FOREST AND STREAM 
45 
Recoil.— A correspondent thinks that recoil sometimes 
occurs in guns in an unaccountable way, from the fact that the 
powder chamber extends back of the nipple in a M. L. Also, 
that in a B. L., if the shells do not lit, when the gun is fired, 
additional recoil occurs. In other words, our correspondent 
is of the opinion that powder, when igniting toward the cen- 
tre of the charge, causes exaggerated recoil. 
A Recoil Pad. — The use of a pad to slip over the butt of 
the stock is not only a method of preventing the shock of re- 
coil, but is oftentimes used to save the stock of the guu. In 
old times, when muzzle-loaders were used, in charging a piece 
the natural position was to bring the butt to the ground. 
We have seen good sportsmen always place the butt of their 
gun on their foot when loading, in order to keep the stock in 
nice order. Mr. Charles L. Ritzmann’s New Recoil Pad, 
made on the principle of an overshoe, is the best contrivance 
we have yet seen, and we have no hesitation in recommending 
it as an accessory to a sportsman's outfit. We can even un- 
derstand how this pad can be advantageously used, when the 
stock of a gun does not exactly fit the shoulder. Mr. Ritz- 
mann's place of business is 943 Broadway, where the new re- 
coil pads may be seen. 
Large and Small BoreS. — Mr. Editor : In your issue of 
Feb. 9 is a letter from your correspondent “ Boone,” in which 
he asks if it was myself or the lamented “ Royal ” that, in 
conjunction with yourself, advocated a 12 in preference 
to a 10 bore gun for ordinary field shooting. I reply that it 
was both myself and “Royal." True, I have been much 
abused for my views on this and other subjects in connection 
with guns, but I hold to them still, and for all, except market 
shooters, I predict a speedy return to the lighter guns, though 
to be sound they are a far greater test of the gunmaker9’ skill. 
Some months ago I received a kind letter from “ Boone,” but, 
owing to the fact that the siguature was much blurred, I 
could only direct my answer to it by guess. Having never 
heard from him since then, I fear my answer was not received 
by him, and I take this opportunity of letting him know why 
it happened, if he did not receive my letter. I should be 
very glad to hear from him often. Reoapper. 
More Chilled Shot. — We beg to acknowledge the receipt 
of various samples of chilled shot, made by Mr. T. W. 
Sparks, the well known Philadelphia manufacturer. The 
shot is true in form and is quite hard. 
In Defence of Ha.mmerles9 Guns. — Brooklyn, Jan. 18— 
Editor Forest and Stream. — Your very interesting but slightly 
sarcastic correspondent Rupee is a little severe upon the im- 
provement of Greener's gun, t. e., ihe bammerle8s. Does he 
not tangent from the idea when he claims greater quickness is 
the desired ultimatum? I am very heartily in favor of the 
gun, and yet hope to see one brought forth that will be cocked 
and discharged by a single motion, not because of quickness, 
but that it will be nearer to perfection. The Winchester rifle 
is my notion of a perfect arm, except that it should have the 
lock of the Peabody. Martini, Sharps Rifle Co., have be- 
come converted to the hammerless idea, and have placed upon 
the market a rifle with such an improvement. I have been a 
shooter for the past fourteen years, and have owned many 
fine guns, my first a Richard Hollis M. L. 14-bore, an A1 
shooter, and the last a pin-fire Westley Richards, also second 
to noue. My present fowling peice is of American manufac 
ture, two pairs of barrels, 12 gauge cylinder aud 10 choke, 
with all recent improvements, barlocks, etc., and I prefer it 
to all the guns I have ever handled during my shooting ex- 
f erience, and when the hammerless stocks reaches my desire 
shall certaiuly have one applied to my favorite. Why ? be- 
cause it is quicker ? No, sir ; but because the fewer the parts 
the nearer to perfection. Mr. Rupee ridicules the improve- 
ment without advancing any reason therefor, except that of 
mere quickness, though that of itself is a very strong argu- 
ment in its favor. The U. S. Government has called upon 
the Magazine Rifle Co., to come torward with their arms for 
adoption for Army use, Sitting Bull's Poor Los having taught 
them that quickness is a commendable quality in au arm 
(Rupee’s 900 cartridge spiral apparatus for the “ Sick Man ” 
may prove a Godsend;. The hammerless gun will have 
many reasons in its favor ; it will never have a broken or lost 
hammer to repair, the pulling of the trigger will not cause 
some shooters to blink as is now the case with many excellent 
shooters ; in cleaning or oiling they will not be an obstruction 
as they now are, and when in the field you will never throw 
your gun to your shoulder and in vain endeavor to shoot a 
bird where you have been remiss in not putting up your ham- 
mers ; in cover after woodcock you will not need to keep one 
hand upon your hammers to preveut entanglement with cat 
briars and brambles ; in getting in or out of a wagon or boat 
need you fear that your hammers will get fast and be raised 
sufficient to cause a discharge, as has fatally been the case 
from time to time— Bogardus, who shot himself through the 
hip, for instance. 1 am personally acquainted with a 
gentleman who lost a son, a fine young man, who, when cross- 
ing a fence, allowed the hammer of his gun to catch against 
a rail, caused a discharge, sendiog the load into his head im- 
mediately below the left ear and passing out through the 
right temple ; death was of course iustantaneoue. There have 
been more accidents from the raising and lowering of ham- 
mers than in any other way. With my old M. L. I had a 
habit of putting the caps upon the nipple and then dropping 
the hammers to press the caps home and render fire more 
sure. Upon several occasions I have discharged the gun in 
so doing. Give U9 the new improvement by all means, and as 
sportsmen we will test its merits. “ The proof of the pudding 
is in the eating." Should the hammerless gun be a failure it 
will soon go tiie way of all things useless, but if success at- 
tends its use then let us welcome it and its inventor with due 
appreciation, that we may encourage hinTand others to more 
ingenuity that will benefit us as sportsmen in particular and 
all mankind in general. Marque. 
CHILLED SHOT. 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
I have been much pleased to read the different Ideas concerning 
chilled shot that have appeared In your coluiune, and yonr correspond- 
ent Koowltou, In your last lssno, oerialnly gives us BunciUing to thlnlt 
abont In the difference of weight between old fashioned snd chilled 
shot. But Btlll another tiling concerulog all shot has been puzzllDg me. 
You probably remember, Mr. Editor, the good old times, ion or twelve 
years ago, when every sportsman took his station la pigeon trap-shoot- 
ing, especially In England, 21 yards from the trap, or fired at the bird aa 
he rose, with a No. 9 or 10 gauge gun and No. 0 ohot. Every body shot 
No. 6 In those days at plgeonB from the trap. Now, In these days we 
have choked-borcd guns and yet shoot No. s shot at pigeons from the 
Irap. If chilled shot Is brighter than old-fashioned shot, the larger pel- 
lets you use the longer the rango. Aud what la the nse or purpose of a 
choked-borcd gun, If It be not to put a greater number of pellets of any 
given sized shot lu a circle of thirty Inches at 40 yardB distance than a 
cylinder-bored gun will do, having at least equal pcnetrailon? 
Now, If No. 6 was considered small enough to kill plgeous from the 
trap In years goue by, why shonld not No. 4 chilled shot (equalling ahout 
No. 6 old-fashioned shot) be used in choke. bored gunB ? You certainly 
obtain greater range by Increased size of shot; or, as I have said. If No. o 
old-fashioned shot used to do the work In cylinder bores, why not bo 
consistent and use No. 4 chilled In clioked-bored guns, attaining two 
ad vantages— greater range, hence greater penetration? In firing nt tar- 
gets with a choke-bored gnu (\V. A C. Scott A Sous) at 40 yards with No. 
7 chilled shot (equal to about No. S old-faahloned shot) I have noticed 
that the gun, No. 10 gauge, did not need the number of pellets placed 
In a circle of thirty Inches, when loaded with 1J* oz„ to kill game 
within that space. In other words, No. 6 chilled shot did the work ap- 
parently Jost as well, and of course the penetration and rango were In- 
creased by the ubo of this latter size. In the use of No. 7 chilled mauy 
shot were euperfinous, and by marking oat pigeons on the target, somo 
would contain as high as 24 pellets, mauy of which of coarse were 
needless and of decreased range and penetration to the weightier No. 
6. If any one can give me a good reason why we should ehoke-boro 
guns to shoot close and then use smaller shot than In the old cylinder 
guns to kill game at and beyond 40 yards I should like to be enlightened. 
I can but think that fashion alone rules In this matter, and that with 
larger shot even than ha9 been used and choke-bored guns to koep It 
together, the range at which game can lie killed shonld be greatly In- 
creased; bnt it will not be as long as we experiment In tho direction 
of smaller shot neutralizing the action of the ohoke-hored gun. As 
chilled shot la brighter and, in my opinion, more killing than the other 
shot, It applies with more force to It than to the old fashioned shot. 
Fcsil. 
Aqnla Creek, reserving to himself the right to Join a Texas Regiment 
when one should arrive. It was hero that I first met Col.— then Capt.— 
Croekou, of Col. Jim Faglu's 1st- Ark. Inf. I frequency met the capt. 
and upon one occasion I called upon two young lady eouslns in tho 
town of Falmouth, who were about moving to Shreveport, la., to Join 
their uncle and guardian’s family, who bad moved out to tlmt pious 
place some months before. Their uncle, the Bou.Jno Conway Moncure 
waa then upon tho stofi of Qeu’l. (Prince) Pollgnae, late C. S. A. Of 
course these ladles beMeged mo with all manner of questloua with re- 
gard to the aforesaid lowu. Before I had time to answer, Capt. Bob. 
Crockett waa announced. I then told the ladles that •• I only know 
Shreveport slightly, bnt that Capt. c. know all about r. and could tell 
them all they wished to know." Seven questions to the aecoud from 
each lady at the same time were hurled at Crockett ; but. Ilko his lion, 
grandfather, he was good game aud equal to the occasion. The Capt. 
steadied himself aud said : Ladles, 1 know Shreveport well-man and 
boy I have known It loflg and truly, and I bad rather die right there than 
any place upon earth,” this without a smile. ”01 Captain Crockett 
what lu the world do you mean? Why?" “Because,” said Capt. C 
“ 1 Mfink I could leave It with lessjegret lhau auy other place ” 
Now if this should fall uuder tho eye of tho Col. (and if ho Is a sub- 
scriber of FOREST AND STREAM AND ROD AND OON It Will ; and If hO Is 
not ho Is missing all the good things) le^mo advise him to get his grand- 
father’s rtfie ready and back It with a •• navy six,” for lie has got those 
Shreveport people to fight, while I, who make this story public, am sat* 
signing myself, as I do respectfully, UlRD Snot 
The Paine Feather Filled Glass Ball.— I a our last 
issue, in answer to a correspondent, J. H. W., of Kansas, we 
made an error os to where the balls could be had. They can 
be obtained at all gun dealers throughout the country. Send 
for circular aud price lists to the headquarters, Bohemian 
Glass Works, 214 Pearl street, New York. 
DITTMAR AND BLACK POWDER 
MIXED. 
„ Winchester, Mass., Feb. 1, 13T8. 
Editor forest and Stream : 
In your Issue of Jan. 24, lu reply to some question In regard to mixing 
Dlttmar and black powder, you say, " Such a mixture is possible, pro- 
vided u person is well acquainted with the character of each powder.” 
About two years and a half ago I obtained a can of Dlttmar, and com- 
menced experimenting with It, acting upon the best Information I could 
obtain. The results were very unsatisfactory, sometimes I would make 
a good target, at others the shot would fall short of the mark or fail to 
produce any decided execution. My experiments were mainly with 
brass shells, but, owing to tho more thorough confinement, the paper 
shells worked better. I was told that I did not ram my powder hard 
enough. I loaded my next shell with S^drs. Dlttmar and two good wads 
on top. In order to be ture that I .rammed It hard enough, I took a 
mallet, and gave It three or four hard blows. There has always been 
a doubt in my mind as to the effect of this charge. I have a confused 
recollection, after firing It off, of putting my hand to the top of my 
head to make sure that It was still there. However, I am quite certain 
of one thing : 1 took the Dlttmar and laid It away, and there it would 
have remained till this day, had It not been that soon after, while en- 
gaged In building tho Lawrence fishway, I found It necessary to have 
some blasting done at the foot of It. The man I employed to do this 
work used a compound called ReDdrock, tho Invention of which, I was 
told, belonged to Mr. Dlttmar. This powder I found to be perfectly 
harmless and non-explosive, unless there was an exploder used with It. 
From my experience with both, I felt pretty sure that there was, to a 
certain extent, a similarity between these two powders, and to test this 
Idea, the discarded can of Dlttmar was again brought out, aud from a 
series of experiments, which It Is not necessary to detail here, I became 
perfectly satisfied that the Dlttmsr powder alone, as now made, could 
not be safely or successfully used by the mass of sportsmen without an 
exploder much heavier than the common percussion cap. As I had 
neither time nor tools to construct such a shell and cap, I availed myself 
of the next best thing within my reach. I made two measures, one to 
hold oue-half drachm, the other two drachms. After clearing my shells 
and putting them Into a form I use for loadlDg them, I capped them, 
turned the form over, and with the small measure pat one-half dr. fine 
(quick) black powder into each ; then with the other measure, pat In 
two drachms of Dlttmar powder. In quality ihe same as that now 
marked B. I then, with a brass wire flattened at one end, mixed the 
two powders together In the shells, and over this put two strong wads 
la each, well pressed down upon the powder— giving a blow to each 
with the palm of my hand, equal to about five pounds In weight, send- 
ing tbe wad well home ; then put In the 9bot with a light wad on top. 
The gun I use for ruffed grouse, quail and woodcock, Is a 12 gauge- 
used thirty-six years as a muzzle-loader, but now changed to a breech- 
loader. The barrels are very thin, and only 22^ Inches long. The 
whole gun weighs about six pounds. With the above charge of powder 
I nse, in the early season, V oz. No. 10 shot ; In November and Decem- 
ber, the same of No. 9. Some might object to so small a charge of shot, 
but 1 have found It very effective, having repeatedly killed ruffed grouse 
on the wing over sixty yards. 
I have been thus particular in stating the amount and my manner of 
using this powder, so that any one who attempts to mix the two lu any 
other way, or to use a larger charge In a light 19 gauge gun, does bo on 
his own responsibility. Tho weight of charge here given, In my gun, Is 
sufficient for anything that tiles Inside of fffty yards. 
It takes one-third longer than in the ordinary way to load these shells, 
and the question naturally arises—” What, then, Is to be gained by It?" 
I answer : “ There Is Utile or no recoil ; the Jar or concussion from the 
report Is much less than from any powder I have ever used ; there is 
no smoke to preveut seeing what has been done, or, It need lie, to put 
In a second shot ; It is easy to mark down the game, few, If any, wounded 
birds get away to die a lingering death ; the gun does not foul, and 
between the explosion of the cap and the ttmo tho shot reaches the 
mark, Is perceptibly less than with black powder.” 
I have done a 1 my shooting for tho last two years with this powder, 
and have found It very effective, and much more pleasant to use than 
auy other ; and would on no account bo without It. 
E. A. Brackstt. 
A PLACE TO DIE. 
Hon. Davy Crockett died in the Alamo ; his grandson, CoL 
Robert Crockett, also chooses “A Place to Die." 
NEAR TWYMAN’8 STORE, Sl’OXTSTLVANlA C O., Va., Feb. 12, 1878. 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
rieasant were the feelings engendered by hearing of the wed and 
comfort of an old ortny aqualntance, the gallant Col. Robt. Crockett, of 
Ark., through your entertaining correspondent’s (" Guyon ") story, 
“ Perkins’ Pilgrimage," In your Issue of Jan. 31 , 1S73. I propose to tell 
your readers a story of Col. C. which occured In 1SC1. Tho writer, then 
a resident of Western Texas, so soon as he learned that hla native Slate, 
Virginia, had passed the ordinance of secession, at ouce returned to her, 
and nonnested himself with the batteries on the Potomao River at 
Handioapping Guns.— In answer to correspondents in our 
last issue an error was made. The differences allowed ns to 
calibres of guns is one-half of a yard, not a yard. If, then, a 
10 and a 16 bore shoot, the 16 has (3) three yards given It. If 
we follow any rules, Ictus adopt, then, Ihe English ones. 
PIGEON MATCHES. 
Wisner and Wood.— Tho match between Clint. Wisner 
and Henry W. Wood, thirty birds each, ten at 21 yards, SO 
yards boundary, and ten pairs at 18 yards, 100 yards boundary, 
camo off at the Long Island Shooting Club Grounds lust 
Thursday. The score was as follows : 
Wisner, 
Wood.. 
Wlsuer, 
Wood.. 
...0 1 1 0 I 1 1 0 1 1— T 
.111010110 0—0 
10 10 10 10 10 .0 II 10 10 11-12 
.1)0 11 10 II 10 10 11 10 10 lo— 12 
After the match Messrs Broadway, Wisner, Gildersleeve, 
Wood, Durfee, Lucker and Wynn shot u sweepstakes at 
three birds each, 25 yards rise, 80 yards boundary, II aud T 
traps. Mr. Broadway won first money. "Messrs. Tucker, 
Gildersleeve, Broadway, Durfee, Homing aud Wynn shot a 
sweepstakes at three birds each, which resulted iu a tie by the 
first three named, who divided the money, and the two last 
named tied and divided second money. 
Morristown vs. Jersey City Heiohts.— The Jersey City 
Heights Gun Club entertained the members of the Morristown 
Gun Club at their shooting grounds on Wednesday, the 12th 
in9t. The Morristown members partook of a solid collation at 
the club-room, in John Platt's Arcade Saloon, before being 
escorted to the grounds, and were iu good condition for an 
afternoon's work. The attendance of spectators was very 
large, and a more substantial and gentlemanly gathering of 
sportsmen Is very seldom seen, many gentlemen beiug promi- 
nent merchants, doctors, lawyers, insurance officers, Custom- 
house officials, etc. The occasion was also honored by the 
presence of the champion, Captain Bogardus, with his little 
son, whose unobtrusive manners are much admired. Of tho 
grounds and the entertaining club, we can say that this young 
club is thoroughly organized, and have their shooting grounds 
surrounded by a high board fence, with a commodious club- 
house near the entrance, and on immense screen for catching 
the stray shot on the opposite side of the field. The three 
Bogardus' traps were set at full eighteen yards distance, find 
with wires running over a framework in such u manner tlint it 
was impossible for the shooter to tell which of the three would 
be pulled, making it as difficult as possible. The mutch was 
closely contested, as tbe following scores will show, although 
the shooting was not up to tbe average of most of the mem- 
bers. After the match, hearty cheers were given by the visit- 
ing club, and os heartily returned. Following is tbe scoie 
Jersey City Heights Gun Club. 
Wm Hughes.. — 
0 
1 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
1) 
0—0 
A Uoritage. 
1 
1 
0 
1 
0 
(1 
u 
II 
0 
1 
0 
I) 
II 
1-0 
.1 J ToIIev 
(1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
I 
0 
0 
0 
II 
1 
0 
0 
1-4 
G B Eaton.... — 
....1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
'0 
1 
0 
0 
u 
0 
1 
0—6 
J Harrlsou 
u 
1 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
II 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
11-0 
T lleury 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
0 
1—5 
-J B Burdett 
....1 
0 
1 
u 
1 
I 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
1 
u 
0 
1-1) 
F M Thomson. ... 
....l 
0 
1 
1 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 
1 
0 
0 
1 
(J 
1—9 — « 1 
Morristown Gun Club. 
E M quimby 
l 
0 
l 
0 
l 
1 
1 
1 
l 
1 
0 0 
0. 
c- 
J D btewart 
0 
0 
0 
1 
l 
1 
1 
1 
1 
0 
0 1 
0 
1- 
-s 
D B Fuller 
0 
t 
1 
1 
0 
(i 
(1 
1 
0 
1 
1 1 
1 
o— s 
E E W 11119 
0 
0 
0 
0 
(i 
(i 
1 
0 
0 
0 
O 0 
1) 
0- 
-1 
B Albro 
1 
1 
1 
0 
0 
i) 
1 
1 
1 
IJ 
(1 0 
1) 
1- 
7 
J Leek 
,.n 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 
1) 
0 
0 
0 
1 1 
1 
0-5 
J B Ayers 
.0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
(1 
0 
0 
0 
0 0 
0 
0- 
-1 
P E Cramer 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
1 
0 0 
1 
1- 
6- 
-13 
Pennsylvania- 
-Roxbury, 
Feb. 
13.- 
-Mutch 
i nt 
to 
(1 
birds 
each, 21 yards rise 
:, 80 yari 
ds 
boundary, 
Rhode 
Island 
rules 
1 
l 
t 
1 
i 
t 1 
l 
1 
-in 
1 
1 
1 
0 
i l l 
l 
1 
- 0 
Frank Kilntz 
0 
l 
1 
1 
1 
l l 
0 1 
1 1 
l 
i. 
- 9 
William Greenwood 
1« 
- 8 
Richard Woods 
0 
l 
1 U 1 
1 
1 
- 8 
Rodnev LeverlDg 
1 
1 
0 
l i 
1 1 
0 
l- 
- 7 
SaiuQoi Wilson. .. 
1 
1 
l 
0 
1 0 l 
0 
0— 8 
Frank Whtona 
. . 
.0 
1 
l 
0 
1 1 
. 1 
0 
0 
- 6 
WUUaHi Wlggaos. . . . 
0 
l 
0 
1 
1 1 
1 1 
1 
0 
- 6 
Second Match—: 
Same 
com 
liti 
oos. 
M.le- Job' s.ii 
..l 
1 
l l 
1-5 
Richard 
W 
nod". 
1 
» 1 
—4 
Daniel Kirrsuer 1 1 1 1 1—5 Rodney Leveilag. .till 0—1 
Frank Kilntz .11111—5 Wm Wiggaus .1110M 
Wm Greenwood 1 l 1 1 0-4 
Ties divided firet money. 
Louisville Gun Club. — We append the score made by 
members of the Louisville (Ky.j Club at their last meeting* 
