The Newtown bee., 1892-12-02
Wa se ington.
A FAMOUS COLLECTION OF GUNS.

S
 to be found in New England.
 From 1852 up to within few years
 Maj Kingman was actively employed al
 Wheeler & Wilson's sewing machine fac
 tory as a contractor. He came to Wash
 ington two years ago, charmed by its
 quiet and the beautiful scenery of the
 Shepaug valley and has a delightful
 home here.
 Maj Kingman's military title was from
 his connection with the Connecticut nat
 ional guard as inspector of target prac-
 tce, first as inspector of the fourth regi-
 ment and later as brigade inspector, and
 few men are better known in the state
 military circles.
 Since coming to Washington he has re-
 tired from the national guards.
 TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS
 would not cover the vale of his collection of guns, of which Maj Kingman is de- seIvedly proud. The editor recently had the privilege of inspecting this rare col lection and was himself enthused over their value.
 The first gun inspected was German speaker, with Damascus barrels, which
 were alone worth $200. The stock of this gun is completely carved over and inlaid in beautiful style. On it are rep resented P different figures, consisting of deer, wild boar, dogs, foxes, rabbits, geese, ducks and quail. A nobleman brought this gun over from Germany and on returning, left it in America. Maj kingman chanced to hear of it and at once secured it. He values it at over 5000. The work on it throughout is all tirst-class and remarkable. The hammers are in the shape of serpents. Maj King man regards it as one of the finest guns he has ever seen. The barrels are as thin as paper, pecularity of the Damascus barrel.
 Another gun shown was carved over completely, although not in as elaborate style. The trigger shield of this gun was inlaid with gold, also the barrel was inlaid with two kinds of gold. The stock was evidently made out of the burl of q tree and was richly carved. The snug sum of $l20 would be a small esti- mate of it's value in the eyes of
 A MAN WHO KNOWS A GOOD GUN.
 A small rifle, carved over with all the fineness of an artist, elcits the admira- tion. of every beholder, weighing only four pounds. It is magnificent piece of workmanship. A curiosity, and one in which Maj Kingman takes especial pride, is q muzzle-loader, made by the senior Wesson when he was in his prime. It weighs l6 pounds, but Maj Kingman doesn't mind it's weight. He says he did his very best shooting with this, when he was connected with the German rife club of Bridgeport. He places the price of this at $100.
 Another of his remarkable rifles is made especially for him. Maj Kingman regards it as one of the finest the great Sharp company has turned out, the engraving alone costing over $l00. Another rifle in the case was Sharp's made to order. The but-plate was made from the bell of the old Wheel CA ~ " AioOh AhSOci poIASA hdhJ ago. He values this very highly. The sum of $l20 would not buy it.
 Another of his guns was Winchester made to order. The barrel of this re- peater was one selected as the best out of .500. He has two other Winchester rifles of different calibers. His stock al- SO includes a beautiful Marlin repeating rifle and a' Colt repeater.
 He has Rigby rife, which was shot by John Rigby in the international match. A curiosity is Whitworth rifle, which shoots hexagonal ball. This is carved m remarkable manner. The Whit worth was regarded as one of the long ,st range rifle in the world, till they came lpon the one recently adopted by the government.
 ANOTHER FAMOUS RIFLE s Scotch repeater, one of Alexander aenry's manufacture at Edinburg. The eature of this is the raising adjustable . ,heek piece. This rifle is carved in won- t lerfully fine style. The Whitworth rifle t eferred to is inlaid with platina. In the line of relics, a gun was brought ' ut that was about as long as they make q m. It must have been six feet and d ,as made by Philadelphia concern, ,and D as been changed over from an old flint 'ck. Another curiosity Is gun erna- tented the entire length of the barrel ith brass. The age of these two relics xtends back prior to the Revolution. Il e has seven of these old guns. e' A curiosity is a bayonet over three feet, 2 ,ry highly tempered and as sharp as a o' ,edle. Speaking of rifles again, Mai IT ingman exhibited two fine Sharp mili- h " rifles, one presented him by the te iarp rife company, one mounted with Il telescope. Two other telescope rifles lc ere shown us. Then, too, to keep these M mpany, he .has fine Peabody rifle, <, hich he has used-a great deal in mill ry matches. To make his equipment complete, he pa $ four double-barrel shot guns of diff ID rent makes and caliber and six single al rrel shot guns. He also has several DJ ferent styles of Roberts. His entire ly llection comprises al IrRTY-sIx DIFFERENT KINDS OF GUNS. ne The equipments or cases with each rifle ,, d gun are very complete.
 With the old Wesson rife, for instance, ere Is q case of bottles Resembling a W, ,dicine case), each vial containing a W, arge of powder or ball, carefully DO ighed out. La With the Rigby rifle, there Is case of a , rare ylals, with rubber corks. Each ba tile has his name on and the year 1t z manufactured, and the entire equip ,,t ,s finished throughout in the same tul