CHAPTER XIII.

ON SHOT, CAPS, AND WADDING.

Patent shot being still produced as at the time of publishing previous editions of my works, I have no important improvement to record.

The manufacture is very simple: the lead is first tempered by the aid of arsenic, in the proportions required by the slag (a technical term) for the kind used; some lead taking more and some less. The melted metal is then poured into a perforated pan placed over the mouth of the pit, or tower (whichever may be in use.) Messrs. Walkers, Parkers, and Co. have towers in their various factories where they make shot; the cut represents the one in Newcastle. Messrs. Locke, Blackett, and Co. cast down the shaft of a pit, and by this means obtain a greater fall. The fluid metal takes a globular shape in falling, and the concentric motion of each particle round its axis keeps it in this form until its passage through the air has extracted the heat, and before it reaches the body of water placed to receive it. The only difficulty is in casting very large sizes; for if the distance the drops fall be not sufficiently great, and they reach the water in a semi-fluid state, the resistance of the water misshapes them. About three different sizes come out through one pan. These are separated by the aid of riddles, or tabled, as the process is termed. A quantity of the shot is placed on a slight incline, when those that do not run off are rejected. The whole are then polished in a machine termed a drum, with a mixture of black lead. This gives to the shot that beautiful polish which captivates the eye, but which injures the shooting of the gun, as the black lead adheres to the interior of the tube. All shot should be used unpolished; and the addition of hardness is unquestionably another advantage. Slag-lead is lighter than other lead, but it is much harder, and thus more suitable for shot. I regret the disuse of shot made with quicksilver, as it is unquestionably much superior, though more costly. A considerable improvement is yet to be introduced in the manipulation of shot-making; and I shall commence a round of experiments with that object at the earliest opportunity.

Copper caps are now a misnomer: very few are to be met with. Brass caps boiled to the colour of copper are the rule, the former the exception. Good caps are made in Birmingham, if a remunerative price is paid for them; and I have the pleasure to name several makers: Messrs. E. and A. Ludlow, Messrs. Pursall and Philips, and Mr. Cox. It must be borne in mind that cheapness means inferiority: every article is made according to price.

The mixture of fulminating mercury composition is:

Fulminating mercury 3 grains or ounces. Chlorate of potash 5 do. Sulphur 1 do. Powdered glass 1 do.

The above is one of the best compounds in use.

Chlorate of Potash 6 grains or ounces. Sulphur 3 do. Glass, powdered 1 do. Charcoal, ditto 1/2 do.

Is the best mixture where the corrosive principle is not heeded.

Messrs. Eley, Brothers, were the first manufacturers who turned their attention to making waterproof copper caps for sporting purposes, commencing it in 1837. The principle is simple, the excellence mainly consisting in the quality of the ingredients used, and their being thoroughly secured from the effects of moisture. They are so constituted that the largest portion of the percussion powder and the weakest part of the waterproof covering which lines the inner surface of the cap, are immediately over the surface of the nipple; consequently, when the blow ignites the percussion powder, the larger portion of the explosion is forced down the nipple, and is of such intensity of heat (especially in platina-lined nipples) that it will ignite the gunpowder some distance up the barrel: in an _eprouvette_ it will do so at four or five inches from the nipple. A miss-fire thus very seldom occurs, as the heat is sure to penetrate to the charge, even when a gun has become foul after a long day’s shooting and the powder cannot pass freely through the chambers to the nipples. It is well known that caps which do not possess these igniting qualities may be fired through gunpowder, and frequently fail to ignite it, from the want of proper attention to the constitution of the fulminate and its mixture. In all cheaply manufactured caps this inferiority is sure to prevail, and the manifold advantages to be derived from the sterling quality of all sporting adjuncts is now fully appreciated by sportsmen generally. “Penny wise and pound foolish” is a proverb more borne in mind than formerly, and the conviction is now general that a good gun only proves to be so when proper attention is paid to the loading in every particular.

Good wadding is as essential as good gunpowder: a perfect separation must be maintained between the exploded powder and the shot, or no result can be depended upon; cheap wadding, therefore, according to the above adage, is out of favour.

Cartridges of wire, or “universal,” are now so well known as to need no treatise to point out their advantages. A more striking example of the progress of knowledge in properly estimating the value of high-class manufactures cannot be adduced than in the case of Eley, Brothers, who have by unwearied industry in the production of sporting ammunition of the first quality, nearly obtained a monopoly in that department of gunnery.

I can safely refer to the Manufacturers to be found in the advertising list as able to supply the sportsman with all requisites, from a gun “to a turnscrew,” and on such terms as will be found to be advantageous to the purchaser.

FINIS.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY SMITH, ELDER AND CO.

LITTLE GREEN ARBOUR COURT.

Advertisements.

WILLIAM GREENER, _GUN MANUFACTURER_, ASTON NEW TOWN, BIRMINGHAM, HIGHEST PRIZE MEDALLIST IN 1851, 1853, AND 1855,

In returning thanks to the Sporting World for their distinguished support during many years, begs to intimate to them that he has now accomplished the long cherished wish of establishing his manufactory in Birmingham, the seat of the gun manufacture, where the facilities of producing a first-rate gun are superior to any other locality in the world; for here he can reject imperfect materials and replace them, while makers in other parts of the kingdom would be writing about the deficiency. Here he can exercise his own judgment on the goodness of material during the progress of production; here he can carry out any alteration or improvement in barrels or locks that may suggest itself; and here eventually will settle the whole manufacture for the kingdom. This is nearly accomplished now, for it would be idle to conceal the fact that a vast majority of what is sold in London, as London make, is made here. Here the best workmen are congregating and meet with the greatest encouragement. Under these circumstances he has judged it best to avail himself of the means offered of producing, without “egotism,” guns equal, if not superior, to anything yet produced by any maker whatever. This may be considered a wide assertion, but to prove he does not make it rashly he is prepared to test the fact by a competition with any maker whatever, barring none; to be decided by the following five points: 1st, safety--the greatest difficulty in bursting; 2ndly, lightness; 3rdly, goodness of shooting--strength and closeness combined with the least charges; 4thly, durability; 5thly, beauty and taste combined.

He considers it a crime of great magnitude that guns should burst; they never do so where proper metal is used. He will produce an ordinary weight of barrel which he will allow any one to burst if they can; in fact, he believes it to be the greatest difficulty to do so.

W. G. will undertake contracts for quantities of arms subject to private arrangement, such as military arms, shipping ditto, rifles or sealing guns, for foreign powers or private companies, provided in all cases the quality be sufficiently good to enable him to brand them with his name; anything inferior he declines to make.

* * * * *

The prices of his guns are as under:--

Double rifles of every superior quality of taste and £ _s._ _d._ finish, case complete with every requisite 40 0 0 Double guns of very superior quality, with laminated steel barrels, &c., case and every requisite complete 35 0 0 Double rifle, second quality, same material, but not so highly finished, case complete 30 0 0 Double gun, second quality, same material, but not so highly finished, case complete 25 0 0 Double rifle, excellent quality, stubs Damascus, no case 18 0 0 Double gun, excellent quality, laminated steel, no case 15 0 0 Double rifle, good 10 10 0 Double gun, good 8 10 0 Double rifle, no engraving, &c. 8 0 0 Double gun, ditto 6 0 0 Very best single rifles, superior style and finish, case complete 21 0 0 Second quality, case 16 16 0 Good quality, no case 10 10 0 Plain, ditto 5 0 0 Sealing rifles 3 10 0 Very best single gun, case complete 16 16 0 Second quality, with case 12 12 0 Good quality 7 0 0 Plain, ditto 4 0 0 Sealing or other guns in quantity 3 0 0 Enfield musket percussion, swivel locks 2 0 0 Enfield rifle, plain ditto 1 5 0

The above includes every size which can be fired from the shoulder.

Pistols, Cutlasses, Pikes, &c., supplied on the most moderate Terms.

Business done for cash on delivery only.

Foreign Bills for orders payable in London, or reference for payment in any part of England.

N.B.--W. G. now manufactures a very superior double waterproof copper and iron cap.

SCHUYLER, HARTLY, & GRAHAM. MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK, SOLE AGENTS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO WILLIAM GREENER, _GUN MANUFACTURER_, ASTON NEW TOWN, BIRMINGHAM.

=Every description of Sporting Guns imported on reasonable Terms.=

POWDER FLASKS, SHOT POUCHES, WASHING RODS, AND IMPLEMENTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION REQUISITE FOR THE SPORTING FIELD.

ELEY’S CAPS AND WADDINGS, & PATENT CARTRIDGES.

STARKEY’S, PURSALL AND PHILLIPS’S, E. AND E. LUDLOW’S, AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS’ COPPER CAPS.

E. BAYLIS AND SON, Manufacturers of EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MILITARY AND SPORTING IMPLEMENTS, DOG-COLLARS, HANDCUFFS AND LEG-IRONS.

_Contractors to the Honourable Board of Ordnance._

ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM.

THOMAS DERRINGTON AND SON, Dealers in GUN AND PISTOL STOCKS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

=A large quantity of fine well-seasoned Gun-stocks always on hand.=

WALNUT TREES, WALNUT PLANKS, OR STOCKS, BOUGHT.

REED’S BUILDINGS, SHADWELL-STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

PHILIP WEBLEY, 84, WEAMAN STREET, BIRMINGHAM, _PRESENT CONTRACTOR TO THE HON. BOARD OF ORDNANCE_, PATENTEE OF SAFETY REVOLVING PISTOLS.

P. WEBLEY respectfully informs the public, that he is prepared to supply in any quantity his

PATENT REVOLVING PISTOLS,

which he can confidently recommend, as they embrace all latest improvements with the greatest possible simplicity of construction, and are pronounced by men of experience, both civil and military, to be most efficient weapons.

The action is very similar to the ordinary gun lock; the thumb being used to bring the hammer to cock, while the arm is extended; the chamber at the same time revolving and firmly locked at the moment of discharge, by a spring underneath, thus obviating the objection to other Patent Pistols, which are self-acting.

(Large size 48, middle 60, small 120 bores).

P. W. also manufactures Officers’ Double, Under and Over, Breast and Single Pistols.

P. W. particularly invites attention to his Under and Over Pistols, which are rifled and made to suit the present Government size cartridge.

P. W. also manufactures every description of Revolving, Saloon, Holster, Pocket, Inlaid and Fancy Pistols.

BULLET MOULDS

of every description, Greenerian, Minie, Pritchett, Whitworth, Jacob, Cone, Spherical, &c. Rifle sights, both military and burden. Rifle strap, Furniture, Gunlocks, and all other Implements.

PRESENT CONTRACTOR TO THE HONOURABLE BOARD OF ORDNANCE.

_PERCUSSION CAPS._ E. AND A. LUDLOW, MILITARY PERCUSSION CAP MAKERS, _AND PRESENT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS_,

Manufacturers of the Patent Double Waterproof Central Fire and Anticorrosive Caps; Chemically prepared edged Gun Wadding; Cartridges of every description. Inventor and sole Manufacturer of the Improved Flanged (or Hat) Caps, as adopted by all the leading sportsmen of the day, and acknowledged by all to be the best and most ready primer ever introduced.

Samples with Price List may be obtained at the Works.

72 AND 73 LEGGE STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

JOSEPH BOURNE, (_CONTRACTOR TO H. M.’S WAR DEPARTMENT_,)

Manufacturer of Guns, Muskets, Revolvers, Pistols, Rifles, and Small Arms suitable for the various markets and Governments of the world.

No. 5, WHITTALL STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

BY HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL LETTERS PATENT. MOORE AND HARRIS, IMPROVED FOWLING AND RIFLE GUN, AND PISTOL MAKERS, ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM.

Improved Breech-Loading Guns, Repeating Arms, and every approved article in the above line.

BY HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL LETTERS PATENT. PURSALL, PHILLIPS AND SON, MANUFACTURERS OF T. STARKEY AND CO.’S CENTRAL FIRE WATER-PROOF SAFETY CAP, _CONTRACTORS TO H. M.’S HON. BOARD OF ORDNANCE, AND TO THE HON. EAST INDIA COMPANY._

MANUFACTURERS OF

PERCUSSION, IMPERIAL, AND ANTICORROSIVE COPPER CAPS TUBES.

_Primers, Cartridges, &c., of every description, Chemically Prepared, and other Gun Waddings._

22, WHITTALL STREET, ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM.

PIGOU AND WILKS, _GUNPOWDER MANUFACTURERS_, DARTFORD AND LONDON.

CHARLES LAWRENCE AND SON, _GUNPOWDER MANUFACTURERS_, BATTLE AND LONDON.

JOHN HALL AND SON, _GUNPOWDER MANUFACTURERS_, FAVERSHAM MILLS AND LONDON.

CURTIS AND HERVEY, _GUNPOWDER MANUFACTURERS_, HOUNSLOW MILLS AND LONDON.

THE PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED TO JOSEPH BRAZIER AND SON, THE ASHES WORKS, WOLVERHAMPTON,

Manufacturers of Gun Locks of the very best description for the London and Scotch trades; Shot Pouches, Gun Implements, &c. &c.

Patentees of Improved Revolving Pistols, &c.

RIFLE MAKER TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT. WILLIAM TRANTER, INVENTOR, PATENTEE, AND MANUFACTURER OF THE DOUBLE-TRIGGER SAFETY REVOLVERS, DOUBLE ACTION COCKING REVOLVERS, _REVOLVING CHAMBER RIFLES AND CARBINES_, OSCILLATING BREECH-LOADING RIFLES, LUBRICATING BULLETS, &c.

13, ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM.

JAMES TOWNSEND, 11 & 12, SAND STREET, ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM. MANUFACTURER OF AIR CANES, AIR GUNS, AND AIR WEAPONS

Of every description, upon an improved construction, adapted for numerous Sports and Amusements, viz.--Killing Rabbits, Rooks, Sea Fowl, &c., with ball, destroying vermin, small birds, and collecting rare specimens with shot, and fish near the surface of the water with harpoons and lines.

ALSO,

Manufacturer of Powder, Walking-Stick Guns, Rifles of every variety, Saloon Pistols, Bulleted Caps, Needle Rifles, &c., &c.

_N.B._--Agents for the London Armoury Company for the sale of

ADAMS’ PATENT REVOLVER PISTOLS.

And likewise Agent for

COLONEL COLT’S PATENT REVOLVER PISTOL.

AN ASSORTMENT OF EACH ALWAYS KEPT IN STOCK.

W. R. PAPE. GUN AND RIFLE MAKER, 44, WESTGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.

Possesses the highest practical knowledge of what a Gun ought to be for general sporting purposes, and the fact of submitting every Gun to the severest tests, before being finally finished, gives him every confidence in stating, that for shooting powers and other good qualities, his guns cannot be excelled by any maker whatever; for proof of which, _see_ the amount of shooting at Ashburnham Park, London, on the 9th April 1858, in the _Field_ Newspaper of 17th April, 1858.

THOMAS KILBY AND SON, GUN BARREL MANUFACTURERS, 11, COURT, STEELHOUSE LANE, BIRMINGHAM.

Every description of Double and Single Barrels, Rifle and Revolving Pistol Barrels, warranted equal to those of any other Manufacturer of the day.

_COUNTRY ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO._

ELEY’S AMMUNITION.

ELEY BROTHERS, LONDON, beg to call the attention of Sportsmen to the advantages to be derived from the use of the Wire Cartridge, in the pursuit of all kinds of large or small game.

As there are few Sportsmen who are not in the habit of using these Cartridges, they are so well known as to make a description of them scarcely requisite. The shot is packed within a wire cage, which is constructed so as to allow them to escape from it gradually while the charge is in motion. They cause all guns to shoot with double the strength which can be obtained by the ordinary mode of loading, and with much greater regularity, as each shot retains its spherical form.

The Royal Cartridge is mostly used in this country for killing wild game.

The Green Cartridge is the sort generally in demand for India and America, being made for foreign field sports with the largest drop shot, and also with mould shot, and will be found very effective at large game where the Sportsman has not a rifle in the field.

ELEY’S DOUBLE WATERPROOF CENTRAL FIRE CAPS.

These Caps are now well known and approved, being found superior to all others for their certainty and rapidity of fire, either in dry or wet weather.

For India and the Colonies, or any climate where Caps may be exposed to great vicissitudes of heat, cold, or moisture, they are particularly recommended, as they cannot be injured by any amount of exposure to wet or heat, nor their qualities impaired, if kept for years in a tropical climate. The ignition at all times is safe and certain, whilst in humid weather, the discharge is as instantaneous as with the ordinary Cap on the dryest day.

For testimonials as to their value for shooting in India _see_ Colonel Jacob’s work on “Rifles and Projectiles.”

They have been much approved for the rifle in foreign field sports, where the Cap is often allowed to remain a long time upon the nipple.

Being perfectly waterproof, they will bear immersion in sea-water for days without injury; but when testing them in this manner, it is necessary to blow the water out of them before placing them upon the nipple.

Concaved Felt, and chemically prepared Cloth Gun Waddings, to prevent the leading of guns, warranted not to blow to pieces in the barrel.

Cartridges for Breech-loading Shot Guns, Rifles, &c.; also for Sharp’s Breech-loading Rifles, and Prince’s Breech-loading Carbines.

Cartridges made for Needle Rifles, very simple and effective in their construction.

Skin Cartridges, suitable for Adams’, Deane’s, and Colt’s Revolvers--warranted to leave no deposit when fired.

Also Rifle Shell Tubes, as manufactured by direction of Colonel John Jacob, of the Bombay Artillery, and every description of ammunition for sporting or military purposes.

Sole Contractors to the War Department for Waterproof Military Caps, Revolver Cartridges, Jacob’s Rifle Shell Tubes, &c.

Eley’s ammunition may be had of all Gunmakers and Dealers at home or abroad.

ELEY BROTHERS, LONDON.

(WHOLESALE ONLY.)

WILLIAM EVANS, THIRTEEN YEARS WITH JOSEPH BROSIER AND SON, GUN LOCK MANUFACTURER, 15 BATH STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

CHARLES MAYBURY, MANUFACTURER OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF SPORTSMAN’S GUNS, RIFLES, PISTOLS, ETC., REVOLVERS ON “TRANTER’S” AND ALL OTHER PATENT IMPROVED PRINCIPLES, FOR HOME AND EXPORTATION, 15 ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM.

W. AND C. SCOTT AND SON, GUN AND PISTOL MAKERS, 95, BATH STREET, BIRMINGHAM. GUNS FOR HOME USE AND EXPORTATION.

_65, Cornhill, London, September, 1858._

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