Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-02-05
TCtMMUNICETED.l
Mr.. EpITOR.- :.

MIR. EDITOR
In reading the Owens Greek letter in your
last weeks CLARION, was quite struck TO
know, that your Owens Creek correspond
cnt knew it all, and your Snbillasvile cores
pondent knew nothing. Now when your
Sabillasville correspondent says that as good
4 gun can be purchased Of American manu-
facturers at less money, thah the same gun
can be purchased of English manufacturers;
he Is simply reiterating IN established truth
on which all men agree who possess any in
formation ON gun lore; and should not be
construed by your Owens Creek correspond
ent, as an evidence of narrow limit of infor-
nation concerning fire arms.
There are few things used 80 much by
man, that man knows SO little about and yet
thinks he knows so much about, as the mod
ern shot gun; and when hear man now.
days talking of buying foreign gun, 1put
it down on his part, Ne pure ignorance ofthe
ability of his countrymen. Does your Owens
Creek correspondent know that in Aug. rs,
there was great International Shot Gun
trial ut Cleve, Prussia, where guns were ex-
hibitcd and tested for material, workman
ship. endurance and shooting powers? Does
he know AT it WAS IN American gun that
carried off the victory in this contest against
no less than two hundred and thirty-two
contestants, including every leading gun
maker of both continents? Does he know
that it was an American gun that won the
English prize for close shooting in 1880. as
also the Diamond Badge the same year for
superiority of workmanship and ma teral!-
Does he know that at Chicago, May q 1882,
it was an American gun that ecllpsed its
previous brilliant records, distancing all
foreign competition, while Il little medal WAS
awarded t,at faithful old English gun maker
W. w. Grcener for superiority Of fancy gold
daub.d stocks? Does he know that English
gun makers acknowledge the superiority Of
the American shot runs; fact which sn"uld
be very pa,en, to your Owens Creek CORES
pondcnt when he can see ny his Sportsmans
Journals that for TWO years, have they Ia.
bored in vain, to have an International shot
gun trial, where guns shall be exhibited for
beauty, symmetry, workmanship, material
and shooting qualities?
The English met their Waterloo in this di-
every thinking man could see that he had
over-rated his cousin across the Atlantic and
undcrralcd his brethren at home.
Does he know that it was an American
gun, to which was awarded tie highest med
al at said Centennial? These are facts, the
proof of which now lies on my table before
me-
Your Owens Creek correspondent may
think if American guns have become SO ia
NOUS why is it that Capt. A III Bogardus,
and DR.. Carver, the two greatest wing shots
OF the world, generally use English guns?
now have in my possession personal
letter from Capt A II Bogardrs, which fully
explains said fact and reflects still greater
spcndor ON the great American shot gun.
Does he know the propo: tonate amount
of price to he paid for his English gun, that
will be swallowed up in ad uulorem duty? In
fact does he know that he can purchase
gun of American makers similar quality,
for nearly one-half the amount required to
purchase an imported gun; besides having
in the American gun, if made by our best
makers, and bored On their improved plan of
choking, Il gun that will eclipse any torcigu
gun in shooting powers! In this assertion
am backed by such men as the venerable
Samuel Hunt TurrilI, who died March 18th,
1888, once the ablesl man on gun lore in the
world.
In the next place your Owens Creek cor
respondent cndcavoIs 10 ovcr"helm your
Sabillasville writer with the broad assertion
of practical experience Great goodness
Now in all truth and candor, is it reasonable
to suppose that u youth, scarcely out of his
teens, is competent to Judge the intrinsic
valu of English and American guns, (irre-
spcctiv' of prices simply because he has
bought a few shot guns. Does he know the
utility of low hammers? Does he know the
meaning of through Jumps? Does he know
that extension ribs, as used on English guns
arr worthless? Does he know that the snap
ton as used on English guns causes much
trouble? Does he know that in all England
there's hut one gun maker who has compen-
sating features in the mechanism of his gun
to obviatc and take up unavoidable wear? p
Does he know that almost every Amer can
gun maker, of notoricty, gives special ateh-
ton to compensation, in the mechanism of
his gun? Does he know that there is a gun
maker in New York city, who sends by or
der almost his entire production to oar rela-
tiyes across the Ocean which is another ac-
acknowledgement of theirs of the superiority
of the great American shot gun? Does he
know anyth 'ng in fact about the modern
shot gun? We think not We have never
heard Of single score of his ut rotary ball
trap. We have never heard of his winning
medal at pigeon trap We have never
heard Of his brilliant work behind the gun in
the field. We have never heard of his m K
ing double on pair of pheasants or deer,
and vet he is able to say unto others, that
they have narrow ideas relative to fire arms
Now really he reminds me Of the story of
the frog and the OK. In the next place your
Owens Creek correspondent says. that most
people look to their own interest, which he
intends to do. Well this is m easy way to
strp down and out and since this glorious