New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-19

ton A far more modern type OF alrsun has a bulb
or gobular magazine that screws on beneath the
lock II was formerly owned by Lieutenant F. II.
Babbitt OF the United States Navy 1t is also in
perfect condition. including the pump. The first air
gun was presented Mr.. Dean by florist Of Client.
Belgium. many years ago. and he treasures II
highly
An ancient weapon is a short wheel-ock or Ger
man make dating back to the year l547. The stock
IL square in shape and the barrel Is ocagonal The
whoel-lock superseded the matchbox. 1t was wound
I'D with a key and operated hammer containing
some mineral that gave forth sparks when brought
into contact with the revolving wheel and also re-
moved the cover of the printing pan This is the
only weapon in the collection that has the trigger
on top OF the stock. This latter gun Is by far he
most prm!tivey and rudcy constructed OF any In
tho collection There arc several OF these wheel-lock
petrones. but they appear TO be OF later datc' az
they are Of finer finish than the one described Some
of these Of lighter structure than others ana arc
more highly decorated Their locks denote consid-
erablc mechanical ingenuity and are really works OF
or, They were superseded by modified form,
known as the fintlock. In this mint screwed hrm-
" into the hammer supplied the spark str'Kihg
hard steel face and al the same time by throwing
this hack exposing the powder in 1t to the shower
81 falling sparks. Many OF these are fitted with
highly decorated steel and brass work. There Is a
largo collection Of guns and pistols Of this type.
Among the former are three OF more than ordinary
interest Two Of them coma from the dark am
bloody ground Kentucky rhes-that no DOUBT
helped 70 gain the title One r. an extra heavy gun
with an octagon barrel and a peculiarly formed
stock II stand. about feet inches In height. ara
Gould only be used by a man OF great strength The
s.cond ouo Is somewhat smaller and bears the
marks OF much use. the forestock plainly eVidehchg
that the owner grpped II close In front OF the trg
rer guard. the mark 81 the left hand belnR quite
Main where its constant attrion added still dark
"a 0piN m n
could shoot WITH II and grasp 1t 40 close 70 the
euard The third gun is known a. the bergen
gun" having been brought from Europe by the
nroe enitors Of this well known Long Island FAMILY
The barrel Is round. with huge bore IL Is the
longest gun In the collection
A PECULIAR WEAPON DESCRIBED
Another remarkable weapon is a breechloadlng
e,p,lock rife believed he the earliest invented
A heavy breech block in the centre OF the breech
behind the barrel received the charge. rising up IN
front % do so The gun wdened ont az this point
for strength and the hammer and pan FORMED part
OF the block 1t Is in splendid state or preserVa-
ton and Is an efficient weapon for loose ammuni-
tion to-day.
rh. h.artv ~ the collection Is OF italian MAKE"
a,ddentlv a sporting gun It IS a wheel-lock. the
stock elahora ely carved and richly inlad with ivory
and mother OF pearl The former IS worked INTO
bunting scenes a dog pursuing hare. IoS peihs
chased and bird dog on point. and all elab-
oratcv carved in ivory and set into the wood II IL
worth fully 81 900, and probably still larger sum
Returning 10 the fintocks. there Is set or
weapons that were used in Merle England when
the only means OF transpOra ton was the ola stage
coach During the queer old times OF Charles IL.
or "Old Rowcy" as his intimate acquaintance USED
IN call him the trade Of the hlrhwayman was al
i,s height Ab,u; these times hourlshed such enter
missing gentlemen as Claude Duval, DICK Turpln.
lack Sheppard and a host OF other knights OF the
road who pundered the wayfarers on Hounsiow
Heath and among the green lanes leading 10 Lon
don The guards Of the coaches carried Formidable
lo1klnq "blundcrbusses," "a they were called stored
In the boot whcrewith 20 drive or these knights or
tbe road though they rarely succeeded In doing so.
" the chronicles Of the time To be credited There
g. a splendid collection 81 these weapons, brass
barrelled mostly and such heavy weapons mat they
wonld take a hatful OF slugs AT load At any dis
lance a could HIT n spread hlanKe' WIN one oi
.h.m but az close quarters they were dangerous
Weapon. I3eil-muzzled, with Il bore sometimes over
two inches In diane ter they were Formidable weap-
ons alt hough from the frequency Of Highway rob
berries within a few miles OF London the knights OF
the road appear not TO have been much AFRAID OF
them one OF these guns is magn!icentiy inlaId ana
decorated. 1t evidently belonged to a man OF means
and a connOiseur In the firearms OF his I'm one OF
tho plainest OF this lot but none the less valuable
weapon was captured from Sicilan bandit. The
barrel Is OF iron steel. made In twist. the laps
being about three inches apart man'a fist would
aim ost enter tho bell nouthed barrel il Is con-
verted percussion lock, and 10 an ANCIENT piece OF
xorkmanship. the stock being unusually clumsy IN