7 Q 0 
FOREST AND STREAM 
[Nov. 17, 1906. 
the Birmingham trade—the first place is given to the 
group of English “laminted” steel barrels of three strips. 
The next best of the twist barrel groups is the “English 
Damascus” in two strips; then English laminated steel 
in two strips. The first group of foreign-made twist 
barrels is the “Pointille” (a fancy figure), eighteenth 
down on the list in order of merit; foreign “Damascus 
Crolle,” in three and in four strips, come next, and have 
the same figure of merit, both being placed twenty-fifth 
cn the list. At the same trials, when individual barrels 
were tested to bursting or bulging to the extent of .01 
inch, the first place in the order of merit was occupied 
by “English Damascus,” two strip; “English Damascus,” 
three-strip; and “English Damascus” two-strip again, all 
three barrels withstanding exactly the same test. The 
foreign “Damascus” two strip, and the same in three- 
strip, passed equally to the seventh place, while last in 
order of merit were the foreign fancy figured “Pointille” 
and the foreign “Crolle Damascus,, four-strip barrels. 
This report, issued in 1891, only confirms what the 
author wrote in earlier editions of this book with respect 
to the relative strengths of twist barrels, and has now 
repeated more concisely. 
A figured barrel, notwithstanding the fineness of the 
figure and the apparently high quality of workmanship, 
is no indication of trustworthiness, much less of ex¬ 
cellence and unusual strength. To obtain barrels combin¬ 
ing the utmost strength with lightness and beauty, the 
best way is to purchase or order from a gun-maker of 
repute and leave the choice to him. It is not always that 
the type of barrel best suited to one caliber or weight 
will prove so advantageous when used in the construction 
of guns of other calibers or weights. There is only one 
wide difference in the practice of the English gun-maker 
and his Continental competitor when choosing a barrel 
for a particular purpose; with the English maker the 
figure of the barrel is the last thing to be considered 
when determining the type most fit for the particular 
purpose, whereas with the foreign manufacturer it is 
usually the first, and often the only, consideration. The 
English maker takes a barrel that will do best; the for¬ 
eign maker the barrel that will look best. 
The Keeping Properties of Cartridges. 
Sir —I, in common with many other users of sporting 
ammunition, would be very glad of a definite expression 
of opinion from an expert as to the length of time car¬ 
tridges will keep. I allude to those in the ordinary 
paper cases, whether waterproofed or not. A leading 
firm of explosive manufacturers, with whom I have had 
some correspondence on the subject, assures me that 
their cartridges are as good five years old as they are 
the day they were filled. 
This statement is sufficiently subversive of most peo¬ 
ple’s ideas on the subject to compel me to seek for an 
expression of opinion from you. I have no doubt there 
are many people who all unknowingly use ammunition 
two and even three years old, but there are also some 
people, and good shots, who frequently cannot account 
for a missed bird. J. Sealy Clark, Capt. 
[The subject raised by our correspondent was dealt 
with at some length in our issues of Oct. 26 and Nov. 
9, 1901, in which thirteen different batches of sporting 
cartridges sent to this office in the year 1883 were sub¬ 
jected to a careful test, and the conclusion arrived at was 
that the characteristics of the cartridges in question 
had, practically speaking, not changed during the eigh¬ 
teen years they had been under storage. If a cartridge is 
well made, and the components are satisfactory in the 
first place, its good quality is likely to be permanent. 
The smokeless powder itself is the least likely element 
of change. For instance, the great explosion at the 
Stowmarket guncotton factory took place in the year 
1865, and as guncotton was little understood in those 
days, in the panic which ensued a certain amount of it 
got buried in the wet earth. Some few years ago, in 
excavating some foundations, a portion of the buried 
guncotton was brought to light. Samples were subjected 
to a most carefuly chemical examination, and they stood 
all the tests which present manufacture receives. Gun¬ 
cotton itself is thus practically as stable as any sub¬ 
stance can be, being subject only to decomposition 
under the influence of heat or acid impurities. Guncotton 
or its equivalent is the chief foundation of modern 
smokeless powders, and as the guncotton is thoroughly 
purified in the first place, guncotton it will remain until 
exploded. The other ingredients are mostly of a soluble 
nature, together with a small amount of volatile matter 
remaining from the hardening process. Given reason¬ 
ably fair storage, cartridges, as far as one can judge 
from available analogies, will be the same a hundred 
years hence as they are to-day. A slight exception must 
apply in certain instances where faults of manufacture 
may have existed in the cartridge case. For instance, 
if the cartridge head shows signs of green discoloration 
around the cap, it is possible that impurities existing in 
the paper lump are causing chemical action. This has 
been known to influence the powder, but it is so seldom 
encountered, and evidence of its action is so clearly 
visible from the outside, that this slight exception needs 
only a passing mention. There is, however, one circum¬ 
stance which may incline a person to suppose that car¬ 
tridges vary more than is actually the case. In our 
own experiments references from time to time appear to 
the influence exerted by a few months’ storage on the 
behavior of a powder. For instance, we have only re¬ 
cently had reason to discard for present experiments a 
tin of powder which was purchased last August, the 
powder having in the interval changed sufficiently to 
give something different from standard results. The ex¬ 
planation is, however, a very simple one. The behavior 
of smokeless powder varies within certain limits, accord¬ 
ing to the percentage of moisture it contains, and this 
percentage varies with the time of year, according to 
the prevailing temperature and humidity of the atmos¬ 
phere. The sample of powder which is for the moment 
unserviceable, will recover its August good behavior 
when next summer comes round. In actual powder 
manufacture, makers find slight variations in the be¬ 
havior of different batches of their products, and so far 
as possible the different consignments are sent out so 
that the weak powder is used in hot countries or for 
August and September consumption, the stronger powder 
being held over for winter use. This slight adjustment 
of deliveries works for the good of the sportsman, but 
the variations involved are so small that but slight 
differences would be apparent, even under instrumental 
tests, if the seasons of use were reversed.—E d.]—F ield, 
London. 
Bergen Beach Gun Club. 
Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 6.—A high northwest win pre¬ 
vailed. The shooting was difficult. 
Among the visitors was that old war horse Dr. W. G. 
Hudson, of the Emerald Gun Club; but he does not care 
to shoot at targets, still harking back to the good old 
days when live birds were the targets. 
There were three traps, Sergeant system, unknown 
angles. As-the scores show, the shooting was most dif¬ 
ficult, some of the targets, owing to the wind, when 
missed going some 70 to 75yds. 
Our new grounds seem more difficult to shoot over 
than those just vacated on the south side of Avenue N, 
directly opposite. As Mr. De Long, our able office 
overseer, was busy at the polling place with the unex¬ 
celled manager, Mr. Fenwick Bergen, Mr. F. C. 
Schneider, formerly of the G. A. H. staff, took Mr. De 
Long’s place, and every one helped himself at Mr. 
Bergen’s station. Mr. Frank Coleman, formerly of the 
Rockaway Point Rod and Gun Club, pulled the traps, 
and all hands took turns at refereeing. 
Our third annual New Year’s Day distance handicap 
for prizes will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1907. 
Events: 123456789 10 11 12 
Targets: 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 
Schorty, 12-ga . 10 11 12 10 .. 12 .. 13 13 14 12 12 
Russell . 8 4 3 8 10 11 7 8 . 
Evans . 3 3 10 12 5 .. 7 .. .. 6 .. 5 
H Bergen . 13 10 9 .. 10 8 11 11 9 . 
Dreyer . 6 9 9 8 9.. 8 7.. 6.. 
Schorty, 20-ga. 9. 
McGill . 11 9 10 7 10 9 10 10 .... 
Cramer . 10 8 6 9 6 10 . 
Shevlin . 5 8 10 7 7 8 . 
Bissing . 8 5 10 8 10 11 9 .. .. 
Cracety . 5 6 7 9 13 10 7 .. .. 
O N T. 7 9 10 9 10 9 12 12 .. 
Schorty, 28-ga.10 .. .. 5. 
Weiskotten . 6 5 5 10 7 12 .. .. 
Fleury .10 11 12 11 9 10 12 .... 
Voorhees . 9 7 10 12 8 9 12 10 
Hilton . 5 6 7 5 5 6.... 
Evans, 12-ga. ... .10 11 7 10 10 .. 
Suydam . 7 9 12 8 10 .. 
Manola . 4 3 6 3 6.. 
Griffith . 6 10 12 10 10 
Reina, 28-ga. 3. 0.. 3 
Hoffmere .12 
Nov. 10.—The shoot of the Bergen Beach Gun club 
to-day had nine shooters in attendance. The scores 
follow: 
Events: 1 2 3 4 5 6 
Targets: 25 25 25 25 25 25 
Dreyer . 21 18 15 15 14 12 
Bergen . 18 15 19 18 16 13 
Crocker . 8 16 10 .. 
Dondena . 12 10 12 16 15 
Gillig . 13 9 8 
Ryder . -- 17 16 13 17 
Van Valer . 14 10 15 
Slavin . . 6 •• 
Griffith . 16 19 
L. H. S., Sec y. 
The Winchester Team. 
The Winchester team gave a remarkable exhibition of 
shooting at Augusta, Ga., Thursday, Nov. 1. The event 
was held at the Fair Grounds, and thousands of the peo¬ 
ple took an earlier start than is usual at fairs, and wit¬ 
nessed the work of the experts, which started at 11 A. M. 
and continued until 2 P. M. Mr. and Mrs. Topperwein 
shot in great form, and their remarkable feats were 
greeted with generous applause, as was, in fact, every 
one of the ordinary accomplishments of the team. R. H. 
Land had charge of the arrangements, and his efforts 
were appreciated by the team and by the many visitors. 
A stiff breeze made the targets very erratic. The team 
made 124 out of 125, on one string of 25 each, Mrs. Top- 
perwem losing her eleventh target. Hawkins, Crosby, 
Boa and Taylor got 25 straight each. Hawkins was 
high, breaking his 100 straight for the second time this 
week. Taylor got 99. By the way John has been getting 
99 and 96 or 96 and 99 so often that you can’t remember 
the times he forgets to miss more than 3 and make 97. 
John Boa is getting down to business, and 95 and 96 are 
appearing after his name most regularly. Of course T. 
Bill heads the list most of the time, but he smiles just 
as much at 94 as he does at 100. Mrs. Topperfein is doing 
most wonderful; besides doing her fancy exhibition each 
day, she is breaking 91 per cent, of her targets on dif¬ 
ferent grounds and over all kinds of traps. Top was 
tossing up pieces of coal about the size of a grain of 
coffee, and she was hitting them with bullets. A boy 
in the crowd remarked, “Jest look at that; what is she 
shooting at?” “Her imagination,remarked another. 
“Well, she is hitting it every time,” returned the first. 
“For I can see dust after each shot.” 
The scores here were: Hawkins 100, Taylor 99, Boa 97, 
Crosby 93, Mrs. Topperwein 90. 
The powder boys are having a fine race at each place 
for first honors, and first place is closely contested for 
all the time. The scores here were: German 97, Ward 
95 HciTchcr 95. 
At Charleston, S. C., the shooting of the Winchester 
team was greatly enjoyed T. Bill was high man with 97, 
closely followed by Hawkins and Taylor with 96. The 
scores were: Crosby 97. Tavlor 96, Hawkins 96, Boa 94, 
Mrs. Topperwein 93; total 476. 
For the powder men German made 93, Ward 89. and 
Hatcher 87. Mrs. Topperwein shot in fine form and 
deserves credit for breaking 93 of these targets. Top- 
gave his usual fine exhibition of fancy shooting, and 
those who witnessed it simply marveled at his accom¬ 
plishments. 
The team at Savannah, Ga., found a large circus in. 
town, and consequently not more than 150 persons wit¬ 
nessed the exhibition: however, many of these remarked, 
that they were glad they had not gone to the circus. 
Taylor and Boa shot in fine form, breaking 97, T. Bill 
came next with 95. The scores were: Taylor 97, Boa 
97, Crosby 95, Hawkins 93, Mrs. Topperwein 89; total 471. 
For the powder men Ward made the fine score of 97, 
German got 90, and Hatcher 83. 
Thompson shot well for the local boys. J. S. Hardee 
had charge of the arrangements. 
At Macon, Ga., Walter Huff’s home town turned out 
a fine crowd to witness the exhibition of the team. Many 
ladies were numbered among the enthusiastic gathering, 
and assisted the genial members of the Macon club im 
making the afternoon pleasant for the exhibition won¬ 
ders, who thoroughly appreciated all courtesies, but dis¬ 
courteously reciprocated by breaking 480 out of the 500 
targets, thus only leaving 20 pick-ups for the club— 
surely a losing game for the latter. However, the vigor¬ 
ous applause which greeted the announcement of the 
scores at the conclusion of the 500, evidenced beyond - 
question that this amounted to nothing, and all were 
pleased with the fine showing. T. Bill. made them all 
say Mr. to him by breaking 99 out of his 100. Hawkins 
came next with 97. Mrs. Topperwein broke 96 and was 
congratulated on all sides for such a fine achievement 
made under the prevailing condition. Johnny Taylor 
dropped to 94 for the first time in two weeks, and com¬ 
plained of being sick (which he certainly was), tie tied 
John Boa, however, who, upon hearing the latter com¬ 
plaint, remarked, “I'm glad some one was sick.” The 
scores were: Crosbv 99, Hawkins 97, Mrs. Topperwein 
96, Boa 94, Taylor 94; total 480. 
For the powder men Ward got 95, Hatcher 92. 
For the local boys, Ed. Jones got 94. 
Walter Huff, the prince of entertainers, had the ladies 
out driving most of the time, and together with his 
sis’ter, entertained the Winchester team as well as the 
ladies and visiting representatives, at a quail and duck 
dinner, which was greatly appreciated and enjoyed. The 
one absorbing topic among those who enjoyed Walter’s 
hospitality, was the perplexing question, “How has he 
stayed single so long?” Those who attended the dinner 
were Mrs. and Mrs. W. R. Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. Top 
perwein, Mrs. D. H. Sparks, Mr. and Mrs. J. Mowell 
Hawkins, John B. Taylor, John S. Boa, A. M. Hatcher, 
E. R. Holt, L. T. Spinks, Guy Ward and Walter Huff. 
J. Mowell Hawkins. 
Columbus, 0., Gun Club. 
Columbus, O., Nov. 3. —The shoot Saturday afternoon 
brought out a crowd to see Mr. Heer, the expert, who 
did some splendid work, but who was not shooting quite 
up to his usual form. Mr. Heer is a very congenial 
gentleman, and -made a hit with the shooters. Mr. George 
B. Buchanan made the high score of the afternoon with 
137 out of 150. Mr. Heer broke 135, and K. S. Rhoads 
125 out of their 150 shot at. Mr. Buchanan made the 
only 25 straight. His shooting was fine, and he has been 
doing that kind of work all season. Mr. Rhoads has not 
been shooting for some time, and was shooting a new 
gun. Weber shot at 100 and broke 84. 
A turkey shoot will be on the boards for Thursday, 
Nov. 28, all day, with a fish dinner at noon. The boys 
are all going to wait and win a turkey for Thanksgiving. 
Events: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
Targets: 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 
Heer . 22 23 23 22 22 24 .. 
Rhoads . 22 21 20 23 21 .. 
Buchanan . 24 23 20 21 25 24 .. 
J H Smith. 14 21 21 12 17 18 .. 
Turner . 20 13 17 20 15 10 .. 
Treat . 12 9. 
Garber . 22 21 19 19 13 11 17 
J T Wells. 9 11 14 14. 
H E Smith. 19 19 20 18 21 .. .. 
Tesse Smith . 14 9 13 8 . 
H R Vandy. 21 19. 
Weber . 19 22 22 21 . 
Snook . 19 19. 
Tarby . 16 16. 
Francis . 17 12. 
Siebert . 8 12. 
Shattuck . 20 22 . 
Weller . 16 15. 
Ossining Gun Club. 
Ossining, N. Y., Nov. 10.'—There was not a big at¬ 
tendance at the regular practice shoot of the Ossining 
Gun Club to-day. but considerable sport was had by the 
few who came out to enjoy a perfect afternoon at the 
traps. Jack Fanning came up to- see the boys, and it was 
regrettable that more were not on hand to welcome him. 
Some of the shooters tried to get high scores in the 
events away from him, but did not succeed very well. 
Event No. 4 was a “snipe shooting” affair - shooters 
started at 22yds. and walked toward the traps, gun below 
elbow. The puller, an old shooter himself, watched 
carefully as the man at the score advanced, and it was 
dollars to doughnuts that the right foot was forward 
wnen the “snipe” flushed. Jack worked a shift on this 
game and fooled old Abe on several counts, with the 
result of high score. 
The programme of the Thanksgiving Day shoot will be 
ready by the 14th, and as the championship of West¬ 
chester county is to be decided by the totals in the last 
six events, no doubt there will be a large local at¬ 
tendance. No prizes were shot for to-day: 
Events: 123456789 10 
Targets: 10 10 10 10 15 15 15 15 10 10 
T S Fanning. 10 9 8 7 13 12 12 14 10 8 
C G Blandford. 6 8 8 3 15 12 11 12 9 9 
J Willi, Jr. 5 5 6 4 8 .. 12 . 
F Brandreth . 5 6 8 3 13 10 10 10 .. 
GB Hubbell. 9 10 3 14 13 12 10 9 7 
