The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-02-29

"What can YOU tell me about the history
and merits of this rifeln asked the reporter of
Capt S. A. Day, picking up handsome
Springfield,
'sThat is beginning right at home,n was the
reply. s'The Springfield rifle is the one with
which our own troops are armed. 1t has the
hinged breech block, with the upward and
forward action. II is good gun, and has
done good service, but it is a little out of
date. 1t is good for 500 yards, but not foot
further. We have tried to shoot it at 1000
yards, but our only hope with it at that dis
lance is scratching, or accidental scores.
"What is this!n
THAT is a gun we have all heard a great
deal about-the Martini-Henry rifle, with
which the English army is provided. 1t has
been used in more countries than any other
lie, except possibly the Remington. In
ONE respects it is just the opposite of the
American army gun. 1t has the hinged
breech block, opening backward and down.
ward. instead of forward and upward. This
is an excellent gun. The barrels are we'll
made and the British manufacturers have
the knacx of growing it very effectively
1t is the gun shot in international matches
American rihemen should have great respect
for this gun for it is the one with which our
national teams have been twice defeated. 1t
is handy gun-it is gunny' gun. 1t feels
like a gun in the hand A man would trust
that gun almost anywhere if he had plenty OF
ammunition"
"Here is a Sharps rile-isnt that a little
out of date, toosn
"There are no more of them made now,
except one once in a while by hand. This is
the style of weapon that was sent from the
east to border settlers in Kansas and Ne
braska, along with Bibles, during the trouh-
lous times just before the war. This indl-
vidual gum" continued Capt Day, pattlng
the butt aifectionately, sis very line long
range Sharps- Borchardt, 1t is gun with a
history, having won many prizes at long
range, not, however, in my hands. IL Is
| used by marksmen when they lie down or
| double and twist their bodies into almost
every figure known in the considerations OF
the heavens Its action is excellent, having
a square, falling breach block, containing
the hammer and lock. 1t strikes the primer
in the prolongation of the bore, thus causing
the least possible disturbance of the piece in
firing
.sWhat can you say about this Remington~
"That is the gun formerly known among
national guardsmen as the gas pipe There
| X
and used by armies, raiding parties, filibus-
tering expeditions, instructions, ETC., than
of any other arm ever invented. 1t has a
rolling block, falling backward and down
ward, leaving free way through the bar
!. rel for inspection and cleaning. Its simple
ity itself. and has an excellent action The
barrel however, is too light for long range
or heavy work, but it has killed many a
man in many q Cline"
oThis other gun, l believe said the re-
porter, 'syou referred to as being remarka-
Bile gun with a remarkable record Is it not
an ordinary Winchester repeating ritiesn
sRather an extraordinary one, This par
ticular gun has been fired more than 10000
times by DIR. Carver and is still in fair order,
showing only little weakness of the main
sprine. The Winchester is the leading SPORT
ing gun Of the world and more game has
been killed by it than with all other guns put
together.
ssBut this brings us into the domain of
magazine guns There are three pronounced
leading types, with some twenty-five or
thirty variations of which have knowledge,
and there are doubtless great many moro
Individual notifications of these types For
purposes of convenience have selected the
Winchester, the Lee and the Spencer us typi-
flying the three great classes
ssThe well known Winchester has fixed
tubular magazine, with lever action. Tho
Hotchkiss is a bolt gun, with Il tubular mag
azine in the butt instead of in the stock, as
is the case with the Winchester and many
Others. There said Capt. Day, after eject
ing a number of shells over his shoulder
from both guns, ''you can see how eompli-
Gated are the motions necessary in using
these guns.
1.-THE Lee magazine stands alone of its kind,
although there are many notifications Of it.
1t is a detached magazine, with cartridges
superimposed one upon the other like the
fingers on the hand The great and import
ant feature of this gun is the dctachability OF
the magazine. Asa military man, have nc
hesitation in saying that it is just as import
ant for troops TO be armed with detachable
magazine for cartridges as it is for them to
be supplied with fixed bayonets. When an
order to fix bayonetsl' has been given and
obeyed, an officer knows that his men are
prepared to make charge at the word OF
command Why should not similar security
be felt when waiting to repel an attack
After the command fix magazines an officer
may rely upon all his men having theii
magazines full and in position. Nothing
could give him greater confidence In n crisis
This is the best system for troops of which
have any knowledge. The Lee, however
has a feature in common with many Other
guns which, personally, ! do not like-lt is O
bolt action. A prejudice is a heavy load fol
any man to carry through this world, but
my whole experience has rendered toincreast
my dislike for bolt guns. The inventor o.
this gun, however, Mr.. James p. Lee, was sS
expert with it that he could have three Of
four shots on the way TO a 900 yard large
at one time Such skill is attainable by few
men. and the bolt action is necessarily SLOW
in the hands of an ordinary soldier.
sMr. G. NJ Spcneer, the ingenious inven
tor of the rifle so well known during our lat
war, is still living. The Spencer rifle is some
thing new. 1t is an American gum although
it has been very remarkably improved b.
Col George v. Fosbery, an English arm
officer now in this city, who is an expert nc
only in its invention, but in its manufactur
and use. 1t has sliding piece on the stocl
with a trombone movement Capt. Dn
hereupon gave an exhibitonof the rnpidit
and ease with which the Spencer can be flret
A quick backward aide ~ had Chan
threw out the empty caftTs,e~ hau Arapi
forward motion placed ne 'pe; IL gain
condition for firing, tho whole moi occupyin
a second of time. ''rhis is an admirable COZ
trivance,f he cont nued. ut requires tn
use of two hands, howeyer-one to reject an
lad the cartridges into the CHAMBER fror
Che magazine, while the other simply grasT
tie small of the stock and pulls the trigger.
New York Times Interview.
Oar nebber will come er time wen er BRAY
man won't be 'spected Folks allus wi
link dat dc meat O. dc game chicken
yccter den de meat o. de shanghai. -Arka
,Aw Traveller.
The Bald Headed Cook.