The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-18
Ponder Smoke
BY
Edmund McLaurin

next to impossible for the smallbore
msrksman, whose ambition was
competitive shootingS of the highest
technical order, to obtain the recog.
nized essentials a d accessories
through local sources of supply.
This rather annoying condition was
usually due to the fact that, nine
times out of ten, the particular
item desired at the moment by the
gun-nut was probably so highly
technical and outside the sales field
of the average hometown merchant
that one dealer frankly admitted
that by the time the transaction
was completed to the entire salts
faction of the customer the sale
was more in the nature of a per-
sonal favor rather than one enjoy
ing the customary margin of COM
mercial profit.
On many occasions the dealer was
not entirely at fault. In the first
place, the item desired usually had
to be looked up in special catalogs,
and, until the dealer acquired the
necessary technical knowledge. a
call for, say, a Lyman liza front
sight would be ordered out merely
by name. Now, the hometown mer-
chant is aware that this particular
sight, just one of hundreds of such
items used by shooters, can be had
placing the order with the manu-
facturer, finds out exactly what
type of sight base the shooter has
in mind, as well as the make and
ul+ imately be used.
Therefore, in all fairness to Will
mington's sporting goods dealers,
whose combined support helps to
make the shooting game locally a
great success, and whose newspaper
advertising, incidentally, enables
your favorite newspaper to be
printed and circulated at a single
copy price within til, means of
everyone, this column will OCCASION
ally call attention to certain out
standing items of shooting equip
ment now to be had through local
merchants. Articles brought to my
attention and subjected to test will
be written up on their individual
merits and without any influence
on the part of those offering them
for sale; in fact, it is my intention
to discuss in this column only such
items as I personally know to be
sound investments for the marks
man in the market for the best in
shooting equipment.
Simply because it gave the most
amazing demonstration of the three
items examined and tested, t h e
award of merit goes to the
new IS nm. Argus spotting scope,
recently announced by the manu-
and which will be given
exclusive local distribution by Fin
k~elstein's.
This new prismatic spotting scope,
practically a necessity for the
r1fleman, who must spot his shot
at long ranges, as we'll as a desir
able glass for general sports use, is
4 handsome, glossy black and black
orackle finish affair, fitted with
enses Of the highest optical quality,
Which, in turn, are protected with
removable metal caps. In the COX
(poWer), the best magnification for
general use, users will find the Ar.
Spotscope equal to any preci-
'lon-built telescope in it's price
class.
Paul T. Marshburn and 1 gave
of the new scopes a test which,
n our opinion, was much more
difficult than that of spottine q .22
'allber bullet hole in a black pull's.
we at 200 yards as claimed and
guaranteed by the makers. Using
average size pocket watch. with
ordinary face figures and second
fA SAO14O | Il
land, which was first set at an hour
nd minute reading unknown to Inc.
'aul L. moved back to some sixty
eet from the scope, which. when
properly focused, permitted easy
eadlng of the small second hand.
IS a double-check. the time.piece
vas again changed and the test re.
,eated' this time with our roles in
little drama reversed. A second
the correct reading was given
n minute and seconds. But that's
lot all!
From a measured IS yards the
ace figures of the watch could still
e easily read as we'll as the hand.
rinted hours of collection on The
orner mailbox, the latter APPROX.
lately eighty yards from the point
+ oDservation! Focusing was east
: accomplished by turning tho 70.
diving %eyepiece, and the ID nm
.ye-rellef permitted the eye to he
eld almost one-half an inch from
he lens without sacrificing am,
ortlon of the field of view Th;s
an especially desirable feature for
lose VINO e goggles when shoot.
g. something that is BECOMING in.
easinsly popular, especially among
'ers. OF large caliber rifles.
Milton ~Finkelstein informs nall
at his firm will not stool, +hose
u''ins scopes at present, but
IL gladly supply the Argus on
ort notice. A special introductory
is also being Offered u.,