FOREST AND STREAM 
285 
ufactures bis own cartridges, carefully weighs the powder 
and ball, and records their weight upon the wrapper. His 
score in the last international contest was 139. His record 
is much better this year. On one occasion he made 157, 
at another time 151, aud his average hist year was 14C|. 
Mr. Koswell C. Coleman was born December 3, 1840, at 
Goshen, N. Y., but resided in this city until lie arrived at 
the age of twenty years, at which time he graduated at the 
Free Academy, when he returned to Goshen, and subse- 
quently repaired to Albany, where he attended the Albany 
Law University for three years, and was admited to the 
Bar in the year 18G3. Since that time he has practiced 
law at Goshen. Previous to this year he has never had any 
experience in the use of the tifle. Upon reading the reports 
of the international match last Fall, he conceived the idea 
of establishing a rifle club in his town, and, carrying out 
his intention, organized the "Leather Stocking Rifle Club,” 
and was elected President. He has developed some very 
good shooting thus far, his highest score being 148 out of 
a possible 180 points. 
Mr. Ardou V. Canfield, Jr., the youugcst man on the 
team, is a native of Bedford, Westchester county, where 
he was born June 24, 1833. He attended school at Gram- 
mar School No. 15 in this city, and finished his education 
in 18G7. His shooting experience dates from his entry into 
the National Guard as a member of the Twenty-second 
Regiment N. G. 3. N. Y. in 1872, when, with his fellow 
guardsmen of that command, he shot at their range at 
Clifton, N. J. This range was the first established in this 
country. In the competition for places on the American 
team for 1874 he made a score which placed his name 
on the list of reserves, and in the subsequent practice has 
steadily increased in skill. 
Captain Leslie C. Bruce was born at Lexington, Ky., 
March, 25, 1849. He is a graduate of the Kentucky Uni- 
versity. He came to this city in the year 1871 and entered 
the Turf, Field and Farm newspaper office as business 
manager, and two years later was admitted to the firm. 
While in Lexington he was connected with the "Lexing- 
ton Chasseurs," a military organization in that city, lie 
is a grandson of Senator Leslie Coombs, and a nephew of 
John Morgan, of Confederate fame. In 1873 he was elected 
Captain in the Seventy-ninth Regiment. When the com- 
petition lor the team of 1875 was announced, Capt. Bruce 
determined to win a place upon it, aud set to work in earn- 
est. He succeeded in winning tenth place, aud by the tes- 
ignation of Mr. Jewell became one of the nine. He has 
been a member of the Executive Committee of the Amateur 
Rifle Club since its formation. 
Mr. L. M. Ballard is a native of this city, about forty 
years of age. He has never been connected with any mili- 
tary-organization, but has done off-hand shooting for some 
time. In gallery shooting with light arms he has made 
good scores. In the fourth match for the Turf, Field and 
Farm badge he was the first man with a score of 1G in a 
possible 20 at 200 yards. In the Spring meeting of 1874 he 
took fourth prize in the military long range match with a 
Sharp military arm, with 24 in a possible 28 at 500 yards. 
In the Bennett match, when America, Ireland and Canada 
competed, he held fortieth place, with a score 110 points 
in a possible 180 at 800,900 and 1,000 yards, taking no 
prize. He won a place ou the reserves of last year's team, 
but did not shoot with that body. He is generally regard- 
ed as an unsteady shot, his brilliant records being marred 
by mediocre scores. 
The First Competition for the M vrksman’s Badge. 
— By circular No. 1, issued by Col. Wingate, the General 
Inspector of Rifle Practice, all officers and members of the 
National Guard are required to go through a course of in- 
struction, and such of them its make a score of twenty-five 
points or over in ten shots, five fired standing at 200 yards 
and five at 500 yards kneeling, will be styled "marksmen,” 
aud entitled to wear upon the left forearm a badge consist- 
ing of two crossed rifles, embroidered in gold and sur- 
mounted by the word "marksman.” When any of the 
members of any organization arc known to possess the 
requisite skill they may be permitted to practice directly 
for the marksman’s badge in the first instance, and if they 
qualify will be exempt from shooting in the other prac- 
tices. This badge must be shot for annually, and none but 
those making the necessary score will be allowed to wear 
it. A few of the Inspectors of Rifle Practice, with some 
other officers, assembled at Creedmoor on Friday last 
tqcompetofor the right to wear this badge. There were 
present Col. Wingate, the General Inspector of ltitle Prac- 
tice, Major IX II. Wylie, Inspector of the Third Brigade; 
Major II. Manning, Inspector of the Eleventh Brigade; 
Major II. Rockwood, Inspector of the Thirty-fifth Brigade, 
(Buffalo,) together with Col. Scott and several officers of 
the Eighth Regiment. The day was bright aud pleasant, 
but the wind was so strong and changeable as to greatly 
annoy the shooters. The following are the official scores: 
Nome. 
Col. G. W. Win gale 
Lieut. II. Douglas, Sill ltog't 
I.ieiit, V. W. llolle. 8th Reg’t 
Lieut. J. A. McGee, 8th lteg't 
Col, Scott 8th Regiment 
Major Wvlio, 3d Brignd? 
Cant. Kntden, 8II1 Regiment. 
Private. I. G. 8tory,23d ltog't 
Major Manning, lltii Brigade 
Major Rockivood, 33th Brig’do.2 -10 3 0 
G'lie three last named gentlemen were unable to shoot at 
500 yards, being obliged to leave by the 4:40 train. 
The desire to wear the "marksman's badge” is quite gen- 
ral among the National Guard, particularly those going to 
Boston, and it is expected that a large number of appli- 
cations will be presented within a few days by those desir- 
ing to compete directly for it in the first instance. It is un- 
derstood that Gen. Shuler has announced his intention of 
shooting for this badge, and wearing it if lie wins it, which 
he will undoubtedly do. The General lias recently come 
forward very prominently as a rifleman. % 
2J0 
yards. 
Total. 
500 yards. T’t’l. 
Agg’t. 
.2 3 
2 
4 4 
15 
5 
3144 22 
37 
.5 4 
3 
3 2 
17 
2 
0 5 5 5 17 
84 
.4 4 
4 
4 4 
JO 
3 
8 3 2 2 13 
38 
.3 2 
3 
3 8 
14 
4 
3 3 2 4 16 
80 
2 4 
3 
3 It 
12 
5 
1 3 0 4 16 
23 
.3 3 
4 
3 3 
16 
8 
0 0 8 5 11 
27 
0 (1 
4 
2 0 
6 
8 
4 3 2 8 15 
21 
.3 5 
4 
4 4 
20 
Withdrew. 
.8 0 
8 
3 2 
11 
Withdrew. 
-.2 1 
0 
3 0 
n 
Withdrew. 
The Saratoga Rifle Club.— On Friday, May 28th, the 
above organization contested for its silver cup at the 200 
yards range. The following are the scores: — 
Name. Score. Total. 
Dr. W. 11 llodgman 54445425384233 3 56 
H. W. llay ». . . . 44 3 485 3 24 1 3 5 3 5 4 58 
A P. Mitchell 4 3 3 3 8 3 8 4 3 3 5 3 3 3 5 51 
Odell Gates 63322 8 45352323 4 4') 
A. F. Flansburgll 5 2 4 8 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 2 48 
Joel Uayes 0 44835324434054 48 
W H. Benson 1 4 0 5 2 14 3 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 47 
B. W. Amsden 2 4 0 4 8 3 3 2 8 4 4 3 3 4 2 It 
M. Grimes 0 3 2 4 0 4 5 3 2 3 4 4 6 3 2 41 
Jerome Pitney 3 552032220 2 3002 3! 
II idgpian and Hays having tied, they agreed to shoot off 
% 
at a future time. It is proposed to call the range after tho 
gentleman who presented the ground to tho club— Mr. T. 
II. Tompkins. It is the intention of the club to have a 
match immediately after the rcgatta.opcn to all amateur rifle 
clubs. Throe valuable prizes iiave been offerod. Full par- 
ticulars and programme will be given as s-.on as possible. 
Why would this uot he an excellent opportunity for an 
intercollegiate rifle match? 
— The Holyoke Rifle Club are having a series of con- 
tests at their 200 yards range. That of Saturday last re- 
sulted as follows. .Steven shots at alcove distance:— 
Name. 
4 
4 
Score. 
8 2 3 
3 
3 
Total, 
K. C. Smith 
5 
5 
2 2 
3 
5 
3 
25 
H. White 
5 
1 5 
3 
25 
A. Monger 
0 2 
2 
3 
3 
14 
D. II Smith 
5 
5 
8 2 
2 
0 
19 
S S Chapman . 
n 
0 
. 
0 
0 
? 
R. McDonald 
2 
:t 
3 t) 
4 
3 
3 
I* 
8. Chapmuu 
8 
2 
0 0 
3 
0 
0 
8 
The following score was made by Smith and White, in 
shooting off lies: 
Smith .2 4 5 4 4 0 4 23 
White .1 4 3 4 4 0 0 19 
Mr. Smith winning the badge for the second time. 
— The Seventh annual meeting of the Ontario Rifle As- 
sociation has been definitely fixed for the 81st August next. 
In addition to the usual matches, for which a large amount 
in prizes is offered, there will be a cavalry match, open to 
sections of four mounted men from any volunteer cavaly 
troop in the Province. The rifle to be used is the Snider 
carbine, carried ou back or slung to saddle, the distaficc 
200 aud 400 yards, the time twelve minutes, including the 
course. The men are to ride about three-quarters of a mile, 
taking two flights of hurdles in the course, and fire dis- 
mounted at the two distances, the horses at the firing point 
to be linked or held by alternate files. The first prize will 
be $50, the second $80, and the third $20. 
§aq and §mi. 
JUNE IS A CLOSE MONTH FOR tiAME 
—Mr. Chas. Hallock, editor of Forest and Stream, 
and Joseph Gillingham, Esq., the Philadelphia representa- 
tive of that journal, were last week made honorary mem- 
bers of the Forest and Stream Club, of Philadelphia, in 
which act wc recognize a twofold compliment, and lender 
our thanks herewith. This club is an active organization, 
aud promises to become "a power.” We publish the score 
of its last pigeon shoot — ten birds, twenty-one yards rise: 
A. Cummings. .1 0111101* 1 — 8,Dr. Birch 1101011111 —8 
Win. Sinister. . .1 1 0 1 1 1 0 I II 1—7! Win. M. Brierley.l I 1 I 0 0 1 l 1 1— s 
A. Smvthe 110 10 10 1 1 1— 7jW. Nidcrayer. ,10 1 I I 00000—4 
Dr. Brown 101001111 0— G'Cliua. Folkc. . 0 110 1110 1 1-6 
M. Brady 0 00100010 0—2 Win. Shuster. .1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1—5 
— A Wisconsin correspondent writes: — 
"Last August, about the 20th, nine of us chartered a 
small steamer at Stillwater, Minnesota, and took a four 
hour’s trip down Lake St. Croix, "goose hunting." We 
run into two flocks, killing from the first thirty-one geese, 
and from the second, seventeen. We were armed with 
double barrel shot guns and lying behind an inverted bat 
teau on the prow of the steamer. At the signal of our 
captain discharged one barrel at them sitting, and the re- 
maining barrel as they . arose. So you so we took forty- 
eight geese, all white colored, at thirty-six discharges; 
pretty fair, was’ut it? as four of the nine made no preten- 
sions at sportsmanship." 
The same correspondent casually mentions having cut an 
inch bullse.ye (with a rifle,) three times consecutively at 
forty yards, which is first-class shooting. 
DITTMAR’S POWDER. 
Bellefontaine, Ohio, May 20th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
The idea expressed by several sportsmen that It takes so much more of 
Dittmar's sporting powder than of the black powder to produce the same 
effect, is erroneous. Its strength is precisely the same ns Hazard's 
ducking powder No. 2. Any sportsman who will uso three and one- 
quarter drachms in bulk of Dittmar's sporting powder No. 15, coarse, 
and one ounce ot No. 9 shot, will find that load us effectual ou quail, 
snipe, or any small game, as any load he ever used. 1 am speaking of a 
12 gauge brooch loading gun; if a larger gun is used, of course the load 
will be greater, but the same proportion of powder and shot ought to be 
used. I use on tho powder first a thin card wad, then a heavy Ely felt 
wad, and u light wad over the shot, having the cuds of tho cartridge well 
turned down. I have used Dittmar's powder all Spring and I find it per- 
fection In all re jpecta. Yours truly, J. j. p. 
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE D1TTMAR 
POWDER. 
New York, May, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream :— 
I have read in your paper numerous letters written by the advocates of 
what is commonly called white powder, strongly recommending It for Its 
numerous good qualities. Tho proper name fur this powder Is Gun 
Wood, It being in its nature the sumo as gun oottou, prepared in the 
same manner, only reduced to some extent by washing with alcohol, 
which has the effect, if left long euongli to soak, of totally destroying its 
effective force. The gun wood, as prepared and sold to consumers, is 
highly dangerous to life aud limb, and for this reason I aiu Induced to 
warn its advocates of the risk they run themselves and those to whom 
they so highly commend it, being, no doubt, unaware of the dangerous 
consequences attending Us use. The difference between wood powder, 
gnu cotton, and black powder is, that tho two former are instantaneous 
In their combustion, expending all the force of the gases generated with- 
in the chamber of the gnu a» far as the powder extends, so that the 
whole strain of the charge is exerted upon one and a quarter luchcs of 
the barrel. The black powder being slower of combustion, takes from 
eight inches to two aud sometimes three feet of the barrel to burn the 
whole charge. The bursting strain or force of the gas Is therefore di- 
vided upon the whole barrel, which reduces the risk In proportion to the 
surface exposed to tho strain. The black powder lias, therefore, an ac- 
celerating force; the bullet, starting slow, Increases Us velocity as it 
reaches the muzzle of the gun 
The surface of the chuuiber of the gun is over twelve times ns great as 
the base of the projectile, consequently over I wolve times the force Is 
exerted on it there Is ou the bnllct, whicli is, in a measure, lost in propel- 
ling the projectile. The .following experiments go.to prove tl|e sound* 
ness of my principle : In a scries of tests made with Dittmar's powder, 
“ and 26 grains charge against 70 grume of black powder, tbe £j grains 
gave 300 feci a second less thin the black powder, the 26 grains gavo 
over 200 feet a second less. The result proved the wood powder very 
dean and but little smoke, but the pressure on tho shell gave warning of 
the danger; the base and shlus of tho brass shell was wedged so fast in 
tho chamber of the barrel that it had to be driven out bv repeated blows 
with a rammer Tho shells, after firing 70 grains of block powder, would 
drop out by holding the gnu rnuule up by weight of the holt of breech 
aloue; and even when firing 100 grains of orange lightning the shell 
would drop out by gravity % lono, holding tho gun muzzle up. the orange 
lightning powder giving over 400 foot a second greater velocity; 22 grains 
of wood powder filled the same space m 70 grains of block powder (ordi- 
nary rlfie powder). 
I am convinced that wore It not for tho great strength of the modern 
made gun barrels, that ere this mauy would have come to grief and 
when I read of persons recommending Increased charges of this wood 
powder. 1 shudder at the thought of what will be the result. The old 
adage, "fools rush In where angels fear to tread," is here exemplified; 
and then the Idea or compressing tho powder in the shell which, with 
wood powder organ cotton. Increases Us power Immeasurably . makes 
my blood chill. Ere long. Mr. Editor, you will have the unpleasant task 
of chronicling the loss of some noble fellow, a victim to wood powder 
If l am the means of averting so threatening an evil by warning l ho 
public of the dangerous consequence* attending the uso o f such powder 
1 Will consider myself highly remunerated for my pains 
I am, Sir, yours very sincerely, A. Subscriber. 
THE DANE SHOT GUN. 
La Crossb, WIs., May 10th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Mr. Joseph C Dane of this place has Invented an improvement In 
breech loading shot guns, which I think worthy of bolug called to Ilia 
attention of your readers. This improvement consists, first— In hi- self- 
recoiling, or momentum firing pin. which Is a perfect guarantee against 
premature discharges by careless handling, so often heard of all over 
the country. Secondly— his patent flugor piece, which foims the fore 
part of the guard, and os a part of the mechanism for operating tho luck 
down, it takes tho places of bottom, top, or side levers, lu ordinary 
guna, ns overybody knows, tho hammer follows the plunger to tho ex- 
plosive point, when It rebounds, followed by the pin hack to Us piece. 
In the Daue gun the hammer is arrested by the nipple, through w hlcii tho 
pin Is Impelled by iw momentum to Its work Anything less than tho 
full force and swing of the hammer would not bo followed by a di<- 
ebarge. Here Is Us perfect safety; for lu no othor way but n full cock 
and forco ou the trlggor can an explosion lake plucc. This is n great de- 
sideratum, and one which will slop the casualties of shooting. u 
SHOOTING IN WISCONSIN. 
Elkuoun, Wisconsin, May 80th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream: — 
I have walled all through the Spring shooting season with tho hopn 
that something would "turn up" here of sufficient interest lo the Hi Id 
sporting fraternity to warrant Its communication through your Interest- 
ing journal, but the season lias passed, and only a minimum of sport 
bus been realized. Practically, our Spring shooting season Is brief, and 
includes but few kinds of birds. The killing of mallard, woo.lduck 
aud teal Is prohibited by law, and our local sportsmen have by common 
consent given up tho practice— that formerly obtained— or shouting Wil- 
son snipe in the Spring time, which arrangement occasions n great sav- 
ing of ammunition, and leaves for " pursuit with Intent lo kill" only ll.o 
few varieties of migratory water fowl that favor our lakes and streams 
but a moment during their northern lllght. These are piiilnl), bluubill, 
bntterball, widgeon, redhead, and ruddy duck, with occasional whistler*! 
scooters, and canvas back, tho bluebill predominating largely In ibis see! 
tion. Usually we have good shooting from tho 10th lo 2Uih of April, 
but (here was no good shooting this Spring. Blnebill. made their np^ 
pearunce in small numbers early in April, and were seen more or less 
(mostly less) until the first week In May, bat woro at no time plentiful. 
The best duy'g sport I know or heard of was on the 21th of April, at 
Lakes Landerduh, when there was scored to three gum thirty-four binu- 
bills, seven biittcrballs, and one ruddy duck. Tills seemed small com- 
pared with fonner scores on the same wnters. We don’t kne, „ li.-i i.er 
the scarcity of wild fowl was owing to the peculiarity of the sea ou ,.r io 
the fact Hint continual "banging" has occasioned a diversion in the line 
of flight. Of course we hope that this suaiou was only an exception to 
the rnle, and that next Spring the ducks Will favor us as of old. quail 
have been very source hero for years, and will probably be rarer tlmu 
ever this season, owing to the severity of tho past Winter. Pinnated 
grouse and ruffed grouse are also scarce in this section, but both urn 
likely to afford some sport lu their soaaon. Last year boi li varieties were 
rather more abundant than tho yoar before. The Wilson snipe is a 
pretty sure thing in tho Fall, and affords the best sport of any gn no bi <1 
found hero. Woodcock are extremely rare, no gun seating over ihr.o 
brace in a season . From all of which it will readily appear that South- 
ern Wisconsin is not the sportsman’s paradise. Ureeniiead. 
GEORGIA GAME ASSOCIATION. 
Savannah, Ga , May 23th, 1870. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
The Georgia Game Association, composed of about sixty-five mem- 
bers, and formed for the purpose of protecting game, held their first so- 
cial meeting on Friday, M»y 7th, down ou Ileuch Hammock, a very fina 
place facing the sea. about elgbteoo miles from tho city, on which occr- 
sion they engaged In a pigeon and rlfie match. A prize was offered for 
the best shot and a leather modal for tho worst- Tho following mem- 
bers participated, first iu the pigeou match shoollug, which proved quite 
exciting and resulted as follows: — 
Name. 
Killed. 
Name. 
Killed. 
R Wayne 
4 
II. B. Gomm 
J. G. Butler 
4 
W.J Kulliard 
W H. Counerat. . . 
5 
M. C. Murphy 
W. F. Chaplin, Jr. 
6 
Julias Kaufman 
J. P. White 
4 
Joseph Herschback 
B. C. VS right 
4 
J- P McBerrlon 
l 
S. J . M. Baker 
4 
-1 H Shaffer 
Win. N. Nichols. 
6 
A F. Scherff 
5 
E. F. Lovell 
Six of the above 
3 
were tie*, whic 
i were shot off and resulted ns fol- 
lows: — 
W. F. Chaplin, Jr.l 1 1 I 0 -4 M. C. Murphy 10 1 
-e 
W. FI. Counerat.. 
11111111 0 8 <f. 11 Shaffer . 0 
it 
W. N. Nichols.. 
11111111 1-9, W. F. Setter IT 0 
-0 
W. M. Nichols carried off the prize for tho best shot, and llonry B. 
Gomm the leather medal for the worst allot. Rise, 21 yards; 1J oz. shot; 
each member to sboot ot five pigeons. 
Next was the rifle match, which proved very poor, owing to tho heavy 
wind that was blowing at the time. Each member had three shot*. A 
prize was offered for tbe best shot and a leather medal for the worst. 
Tbe following members participated and the match resulted ns follows: — 
Robert Wayne 
Inches. 
22 11-16 
M. (.'. Mnrphy 
Inches. 
51 
J. G. Butler 
.. .11 
W. 11 Counerat 
35J 
Joseph Herschback. 
• ■ 101 
B. C. Wright 
2»* 
.1 . P. McBerrieu 
...Ml 
W N. Nichols. 
141 
F. W. Dasher. 
. 23 J 
E F. Lovell 
lfi 
.1 H. Shaffer 
. . 22 2-3 
il. Gomm 
--- an 
W F. Scherff 
....261 
W.J. Kolllurd . 
. . . .63 
U. B. Habersham . 
Joseph Herschback carried off tbe prize for the best shot and W.J. 
Foil lord the leather medal for the worst shot. 
Tho association la now in a flourishing condition, and composed of 
none but good amateur tmutcni. W. B. Scuerfp, 
