May 25, 1895.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
419 
riessrs. Von Lengerke & Detmold. 
Space No. 77 was occupied by Messrs. Von Lengerke & 
Detmold. This space was the southeasterly one surround- 
ing the open center, and, owing to a high partition run- 
ning north and south dividing the adjoining eastern 
spaces, and the fact that the exhibits adjoining them on 
the west — like those of the Winchester Repeating Arms 
Co. , Forest and Stream and others— ran from east to 
■west, it was one of the first to catch the eyes of visitors 
sisting strength in the most exhaustive barrel trials ever 
held, Von Lengerke & Detmold ordered Francotte to use 
these barrels for various of their regular qualities, and 
they have never had any reason to regret it. The barrels* 
like all fine steel barrels, are very handsome to look at in 
connection with high grade work in frame and action 
and stock, and they are constantly growing in popular 
favor. The mixed iron and steel or Damascus barrels 
used by Francotte are certainly beautiful to look at. They 
are an entirely different kind of barrels from those 
l-POWDER 
EXIBIT OF MESSRS. VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD. 
coming up the main aisle from the Madison avenue en- 
trance. 
The partition or background was of maroon plush, and 
was tastefully covered with works of art representing our 
principal game fishes, certificates of awards of "Schultze" 
powder, etc. The background comported in size and 
height with the enormous, standing showcase of the Colt 
Patent Fire Arms Co. , which covered the same line oppo- 
site on the northeastern central space and made a har- 
monious e ff ect. 
Von Lengerke & Detm old's exhibit consisted of Fran- 
cotte guns, hard grain - Schullze" and Walsrode smoke- 
less powders, fine fishing 1 tackle, imported English leather 
goods, such as gun and ammunition cases, etc.; 1he 
"Luminum" (aluminum) bicycle, a set of J. L. Mott's new 
patent live pigeon traps, and various loading and ballistic 
instruments. 
Their exhibit was less a showy one than one of quality 
and merit, for which this firm has been noted many 
years, and it is well worth going into some detailed de- 
scription of the articles mentioned. 
The whole line of Francotte guns shown was superb, 
and perhaps there never was a finer and more striking 
line of guns exhibited before in this country. 
There was one gun each of the regular ten or twelve 
kinds and qualities of which a large stock is constantly 
kept on hand by V. L. & D. , and the others represented 
some specially fine quality guns running up in price to 
$500 each and t some novelties. Among the latter must 
certainly be mentioned a tingle barrel hammerless gun, 
12 bore 30in. barrel, weighing full eight lbs., intended for 
artificial target shooting. General attention has been di- 
rected to the phenomenal successes some of the target 
shooters are having with single barrel repeating guns at 
the tournaments throughout the country. 
It is true that the same men would show up well with 
any make of gun, on account of their extraordinary skill, 
acquired through years of constant practice under all 
sorts of varying conditions, yet it is claimed that they 
have never done better work with double barrel guns. 
This single barrel gun has been modeled by Mr. J. von 
Lengerke, and it has been his aim to overcome such 
points as are being objected to bv many in the repeating 
shotguns. The lock action of this gun is claimed to be 
the quickest yet put in any gun. The rib of the gun is 
broad and flat, presenting a remarkably clear and pro- 
nounced line of sight. The weight of this gun being the 
same as that of a solid double gun, and the barrels being 
half octagon, made of Siemens-Martin steel, with a tre- 
mendously strong frame and breech action, it may well 
be imagined that this gun is practically indestructible 
with anything that can be put into a shot shell. . It is said 
to be a tremendous shooter, and of course shoots as true 
to center as a rifle. Mr. von Lengerke will give this gun 
a personal practical trial, and if possible make some fur- 
ther improvements in it. He feels sure that there will be 
a public demand for a gun of this kind. 
Another novelty is shown in some of the finest guns — 
a sextuple top snap action representing six different lock- 
ing devices worked by the top lever. We doubt whether 
such actions are necessary, but they can do no harm. As 
samples of the wonderful art work Francotte can turn out 
they are certainly a success. The action consists of the 
ordinary two under bolts, the Greener cross bolt, Purdey 
side breech projections, Doll's head extension, with extra 
side extension bolt. So perfect is the whole mechanism 
and so perfectly is each of these devices fitted that the top 
lever operates the whole as easily as an ordinary single 
action gun, and when together it is almost impossible to 
see where the barrels and breech join. 
Among the guns shown are quite a number of automa- 
tic ejectors. These range in prices from $175 up. The 
ejecting devices are contained in the fore end of the gun, 
and are entirely independent of the lock or closing mech- 
anisms. The advantage claimed for this is that, should 
anything break in the ejecting mechanism, it does not in- 
terfere with the ordinary use of the gun. 
Many of the guns have Siemens-Martin steel barrels, 
and some years ago, upon private advices from England 
that this make of steel barrels had shown the greatest re> 
generally classed as Belgian barrels. The percentage of 
steel in Francotte barrels is very high, and it is claimed 
that the maker has a secret process of hardening and 
toughening the barrels to the greatest possible resisting 
power. The pronounced successes of the many hun- 
VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD— SCHULTZE POWDER EXHIBIT. 
dred extremely light weight Francotte guns in this country 
seem to give pronounced color to this claim. 
The general quality of the Francotte guns is of the very 
highest, and the finish, fitting, style and quality of en- 
graving, balance and model of the 
higher grades of guns shown is cer- 
tainly not surpassed by any maker 
in the world, not excepting the world- 
renowned Purdey. 
No wonder that this make of guns 
has come to the front with a rush in a 
few years, and holds first rank with 
so many of the most exacting connois- 
seurs of the shotgun as well as the 
trap shooters of the country who are 
looking for quality irrespective of cost. 
Both members of the firm as well as 
several other practical representatives 
were kept busy from early till late 
showing and explaining the guns. 
Catalogues greatly reduced in size, 
but otherwise exact counterparts of 
their regular catalogues, were dis- 
tributed by the thousand, and we 
notice that the same contain a com- 
plete copy of the Forest and Stream 
report of therattern and penetration Irial of a Francotte 
featherweight gun, with fac simile of patterns, published 
at the time. The high record of this little gun must 
prove a good advertisement. 
The "Schullze" powder exhibit was educational on 
milar lines as at the World's Exposition at Chicago, 
where "Schultze" powder was awarded the medal for 
smokeless powders. 
A handsome glass case contained samples of the powder 
in various stages of manufacture. Beginning with the 
natural wood, 1 forms the base of the powder; 2, wood 
fiber disintegrated and rurified; 3, wood fiber nitrated 
and rendered explosive; 4, "Schultze" powder, granulated 
form, 1878; 5, present hardened and waterproofed issue. 
The case also contained samples of the former issues of 
"Schultze" powder, which, with the exception of the first 
style of powder, the so-called sawdust style— consisting of 
small particles of the natural fiber of the wood made ex- 
plosive by nitration, which was the first smokeless or 
nitro shotgun powder on the markets of the world — do 
not differ much in outward appearance. Samples of the 
various canisters and drums aad packings were shown. 
Although the exhibit was very interesting to many, the 
illustrated pamphlets describing the history of The 
Schultze Gun Powder Co., Ltd., London, its works and 
details, made a still greater hit. This elegant little book 
was gotten up by the "Schultze" Co. in England, and, 
jidging by the light elegance in appearance and the ex- 
cellent half tone photo engraving?, it looks as if they had 
profited by similar little works of art gotten upon this 
side of the water, as we have seldom seen English publi- 
cations of the kind which would please the American 
ideas more, 
The pen photo description of the works was excellent. 
The Schultze Gun Powder Co. are the oldest and to-day 
the largest manufacturers of smokeless powders in the 
world, and their product is looked upon as a standard the 
world over. At night the whole works and buildings and 
outside are brilliantly lighted by electricity, and, strange 
as it may seem, work is going on in these powder works 
day and night— the night force being almost as large as 
the day force, as nearly all processes are going on at night 
the same as in daytime. 
It is rumored that the "Schultze" powder business is 
growing to such proportions in America that already cal- 
culating preparations are going on for an American fac- 
tory, which seems desirable if one thinks of the enormity 
of the last shipment brought over, namely 80,000 pounds. 
The Walsrode smokeless powder was also well adver- 
tised by circulars, signs, etc. This powder is the best 
known and most generally used of the gelatinized con- 
densed strength nitres. A large photograph of the Peeks- 
kill Gun Club's winning team, which made such a won- 
derful score with Walsrode powder, was prominently 
displayed, and was curiously studied by many who had 
read of their phenomenal performance. 
AH the leather goods shown were of Eaglish manufac- 
ture. Von Lengerke & Detmold have for years operated 
and owned one of the best and largest canvas and leather 
sportsmen's goods factories in this country, and sold the 
same only a year or two ago. Their aim w'as always high 
class goods, and the goods made by them were as good as 
could be bought of domestic makes. 
The display made in fine fishing tackle was certainly a 
credit to the firm as well as to Mr. John Wright, who has 
charge of the Von Lengerke & Detmold fishing tackle 
department. 
It is impossible in a pen picture to do justice to the 
hand-made split bamboo and wood rods shown. They 
must be handled to be fully appreciated, and looked over 
with critical eyes and a magnifying glass. 
Their lines of reels also contained original designs and 
kinds, aluminum forming a good part of the metal used 
in their manufacture. A new style of a patent collapsible 
landing net which should take well was among their 
exhibit. 
Mr. Wright took particular pride in some salmon flies 
and salmon leaders. The latter, judging from appearance 
and actual tests made on a scale, seemed certaiuly able to 
hold any salmon that lives, or to stand more strain than 
any rod would bear. The gut was a special st lection by 
one of the best judges in Europe, and they were tied by 
the best hands in this country. They were examined by 
several expert salmon fishermen, and as the supply of 
similar material is limited the firm's supply will find 
ready takers even at the high cost, which seems exorbi- 
tant to the ordinary disciple of lzaak Walton, who does 
not figure that the success of the expensive luxury of 
salmon fishing, depends greatly upon the leader. Von 
Lengerke & Detmold's whole fishing tackle display was 
one of the highest quality, suitable mostly for fine trade. 
The Mott's patent live pigeon traps shown have been in 
use on the Westchester Country Club's grounds. They 
looked smoother and more substantial than the traps in 
general use, and are called by those who have seen them 
worked practically a great improvement on anything yet 
had in that line, either here or in Europe. They are 
arranged to work either mechanically or by electricity. 
With either arrangement it is impossible for collusion 
between the puller and outside parties, as the former can 
never tell which trap will open. The trap has the shaye 
of a half circle, and when opened the cover turns on i s 
axle and disappears beneath the smooth platform. An 
ingenious starting device has been attached and the traps 
are said to be the fastest yet seen. 
THE ERANCOTTE GUN. 
The extensive hand -loaded shotgun business of the firm 
was represented by a sample shell and charging block, 
accurators, shot counters, bursting pressure gauges, cap 
tester, lock tester, scales, micrometer and other instru- 
ments constanl ly used by the firm for testing the various 
kinds of cartridges they load, 
