Offei man, 

 John Raschen, W. F.Schumann, Martin Stelijas. The 

 receipts last season were $17,610.82, and the expenditures 

 f 24,231.33, leaving a deficiency of $6,$#0.5L 



The "Officers' Model" Springfield Rifle.— A 

 correspondent writes us from Fort Brown, Texas, as fol- 

 lows: — 



"Having seen several inquiries lately in regard to the 

 'Springfield Rifle, Officers' Model,' I forward with this a 

 descriptive circular in regard to the same, thinking you 

 may he interested in it. I have one of them myself, and 

 taking all things into consideration, have no hesitation in 

 saying I prefer it to any other rifle for general hunting. 

 The sights are arranged (very accurately) for the rifle 

 cartridge (U. S. bullet "405 grs., powder 70 grs.), but the 

 carbine cartridge (bullet 405 gis., powder 55 grs.), is the 

 same size externally, and answers just as well under 250 

 yards if extreme accuracy is not required. The whole 

 piece is well finished, and the cost only covers the actual 

 cost of each piece to the Government. 



"Unfortunately for general interest in the arm only a 

 limited number are made, and those are sold only to 

 officers. The ramrod, though so rarely seen in rifles now- 

 adays, is yet often very useful in frontier hunting for 

 obvious reasons. James C. Merrill, 



"Assistant Burgeon, U. IS. A." 



[Judging from the circular accompanying the above 

 letter the rifle must indeed be a "model," and it is to be 

 regretted that it is beyond the reach of sportsmen. As 

 for the ramrod, being made of wood, it increases the 

 weight of the piece but little, and is fownd useiul in a 

 variety of ways; as a cleaning rod, for "tolling" antelopes, 

 etc., etc. — Ed.] 



«<►♦<•* 



(§mnt J?## nnd §>tm. 



GAME IN SEASON IN JANUARY. 



II ares, brown and gray. 



Wild duck, geese, brant, &c. 



FOR FLORIDA.. 



Deer, Wild Turkey, Woodcock, Quail, Snipe, and Wild Fowl. 



The Trapping Season in Canada.— The latest enact- 

 ments of the game laws provide that "nD otter shall be 

 hunted, trapped or killed between the first day of May and 

 the first day of October, in any year; no beaver between 

 the thhueth of April and the first of September; no musk- 

 rat between the first of June in any year, and the first of 

 April following, for the districts of Quebec, Saguenay, Cbi- 

 coutimi, Montmagny, Kemouraski, Ramouski, and $aspp, 

 and between the first of May in each year, and the first of 

 April following for the remainder of the Province. 



—Deer and Wild Turkeys are remarkably abundant this 

 winter in Central Florida, but not as many Ducks as usual. 



— Mr. E. Wiman, well known among his Canadian and 

 Sta'en Island sporting friends as a wolf-slayer, entertained 

 a party, including Hayuer and Leeds of Staten Island ; 

 Barker of Pitts field, and others, with an elegant game 

 dinner at the Merchants' Clab, in Leonard street, on Friday 

 last. Telegrams were received from Dwight and others of 

 Toronto. An original poem by E. C. Stedman, and the 

 camp fire pow-wow could be excelled nowhere outside of 

 the " woods." 



Rhode Island— Peacedale, Jan. Wi. — Have had little 

 shooting. The quail have been fairly abundant, 20 birds 

 (quail). 1 grouse, and 1 rabbit — from four to six p. m.— is 

 the best bag I have hear of this season and in this vi- 

 cinity. A. B. H. 



New York— Adirondack*, Jan I3(h, — Weather very se- 

 vere; in fact the hardest winter known in this latitude for 

 years. The snow is very deep and the cold most iutense. 

 Pickerel fishing in Raquette river very poor. The steam- 

 boat en route to the Upper Saranac Lake is fast imbedded 

 in a snow drift three miles from Bloomingdale on the road 

 leading to Paul Smith's. It is hoped sbe will never get 

 any further; such may it prove pro bono ■publico. It is ru- 

 mored that Dr. Loomis or New York is to erect a fine 

 summer residence here near "Paul's." S. S. N. 



Pennsylvanlv— PMladelpJiia, Jan. lWb. — I hear bad re- 

 ports of the quail around this section, as a great many bev- 

 ies have disappeared since the deep snow of the 1st inst. 

 I fear they have perished; so the farmers report. 



De Haven. 



Indiana — Conner smile, Ja.n. 10#i. — From Oct. 1st until 

 Nov. 20th, '70, we had excellent quail shooting in this county. 

 (Fayette). Birds were plenty, in fact more than we have 

 bad" before in several years, but about Nov. 20th we had a 

 heavy snow, and then the pot hunters began to get in their 

 work. Mat Conntr, who lives just below town, is, I think, 

 entitled to the name of the "Boss Pot Hunter," having kill- 

 ed 52 quail in three shots, viz 14 and 16, both same day, 

 and 22 a few days after, having tracked them through the 

 snow and got them while "bunched." For the past three 

 weeks we have had heavy snows and extremely cold 

 weather, which combined with the pot shots will almost 

 exterminate the birds. Prospects for shooting next fall 

 bad. Duck No 2. 



Indianapolis, Jan. St7i, — I have a note from Captain 

 Whitehead, which informs me that he and his brother 

 killed 600 mallards on the Illinois river during the last 

 week of December, and he made a score of 56 birds with 

 60 shells. The shcoting was from sunken boxes. 



H. G. C. 



Florida— Jan. IStJi.— The Sanford Journal says : "Deer 

 and turkeys are very plentiful in the country back of here. 

 On Saturday evening a man offered six fine saddles of veni- 

 son at theSanford House, at ten cents per pound. Said he 

 killed them fouiteen miles from Sanlord, and had killed 

 three of them that morning before breakfast. Several fine 

 wild turkeys were also brought in on the same day." 



Ducks in California.— California is a good country for 

 wild fowl shooting. The Colusa (Cal.) Sun speaks of a 

 citizen who bought, the other day, ten kegs of powder for 

 the purpose of having the geese on his place killed. He 

 has ten men constantly at work shooting them. Mr. Clark, 

 who owns a place near Dunigan's, says that the ducks .are 

 worse than the geese down there, and they spread over 



the fields at night and destroy the grain. Farmers there 

 have to keep men out with lanterns at night to scare the 

 ducks away. 



«M«- 



PIGEION MATCHES. 



The State Shoot.— It will be remembered that the nest 

 meeting of the New York State Sportsmen's Association is 

 to be held at Syracuse under the aaspices of the Central 

 City and Onondaga County Clubs. Joint committees have 

 already been appointed as follows to carry out certain por- 

 tions of the arrangements: On Grounds— Greene Smith, 

 of the Onondaga Club, and John A. Nichols, of the Cen- 

 tral City Club. On Prizes— S. W. Sherlock, John Bedford 

 and D. H. Bruce, of the Onondaga Club, and P. J. Brum- 

 elcamp, Howard Soule and George W. Edwards, of the 

 Central City Club. 



Maryland.— A correspondent who sends us an account 

 of a pigeon match which recently took place at Easton, 

 Md., writes as follows: "Something so unusual for this 

 quiet town, took place here Dec. 29th ult., that it should 

 by all means find a place in your valuable paper, a pigeon 

 match was determined on as a means of amusement, and 

 straightway put in execution — not much for execution you 

 may say— by the following gentlemen, five birds each, 21 

 yards rise, 80 yards boundary:— 



Name. Total. 1 Name. Total. 



A. II. Larrimore 1 Jacob Williams 4 



Samuel Noma 3lC. R. Leonaui 3 



Edward II. Roe 3|John C. Gale U 



Not being content with this display of their Killing abili- 

 ties, they concluded to pick their flints and try again. The 

 second match was shot at the residence of Capt. D. A. Martin, 

 as genial a sportsman as ever pulled a trigger, after a ride of 

 four miles ou the very cold morning of Jan. 3d, through 

 banks of snow they arrived at the Captain's and after a 

 hearty welcome and something else, the shoot commenced, 

 5 birds each, same rules:— 



Nnrne. Total.) Name. Total. 



Edward H. Roe a M. M. Margins 3 



A. II. Larrimore 2'C. Root. Leonaiu 3 



D. A. Martin l| Jacob Williams tf 



John C. Gale 1 1 



In shooting off ties, Mr. Leonard killed two to his oppo- 

 nents one. You must not conclude that the e gentlemen 

 own breech-loaders to no purpose, for a majority of them 

 can kill four quail out of five in the open field. I stata 

 this because it is a fact, and to allay their wrath. L." 



Virginia, — A pigeon match was shot at the State Fair 

 grounds, Richmond, on the 10th inst. for $75 between 

 Andrew Ford and W. T. Mitchell, at 20 birds, aside from 

 ground traps, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, 1£ ounces 

 shot, and was won by the latter, ihe following Uing the 

 score:— 



Name. Score. Total. 



W. T Mitchel 1 111I11I1101! 111111 0--18 



A. Ford 1 1 1*0 110101101000011 1-12 



-*&-•+» 



AMERICAN GU1NS. 



Office of Remington's Armory, ) 



Ilion, N. Y., January 1st, 1877. f 

 Editor Forest and Stream: — 



it is painful to American gunmakers to read the editori- 

 als and some of the correspondence in your paper in re- 

 gard to the merits of their productions as compared to those 

 of foreign makers. A case now before us, on page o31 of 

 the Forest and Stream, and fully indorsed by the editor, 

 the writer extols at great length the productions of noted 

 British makeis, and the casual reader gets the idea that 

 none others aie fit to use. We do not begrudge our British 

 cousins their well-earned laurels, but with all due deference 

 to the good judgment and extended facilities your corres- 

 pondent has had to ascertain the aclual merits and demer- 

 its of guns at the Centennial, I beg leave to differ with 

 him and you on some important points. Th tt the produc- 

 tions of some of the makers enumerated by him are all 

 that is claimed for them I frankly admit, but how they all 

 belong in the same category, or anywhere near it, is what 

 I cannot understand. 1 tuought (and I examined them 

 very carefully) that there were several exhibits superior to 

 that of Mr. Rigby for good work and fine appointments. 

 Among them were some Belgium guns, which your cor- 

 respondent regards as URfit for the average American 

 sportsman. The Powell gun, too, has some good work ou 

 it as any in the exhibition; its only objection, if any, is the 

 upward movement of the lever. Clark & Snyder, of Bal- 

 timore, showed a gun better than Xvlr. Rigby's. The trip- 

 lex lever grip fastening referred to is a delusion and a 

 snare, but we presume the proprietors will find American 

 fools enough to buy and pay for it, at least for a time. One 

 good locking bolt is better than more. Of this class of guns 

 the Powell is as good as any, and it will stay intact and 

 wear as long as any triplex or quadruplex. in regard to 

 rifles, our British cousins cannot justly cany off the prize. 

 Being a maker myself (though not an exhibitor) I will 

 draw no comparisons in "this branch of the exhibit. In 

 conclusion I must say, however, that it is fortunate for 

 American gunmakers that the Forest and Stream does 

 not represent the average American sportsman, but only 

 the kigher or wealthier class. I know of a great many 

 comparatively impecunious sportsmen whose senses of art 

 and justice are quite as acute, and whose performances at 

 the trigger are quite as good as those of our wiser or 

 wealthier brothers, who do actually think and believe that 

 some, at least, of the American guns are just as good 

 in the forest and field as the best imported. It appears to 

 us from oui standpoint to be unfortunate for the Forest 

 anl Stream that it does not cater in some degree to the re- 

 quirements of this class. Every one who knows anything 

 of manufacturing guns in different parts of the world 

 knows very wtll why fine guns cannot be made here as 

 cheaply as in Europe. Let our friends over the sea pay 

 their mechanics and artisans three to five dollars per day as 

 we have to, and see how they will come out. To oveibsl- 

 ance this our indomitable Yankee has to bring labor-savb g 

 machinery to his aid, and make one man uo the work o£ 

 three or lour Britons. Then he must make and sell a larsre 

 number. To this end it must be a good, sound, common 

 sense gun and iow price, shorn of all superflous ornament- 

 al appendages, involving the necessity of a great amount 

 of high cost hand labor. 



Again, our English cousins have a happy facnlty of get- 

 ting a fine mirror-like glass on the outside of their goods, 

 which is apt to be regarded as of too much importance* 



