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A nVfr.PTTSWTVTFMTS 
 
 Cla8S.Ul>.53l^! Book...K..9.((?..( 
 
 Ace. No .f:/.r5..^...7..!^. 
 
 Department of National 
 Defence Library 
 
 RULES 
 
 1. Books, other than reference books, are loaned 
 for a period not exceeding 14 days. Two extensions 
 of seven days each may be obtained on application to 
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 book is not otherwise in demand. 
 
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 away from offices occupied by the Department of National 
 Defence. 
 
 NOTE : — Suggestions as to new books to be obtained 
 for the Library should be addressed to the Librarian, 
 the following particulars being furnished: (a) Name of 
 book, (b) Author, (c) Publishers, (d) Price. 
 
 lOM-4-56 (M-9063-77) 
 
 s. 
 
 DW 
 
 >ve 
 nd 
 
 ES. 
 
 )a- 
 
 OR 
 
 <fci> 
 
 S{ 
 
 in 
 
 ire 
 ire 
 
 I 
 
 ,er 
 
 Sporting Implements, &c. 
 
 Small Bore Rifles 
 
 Of any grooving required, made to order. Warranted equal to any. 
 
 TELESCOPE, VERNIER AND OTHER SIGHTS, &c 
 
 133 Yonge Street, 
 
 TORONTO, ONT. 
 
 Bl 
 
 Si 
 
 F 
 D 
 
 E 
 C 
 D 
 
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 pw 
 
 ve 
 
 OB 
 
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 ire 
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 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 s^. 
 
 «b» 
 
 l;l 
 
 Celebrated Targets, Mantl^w>-ocui^^> 
 
 OF HEMATITE IRON. /^ RECEIVED 
 
 RICHARDS & Co., Sole 
 
 KILL'S PATENT DISG-MARKING SCREENS (LINE 
 
 3rd, 2nd, lat Class, 115s., 120a., 125s., with Discs, Ac 
 clasa rsspectively. 
 
 "Extract from National Rifle Association Report. — 1865. 
 
 d stem 80 
 opted." 
 
 ''A system 80 perfect and so safe as Captain Hill's, should be uniyer 
 ado 
 
 Regulation Targets — Price, 3 guineas each, complete vni)x Stays, &c. 
 Mantlets— £16.16 each, complete. Double, £23. 
 
 Iron Merchants, (be, 
 117 & 118 BisHOPSOATE Within, Loxdon. 
 
 THE HAMILTON POWDER COMPANY, 
 
 Manuracturers of the following brands of powder: 
 
 Blasting- CI, C & B. ^ 
 
 Sporting— F, FF & FFF. \ In kegs of 25 lbs. •ach. 
 
 Do Ex. Rifle Coarse Grain. J 
 
 In cases containing 34 U>8. each. 
 
 FF and FFF Jib. and lb. canisters. 
 Duck shooting, ^Ib. and lb. 
 
 Do in 61b. 
 
 Extra Sporting, ^Ib. and lb. 
 Canadian Rifle, in 61b. 
 Diamond Grain, Jib. and lb. 
 
 Office, IVo. aiKIng Street, Hamilton, Ontario. 
 
 JAMES WATSON, 
 
 President. 
 BENJAMIN CLARK, 
 
 Secretarj/. 
 
 HAMILTON, 16th March, 1869. 
 
 Nos. 1, 2 and 3. 
 " 1,2 and 3. 
 " land 2. 
 " land 2. 
 
 LM21 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 vfc 
 
 *> 
 
v^ 
 
 *> 
 
 I 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 MAYNAED SPORTING RIFLES, 
 
 MANUFACTURED BY 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS ARMS COMPANY. 
 
 These celebrated Target and Sporting Arms, with interchangeable rifle 
 and shot barrels, which for convenience, accuracy and penetration have 
 secured a reputation ])eyond that of any other breach loading ann, may 
 be obtained directly from the manufactory on the most f arorable tonns. 
 
 Descriptive Circulars, with price list and Taryct Bcprcscntations will 
 be sent, on request, by letter addressed to the Company at Chicopeo 
 Falls, Mass. 
 
 Diagrams of Tarf/ds made ^vith the Maynard Rifle. — (See opposite page.) 
 
 No. 
 
 1, by O. S. Goodell, Chicope© Falls, 35 cal., 10 shots, 10 rods. 
 
 5, 
 7, 
 
 A. H. Wyant, Washington, Ct., 4 " " 10 
 
 " Cyrus Bradley,Hartwich, N.Y.35 " " 10 " 
 
 ft (( a *' 3r» " '• 20 " 
 
 E. H. Johnson, Chicopee Falls 35 " " 10 " 
 
 W. P. McFarland, 4 " " 10 " 
 
 TKSTI]MONI^^LS : 
 
 " I have long since recommended the Maynard Rifle in preference to 
 all others, and in fact, as the only breech-loader which completely fills 
 my conception of the requirements of a sportsman weapon. 
 
 " II. W. S. CLEVELAND," 
 
 Author of "//t'rt^a <o i?//?e»ic/i." 
 
 " Albion, N. Y., December 21, 1868. 
 " In a trial, last Tuesday, with a gentleman who had a new muzzle- 
 loader, weighing twenty pounds, and made to beat us with, we fired 
 nearly all day ; distance 90 and 150 rods. At the close, he came down like 
 a man and admitted that we could shoot as well with the ' Maynard' at 
 any distance, and a great deal better at long ones. 
 
 " LINUS JONES PECK." 
 
 "Central City, Cal., January 24, 1869. 
 " I am more than satisfied with the Maynard Rifle, and highly pleased. 
 I believe it to be the best I ever used, or saw used here or elsewhere; 
 and this I say, after shooting it several hundred times with special 
 reference to developing its capacity at different distances. 
 
 •' L. C. TOLLES.^' 
 
 "I 
 
 " East Saginaw, August 2, 1868. 
 write to let you know something of my match with the muzzle- 
 loaders. It was the result of considerable controversy between members 
 of the Rifle Club at Saginaw City and myself, in regard to the merits of 
 muzzle and breech-loaders. One of the members had two rifles made by 
 James, of Utica, N. Y. , one of them with teloscopic and the other with 
 bead sights, both patent muzzles, set triggers, &c., &c. Four heavy 
 muzzle-loaders entered against the litttle ' Maynard ;' distance 80 rods, 
 each shooting in turn. We continued till each had fired 18 rounds, and 
 then quit, as it was near night, with the following result : — The target 
 had been hit 24 times, 12 of which were by the ' Maynard.' The James' 
 rifle hit 6 times, and the others 3, 2 and 2 respectively ; Maynard ahead, 
 beat them altogether, bad. At first the crowd sneered at the little 
 breech-loader, then, as the match advanced, they began to open their eyes, 
 and, at the last, I was so pressed with enquiries and examinations, that 
 I could with difficulty clean and load my gun. 
 r "JESSE E. BURDICK." 
 
J 
 
ILLUSTRATED 
 
 H^]SrD BOOK 
 
 OF 
 
 L 
 
 IIIFLE SHOOTING, 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 ^PPEISTDIX, 
 
 BY 
 
 LIEUT. ALEX. LORD RUSSELL, 
 
 OEADUATE SCHOOL OF GUNNERY AND MILITARY SCHOOL, 
 
 Secretary Toronto Rifle Club. 
 
 HUNTER, ROSE & CO., NO. 86 KING STREET, WEST. 
 
 1869. 
 
"A soldier who cannot shoot is useless, and an encumbrance to the 
 Battalion."— Horse Guards. 
 
 " Whatever state shall thoroughly comprehend the nature and advantages 
 of rifle pieces, and having facilitated and completed their construction, 
 shall introduce into their armies their general use, with a dexterity in the 
 management of them, will by this means acquire a Buperiority, which 
 will perhaps fall but little short of the wonderful effects which histories 
 relate to have been formerly produced by the first inventors of fire-arms." 
 — Kobins, 1748. 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 nbrance to the 
 
 and advantages 
 Ir construction, 
 dexterity in the 
 leriority, which 
 which histories 
 •9 of fire-arms." 
 
 " Tlion wast not over nice, nor coy, Brown Bksh, 
 Since any man thy Hwelliny charms could press. 
 Not so, thy rival -coy eHt of the coy ; 
 To win lier favors, needs the mind's employ. 
 
 —The iiifie and the Man. 
 
 While reading up for my own instruction during the past 
 winter, the thought occurred to me that the re.sult of my 
 investigations, in the absence of any other work on this very 
 interesting and imi)ortant subject, might prove of service to 
 riflemen gctnerally. Acting on tliis impulse, I commenced a 
 short synopsis, which, in the great interest I take in such 
 matters, has grown into a handbook. Trusting that it may 
 have an extended circulation, and be an assistance to ama- 
 teurs and the Volunteers generally, I have i)laced the cost 
 so as merely to cover the actual expense incurred. 
 
 " Content, if here the unlearned their wants may view. 
 The learned reflect on what before they knew." 
 
 Trusting that those who may be more qualified than 
 myself to take the initiative in this most agreeable task, and 
 " crack shots " generally will not be too severe on this my 
 maiden effort, I fire my fifst experimental cartridge, filled 
 vith the best intentions, at the youth of British North 
 America. 
 
 To those oflEicers who kindly encouraged and assisted me 
 by word and deed, 1 tender my best thanks. 
 
 In the event of a second edition being printed, the author 
 will be thankful to be informed of any errors or omissions 
 that may be observed. 
 
 Alex. L, Russell. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 THE HAZARD POWDER COMPANY 
 
 1SAZARDVIL.I.C, COi\^i:CTIC:LT, 
 
 MANUFACTUHEliS OF 
 
 Sporting, Rifle and Target 
 
 Of the foUoxving standard brands : 
 
 "Electric," Nos. 1. 2, 3, 4 and 5 grain, in llt>. canisters. 
 
 "AMRitrcAN' Spurting," Ganiu size, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, in Itb. canisters and 
 G.ttt). keys. 
 
 "DuuK Shouting," Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grain, in Itb. and hXb. canisters, 
 and (>.[ll). kegH. 
 
 'tKENTUCKY illFLK," in ^Ib., lit), and 51b. canisters. 
 
 "Kentucky Kiflk," FFl'G, FFG, and Sea-Shooting FG, in kegn of 
 2ulbs., l-Jilbs., and G.ttbs. 
 
 CANNOI & MUSKET POWDER 
 
 U. S. GOVERNMENT STANDARD, 
 
 IN BARRELS AND KEGS. H 
 
 MINING AND BLASTING POWDER. 
 
 The above well-known Powders are siii)[)lied by the Company's Agents 
 and by all dealers in (inns and Sporting ^Haterials throxighout tiie United 
 States, and ut the office of the Company, 
 
 §9 WAL.1^ STREirr, ^K^V YORK. 
 
 A. G. HAZARD, President. 
 THOS. S. POPE, Secretary. 
 
ANY 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 rget 
 
 listers and 
 canisters, 
 
 in kegH of 
 
 DER 
 
 DER. 
 
 ^'s Ayents 
 le United 
 
 sident. 
 
 Origin and Puoouess ok Riplk Shooting in Canada— Canada 
 
 AT WiMIU.KDoN. 
 
 First attempt at ()r;,'anizini,' a Rifle Association; olticial corresponilence 
 of Duke of Newcastle and Jjord Klclio ; Ul)per Canada R. A.; Canadian 
 K. A.; distribution of targets l)y Militia Oepartnient ; first Rifle Meet- 
 ing in C'anada ; returns of Volunteer Target Practice; Nova Scotia 
 Association ; New Rrunswick Association ; organization of I)oniinion of 
 (Canada Rifle Association ; Prize Meetings in Canada; I'ool Matches for 
 (Quebec ; letter from Secretary of National K. A.; matches at Wimble- 
 don open to Canadians. — pp. 1-9. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Qualifications Reqi'i.sitk fou a (tooi^ TIifle Shot. 
 
 Mistaken opinion ; good health and sight onlv necessary ; many shoot 
 well at long and not short ranges; aiming 'nactice recomni ended ; ap- 
 parent sizes of target at different tlistances pj), D-il. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Po.SITKtNH FOU TaUUKT Si OOTING, T>KKys, TRAINING, &C. 
 
 Few advisable positions ; standing ; Swiss and A .iierican peculiarities; 
 kneeling; Hythe position, jjrobability of being done away with ; sitting; 
 lying down the best position ; Farquharsun iK)sition ; resting miu on 
 ground nnadvisable. 
 
 DuEss. — Importance of suitable outfit; suggestions respecting nni- 
 forms ; author's experience ; Havelock's ; dress for all-comei-s' matches. 
 
 Training. —Severe training unnecessary ; gi'eat strength no advan- 
 tage ; moderate exercise and regular diet the principal points ; Captain 
 Heaton's experience.-— /)ja. 12-22. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Rifle— The Various Parts; How to Clean and Keep 
 Them in Proper Condition. 
 
 Ruinous effects of rust ; the lock, dismounting, cleaning, and remount, 
 ing ; regulating and testing the pull-oif ; cleaning out ; Wishart's fluid ; 
 cleaning rods, gi-eat care necessary ; polished stocks ; reflectors ; rifles 
 put away for winter.—^/). 22-30. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Theoretical Principles. 
 
 Theory proved by practice ; construction of a rifle barrel ; the bore 
 axis, line of fire ; resistance of atmosphere and gravitation ; inertia ; 
 various motions ; velocity ; effeotT of gravity ; resistance of the air, 
 bullets range further in air than vacuum ; best form of huRet,— pp. 31-38. 
 
XI 1 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 RiFLEH AND RiFLING. 
 
 When guns first nsed ; invention of rifling ; windage ; inaccuracy of 
 "Brown Bess;" various systems of grooving — Enfield, Martini-Henry, 
 Wliitworth, Rigby, Metford, Maynard ; Whitworth's guage of bore ; 
 Governir. -nt experiments; shallow grooving; soft and hard bullets; 
 boring a rifle barrel ; novel idea ; the Henry Breech-loader ; the Mar- 
 STON ; the Maynard ; the Martini-Henry; the Metford; the Rigby; 
 Sharp'h rifle ; the Snider Enfield ; the Turner ; the Whitworth ; 
 other makers ; directions for ordering a rifle ; duty on rifles, &c. — pp. 
 39-61. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Ammunition, Bullets, Powder, &c. 
 
 The Snider and Boxer-Henry cartridge ; excellent results obtained 
 therewith; hollowing out centre of bullet; cannelures; cartridge pouches; 
 prices of various ammunition ; casting bullets ; lead to be soft and 
 clean ; bullet moulds ; swedging ; directions for casting bullets, ladles, 
 compressed and cast bullets ; prices of bullets ; specimens of bullets ; 
 powder and its substitutes ; vital importance of good powder ; laying in 
 stock ; damp powder worthless ; composition of gunpowder ; glazing ; 
 theory of explosion ; doctrine of " initial blow ;" proper charge; curious 
 exi)eriments ; proijer size of grain ; different brands ; non-explosive 
 powder ; prices ; gun-cotton ; air guns ; electricity ; nitro-glycerene ; 
 percussion caps. — pp. 61-76. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Loading. 
 
 Never load the Snider until pre])ared to shoot ; powder flasks ; ammu- 
 nition case ; proj^er charge ; Metford's opinion ; load soon after firing ;. 
 effect of difference of a few grains in powder and bullet ; grease and 
 wads ; loading rods ; danger of keejjing a rifle capped ; two charges ; 
 expeditious cleaning, —pp. 77-82. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Sights, Aim, &a 
 
 Clumsy contrivances formerly used ; varieties of useful sights ; mili- 
 tary sights ; aperture back-sight ; middle sight ; appearances of sights 
 on target ; aperture fore-sights ; sights allowed at Wimbledon and 
 Laprairie ; telescoi)e sights ; reading the vernier ; aiming ; blurr of 
 Enfield sights-; ; aiming with lioth eyes ; fore-sight ; author's experience; 
 hang fires ; fine, full, and half-sight ; point to aim at ; rifle to be held 
 perpendicular; spirit levels. — pp. 83-97. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Allowance for Wind. 
 
 Few good judges of wind ; natural tendency to aim at object; allow- 
 ance for drift ; recording the direction and force of wind ; effects of 
 various winds ; deceptive appearances ; velocity of wind ; table of 
 allowances ; anemometers ; atmosphere ; impossibility of fixing rules ; 
 effects of sun, rain, &c.; sights to be well blackened. — pp, 97-104. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Htnth to be Remembeked at Rifle Matches. 
 
 Attend to your business ; never argrne ; iise your own judgment ; load 
 your own rifle ; enter early and don't hurry ; take pains. — pp. 10.5-lOC. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Judging Distanceh. 
 
 Great value of such knowledge in action ; low trajectory ; result of 
 miscalculation of distances ; dangerous space of the Enfield rifle ; trajec- 
 jectory of the Enfield ; judging distance drill ; appearance of men at 
 various distances ; effect of contrast of colour on distance ; firing \vithout 
 elevating the sight ; firing at unseen enemy ; stadia ; number of drills in 
 musketry instruction, —pp. 108-115. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Explanation of the Principal Terms used in Connection with 
 the Science of Musketry— Interesting and Useful Data, 
 
 Calculations, «fec. 
 
 Visibility of colours under different circiimstances ; measuring vm- 
 known distances and heights ; tables for weights and measures, &c., &c. 
 —pp. 116-120. 
 
 Appendix A. 
 Appendix B.- 
 Appendix C- 
 Appendix D. 
 
 Appendix E. 
 Appendix F. 
 Appendix Gr. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 -Wimbledon Match Regulations. —/)/). 1-5. 
 
 -Rifle Association Rules and Regixlations.— ^)/). 6-10. 
 
 -Rifle Associations in Canada.—^/). 11-17. 
 
 -Rifle Ranges — Disc Marking Butts- - Laprairie, Bed- 
 ford, -pp. 18-29. 
 
 -Celelaated Scores — Canada and Wimbledon. — pp.'60-A2. 
 
 -Tai'get practice forms. — pp. 48-47. 
 
 -Militia Act and (ieneral Orders, re. arms, ammunition, 
 kc.—pp. 47-52. 
 
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CHAPTER I. 
 
 Origin and Progress of Rifle Shooting in Canada. 
 Canada at Wimbledon. 
 
 "And shall we forfeit the high place, the confidence and tnist, 
 For lack of zeal, and lay our arms ignobly by to rust ? 
 Forbid it ev'ry holy thought ; let each man grasp the arm — 
 The matchless weapon that replies to war and war's alarm ; 
 And let him use the Rifle as the bow was used of yore, 
 And score the three feet centres at a thousand yards or more. 
 So shall the homes of Canada, the country of our birth, 
 Be still the land of heart and hand for all that's bright on earth." 
 
 To the National Rifle Association of England is due the 
 formation of the first Rifle Association in Canada, and to 
 the Toronto Force the credit of the first successful attempt 
 at organization and carrying out the objects for which 
 such an Association is formed, viz. : "To give permanence 
 to Volunteer Corps, and to promote rifle shooting through- 
 out Canada." 
 
 The following correspondence, which appeared in the 
 Canada Gazette of 2nd March, 1861, speaks for itself, and 
 coming from Headquarters will prove doubly interesting : — 
 
 "Downing Street, 
 
 "February 8, 18G1. 
 "Sir, — I transmit to you a copy of a letter from Lord 
 Elcho, the Chairman of the National Rifle Association, in- 
 forming me that, in accordance with Her Majesty's desire, 
 Colonial Volunteers will be entitled to compete for the 
 Queen's Prize at their annual prize meeting, upon the same 
 terms as the Volunteers of Great Britain, and that the Asso- 
 ciation will give one silver medal to Colonial Rifle Associa- 
 
2 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF 
 
 tions. I transmit to you, for general information, copies of 
 the Association's proceedings, containing their rules, &c. 
 
 "I have to request that you will make Her Majesty's 
 gracious desire publicly known in the Colony under your 
 government. You will, at the same time, take such steps 
 as may appear to you best adapted for giving effect to the 
 intentions of the Association, and will make application 
 through me, for the silver medal, when any organised body 
 or bodies exist in the Colony under your government who 
 are desirous of competing for it. 
 
 " I have, &c., 
 
 (Signed) "Newcastle. 
 
 " The Right Honorable Sir Edmund Head, Bart." 
 
 " National Rifle Association, 
 
 "11 Pail-Mall East, Jan. 28, 1861. 
 
 "My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to inform your 
 Grace that, in accordance with Her Majesty's desire. Colo- 
 nial Volunteers will be entitled to compete for the Queen's 
 Prize at our Annual Prize Meeting, on the same terms as the 
 Volunteers of Great Britain ; and I have further to inform 
 your Grace, that with a view still further to connect the 
 Colonies with the Mother Country in the matter of rifle 
 shooting, the Council of the National Rifle Association have 
 resolved to give one silver medal to Colonial Rifle Associa- 
 tions. 
 
 " These medals will be allotted in the proportion of one to 
 each Colony on application from the Colonial Authorities, 
 sanctioned by the Colonial Office. 
 
 " The History and Proceedings of the National Rifle Asso- 
 ciation (1860), containing our Rules, &c., and the Statistics 
 of the Wimbledon Prize Meeting, being now published, I 
 
RIFLE SHOOTING IN CANADA. 
 
 3 
 
 1861. 
 
 shall be glad to know if your Grace would wish to send any 
 copies to the Colonies, as they might perhaps be of use in 
 the formation of Colonial Associations. 
 
 " I have, &c., 
 
 (Signed) "Elcho. 
 " Chairman of the Council of the N. B. A. 
 
 "P.S. — The next Annual Prize Meeting of the National 
 Rifle Association takes place early in July. 
 
 " His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G." 
 
 Prompted by the above, the officers of the active force of 
 Toronto city assembled to consider a scheme for advancing 
 the object proposed, and having discussed the subject, ad- 
 journed till th3 11th of the same month, in order that in- 
 structions might be received from the Adjutant-General's 
 Department, with which they had placed themselves in 
 communication. At the adjourned meeting, the Chairman 
 Col. Denison, read a letter stating that His Excellency had 
 no suggestions to offer, but wished them every success in 
 their efforts. No action having been taken elsewhere, it was 
 resolved that a meeting of representatives from the several 
 corps of the Volunteer Militia be held at Toronto, as the 
 most convenient place (there being 62 corps in Upper Cana- 
 da to only about 30 in Lower Canada), on the 25th April, 
 1861. As thirty-five corps from Upper Canada and none 
 of Lower Canada were represented at this meeting, Lieut. - 
 Col. Durie, on behalf of the Committee, submitted a draft 
 of a proposed constitution, amended for Upper Canada only, 
 which was adopted, and the office-holc^rs* for the current 
 year appointed. 
 
 While, however, this was taking place at Toronto, the 
 Lower Canadians, two days latter (27th April), and uu- 
 
w 
 
 4 
 
 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF 
 
 known to the Upper Canada Association, had organized the 
 " Canadian Eifle Association." Not wishing that any 
 rivalry should exist in this most laudable undertaking, the 
 Upper Canada Association proposed to amalgamate with 
 the " Canadian Rifle Association," but from inability of the 
 latter to obtain a quorum, no official action could be taken 
 in the matter. This delay having prevented the Upper 
 Canada Association from holding their proposed annual 
 match, and seeing no arrangements were likely to take place, 
 the President was requested to wait on His Excellency Lord 
 Monck, and invite him to honor the U. C. Association by 
 becoming its Patron. To this arrangement the Governor 
 General cheerfully assented, and, moreover, promised a prize 
 for competition, and stated that he would endeavour to 
 obtain the silver medal of the National Rifle Association, 
 and that he would also attend and present the prizes when 
 distributed. The reasons for not having a match in 18G1 
 were fully given in a small pamphlet published by the 
 Secretary, entitled " History and Proceedings of the Upper 
 Canada Rifle Association." 
 
 During this year 70 iron targets, with the necessary 
 number of flags were imported from England, at a cost 
 of $1,600, and a complete set distributed to the principal 
 stations at Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, 
 Hamilton and London. 
 
 The meetings of the Upper Canada Rifle Association in 
 June and September of 18G2, at Toronto, were the first, 
 regularly organized rifle meetings in either Upper or Lower 
 Canada. As a result of the stimulus given to rifle competi- 
 tion by these two meetings, on the following year rifle 
 matches, on a more or less extensive scale, w^ere held in 
 numerous localities, and for generous prizes, throughout the 
 wh ' J length of Canada. Target practice was also better 
 
 1.1 
 
RIFLE SHOOTING IN CANADA. 
 
 ! it: 
 
 attended to, and to check the " mdustrious few" who were 
 monopolizing all the practice ammunition of the companies, 
 forms of " target practice returns" were issued, wherein 
 every round had to be accounted for, and no one to fire 
 more than the Government allowance. 545 returns were 
 sent in during the year, 143 from Lower Canada and 402 
 from Upper Canada. During this yeai^ $2,863 worth of 
 ezira ammunition was purchased, and besides the Grand 
 Tournament at Montreal, in September, where there were 
 1,250 competitors for prizes, representing a value of over 
 $2,200, I discover returns of 23 other competitions, re- 
 presenting a total aggregate of over $10,000 in prizes. 
 
 In 1864, increased facilities were afforded for target 
 practice by the distribution of 40 targets as follows, viz. : 
 Montreal 6, Quebec 3, Toronto 3, Sherbrooke 3, St. John's, 
 (Quebec) 3, St. Catharines 3, Picton 3, Belleville 3, Cobourg 
 3, Goderich 3, Brantford 3, Simcoe 2, Chatham 2. About 
 the same value of prizes were competed for this year as in 
 1863, the total number of competitors being over 6,000, 
 Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton each having prize lists of 
 over $1,000. Of the 161 target practice returns received 
 by the Militia Department, there was a noticeable improve- 
 ment in the averages. 92,500 rounds of extra ammunition 
 were purchased for private practice in this year. 
 
 In 1865 the returns (always incomplete) shewed a total 
 of 23,300 men exercised at target practice ; but one company, 
 however, had gone through the whole course from 100 to 
 600 yards. Altogether there was a great diminution of 
 interest in rifle shooting, both fewer prizes being offered 
 and less extra ammunition purchased (35,000 rounds). 
 
 In the month of September, 55 iron targets were received 
 from England and distributed where most required in the 
 rural parts. 
 
6 
 
 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OP 
 
 During the year 1867, notwithstanding the interruption 
 caused by the exchange of the muzzle-loader for the improved 
 Snider, and the increased cost of the cartridges, target 
 practice was vigorously carried on, 100,000 rounds of extra 
 ammunition being expended in private practice, and a like 
 quantity by the 10,200 men who were reported as exercised 
 at ball practice. Twenty-four new iron targets were dis- 
 tributed in September, to some of the brigade divisions in 
 the Province of Quebec. 
 
 The Provincial Rifle Association of Nova Scotia was 
 founded in 1864, with H. R. H. the Prince of Wales as 
 Patron. They are affiliated with the National Rifle Asso- 
 ciation (£20 stg.), from whom they receive the Colonial 
 " silver medal," and likewise have a gold medal of their own 
 for annual competition. Over $2,480 were competed for on 
 their splendid ranges at Bedford, near Halifax, and at the 
 competitions of the seven Counties in connection with the 
 Provincial Association, in 1867. 
 
 The first annual tournament of the New Brunswick Rifle 
 Association came off" at Sussex Vale, in the month of Septem- 
 ber, 1867, during which year, prizes in money and kind, 
 worth $2,675, were distributed — rather a contrast to the 
 previous year, when $150 were all that swelled the prize list, 
 shewing the benefit of organization in such matters. This 
 Association is likewise affiliated with the National Rifle As 
 sociation, and has also a Provincial gold medal. The prize 
 lists in 1868 amounted to $2,737, of which it is stated 
 $2,000 was Government grant. This Association has five 
 County Associations in connection with it, which all hold 
 annual prize meetings. 
 
 During the past year, thanks to our energetic and able 
 Adjutant-General, the long desired Dominion of Canada 
 Rifle Association has been established, and will, under the 
 
RIFLE SHOOTING IN CANADA. 
 
 A 
 
 4' 
 
 patronage of the Government, doubtlesss produce in Canada 
 results similar to the National Rifle Association of England, 
 which has made Britain, by educating the youth in the use 
 of the rifle and fostering Volunteer corps, the emblem of 
 security and power among the natioiis. The generous 
 action of the Government, in appropriating $100 to each 
 affiliated Association, has been the means of creating and 
 strengthening Rifle Associations in Canada, and securing 
 their co-operation with the parent Society. The formation 
 of the Ontario Rifle Association will aff'ord an annual oppor- 
 tunity of contesting the championship of the Province, and 
 competing for a place in the Province team, the highest of 
 all Provincial honors. 
 
 It is to be hoped that a similar organization may be 
 effected in Quebec, which, although possessed of but few 
 marksmen, has proved those few equal to the best by 
 carrying off the Provincial and Battalion prizes last year at 
 Laprairie.* 
 
 In 1868, in addition to numerous petty competitions in 
 the rural districts and elsewhere, most successful matches 
 have taken place at the following localities: Laprairie, 
 $5,200; Quebec, $1,265; Ottawa, $1,075; Toronto (Queen's 
 Own and 10th Royals), $700 ; Hamilton, $500 ; York (Hal- 
 
 *The Montreal Rifle Association have originated a "Pool," which 
 has many commendable features, and will afford an opportunity of 
 judging of the relative merits of the riflemen in that Province, and 
 to a great extent perform the functions of a Provincial Association. 
 The proposition is to have a pool match once a month, or oftener if 
 desired, during the summer, at Point St. Charles, for Snider rifles. 
 The conditions to be as follows: Seven shots at say 200, 500 and 600 
 yards. Entrance fee to be $2. The whole amount, less 15 per cent, 
 for expenses, to form a prize fund, divided into shares as follows. 
 
 Aggregate scores. — 1st prize 10 shares, 2nd 8, 3rd 5, 4th 3, 5th and 
 6th 2, 7th to 12th 1. Single distances. — 1st prize, 5 shares, 2nd, 2, 
 3rd 1. Wimbledon rules, &c. Prizes to be paid on the ground. 
 Should the above succeed, a similar arrangement to be made for small 
 bores. 150 entries would make shares worth $4 each. 
 
8 
 
 ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF 
 
 (limand Rifles), $500; Osliawa, $475; Brockville, $.315; 
 Kingston (Princess of Wales Own), $2G5 ; St. Catharines, 
 $230 ; Levis, $225--rci)rescnting a total of over $10,700. 
 In Nova Scotia over $1950 were competed for at Bedford, 
 of which amount $1500 was grant from Dominion Govern- 
 ment, and $200 from Local Government. 
 
 The scores have also improved greatly, duo to the steady 
 improvement of the men and the superior rifles and ammu- 
 nition. 
 
 Last year the Government ordered from Messrs. Morland, 
 Watson & Co., of Montreal, at a cost of $5,300, 200 targets, 
 similar to the regulation issue. These were completed last 
 June, and distributed as follows : 1st Military District, 40, 
 2nd 50, 3rd 21, 4th 27— Ontario 138 ; 5th Military District 
 47, 6th 15. 
 
 As a great deal of "Wimbledon" correspondence has 
 
 necessarily been incorporated in this chapter, I insert here 
 
 a copy of a letter received by me vrhen agitating a " team" 
 
 in 1867:— 
 
 " National Rifle Association, 
 
 " 12 Pail-Mall East, London, S. W. 
 
 " Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter of the 30th April last, and am directed by the 
 Council of the Association to assure you that they are very 
 much gratified to think that there may be a chance of 
 welcoming at Wimbledon some of the Volunteers from 
 Canada, as representativefs of the Colony at the Wimbledon 
 competitions. 
 
 " I herewith enclose a prize list, which will enable you to 
 see which prizes your men can enter for. 
 
 " As Volunteers, you can compete for the Queen's Prize, 
 and if you would let me know how many of your men would 
 be likely to come, I will take care that they are, on their 
 
 i 
 
 << 
 
RIFLE SHOOTING IN CANADA. 9 
 
 arrival, provided with rifles. We could also give them am- 
 munition in the camp. The charge would be Is. 6d. per 
 man daily. I shall always be very happy at any time to 
 give you any information you may require relative to the 
 meeting, and to place my services at your disposal. 
 
 (Signed) " Edmund St. John Mildmay, 
 
 " Secretary N, R. A, 
 " A Lord Russell, Esq., 
 
 " Ottawa." 
 
 !■ 
 
 Besides the Queen's Prize, above referred to, Canadians 
 can enter for all open prizes, the " International Enfield," 
 "Association Cups" (2), but neither the "Elcho Challenge 
 Shield" nor the " County" prize. To show Canadians what 
 would be necessary to distinguish themselves at Wimbledon, 
 I have given elsewhere the scores of the prize winners of 
 last year in those matches we would be permitted to 
 compete in. Although not possessed of many small bores 
 for " all comers" matches, our Enfield scores can compare 
 most favorably with the English shooting. It was unfor- 
 tunate for comparison sake that our Dominion match last 
 year took place in so very unfavorable weather. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Qualifications requsite for a good Rifle Shot. 
 
 Nothing is more common than to hear those looking on 
 at rifle matches, on being chaffed by competitors, say "Every 
 one has his specialty, and I^was not born to be a rifleman." 
 " Naseitur non fit" may do for poets, but certainly not for 
 riflemen." 
 
10 
 
 QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE 
 
 This foregone conclusion, in nine instances out of ten, is 
 quite a mistake, arising generally from pure ignorance of 
 the subject. They have probably heard it remarked, that a 
 variation of say quarter an inch at the muzzle will send the ball 
 yards away from the target even at the shorter ranges, and are 
 already convinced in their own minds that ihey could not 
 help wavering to that extent, and some even who may be 
 fair shots standing at 200 yards, knowing that the deviation 
 increases in geometrical proportion as we recede from the 
 target, do not attempt lunger ranges. To encourage 
 these latter, I may remark that I know many who are 
 first-class shots at the longer ranges, where kneeling or 
 " any position" is permitted, who cannot succeed at all at 
 200 and 300 yards. 
 
 None except those who have serious physical or mental 
 defects or diseases should give in to the impression that 
 they cannot shoot. There is nothing like making an effort, 
 and even should fortune not favor their first attempts, they 
 should persevere, for I have known numbers who in class 
 firing, as a matter of form, have expended the allotted num- 
 ber of rounds without a single hit, yet after proper instruc- 
 tion and training, or a few hints from some good shot, have 
 become excellent marksmen. There are undoubtedly those 
 who seem perfectly at home the first time they take a rifle 
 in hand, and who may even gain the first place in competi- 
 tion with those of much practical experience. 
 
 I perfectly agree with Capt. Heaton, of England, that any 
 man possessed of good health and sight may, by steady per- 
 severance, become an A. 1. rifle shot. Nor is it necessary to 
 accomplish this that incessant practice should be resorted 
 to. Hans Busk asserts with a great deal of truth that any- 
 one who has eyes can become a very fair shot without any 
 practice whatever, simply by accustoming himself to the rifla 
 
FOR A GOOD RIFLE SHOT. 
 
 11 
 
 by "position drill," snapping caps, <^'c., in his own bedroom, 
 and reading up a little. There i.s no doubt but a groat deal 
 may thus be accomplished, and I attribute most of my early 
 success, and also Capt. Edwards, and others of this city, to the 
 habit of occasionally taking up a ritlo and aiming and snap- 
 ping at a miniature target outside the window, whenever 
 at leisure. With an even light, and no wind, a man 
 becomes a mere machine, as neither judgment nor experi- 
 ence can be brought into play. 
 
 Subjoined are diagrams of the targets (Wimbledon) as 
 they appear in practice at the various distances from 150 
 to 1,000 yards. They should be in the possession of all 
 who dosire to excel and may be draAvn separately and pinned 
 to the wall opposite the window of your room. For stand, 
 ing position, the 3rd class should be 4 ft. G in. from the 
 ground, a. id the 2nd and 1st class, for kneeling and lying 
 
 down, 2 ft. 6 in. and 1 ft. respectively. 
 
 3rt). class- 
 
 1st. class 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 Ft. Yards. 
 
 Ft. Yards. 
 
 Ft. 
 
 Yard*. 
 
 At 
 
 13 off 650 
 
 At 12 off 400 
 
 At 9 off 
 
 150 
 
 << 
 
 14 " 700 
 
 •' 15 " 500 
 
 w 12 *« 
 
 200 
 
 <( 
 
 16 " 800 
 
 •' 16i'* 550 
 
 .. 15 «' 
 
 250 
 
 <i 
 
 18 *' 900 
 
 '* 18 " 600 
 
 .. 18 '• 
 
 300 
 
 <( 
 
 20 " 1000 
 
 
 
 
BOi 
 
 n 
 
 POSITIONS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Positions for Target Shooting, Dress, Training, &c. 
 
 The following is a description of those positions which are 
 best adapted to Target Shooting, and as such, have been 
 adopted by all who have rendered themselves famous at 
 Wimbledon and in Canada. 
 
 After having once tested and become satisfied as to the 
 position best suited to himself, the rifleman would be wise 
 not to attempt anything unusual or unnatural, especially in 
 a match, as it will have a tendency to unsettle the mind, 
 and create a certain amount of want of confidence, which will 
 assuredly tell on a promising score. 
 
 At Wimbledon, for volunteer prizes, the shooting at 200 
 yards is oflfthe shoulder; at 500 and 600 yards, from the 
 knee, or from the shoulder standing. At distances above 
 600 yards, it m?-y be in any position. For all comers, the 
 shooting, unless otherwise specified, is in any position. 
 Sighting shots may be fired in any position. 
 
 IK. * 
 
 ^ STANDING OR OFF-SHOULDER. 
 
 For standing or oflf shoulder shooting, the " Hythe posi- 
 tion," which is recommended by Captain Heaton, is imdoubt- 
 edly the best. The following is mainly as given in the last 
 edition of the " Field Exercise." 
 
 Face the target, and after making a half-face to the right, 
 advance the left foot ten inches to the left front, (six to the 
 front and eight to the left), toes pointing to the front, and 
 right foot pointing to the right. The left elbow well under 
 the rifle, and close to the body ; hand firmly, but without 
 constraint, grasping the rifle just behind the lower band. 
 
STANDING. 
 
 13 
 
 &c. 
 
 1 
 9 
 
 The right elbow to be raised nearly square with the rifle — 
 right hand holding the small of the butt lightly, thumb 
 pointing to the muzzle. The centre (rather higher than 
 lower) of the butt to be pressed firmly to the shoulder with 
 the left hand, the top of the butt being as nearly in line as 
 possible with the top of the shoulder, and the body firm and 
 upright. 
 
 Should the above position feel constrained, some slight 
 modifications can be resorted to with advantage. The feet 
 need not be quite at right angles. I believe it to be an im- 
 provement, also to throw the weight of the body principally 
 on the left foot, and to hold the head as far back as convenient 
 from the sights, which will make them appear more distinct. 
 
 The Swiss lean the left elbow against the side as a sup- 
 port ; but our rifles not being provided with a handle at the 
 trigger guard like theirs, it would be but a questionable ad- 
 vantage, besides being both ungraceful and unsoldierlike. 
 In the "Wimbledon regulations, the following appears : "N.B. 
 No objection, m shooting standing, to the elbow resting 
 against the body, provided that the little finger of the left 
 hand is in front of the projection in front of the lock plate, 
 or to the position of the fingers of the right hand, provided 
 the regulation position is preserved in other respects." Our 
 Cousins across the line, using the heavy American target 
 rifle, hold the left hand as near the muzzle as possible, which 
 they must of necessity do in order to balance it. The main 
 point is to get an easy position, which can only be secured 
 by practice, and may be easily acquired in a short time in a 
 room at home. 
 
 Ml 
 
14 
 
 POSITIONS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, 
 
 T 
 
 KNEELING. 
 
 Although every volunteer is supposed to be acquainted 
 with this position, which is the required attitude from 400 
 to 600 yards (2nd class) in the regular service, still it may 
 not be amiss to describe it. 
 
 Place the toe of the right foot 12 inches to the rear, and C 
 inches to the left of the left heel, feet at right angles ; sink 
 on the knees and bring the weight of the body at once on 
 the right heel. The left elbow some place on the knee, 
 others just behind and others again (like myself) rather in 
 advance thereof, as illustrated in the diagram. By the latter 
 method, I find I can as it were secure a hold on the knee, 
 preventing any tendency to slip, and shoot better than by 
 obtaining a support only for the elbow. As worthily re- 
 marked by a celebrated English champion, this position, 
 although admirable for military purposes, from the rapidity 
 with which a soldier can change his position, load, fire, &c., 
 is not advisable for target practice, as steadiness depends on 
 too many parts of the body. Lord Elcho, at the spring 
 (1869) meeting of the National Rifle Association, of which 
 he is President, stated his belief that this position would 
 shortly be abolished, and the lying down position permitted 
 
 
 L 
 
KNEELING — SITTING. 
 
 15 
 
 '! 
 
 in the 2nd class. It was impossible, he said, to help thinking 
 that, now that troops were armed with breech-loaders, it 
 would be something like murder to allow men ever to come 
 within range in such exposed attitudes as standing or even 
 kneeling. 
 
 SITTING. 
 
 The proper mode of shooting sitting, in which position 
 many succeed tolerably well, is with the left leg in line with 
 the target and the right almost at right angles to it. The 
 elbows are placed just inside the knees, and the body leaned 
 slightly forward. With a small elevation to sit on, the po- 
 sition is greatly improved. Mr. C. Thorn, of the Toronto 
 Rifle Club, has made some good scores in this position. 
 
 There are three variations of this position referred to by 
 Captain Heaton, which I give as curiosities, and not for 
 their supposed merit. They are : — 
 
 1st. The knees are placed close together, and the feet 
 wide apart, but opposite each other. The barrel of the 
 rifle is allowed to rest between the knees ; the sling being 
 twisted round the left arm which holds the rifle securely 
 and lessens the recoil. 
 
 2nd. The rifle is placed on the left knee, which is raised 
 about as high as the chin, and the right leg allowed to re- 
 main at right angles to the left."^ With the left hand, you 
 grasp both the rifle and th*" knee. 
 
 3rd. Instead of keeping the body square with the target, 
 you scat yourself on the ground, facing'the right, with both 
 knees raised as high as possible, and the feet close together. 
 The arms are then folded round the knees, the left hand 
 grasping the right wrist. The rifle rests in the bend of the 
 left arm "with the butt placed against the muscle of the right 
 arm, and the rifle is held by the right hand in the usual 
 position. 
 
 „ 
 
16 
 
 POSITIONS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, 
 
 The first of these positions was practiced by LordElcho, with 
 some success. For my part, I must confess, that after several 
 trials, I could not succeed in making myself quite at ease in 
 any of these peculiar attitudes. 
 
 LYING DOWN. 
 
 Last, but not least, is the lying down, or as it is some- 
 times termed by the Scotch, "Deer Stalking" position, which 
 from long experience myself, and the experience and advice 
 of many celebrated marksmen, may safely be pronounced as 
 the position par excellence. Although to some it may be con- 
 strained at first, a little practice will soon overcome this 
 difficulty. When I first commenced rifle practice, Hythe 
 position being usually enforced in all matches, I adhered to 
 the kneeling position, even in all-comers matches, but being 
 induced by the success of the sitting position in England to 
 try it, I found it much steadier and continued to use it, 
 until I noticed that at "Wimbledon, lying down had been 
 adopted by the majority of the prizemen. Shortly after this, 
 happening to be present at a match between the two crack- 
 rifle clubs of Ontario, the Victoria of Hamilton and the 
 Toronto Eifle Club, I noticed all the competitors adopted 
 the lying down position, and in conversation with them 
 found them all thoroughly convinced of its great superiority 
 over any other position. This incident led me to try and 
 adopt this position, which I only regret I had not been made 
 aware of earlier. The following is, I think, about as good as 
 can be adopted : — 
 
 Having lain down at full length with face to the ground, 
 head towards and body in line with the target and the rifle 
 in the left hand, curve the body very slightly, and the legs 
 rather more to the left ; this will give an easier position and 
 cause the otherwise prominent collar bone to disappear, so 
 
 a1 
 
 h 
 
 0] 
 
 of 
 
 SI 
 
LYING DOWN. 
 
 17 
 
 as 
 
 id 
 
 ISO 
 
 that the recoil comes on the muscles of the right shoulder, 
 and saves the punishment which results from keeping the 
 legs perfectly straight when using a rifle with heavy recoil. 
 
 Many use a small pad, pocket-handkerchief, or small piece 
 of sponge, &c., under the coat, which, especially with those 
 of spare habit, or delicate constitution, will soften the kick 
 sure to accompany a heavy charge or loose hold. 
 
 The next thing is to raise the head the proper height (as 
 high as convenient I w^ould recommend) for taking aim, plac- 
 ing the left elbow nearly under the rifle to act as a support — 
 if the left arm be placed much to the left, there mil be a 
 strain on the wrist. The right elbow should be rather close 
 to the body than otherwise. The natural tendency of the 
 elbows, especially when wide apart, to gradually separate 
 can be prevented by punching a small hole in the ground for 
 each elbow with the heel of the boot. 
 
 Many have condemned the lying down position, because 
 the line of vision is of necessity near the ground, and thereby 
 liable to be aflfected by mirage and other variations of the 
 atmosphere. This, however, is the only drawback, and not 
 by any means of sufiicient importance to counterbalance its 
 acknowledged superiority in other respects. 
 
 As most good ranges have raised mounds to fire from, the 
 rifleman is elevated above such deceptive inflv ences, more- 
 over, in many ranges, the firing is generally, as it were from 
 an elevation, owing to the curved nature of the intervening 
 ground, so that at the worst, but a small part of the line of 
 vision will be within a couple of feet at least of the surface. 
 Its adaptability for actual warfare, is also a strong recom- 
 mendation in its favour. With breech loading rifles where 
 there is no necessity to expose oneself for even a moment, 
 advantage can be taken of any little inequality in the ground, 
 stones, stumps, &c., which, if only two feet square, would 
 
18 
 
 POSITIONS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, 
 
 completely screen from the enemy's observation — the puff 
 of smoke being the only indication — and prevent many well 
 directed and well intended bullets from taking effect. As 
 the position is both secure and steady, it enables a good 
 shot to deliver his fire at the longest ranges, with telling 
 effect. The French, who are fully alive to the immense ad- 
 vantage of the lying dov/n position, combined with a slight 
 protection for riflemen from the deadly accuracy and rapidity 
 of modern firearms, are considering the advisibility of sub- 
 stituting a trowel (capable of being used as a bayonet in the 
 bare possibility of it being required to perform that duty) 
 for the bayonet, which, being attached in the same way as 
 the bayonet, may be used as a small spade. It is stated that 
 at a recent trial of this invention, in the short space of 10 
 minutes, a regiment by excavating in common earth and 
 throwing it up in front of the holes thus made, constructed 
 an entrenchment of sufficient dimensions to effectually pro- 
 tect themselves from rifle balls. 
 
 «i < 
 
 i 
 
 Farquharson {Lying down) Position. 
 
 This is a variety of the lying down position which has 
 become noticeable, from the good practice made by the gen- 
 tleman after ivhom it is named, viz., Mr. Farquharson, of 
 England. It is the steadiest position I have ever tried as 
 regards the rifle, but by no means so for the head, so that 
 for me to recommend it is impossible, although there may 
 be those who by pr? ctice, might succeed in this position. It 
 is thus described, " He lies on his back or rather on his right 
 side, with his feet to the target, crossing his left leg over 
 his right, and rests his right elbow on the ground. His most 
 peculiar feature consists in twisting his left arm round his 
 neck to hold the butt of theaifle, thus giving support to his 
 Isead. The rifle rests comfortably along the body." 
 
 

 DRESS. 
 
 19 
 
 i 
 
 There ig a modification of the Farquharson positior, in 
 which the butt of the rifle is held with the left hand, with- 
 out twisting the arm round the neck, and support for the 
 neck and head is obtained by holding on the left coat sleeve 
 with the teeth. This latter is not so constrained or compli- 
 cated, but is unfavorable for taking aim, as the head is 
 held too far from the backsight. 
 
 In the lying down position the Hamilton, Montreal, 
 Toronto and Brockville Kifle Clubs insist on the left arm, 
 from the elbow upwards being visibly clear of the ground, 
 in order that no advantage (1) may be taken of inequalities 
 of the ground to secure a dead rest. 
 
 Capt. McGregor, an ofl&cer of great experience in Eng- 
 land, informs me that this question has never, to his 
 knowledge, been raised at home, as all the best shots find 
 it better not to adopt the rest, and that practically every 
 man fires with only the elbow on the ground or knee; 
 the only rule being that no part of the rifle shall touch the 
 
 ground. 
 
 Dress. 
 
 It is quite a mistake to suppose that dress has nothing to 
 do with good shooting : experience has proved this to my 
 satisfaction. When first I joined the volunteer force, I had 
 the honor to belong to a certain distinguished corps, equip- 
 ped in an unnecessarily elaborate and expensive uniform. 
 I can remember the trouble a large braided-button caused by 
 preventing the rifle from being brought well into position at 
 the shoulder when firing ; and the fit of the tunic was so 
 exact and tight, that it required some little muscular exer- 
 tion to come to the " present," while the tight-fitting collar, 
 on the head being inclined forward, especially when wearing 
 a stock, caused a slight strangulation and consequent dim- 
 ness when taking a long aim. A desire to look neat and 
 
 i 
 
20 
 
 POSITIONS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, 
 
 keep from spoiling such a handsome uniform, made us ex- 
 tremely shy of the mud when kneeling, and it was nothing 
 unusual to see a member of the company perched with his 
 right knee on a stone, or small block of wood, and a pocket- 
 handkerchief over his heel. 
 
 As in volunteer matches, we must appear in the uniform of 
 our corps, (fortunately most volunteers are now provided with a 
 sensible uniform) care should be taken that it be not too 
 tight, especially about the neck and shoulders, — although un- 
 soldier like, I find it a great improvement to unbutton the 
 uppermost button of the tunic when firing. It would be 
 well also, if the cap be not already fitted with a peak, to 
 provide one, removable at pleasure During the hot weather 
 a havelock with a peak is a very acceptable addition, and 
 costs but a few cents. The Toronto Battalions have been 
 provided with thesis and look well and feel better in them. 
 Some grass or clover, or better yet, a cabbage leaf placed in 
 the crown of the hat, produces a delightfully cooling sensa- 
 tion. 
 
 Should you be an ofHcer, it may not be amiss to remark 
 that sword, spurs, &c., are de trop at a rifle match, and 
 anything that attracts attention, may provoke a remark 
 which, if you be at all sensitive, will not engender a frame 
 of mind conducive to good shooting. 
 
 For "all comers" matches I would recommend rather light, 
 loose and clastic garments ; if they have been worn a little 
 so much the better, as they v,^ill sit easier. The coat and 
 pants should be of a material which will v/ear well, and not 
 spoil by either sun,, rain, or even a little mud — comfort, and 
 not appearance, must be consulted by those who wish to excel. 
 
 The "Garibaldi" is a very good style of coat for riflemen, 
 but, because not in fashion, I presume will not have many 
 patrons. 
 
 wa 
 ad) 
 tha 
 ma 
 diff 
 
ht, 
 
 tie 
 
 el. 
 in, 
 
 i 
 
 J. 
 
 TRAINING, ETC 
 
 21 
 
 Another point of no small importance is, keeping oneself 
 warm while shooting. If the weather be nnpromising, it is 
 advisable to have on hand a large Mackintosh cape (better 
 than a coat), and water-proof Wellington boots, which will 
 make the state of the weather a matter of comparative in- 
 difference as regards both yourself and rifle — a much more 
 sensible plan than taking an occasional comforter. 
 
 Training, &c. 
 
 It is unnecessary to say much on this subject. Position 
 drill, as I have previously remarked, is a capital exercise ; but 
 for one to institute a regular course of " Imnging up the 
 muscle" by means of the excessive use of dumb-bells and 
 gymnastic apparatus, is entirely uncalled for ; not that I 
 would have it understood that such trainincr was otherwise 
 than beneficial, only unnecessary. 
 
 The main point is to continue to take moderate exercise 
 and regular and substantial food, whereby good health is 
 promoted. If the constitution be good, nothing more is 
 requisite than a steady hand and clear eye, which are most 
 likely to follow from living in the accustomed manner* 
 Never eat, drink or smoke during the progress of any one 
 match if it can be avoided, as any indulgence will affect the 
 eye. 
 
 Those who are in the habit of both drinking (moderately) 
 and smoking, will gain nothing by giving them up merely 
 during the few days of a tournament, the result would proba- 
 bly be otherwise than anticipated. Captain Heaton attributed 
 his bad luck at Wimbledon, in 1862, to his abstemiousness in 
 respect to pastry, ale, wine, &c., and on the following year, 
 he lived as usual and had his usual success. 
 
 It does not seem quite fair that we should, during rifle 
 tournaments, give dinners and rrceptions to those whom we 
 
22 
 
 THE RIFLE— THE VARIOUS PARTS; 
 
 are desirous of welcoming, such assemblies should be deferred 
 till the last day. At Wimbledon, I believe all meetings hare 
 to conclude by 10 p.m., when "lights out" is rigidly 
 enforced. 
 
 r 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Kifle — The Vakious Parts; How to Clean and 
 Keep them in proper condition. 
 
 "Spongre me well, and keep me clean, 
 And I'll carry as far aa can be seen." 
 
 In musketry instruction, this is the first exercise in which 
 the soldier is instructed, and " too much pains," it is said, 
 " cannot be taken to impress upon the minds of the men 
 the necessity of preserving their rifles at all times in the 
 highest condition." To this end, the names of the different 
 parts of the rifle are made familiar to him in the " cleaning 
 arms" exercise. 
 
 As the grooves at the muzzle of the Snider are merely 
 the two-hundredth of an inch in depth, not thicker than 
 tissue paper, it will be easily understood how the smallest 
 deposit of dirt or rust will spoil their proper effect. A very 
 dirty Enfield is little better than a smooth bore, for the 
 bullet loses the beneficial effect of the rifling, and fails to 
 spin sufiiciently for accurate purposes. The Enfield, when 
 cl6an, has an initial velocity of 1248 feet per second, but 
 when foul only 1157, shewing a loss due to fouling of 91 
 feet per second. 
 
 In order to make this chapter as complete as possible, I 
 have thought proper to insert here the substance of the 
 " preliminary drill," as given in the last "Musketry Instruc- 
 tion for the Army." 
 
 J 
 
HOW TO KEEP THEM IN PROPER CONDITION. 
 
 The Snider Enfield Bifle. 
 
 Barrel. 
 
 A. Muzzl«. 
 
 B. Front or foresight. 
 
 C. Back or •levat-lE!*"*^" ^• 
 
 G. Nipple lump. 
 
 } Cone- 
 Square. 
 Shoulder. 
 
 I. Breech. 
 
 K. Breech Block. 
 
 Stock. 
 
 1. Note cap. 
 
 } Upper. 
 Middle. 
 Lower. 
 
 3. Swell. 
 
 4. Projection. 
 
 5. Head. . 
 
 6. Small. 
 
 7. Trigger-guard. 
 
 8. Trigger-plate. 
 
 9. Trigger. 
 
 ^'- ^"«- }H?eU2. 
 13. Heel-plate. 
 
 Lock nde-^the aide on which the lock is 
 placed. 
 
 23 
 
24 THE RIFLE— THE VARIOUS PARTS; 
 
 The Lock. 
 
 The following is an interior view of the lock, with the 
 limbs named in the order in which they are removed for 
 cleaning : — 
 
 A. Main Spring. 
 IJ. Sear Spring. 
 
 C. Sear. 
 
 D. Bridle. 
 1*1. Haromei'. 
 F. Tumbler. 
 
 G. Swivel. 
 
 H. H. Lock Plate. 
 
 K. Tumbler Pin. 
 
 L. Sear Spring Pin. 
 
 M. Sear Pin. 
 
 N. Bridle Pin. 
 
 Directions for Dismounting the Lock. 
 
 1st. Unscrew, and remove the tumbler pin. 
 
 2nd. Put the lock at full cock, then place the cramp on 
 the main spring, and after letting the hammer down, re- 
 move it. 
 
 3rd. Partly unscrew the sear-spn.ng pin, then place the 
 edge of the turn screw between the bend of the sear-spring 
 and the lock-plate, to raise the stud of the former from the 
 latter, after which unscrew the sear-spring pin,^and remove 
 the sear-spring. 
 
 4th. Unscrew the sear-pin, and remove the sear. 
 
 6th. Unscrew the bridle-pin, and remove the bridle. 
 
THE LOCK. 
 
 25 
 
 the 
 [ring 
 
 the 
 love 
 
 6th. Remove the hammer (which is to rest in the hollow 
 of the hand) by a few smart taps with a piece of wood, as 
 near the lock-plate as possible. 
 
 7th. Remove the tumbler. 
 
 8th. Remove the swivel from the tumbler. 
 
 Cleaning the Lock. 
 
 When the lock is dismounted, wipe it well, first with an 
 oiled rag, and afterwards with a dry ; and should any rust 
 be visible, it must be removed with an oiled rag. No brick- 
 dust or powder of any kind is to be used, as it would re- 
 move the case-hardening from those parts that are not 
 steel, and thus render them more liable to rust. 
 
 The frictional parts of the lock, to which it is essential to 
 apply oil,* are the nose of the sear, and between the sear 
 and sear-spring, only a very small quantity must be used, as 
 too much tends to clog the parts. 
 
 Remounting the Lock. 
 
 1. Attach the swivel to the tumbler. 
 
 2. Place the tumbler in the axle hole of the lock-plate, 
 with its bearer against the hind stud. 
 
 3. Fix the bridle on the pivot of the tumbler, and its 
 stud in the lock-plate ; then screw home the bridle-pin, 
 which has a longer thread than the sear-pin. 
 
 4. Place the sear between the bridle and the lock-plate, 
 with its nose against the tumbler, and screw home the sear- 
 pin. This pin differs from the others by the thread next 
 its head terminating abruptly, in order to prevent its being 
 screwed too far into the lock-plate. 
 
 * The Bangoon (earth) oil used by the regmlan, and procurable 
 through the Proyincial Stor«-ke«p«r8, is good : also Neatsioot, but I 
 prefer the fine oil used by watchmakers, of which a few drops will 
 suffice. 
 
 B 
 
 ' 1 
 
2G 
 
 THE RIFLE — THE VARIOUS PARTS; 
 
 5. Partly screw the sear-spring to the lock-plate, then 
 Tf ith the thumb of the left hand, press the spring against 
 the body of the sear, until the stud enters the stud hole, 
 and screw home the sear-spring pin. 
 
 6. Fix the hammer on the squares of the tumbler in a 
 position as if on the nipple, and screw home the tumbler- 
 pin. 
 
 7. Attach the swivel by its pivots to the claws of the 
 main-spring, then put on the main-spring, by placing its 
 stud in the lock-plate, and its catch against the fore stud ; 
 after which, full-cock the lock to remove the cramp ; this 
 being done, try the action of the lock, and afterwards leave 
 it at half-cock. 
 
 Regulating the Pull. — It is a mistake to suppose that the 
 puU-ofF may be hghtened by loosening any of the pins ; do- 
 ing so will injure the lock by increasing the strain and wear 
 of those parts which are thereby thrown out of order. 
 When the pull-off is too great, either the full bent and sear- 
 nose arc not well adapted to each other, or the sear-spring 
 is too strong. When these defects exist, they should be at 
 once remedied by an armorer or gunsmith, but never at- 
 tempted by yourself. 
 
 fVood Bound. — This defect, wliich is owing to the wood 
 work being in contact with the lock, is generally due to 
 screwmg the lock too tightly to the stock, although it may 
 be caused by the wood swelling or becoming wet. 
 
 Miss Fires. — A weak mainspring is sometimes the cause, 
 but when the lock is in good order they should never 
 occur with a Snider rifle, as recently altered, as the ammuni- 
 tion is invariably of the best quality. Ouf} of as many as 
 five thousand shots I saw fired last year, bat one miss fire 
 occurred. With a muzzle-loading rifle, they may arise 
 from the nipple hole being too small ; the nipple screw being 
 
THE LOCK. 
 
 27 
 
 arise 
 being 
 
 too long, so as to close up part of the communication hole ; 
 the cap being too small for the nipple ; the nipple being too 
 short for the cap; cap too thin, so as to drive a portion into the 
 nipple; or the coating of a water-proof cap being driN on into 
 the nipple. I have frequently seen the metallia water-proof 
 lining of a cap driven so tightly into a bushed nipple as to 
 defy all attempts to remove it. To be prepared for emer- 
 gencies, every volunteer should provide himself with a jag, 
 similar to that supplied to the British soldier. 
 
 The strength of the springs of an Enfield lock .may be 
 ascertained as follows : — 
 
 Strength of Mainspring. — ^When the lock is at half-cock, 
 attach such a weight to the comb of the hammer as will just 
 move it, or overbalance the mainspring, wliich should be 
 from 13 to 14 lbs. 
 
 Strength of Sear-Spring. — When the lock is at its bearing, 
 attach such a weight to the arm of the sear as will lift or 
 overbalance the sear-spring, which should be about 7^ lbs. 
 
 Pull-off without Trigger. — ^When the lock is at full cock, 
 attach such a weight to the arm of the sear as will raise the 
 sear-nose out of the full bent of the tumbler, to allow the 
 hammer to fall, which should be 13 to 14 lbs. 
 
 Pull-off with Trigger. — ^When the lock is at full cock, 
 attach such a weight to the trigger as will merely release 
 the sear-nose from ti^e iu i by at of the tumbler, which should 
 be about 7 lbs. —noi ftr less than 6. 
 
 In cleaning a rifle after a day's shooting, I usp with my 
 Snider, merely a lif^ie rangoon oil on a flannel rag. No 
 water is necessary, aid therefore should not bo used, as it 
 facilitates the fomiation of rust. The small-bore muzzle- 
 loader I generally clean with hot water, which removes 
 eSeciually every particle of fouling froii the grooves, and 
 especially from the breech, where h U so apt to accumulate 
 
28 
 
 THE RIFLE — ^THE VARIOUS PARTS; 
 
 and harden, if oil only be used. Hot water heats the bar- 
 rel, and consequently dries up soon, and is easily removed 
 in drying, which should be done immediately with flannel 
 or woollen rags very effectually, for it does not matter how 
 much oil you may afterwards apply, if moisture be left, the 
 barrel will assuredly rust. The rifle should be examined 
 again the next morning, and carefully wiped. One nighfs 
 rusting will do more Iiarm than a year's shooting. 
 
 For expeditious cleaning in the field during a match, I 
 can recommend "Wishart's Cleaning Fluid" (6d. and Is. 
 stg. a bottle), having long used it myself with very satisfac- 
 tory results. When using this fluid, no water is necessary, 
 and a great deal of dirty inconvenience avoided. I believe 
 it to be composed principally of purified coal oil, and somf 
 volatile liquid which rapidly evaporates, and leaves a thin 
 greasy film which protects the steel. In cleaning rifles hav- 
 ing *' bushed " nipples, the nipple should be removed, as it 
 is too small to admit of the free passage of dirty water oi 
 oil, and is apt to become clogged. 
 
 In cleaning a rifle with water, care should be taken not 
 to spill any on the outside ©f the barrel, to which oil oaly 
 should be applied, especially about the lock and nipple. 
 When attending a match, it is well to have on hand a num- 
 ber of flannel patches, some of them oiled, to be used for 
 cleaning out. This will save you carrying an oil bottle 
 which is not often either convenient or safely portable^ 
 Washing out should be done with a wooden rod provided 
 with a proper jag (nicks in the rod-points upwards ^vill do), 
 which should be of some soft metal, such as brass, so as not 
 to injure the grooves. The great cause of the rapid wear- 
 ing out of the muzzle-loading Enfield, was the friction of the 
 Bteel head of the ramrod in shooting and at platoon exercise 
 drill. Metford and Rigby both load and clean with a fal'^e 
 
 ^f-* 
 
HOW TO KEEP THEM IN PROPER CONDITION. 29 
 
 ttle 
 
 <^r* 
 
 r 
 
 muzzle, but where care is taken, a steel barrel should not, 
 in my opinion, wear any more at the " most important part 
 of the groving," viz., the last three inches, than elsewhere, 
 when using a horn or rubber-tipped wooden rod. 
 
 Some riflemen, in cleaning out the Enfield, I notice, have 
 the bad practice of doing it roughly, and from the way the 
 rifle is held, the steel rod rubs almost entirely on one side 
 of the grooving at the muzzle. A very short period with 
 such treatment will ruin any rifle, more especially the soft 
 Government " gas pipe," which should be handled carefully, 
 as even a fall is oftentimes sufficient to indent the barrel 
 and impair its eflicieiicy. Very few consider how thin and 
 soft the barrels are, and some will, without reflecting doubt- 
 less, even carry heavy weights with them, or run the rifle 
 with the bayonet fixed full tilt against wood work, straining 
 the weapon at its weakest point. 
 
 A little beeswax, applied hot between the stock and bar- 
 rel, will prevent water getting in, and save the trouble of 
 taking the rifle to pieces in damp weather, or after using 
 water. 
 
 To those who take a pride in finely polished stocks, I 
 would recommend linseed oil, and a little beeswax rubbed 
 Wvl; "p with a piece of smooth hardwood. Both the stock 
 ^iid. V .r should be warm when applied, so that the wax 
 fra,:^ >:nk in. This process will bring out the grain of the 
 be "...triul walnut, of which most stocks are made, and render 
 it waterproof. For my part, I prefer to have my Enfield 
 stock quite rough, and sometimes sand-paper it, to get a 
 (ijood grip for the hand. For examining the state of the 
 interior of a muzzle-loader, a reflector, which may be made 
 of a small piece of looking-glass, or even a polished steel 
 V,u*^'^n, sn\aller than the bore, fastened on a small tube or 
 u/iinde of wood, is a very useful little contrivance. By 
 
30 
 
 THE RIFLE — THE VARIOUS PARTS. 
 
 I 
 
 i».ai3J.i^ the head about a foot from the muzzle, and holding 
 the barrel in line with the sun or a bright light, the most 
 minute imperfections are rendered clearly visible, even to 
 the breech. Instead of looking down the barrel, another 
 looking-glass may be held at the proper angle at the muzzle. 
 
 Before taking leave of this subject, let me caution all who 
 are really attached to a rifle, never to give it to another to 
 use in a match, or to clean for you. As rust is caused by 
 the combined action of air and water, a tight fitting muzzle- 
 stopper should be placed in the barrel when put away (on 
 the range, keep the stopper out when using a breech-loader, 
 as you are apt to fire it off and injure the barrel, possibly 
 burst it), and th map-cap, or a greased rag placed on the 
 nipple, with the J r down. 
 
 Rifles put away h:: F^e winter should be placed in a dry 
 room, and on no account against an outside wall, and should 
 be examined about once a week to see that no rust is formed. 
 Captain Heaton mentions a method which he (I agree 
 with him) states will obviate all further trouble. It is 
 to place the barrel in a waterproof box filled with oil. Fil- 
 ling the barrel only with oil, I fancy would be just as good 
 and much less expensive. Some wealthy English noble- 
 men, I have seen it stated, clean their sporting guns with 
 quicksilver, the lead fouling being rapidly removed by amal- 
 gamation by shaking a quantity in the closed barrel for a 
 few moments. The small specks of red matter, otten seen 
 in the fouling of a rifle, are caused by the minute portion of 
 fulminate of mercury in the cap forming sulphide of mercury 
 or Vermillion. 
 
 ^' 
 
THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 31 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Theoretical Principles. 
 
 As theory is the reason of practice, there can be no false 
 theory. What is good in theory must be equally so in 
 practice, or it is no theory at all. Everything in the 
 " Musketry Instruction " and " Field Exercise " succeeds in 
 'practice, because a good reason can be given for -what is re- 
 quired of the soldier to perform. I shall endeavour to make 
 these reasons clear as I proceed. 
 
 Construction of the Rifle Barrel. — An examination of the 
 rifle barrel, with the breech-plug removed (diagram 3, page 
 35), shews that the metal at the breech end is considerably 
 thicker than at the muzzle. The reason of this is to enable 
 the breech to withstand the strain of the gunpowder in 
 overcoming the inertia of the bullet. Once the ball is in 
 motion, the strain rapidly decreases, and in place of the 
 barrel being liable to burst in rear of the ball, if the muzzle 
 be very thin and bullet close fitting, the column of air in 
 the barrel is condensed so rapidly before it can escape from 
 the muzzle, that the sides of the barrel in front of the ball 
 are apt to be burst. Should the air in front be confined by 
 a tight muzzle-stopper, there is every probability that such 
 mil be the result. 
 
 The strength of the breech must be proportionate to the 
 strain it is intended to bear. Col. Boxer and other cele- 
 brated authorities calculate that gunpowder confined in a 
 close fitting chamber exerts a pressure of between 20,000 
 and 25,000 lbs. on every square inch — assuming that every 
 cubic inch of gunpowder is converted into 250 cubic inches 
 of permanent gas, which are increased eight fold by heat of ex- 
 
32 
 
 THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 plosion. As, however, t' j projectile is in motion before all 
 the powder in a rifle is ignited, it has been estimated, 
 from experiments, that the force exerted on a bullet in a 
 rifle barrel does not exceed 3000 lbs. per square inch. 
 
 There being more metal at the breech places the centre 
 of gravity further back, so that the rifle balances easily. 
 This thickness at the breech gives an " elevation " to the 
 rifle, as will be seen by the diagram. This elevation or line 
 of metal, as it is sometimes called, is sufficient for objects 
 60 yards off. 
 
 The bore of a rifle is the inside diameter of the barrel, 
 which in the Snider is .577 (a trifle more than half), and in 
 the Martini-Henry and most celebrated small-bores, .450 of 
 an inch. The axis of the piece is an imaginary line drawn 
 along the centre of the bore : this line, extended to any 
 length, is te^" -d the line of Jire, heing the direction the bul- 
 let would follow at a uniform rate, were it not acted upon 
 during its fi. ;ht ^y disturbing influences (fig. 3, page 35). 
 The initial velocity, however, is rapidly overcome by the 
 resistance of the atmosphere, and the ball drawn towards the 
 earth by the attraction of gravitation, as hereafter more fully 
 explained. 
 
 Matter has no property of its own as regards rest or 
 motion, and acts only in accordance with the forces acting 
 upon it. When at rest, it will, unless motive power be 
 applied, remain so, and when in motion, the tendency is to 
 continue on. This inability of bodies to change their state 
 is termed inertia. The former needs no illustration, but the 
 latter may be well exemplified in the sudden stoppage of a 
 carriage or railway train, when the inertia of the body 
 causes us to continue at the same velocity, and consequently 
 we are thrown suddenly forv/ard. 
 
 Retarding forces are those which have the effect of stopping 
 
 I 
 
RESISTENCE OF AIR, GRAVITY. 
 
 83 
 
 or 
 
 . 
 
 )ing 
 
 bodies in motion, and are the opposite of accelerating forces 
 which increase their rapidity. Motion is said to be uniform 
 when equal spaces arc passed over in equal times, and to bo 
 variable when the spaces passed over in equal times are un- 
 equal. Accelerated and retarded velocities may be variable 
 or uniform. 
 
 The velocity of a ball is the degree of rapidity Tfith 
 which it passes over any space in a given time. One 
 second is generally the unit adopted in making calculations. 
 For example, a man running ten miles an hour, his velocity 
 will be 14G feet, the number of feet passed over in one 
 second. Ten times 5280 (the number of feet in a mile) 
 being divided by 3G0 (the number of seconds in an hour). 
 
 l«A5280^ 146.66. 
 GO X 60 
 
 The initial velocity, or space passed over by an Enfield bul- 
 let in the first second, is 1248 feet. 
 
 The disturl)ing influences, which afi'ect the flight of a bullet, 
 are resistance of the air and gravity. The resistance of the air 
 commences the instant the ball is set in motion by the gunpow- 
 der, and gravity begins to act the moment the ball leaves the 
 muzzle. Gravity, gravitation, weight, attraction, are various 
 names of that essential property of matter which is made ap- 
 parent by that peculiar force which causes all bodies fall towards 
 the centre of the earth. Were it not for the resistance of the 
 air, all falling bodies would travel at the same velocity, in 
 proportion to their remoteness from the centre of the earth, 
 as proved by a guinea and a feather in the receiver of an 
 air pump, but in practice the difference is owing to the pro- 
 portion of surface presented to the air. In vacuo, it has 
 been proved a ball drops IG feet (IGj^^ exactly) in the first 
 second, and that the motion increases progressively accord- 
 ing to the time, so that in the second second, it will have 
 B* 
 
 4 
 
 P 
 
 u 
 
" 
 
 ; 
 
 34 
 
 THEORETICAL PRINCHLES. 
 
 fallen 3 times 16, or 48 feet; in the third second, 5 
 times 16, or 80 feet, and so on. The total distance being 
 3^ = 9x16 = 1 44 feet. As an instance of the velocity 
 of falling bodies being proportional to the time, they are 
 exposed to the action of gravitation, if we were to drop a 
 ball A from the top of a tower, and drop another B from 
 half way down at the instant A reached that point, A woul^ 
 reach the ground first. The velocity acquired by a falling 
 body in one second is 32J feet. Hans Busk gives the fol- 
 lowing correct examples of gravity : — 
 
 Experiment. — If a body take three seconds in falling from 
 the top of a tower, with what velocity will it strike the 
 ground 1 Velocity, 3 x 32J feet = 96J feet. 
 
 Were a rifle fired horizontally, the ball, whatever were 
 its velocity or range, would strike the gioiind in precisely 
 the same time that it would have reached the earth, had it 
 been simply dropped from the muzzle. That is to say, the 
 bullet would reach D, (plate 1, fig. 1,) in the same time that 
 it would take to fall from B to E. Again, if three rifles, 
 all laid horizontally, and loaded respectively with 1, 2, and 
 3 drachms of powder and similar bullets, were simultaneously 
 fired, the three projectiles would strike the ground at the 
 same moment, though their initial velocities and ranges 
 would of course be very dissimilar. 
 
 When elevation is given to a gun (Fig. 4), the ball pro- 
 jected from it will strike the ground in the same time that 
 it would take to fall the length of the line subtending the 
 angle of elevation. Thus supposing N C to represent an 
 elevation of 16 feet from the horizontal line K C, the 
 ball would reach C in one second, however great the distance 
 might be from L to C. Or if the rifle were raised 16 feet, 
 and then fired horizontally, the ball would still reach the 
 ground in the same sqace of time. 
 
 T 
 
 ^ 
 
from 
 
 
 
01 
 
 sa 
 
 ve 
 di] 
 
 :i 
 
GRAVITY. 
 
 95 
 
 Equally strange, but true is it that the velocity acquired 
 on all inclines, whose perpendicular heights are equal, is the 
 same, and is equal to the velocity which would be acquired 
 by a body falling perpendicularly through an equal height. 
 
 A 
 
 D 
 
 B 
 
 C 
 
 According to this rule, a sphere would acquire the same 
 velocity in descending from A to C, or D to F, as in falling 
 direct from A to B. 
 
 Effects of Gravity on Falling Bodies. 
 
 Space in 1 sec. - 
 
 16yV feet. 
 
 Space in 2 sec. • 
 a« X 16^ feet. 
 
 Space in 3 sec. 
 32 X 16^ feet. 
 
 Velocity acquired 
 in 1 sec. 
 
 32Jfeet, or2x 16^ 
 feet. ^ 
 f 
 
 Velocity acquired 
 
 in 2 sec. 
 2 X 32i feet. 
 
 I 
 
 r i 
 
 1 
 
\f 
 
 3G 
 
 THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 In the annexed diagram, the curve from A to G would 
 bo somewliat similar to tho parabola of a spherical projectile 
 with a low velocity, leaving the resistance of air out of 
 account. 
 
 A B C D 
 
 lie ft. 
 
 E 
 
 C4ft. 
 
 F 
 
 144 ft. 
 
 G 
 
 Witliout gravity, the ball would proceed straight forward, 
 until its velocity was overcome by the rcBistance of the 
 air. 
 
 Air, it may be observed, although not usually very a^* 
 parent to tlie senses, is a substance, a fluid, and in rifle 
 shooting a "very weighty matter." By weighing a bottle 
 filled with atmospheric air, and exhausting the air by means 
 of an air pump, on again weighing the bottle, we discover 
 that it weighs less, the difference being the weight of tho 
 air it formerly contained. A cubic foot of air weighs more 
 than one ounce. The jircssure of the air at the earth's sur 
 face is a fraction less than 15 lbs. (14.75) to the square inch. 
 We are unfortunately too often made uncomfortably aware 
 of the substantial nature of air by its power when in violent 
 motion to raise the storms in the ocean, and overthrow 
 buildings, &c. That it is a substance somewhat similar to 
 water is apparent to those who may stand on the front of a 
 
 1 
 
RESISTANCE OF AIU. 
 
 ;^7 
 
 i 
 
 railway engine, going at say 40 miles an hour; the wiml, 
 ■which is merely the friction of the motionless air through 
 which you arc Ijeing driven, is so strong as to be likened 
 unto a gale. 
 
 When the effect is so perceptible on your bodies going at 
 a rate of iO miles an hour, some idea can bo formed of the 
 resistance it offers to a rifle ball with a speed of 800 miler. 
 an hour — the initial velocity of the Knlield brdl. 
 
 Although nothing positive has been determined respect- 
 ing the laws which relate to tlie resistance ofTc^red to the 
 flight of projectiles by the atmosphere, it is usually assumed 
 that they depend on 
 
 1. The density of the air ; 
 
 2. The anterior surface of the bull ; 
 
 3. The square of the velocity of the ball, 
 
 "by which we mean that when the velocity is doubled, the 
 air's resistance is quadrupled. As air rushes into a vacuum 
 at a speed of about 1430 feet per second, very little is gained 
 by giving the ball a higher velocity, as we thereby create a 
 vacuum at the rear of the ball, and lose the pressure of the 
 air at its base. 
 
 It is an extraordinary, but nevertheless incontrovertible fact, 
 that when firing at any low angle of elevation, the elongated 
 bullet ranges further in the atmosphere than it w^ould with- 
 out the resistance of the air in a vacuum. This is accounted 
 for by considering that the projectile is impelled at an angle 
 to the horizontal direction, and the air being condensed, and 
 meeting the bullet at an inclination (where the centre of 
 gravity is not in the anterior i)art of the projectile, the angle 
 is greater as it approaches the target), supports it in a similar 
 mannei to a kite flying in the air, the only difference being 
 that in the former case the projectile is in motion, and in the 
 
r^ 
 
 88 
 
 THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 latter th'e atmosphere. The arrows in the cut represent the 
 particles of air and the curved line the trajectory. 
 
 Notwithstanding that in theory, a ball should range fur- 
 thest in a vacuum at an angle of 45 degrees, still in practice, 
 with a spherical ball, it has been proved that between 25 
 and 30 degrees gives the greatest range. The French regu- 
 lation musket, which in theory, in a vacuum, should range 
 8660 yards, cannot, owing to the resistance of the air, shoot 
 even 1100, eight times less than in vacuum. The greatest 
 range was attained with an elevation of 25 degrees. 
 
 As in the penetration of solids, so is it in penetrating the 
 air, it is possible to make a projectile having too sharp a 
 point. A long wedge-shaped bullet, besides causing more 
 condensation of the air, produces the most displacement of 
 that fluid, preventing it from filling up the vacuum behind 
 the ball. It was at first thought the great friction of the 
 atmosphere, caused by the spin of a projectile from spiral 
 grooves, would diminish the range, whereas it has increased 
 it. Although I have seen no reason assigned, I presume it 
 is for the same reason that such a ball penetrates wood, 
 iron, &c., farther, owing to the throwing to one side of the 
 particles with which it comes in contact, and not driving 
 *hem before it, as when fired from a smooth bore. 
 
I 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 39 
 
 Tho poTfer of overcoming resistance in bodies of similar 
 form is as to their densities, and in the superficial area of 
 circles, it is nearly in proportion to the squares of their 
 diameter — thus two balls of four inches and two inches in 
 diameter will have a resistance as compared to 16 and 4 
 respectively. Round or pointed ends of solids suffer loss 
 resistance that flat ends of tlie same diameter. 
 
 ho 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Rifles and Rifling. 
 
 Although " hande gunnes" have been in use since 1500, 
 the elongated bullet with spiral grooves to give it rotation is 
 of quite recent adoption. Rifling a barrel, as some imagine, 
 does not increase the velocity and consequently the range. 
 The only object of rifling is to correct the flight of the bullet by 
 constantly presenting any imperfection of surface to the air in 
 opposite directions and balancing, as it were, any irregulari- 
 ties of density in the ball itself. Its beneficial effect on tho 
 flight of the bullet was at first discovered by accident by a 
 gunmaker, who constructed a rifle barrel with deep grooves 
 to hold the fouling, so that a bullet of large diameter, with 
 but little windage, could be used. The result was alto- 
 gether more successful than anticipated, as besides permit 
 ting of a closer fitting ball, the accuracy was greatly increas- 
 ed. Windage (space between the bullet and the barrel) was 
 at first the great drawback to the successful employment of 
 rifles in warfare ; paper, grass, &c., being rammed down on 
 tho powder and bullet to keep them from falling out, and as 
 the powder escaped around the ball great loss of power was 
 the result. 
 
t' 
 
 40 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 It wa.^ the great windage of the late smooth-bore musket 
 that rendered it so completely void of accuracy. The ball 
 bounded from side to side of the barrel, and according to 
 the direction given by the last bounce would be its course. 
 Hitting a target G feet by 2 feet beyond 100 yards was 
 seldom attempted. At 300 yards, it is stated, one might fire 
 all day at a target eighteen feet square without hitting it ; 
 so that a man would be almost perfectly secure, although 
 fired at from sunrise to sunset, at less than even 300 yards, 
 provided the firer faithfully aimed at him and not 50 yards 
 to one side. It took on an average 3,000 sh<^>*^«"- for every 
 man disabled in action, lUflcs were first int. educed into 
 the English army in 1794. 
 
 With the exception of the Lancaster oval bore ther are 
 but two systems of grooving, viz., the groove and land 
 system, adopted entirely in the United States and by Met- 
 ford of Bristol, and the polygonal system, such as the Whit- 
 worth, Henry, Sec. Annexed are diagrams of the grooving 
 of the principal rifles, viz. : The Enfield, Martini-Henry, 
 Whitworth, Rigby, Met ford and Maynard (U. S.) 
 
 Whitworth. 
 
 Martini-Henry. 
 
 Eigby. 
 
 TSIutford. 
 
 Enfieia. 
 
 i 
 
 INIaynard. 
 
SHALLOW GROOVING. 
 
 41 
 
 The first one to bring to accuracy the rifling of barrels 
 was the celebrated mcchanican Whitworth,* who invented 
 a machine by which the variation of a millionth part of an 
 inch could be detected. 
 
 Mr. W. was employed by the British Government to con- 
 duct a series of experiments to establish fixed rules to guide 
 in the construction of an improved weapon for the British 
 soldier. Guided by the results of these elaborate and 
 ingenious experiments, the gunmakers of the present day 
 have been enabled to secure a degree of accuracy which 
 many years, probably, of individual effort would never have 
 attained. Although a marvel of accuracy, his rifle was not 
 adopted by the British Government, mainly, I believe, on 
 account of the expense, which was about 15s. more than the 
 Enfield. 
 
 The grooves of the Enfield have one turn in 6 feet 6 
 inches, or half a turn in the length of the barrel, what is 
 termed a slow twist. Whitworth made a rifle with one 
 turn for every inch, which did not strip the ball, and had 
 great penetration. Whitworth's firing 15 consecutive shots 
 within a circle of 3 inches diameter at 500 yards, and mak- 
 ing a mean absolute deviation of 1.2 feet at 1,000 yards, 
 were conclusive evidence of the perfection of his rifling and 
 projectiles. He first devised what he considered the best 
 form of projectile and then constructed the barrel, in his 
 opinion calculated to produce the best effect with it. In the 
 United States the gaining twist is universally adopted, but 
 in Britain, with the exception of the Metford, all rifles have 
 a uniform spiral of grooving from breech to muzzle. Dur- 
 ing the past two years Metford, Rigby and others have 
 
 
 t 
 
 •With ft view to encourage proficiency in the atudy of the much 
 neglected science of Mechanical Philosophy, Mr. W. has recently gener- 
 ously established a seriep of raluable scholarships. 
 
42 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 adopted the hardened bullet and shallow grooving. It has 
 been found that a bullet, hardened even so much that the 
 finger nail will make no impression, will expand into and 
 take the shallow grooves better than the old soft lead with 
 the deeper grooving. As the surface of the ball is made less 
 out of shape, and causes less friction, superior accuracy is 
 promoted, and the metal being harder, the penetration is 
 greater. In the latest pattern Rigby rifle (the cut is taken 
 from ray own rifle) it will be seen the grooves are just 
 barely perceptible. 
 
 The grooving of a rifle is a very delicate operation 
 which must be performed with great nicety. The barrel 
 is arranged horizontally in a solid bed, which also holds 
 a borer (a long rod) which passes through a socket with 
 a spiral similar to that to be given to the future rifle. 
 On the end of the borer is the cutter, a small piece of sharp 
 highly tempered steel, with an edge corresponding to the 
 required groove. This cutter is so arranged on a slight 
 incline with a screw, so that it can be made to cut deeper 
 when required. The boring is generally done slowly, the 
 cutter never being forced down but drawn through. To 
 make the cutter work smooth, the barrel is kept constantly 
 moist with soapy water or oil. The bore usually passes 
 through five or six cuttings before it attains the proper 
 guage. Upon the last cutting depends the smoothness of 
 the bore, as any irregularity in the edge of the cutter will 
 leave a streak down eao^ groove. I have seen it stated that 
 Whitworth cuts out one complete groove at each cutting. 
 A novel proposition was started by an imaginative corres- 
 pondent of the Scientific American^ viz.: To rotate the 
 smooth bore cannon before discharging, In order that the 
 ball might receive a rotary motion while in the bore. For 
 want of space I am obliged to confine my " descriptions of 
 
THE HENRY RIFLE. 
 
 43 
 
 rifles" to such only as would, I presume, most interest those 
 for whom this little work is intended. There are, no doubt, 
 many first-class target, military and sporting rifles not referred 
 to by me. 
 
 The Henry Breech-Loading Rifle. 
 
 As this is the rifle which has been exciting so much in- 
 terest at home, and has already been adopted, so far as the 
 mechanism of the barrel is concerned at least, by the small 
 arms Committee of the British Government, as the future 
 arm of the British forces, all that can be given in illustra- 
 tion I know will be sought after. In general appearance it 
 resembles our Snider Enfield, 
 in every respect, except the 
 breech, which is here engraved. 
 The upper figure represents the 
 breech closed, the lower figure 
 the breech open and ready for 
 insertion of a fresh cartridge. 
 The chamber, as it is called, is 
 a vertical slot cut through the 
 body of the gun in rear of the 
 barrel. The small of the butt is 
 hollowed in rear of the chamber, forming a channel for the in- 
 troduction of the cartridge, or for withdrawing the empty case. 
 The breech-plug is a stout block of steel of the same shape 
 as the chamber, which is attached to a lever hinged at the 
 bottom of the stock, three or four inches in front of the 
 trigger-guard, and latching, when the chamber is closed, in 
 the bottom of the tigger-guard itself The breech-plug con- 
 tains the plunger or piston (like the Snider) which is kept 
 within the plug by a small spring, except when struck by 
 
4A 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 the hammer at the rear end, when it protrudes and com- 
 municates the blow to the central-fire cap in the cartridge 
 case. The block and hammer are of the ordinary kind, and 
 Mr. Henry has made an improvement in some of his arms 
 by placing them on the left side instead of on the right side 
 of the rifle. This entirely removes the hammer out of thf* 
 way in the act of inserting the cartridge. Attached to and 
 worked by the lever is a strong steel extractor, which em- 
 braces the flange at the base of the cartridge, never failing 
 to extract a sound empty case, and eject it clear of the gun. 
 The great feature of the Henry is its safety. Until it is 
 securely closed it cannot be fired, and when fired, nothing 
 short of the entire destruction of the arm could affect the 
 safety of the user. 
 
 The breech mechanism is substantially the same as the 
 celebrated " Sharp's " rifle, which has been so long favour- 
 ably iknown in the United States. The Henry is a small 
 bore and carries the Eley .442 ammunition, which is recom- 
 mended by the maker, and used by Mr. Farquharson, who 
 has helped so greatly to develop the excellence of this wea- 
 pon, both 4» regards rapidity and accuracy at Wimbledon 
 and at the *^Tir National" in Belgium. In the recent offi- 
 eial trials at "Woolwich the test for rapidity gave a mean of 
 16 rounds per minute, and the Select Committee reported as 
 follows : — " The breech mechanism of this rifle combines 
 strength, safety and simplicity, the extractor works with 
 remarkable regularity, and it is not affected by rough usage 
 and exposure." It has received the £600 prize for the best 
 breech action. At Wimbledon, in 1867, in 3 minutes at 
 200 yards this rifle won the first prize ; 38 shots, 106 points. 
 In 1868 the first two of the Duke of Cambridge's prizes 
 were won by the Henry with 22 points out of 7 shots at 800 
 yards. At 200 yards in 44 shots 102 points were made in 
 three minutes. 
 
THE HENRY RIFLE. 
 
 45 
 
 It is 23 years since Mr. Henry commenced the manufac- 
 ture of rifles. In 1860 and 1861 his muzzle loaders were 
 great favorites at Wimbledon, and carried oflf many of the 
 principal prizes. This rifle has seven concentric planes and 
 re-entering angles the same as the Martini-Henry. 
 
 As an evidence of the excellence of this rifle I give the 
 following : — 
 
 Comparison between the "Henry" and "Snider" 
 
 Naval Rifle. 
 
 Mean deviation of 5 best targets out of 20, fired during 
 the Official Trials at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, from 
 fixed rests. 
 
 Henry Rifle. 
 
 300 yards. 
 
 600 yards. 
 
 800 yards. 
 
 1000 yards. 
 
 0.41 
 0.42 
 0.45 
 0.47 
 0.48 
 
 0.74 
 0.81 
 0.84 
 0.91 
 0.96 
 
 L58 
 L71 
 1.87 
 L97 
 2.07 
 
 1.69 
 2.50 
 2.53 
 2.59 
 2.94 
 
 Mean 0.44 
 
 Mean 0.85 
 
 Mean 1.84 
 
 Mean 2.45 
 
 Snider Naval Rifle. 
 
 300 yards. 
 
 500 yards. 
 
 800 yards. 
 
 1000 yards. 
 
 0.62 
 0.65 
 0.65 
 0.67 
 0.68 
 
 1.08 
 L18 
 L22 
 1.23 
 L23 
 
 2.78 
 3.07 
 3.14 
 3.23 
 3.28 
 
 4.43 
 6.11 
 6.28 
 6.33 
 6.46 
 
 0.05 
 
 LIS 
 
 3.10 
 
 5.92 
 
 The following description is from the report of the Com- 
 mittee on breech-loaders, April, 1868. 
 
46 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLINO. 
 
 •Q'a. f Weight, 9 lb. 5 oz. 
 ^^^^' \ Length, 51 inches. 
 
 ( Effective length, 34 J inches. 
 Barrel. < Weight. 
 
 (Calibre, 0.453 inch. 
 
 Grooves, 7 
 
 Twist, 1 turn in 20 inches. 
 
 ( On the Boxer principle. 
 Cartridge. < Total weight, 716 grains. 
 (Length, 3.625 inch. 
 
 Cylindro-conoidal, no cavity ; paper cap on 
 base. 
 Bullet. ' Weight, 480 grains. 
 Length, 1.209 inches. 
 Diameter, 0.455 inches. 
 
 Charge of powder, 85 grains. 
 Lubrication, 3 parts wax, 1 part tallow. 
 
 The Marston Rifle. 
 
 This is the only rifle now manufactured in Canada, 
 which, in my opinion, can compete successfully with British 
 small-bores at anything like long ranges. Mr. Marston cuts 
 the grooving in any required form, but prefers the shallow 
 grooves, almost universally adopted in the United States. 
 He is now, I am informed, making a rifle adapted to the 
 long Eley bullet, and has received orders for several of this 
 descipption for the shooting season of 1869. Of the merits 
 of this rifle it is unnecessary to make mention, the numer- 
 ous splendid scores to be found elsewhere in this book speak 
 for themselves. 
 
 For a first-class article the price is $60, which includes an 
 aperture back-sight and wind'guage frcnt-sight. -- No English 
 target rifle, with a duty of 15 per cent., can be imported 
 for anything near this amount. 
 
1 
 
 THE MAYNARD RIFLE. 
 
 The Maynard Kifle. 
 
 47 
 
 It was not my intention originally to describe any but the 
 Government weapon and long range match riflei. As, 
 however, the makers have kindly forwarded me one of their 
 best rifles, with a request that I would test it, and state my 
 opinion, a short description may not prove uninteresting. 
 A specimen of the bullet and grooving will be seen on pages 
 40 & 75. I have shot it up to 500 yards, and find the prac- 
 tice superior to the Snider Enfield. Up to 300 yards, in 
 fine weather, as good practice can be made with it as with 
 any English match rifie, and for close shooting for sporting 
 purposes at short distances, I may say that a good shot will 
 find no difficulty in imitating the diagrams on the advertise- 
 ment page. For target shooting at 500 yards and upwards, 
 my opinion is that the bullet should be more in form like 
 the Rigby, and a wind-guage provided for the foresight, 
 otherwise it could not compete on favourable conditions. 
 
 The rifle is a breech-loader, somewhat similar to the 
 Wesson rifle, has a short barrel and pefite appearance. The 
 firm furnish a shot barrel ($10 U.S. currency), which can 
 be substituted, when desirable, for the rifle barrel in 15 
 seconds, and either barrel may be carried in the coat sleeve, 
 and the stock in the pocket. For sportsmen, it has other 
 special recommendations, as it is fired with a cap, so that 
 the cartridges may be manufactured by oneself, without any 
 danger of running out of cartridges, as may happen with 
 the central or rim fire cartridge. With the appendages fur- 
 nished with this rifle, fifty cartridges, either rifle or shot, 
 may be turned out in ten minutes. Several of my sporting 
 friends, who have tested the shot barrel, pronounce it equal 
 to the best muzzle-loader ever made. An illustration of 
 this snug little rifle may be seen in Chapman's " Improved 
 American Rifle" and the " Crack Shot," or may be had on 
 
 I 
 
 1< 
 
 I 
 
46 BIFLES AND RIFLINQ. 
 
 application to the firm. It is a very neat, safe, and cheap 
 rifle, and has long been a favourite in the United States. 
 Some of the cartridge cases I have used ten times, and are 
 as good as now. The latest prices are as follows, in U.S. 
 currency : — 
 
 No. 1.— Military Rifle Carbine. U.S. Go- 
 vernment Pattern. Calibre .5. 
 
 No. 2. — Sporting Rifle — extra flnish, with 
 Elevating Peep Sight and Cartridge Re- 
 tractor. Barrel 20 in. Cal. either .4 
 or .35 27.00 
 
 Appendages. — Double Mould, Loader, Rod 
 
 and Brush, Cone Wrench, Ex. Cone, 
 
 Rag-holder and 50 Cartridge Cases 5.50 — $32.50 
 
 No. 3. — Sporting Rifle — flnish same as No. 
 
 2. Barrel 26 in. Cal. either .5, .4, or 
 
 .35 29.50 
 
 Appendages. — Same as No. 2 5.50 — $35.00 
 
 The .5 calibre carry 20 conical, or 35 round balls to the 
 
 pound, with 40 grains of powder. 
 The .4 calibre carry 25 cylindrical, or 29 conical balls to the 
 
 pound, with 40 grains of powder. 
 The .35 calibre carry 44 conical, or 90 round balls to the 
 
 pound, with 30 grains of powder. 
 The .55 Shot Barrels carry 1 oz. shot, with 50 grains of 
 
 powder. 
 The .64 Shot Barrels carry IJ oz. shot, with 60 grains of 
 
 powder. 
 
 The Martini-Henry. 
 
 Such is the name of the rifle selected by the Small Arms' 
 Committee, who, for more than a year, have been devising 
 
 ving, 
 
THE MARTINI-IIENRY RIFLE. 
 
 49 
 
 and experimenting to find out the best breech-loader that could 
 be made wherewith to arm the troops, in place of the pre- 
 sent Enfield, which, even with the Snider conversion, is not 
 considered such as British soldiers should bo supplied with. 
 Tills weapon is the joint prwluction of the inventors — Mr. 
 Martini and Mr. Henry — the breech of the former, and the 
 rifling of the latter, having been adopted by the Govern- 
 ment. The breech mechanism, it will bo seen by the engra- 
 ving, is very simple in construction. 
 
 Fii; 1 shews the breech closed with the striker for- 
 ward, and Fig. 2 the breech open, ready for loading. The 
 breech block A works on a pin, and contains the striker 
 
 B, surrounded with its main-spring. This striker is con- 
 fined in its chamber by the hollow screw C. The bottom 
 of the breech-block is slotted, to allow the end of the 
 tumbler D to engage with the striker. The tumbler is 
 mounted on the axis K, which is squared at the point of 
 contact with the tumbler, so that, as the tumbler is raised 
 or depressed, the axis moves with it, and so alters the 
 position of an indicator outside the lock. The hand 
 lever G, in the downward movement, serves to open 
 the breech, and draw back the striker. The tumbler, 
 moving with the lever, engages itself in the nose F of 
 the trigger. A further continued downward movement of 
 the lever G acts against the inner face of the hollow screw 
 
 C, and causes the breech block A to lower itself on its 
 pin as a centre. The upper part of the lever G is forked > 
 and embraces the tumbler as shewn at E E, Fig. 3. As 
 the lever is pressed down, the breech-block is opened, 
 and as it moves the tumbler is forced back, drawing back 
 the striker, and compressing the mainspring at the same 
 time, till the nose Fof the trigger engages with the tum- 
 bler rest. The object of the tumbler rest is to relieve the 
 
 c 
 
 \ 
 
 
50 
 
 RIFLES AND IlIFLINO. 
 
 triggiT from the wliolo 
 weight of tilt! tuTiil»h'r jukI 
 iiKiin-spiing. As the trigger 
 is pressed, its first movement 
 relieves the tiiml)ler from its 
 rest. The whole weight of 
 the siH'ing is now on tlie 
 trigger, and a further pres- 
 sure releases it. Th<' lower 
 arm of the extractor II is 
 so shaped that the first im 
 pact of tlie hreech hlock with 
 it serves to loosen the car- 
 tridge case in tlu! chaiiil>er ; 
 then, as it further descends, 
 the motion of the extractor 
 is more rapid, and tlu^ case 
 is ejected clear of the gun. 
 Fig. 3 is a transvca-se section 
 of the breech-block mechan- 
 ism through the plane X Y, 
 
 fig.l. 
 
 One grand specialty is the 
 doing away with the ordinary 
 side-lock, and that the lever, 
 which ill other arms of this 
 class is only an accessory, 
 
 p«rforms, by the two movements of opening and ' "^ iig, 
 the entire action of the mechanism. In other w exclu- 
 sive of the two operations which arc common ti II guns, 
 the introduction of the cartridge, and the pulling of Jie 
 trigger, ie., loading and firing, the movements are reduced 
 to two only. For rapidity of fire, 20 rounds can be fired in 
 
;lu- 
 
 THE MARTINI-HENRY RIFLE. 
 
 51 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 48 seconds, or at 
 thcnitc (>f 2') sliota 
 ji niinutc, or 2] se- 
 conds a roiuul. For 
 ai'i'iirari/, it lias pro- 
 duced till' niagnifi- 
 c<'nt result in tho 
 ofllcial tiials at 
 AVoohvicli of mak- 
 ing several diag- 
 rams with every 
 shot in a s([uar(! 
 of 21 feet at 12<>() 
 yanls. The mean 
 (h'viation at TjOO 
 yards (fired IVoin a 
 slioulder r(\st) is 
 less than one foot, 
 with an aniile of 
 elevation of 1 deg. 
 12 niin. (the Sni- 
 di-r, naval, is 1 deg, 
 20 niin.), the bul- 
 let rising only 8 
 feet ahove the point 
 aimed at. At 300 
 yards, the mean de- 
 viation is six inches, 
 
 the highest point in the trajectory being 2 feet 7 inches abov(^ 
 the point aimed at. For penetration, at 300 yards, the Indlet 
 (hardened with tin) will pass through fourteen half-inch elm 
 I anks. At 500 yards, two iron plates, each J inch thick, 
 placed an inch and a half apart, were perforated with ease. 
 
 I 
 
52 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 For slniplmtji^ I bi^icvc it has no rivals, and is composed of 
 but 29 difFcront parts. For durabilitj/, they were little affec- 
 ted })y tliousands of shots, sand poured on breech, rust, 
 damaged cartridges, water, or other severe tests. 
 
 The system of rifling is polygonal — seven sides — and 
 down each large angle, is a re- entering angle or raised ril), 
 whih scecures for the l)ullet a ])earing of 14 points instead 
 of 7.* 
 
 Rifle. I f^^^ ?,^ .I'^^i 
 
 ( Length, ol inches. 
 
 J, , f Ticngth, 35 inclies. 
 J>arrei. ^ y^y^^{,^^^^^ .^ ^^ (j ,,j^ 
 
 (ilrooves, 7. 
 
 Twist, uniform, 1 turn in 22 inclies. 
 
 C'lrtridcr,. i ^^'<'iglit, 710 grains. 
 U.irtiKlgc. ^ ^^^.,j^,j.|,^ 3.(525 i„ehes. 
 
 Cylindro-conoidal, 
 No cavity, cap on l)ase. 
 Bullet. \ Weiglit, 480 grains. 
 Length, 1-20U inches. 
 Diameter, 0-45 inclujs. 
 
 Charg(! of [)owder, 85 grains. 
 
 Lubrication, pure beeswax. 
 
 1 II B Mi<:TFOUD Rifle. 
 
 The most peculiar feature of this English rifle is its re- 
 semblance to th(^ American target rifh; in having what is 
 termed tlu^ " gaining " twist, and a false — Chirke's, U. S. 
 patent — loading nuizzle. Mr. Metford professes to have 
 discovered the proper ih^gree of gaining twist for small bore 
 rifles, and thus describes it in a letter to me. " In my rifle, 
 the velocity of the bullet having been ascertaiiu^d as it passes 
 .along the Ivore, and the increase of the velocity tabulated, 
 
 * See diajrain, i>f\isv 02, for ammunition and bullet, "ml page 40 for 
 grooviuf^. 
 
 
THE METFOllD RIFLE. 53 
 
 the curved spiml is cut so as to suit tlie values given ])y this 
 ta))k\" He was the first one to practically prove the bene- 
 fits of hardened bullets and shallow grooving ; in both of 
 which respects he has been imitated 1 y Mr. Rigby and others, 
 as well as in using the patent lousc loading muzzle. He 
 also has long advocate*! the advantage of having a hollow or 
 some light substance in the centre forward part of the bullet 
 to better balance it, similar to the; wooden plug of the Boxer 
 cartridge. Barrel, 30 in. ; bore of rifle, .4G0 ; 5 grooves 
 very shallow ; narrow lands. Bullet, 530 grains. The 
 following is the description of the bullet. (See diagram 
 page G9). 
 
 At A at the base it is ••452 in dianuiter, at '052 (1>) from 
 the base it is '448, at C 1*00 from the l>ase, its diameter is 
 •432, and its length is 1^410, or more than 3 to 1 in diame- 
 ter, the base is hollow, •ISH, and the forepart is blunt. 
 
 Best Match Rifle (Engraved) £31 10 
 
 Ditto, ditto (not Engraved) 30 10 
 
 Mediumditto 22 
 
 Plain ditto 15 15 
 
 All the above have the usual apeiture 
 back and wind guage front sights. 
 
 Barrels fitted to Match Rifle Stocks, in- f i() ia n 
 eluding wind guagc? front siglit ) 
 
 Ditto to Rifles passed through the National / u a a 
 Rifle Association. . ( 
 
 Projectiles prepared un«i r Mr. Mctford's 
 
 superintendence 4s, 8d. per 100 
 
 Box containing 500, with Wadding 27s. 
 
 Mr. Metford is fortunate in having such an excellent 
 
 workman as Mr. Gilbs, of Bristol, to manufacture his rifles. 
 
 The Rkjhy Rule. 
 Since 18G7 Mr. Rigby has adopted tlu^ shallow grooving 
 suid hardened bidlet with a very decided improvement in the 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
54 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 shooting. Diameter of bore, -451 ; largest diameter, '480. 
 No. of grooves, 8. Grooving very shallow ; lands narrow, 
 about J width of grooves (sec j)age 40). Uniform twist, 
 one turn in 22 inches. The form of grooving renders it im. 
 possible, it is said, for the bullet to strip. Bullet, 530 grains, 
 hard metal, solid base, felt wads ; powder, 90 grains, Curtis 
 andHarveys No. G (14 grains). Mr. 
 Kig])y recommends and supplies a 
 loading muzzle with his match rifles. 
 At 1000 yards at an official trial at 
 Woolwich, the low trajectory of this 
 rifle was evident from the small ele- 
 vation required — 2 deg. 44 min. 
 Many of the principal prizes in 18G7 
 were won hy tliis rifle. For a new 
 match rifle comjdete, the charge is 
 22 guineas ; new barrel and breech 
 fitted, 10 guineas. In the Interna- 
 tional Match of 18G8, among 24 
 competitors, 14 used tlic I;i«r1)v 
 Rifle. The following is the scale of 
 elevations : — 
 
 200 yards 18 
 
 300 
 
 400 
 500 
 GOO 
 700 
 800 
 900 
 1000 
 1100 
 
 (( 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 It 
 
 u 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 .32 
 
 .47 
 
 .G3 
 
 .80 
 
 .98 
 
 I.IG 
 
 1.3G 
 
 1.57 
 
 1.79 
 
 Each 1- 100th on the vernier back- 
 
SHARPS IIIFLK. 
 
 5o 
 
 0. 
 
 St, 
 
 n. 
 
 IS, 
 
 bis 
 
 sight represents on the target an inch at 100 yards, 5 inclies 
 at 500, and so on. 
 
 Sharp's Rifle. 
 
 This is a breech- loading rifle, and is constructed for metal 
 lie cartridges with ignition in the rim. The breech action is 
 precisely the same as the English Henry (see diagram of 
 Henry), which is a copy of it, the only variation being that 
 Sharp used a cap, or the rim fire cartridge recently. The 
 moving parts to operate are only three — viz., lever, slide, and 
 extractor. The breech is opened by means of a lever forming 
 the trigger-guard. Tiie breech-slide, being spheroidal in 
 shape, admits of using the cartridges with ease, if the head 
 vary in thickness. The breech arrangement works well. 
 
 The following is from the report of the Committee on 
 breech-loaders, April 18G8: — 
 
 TJiflo / Weight, 9 lbs. U oz. 
 iviuc. I rp^^^^j length, 4G| inches. 
 
 ( Effective length, 30 inclies. 
 Barrel. < Weight, 4 lbs. 4 oz. 
 ( Calibre, 500 inch. 
 
 Grooves, G. 
 
 Twist, 1 turn in 3G inches. 
 
 ( Rim-fire, copper-base, no wad. 
 Cartridge. < Total weight, 552 grains. 
 (Length 1*89 inch. 
 
 ' Cylindro.conoidal, point flattened, 3 
 cannelures, wax lulirication in cannelures. 
 Bullet. \ solid base. Weight, 407 grains. 
 Length 0-83 inch. 
 Diameter, 0*52 inch. 
 
 Charge of powder, G7 grains. 
 Weight of GO rounds packed, 4 lbs. 13] ozs. 
 Trial made, 17-5, -G7. 
 
 < 
 
50 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 Accuracy. — 2 trials and 8 shots were fired, from slioiddcr 
 rest, at 500 yards by Mr. Kerr. Mean deviation of 8 sliots, 
 1.68 feet. 
 
 Rairidity. — 12 rounds fired in 51 seconds l)y Mr. Kerr, who 
 did not appear to work the rifle quite so (piickly as might 
 have heen done." 
 
 The Sharp's Rifle Company manufacture a target rifle 
 with " peep and globe " sights. This rifle can be loaded 
 from the muzzle, and fired with caps or Sharp's primer. The 
 Company possess numerous testimonials of the gi-eat v.alue 
 of their rifle for either sporting, target, or military purposes. 
 I have never fired these rifles, nor do I know tlu; price. 
 
 The Snider Enfield. 
 
 Owing to the liberality of the " Home Government," the 
 whole of the Volunteer Militia force of the Dominion of 
 Canada are now armed with this quecmly weapon, which is, 
 jtar excellence, the military weapon of tlie '.say. 
 
 I cannot do better than (piote from W^alkc^r's Thcoiy and 
 Practice of the Rifle (1804):— 
 
 " The Enfield Rifle is Imt onc^ of the modifications (►f the 
 Mnii('!. It is entirely manufactured by macliinery at the 
 Government factory at Enfield, whence it takes its name. 
 By means of a beautiful system of machinery, a thousand 
 complete rifles are turned out in a week, with a degree of 
 accuracy and finish sucli as the hand of the most skilful 
 mechanic could never impart. All the various parts of the 
 lock, stock, and barrel are made with such a nice degree of 
 accuracy, with reference to each other, and the standard 
 pattern employed, that a rifle with bayonet, and every other 
 part complete, may be put together in five minutes from any 
 set of parts selected at random from a heap of the same kind ' 
 
 " This principle of manufacture Inw received the name of 
 
 i 
 
 'intil 
 whal 
 copj 
 ivorl 
 ai)pl] 
 receii 
 {( 
 
 << 
 
THE SNIDER ENFIELD RIFLE. 
 
 67 
 
 d 
 
 I 
 
 ' interchange,' and it has been effected by the introduction of 
 wliat are termed 'copying machines/ originally designed for 
 copying the fine lines of statuary, so as to transfer them to 
 ivory and other materials. The Americans were the first to 
 apply this most ingenious machine to making rifles, and 
 recently to boat-building. 
 
 *' The piece of metal, out of which the gradually tapering 
 tube, called the barrel of our rifle, is ultimately fashioned, 
 seems to bear at first no relation to such a form. 
 
 "At the Woolwich manufactory, you see a smith take up a 
 small plate of quarter-inch iron, about a foot long, by a few 
 inches wide, heat it to a welding heat, and place it between 
 the lips of a rolling mill, with grooved instead of flat rollers, 
 and in an instant it comes out a tube. The breech-piece is 
 welded on by a single blow of a steam hammer; and then the 
 process of turning the bore to the exact size of '577 of an inch 
 begins. As only a slight cutting can be made at a time, the 
 barrel has to ])e submitted to the action of many different bor- 
 ing instruments. The rifling of the barrel in three grooves is 
 performed by fixing it in a lathe, and driving the cutter 
 through it in a spiral direction. When finished, these grooves 
 arc equidistant with a width of 202 in., and a depth of "015 
 in. at the breech, and "005 in. at the muzzle ; they are thus 
 termed 'progressive.' The grooves are made to diminish in 
 depth towards the muzzle in the ratio mentioned, in order 
 that the bullet should take the grooving gradually, and get a 
 last nip before leaving the muzzle. 
 
 " The grooves have a turn or twist equivalent to one turn 
 in feet G inches, or half a turn in the length of the barrel ; 
 and they lie at an inclination of 1° 19' 1 V\ 
 
 "The dimensions of the Enfield rifle arc as follows : — Total 
 length with bayonet, G feet; length of barrel, 3 ft. 3 in.; total 
 
 i 
 
58 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 r 
 
 weight with bayonet, 9 lbs. 3 J oz.; weight of the barrel, 4 lbs. 
 4 oz.; diameter of the bore, '577 in. 
 
 "This then constitutes the far-famed Enfield rifle of our 
 day, which prevented our troops sustaining a disaster at In- 
 kerman, and at once quadrupled the effective power of the 
 steadiest infantry in Europe. There seems little doubt that 
 the Enfield is superior to the rifles served out to Continental 
 troops." 
 
 The Enfield costs the British Government £3 4s. stg., and 
 the breech arrangement about 12s. more. Private gun- 
 makers charge $10 to put on a Snider breech, and charge 
 $25 for a complete breech-loader. 
 
 The conversion to the Snider system of breech-loading is 
 effected by cutting off about two inches of the barrel, and 
 screwing on the new chamber. As these rifles can be seen 
 and examined at any moment, and are familiar to all in Ca- 
 nada, a more detailed description, beyond naming the new 
 parts, is unnecessary. The whole moveable part is termed 
 the "breech-block." The projecting part, by which the 
 thumb opens the breech-block, is termed the "thumb piece," 
 and the part into which the breech-block fits when closed, is 
 called the " breech-shoe." The superiority of this conversion 
 over the muzzle-loader is evidenced in thelast Army Musketry 
 Report, wherein it is stated that the results have shewn a 
 marked improvement. The figure of merit of the infantry 
 was 23J per cent, better than in the former year. As 37,900 
 were armed with the Snider, and 38,080 with the muzzle- 
 loader, every facility was afforded for comparing the perform- 
 ances, and securing statistical results of great value. It is 
 shewn that in individual firhig, the breech-loader is through- 
 out superior to the muzzle-loader. The third-class shots are 
 less than half those with muzzle-loaders, while the first-class 
 shots are greater by over 19 per cent, and the proportion of 
 
 
 mr 
 
 foi) 
 
 of; 
 
 tivl 
 
 an( 
 
 of 
 
 sh( 
 
 us* 
 
 tio^ 
 
 ble 
 
THE TURNER RIFLE. 
 
 59 
 
 marksmen is nearly double. In rapidity of fire, the Snider is 
 found to be to the muzzle-loader nearly as 3 to 1. The number 
 of ricochets were increased very much, owing to the compara- 
 tive inferiority of the Koxer ammunition. In rapid file firing 
 and independent firing, the average of the Snider is below that 
 of the muzzle-loader, being 1 1 '70 and 1 4 '04 respectively, which 
 shows that the advantages of quickness, if not judiciously 
 used, may cause less execution and great waste of ammuni- 
 tian. In the Military Breech loading competition at Wim- 
 bledon at 500 yards, a Volunteer (Andrews), in the space of 
 five minutes, fired fifty shots, and scored one hundred and 
 thirty-three points, as follows : — ten bull's-eyes, 21 centres, 15 
 outers, 4 misses. Another Volunteer (Oswald) at 200 yards, 
 in the very short space of three minutes, fired thirty-eight 
 shots, or at the rate of thirteen shots a minute, with only one 
 miss, 6 bull's eyes, 20 centres, 11 outers ; total, one hundred 
 and six. No other army weapon in the world can pretend to 
 produce results similar to the above. The Snider rifle is to 
 be furnished to 24 regiments (16,789 men) of English Militia 
 for this year's practice. The Queen's prize this year is to be 
 shot for with the muzzle-loading Enfield. 
 
 The Turner Rifle. 
 
 Mr. Turner has kindly furnished me with the following full 
 particulars concerning his rifle: — Diameter of bore, '452; 
 number of grooves, 5 ; width of groove at nose — bottom, '175, 
 top, '190; width of groove at breech — bottom, '175, top, '225; 
 depthof groove at breech, -026; it then diminishes in depth 
 for twenty inches uji the barrel to -OOG, and continues this 
 depth to the nose ; si)iral, 1 turn in 20 inches; projectile, soft 
 lead ; weight, 530 grains ; shape, cylindrical ; charge of pow- 
 der with greased bullet, 70 grains of Lawrence's No. 4, or 
 Curtis & Harvey's No. G powder ; with bullet not greased and 
 greased wad, 80 to 85 grains. 
 
GO 
 
 RIFLES AND RIFLING. 
 
 Mr. Turner, by his patent, claims any number of grooves, 
 and the right of adapting them to any bore. 
 
 The peculiar excellence consists in its non-fouling proper- 
 ties — 2500 rounds have been fired out of on(5 barrel without 
 once wiping out, and without affecting the accuracy of the 
 shooting. Sergt. Doudiet and the late Captain Caleb Giles 
 have been most successful with rifles of this make. 
 
 Price, X5 to £30 stg. 
 
 Thos. Turner, No. 8 Fisher St., Birmingham. 
 
 The Wiiitworth Rifle. 
 
 Mr. Whitworth, the celebrated P^nglish Mechanician, v.'as 
 the first to produce a really good long range rifle. Six years 
 ago, few thought of competing against this then wonderful 
 weapon, which, on account of its excellence, Avas repeatedly 
 chosen for the use of the competitors in the 2nd stage Queen's. 
 
 The peculiarity of this rifle is the polygonal (see diagram, 
 page 40) system of grooving (hexagonal). The barrels are of 
 steel, and there l)eing no grooves to injure, steel, or other hard 
 metal bullets, may be fired without injuring the weapon. 
 Diameter, -45 across the flats, and "49 across the angles ; 
 si)iral, one turn in 20 inches; bullet, hardened lead, either 
 cylindrical or mechanically fitting ; lubrication, wax wad en- 
 closed between two thin copper plates. This wad, Mr Whit- 
 Avorth claims, obviates the fouling, to overcome which he used 
 to emidoy a mechanically fitting loading rod. Charge, 85 
 grains, Curtis & Harvey's No. 5. Price varies from £10 to 
 £35 stg., according to finish. 
 
 Among celebrated old country rifles, of which I have not 
 given a full description, the Ingram, of Edinburgh, takes a 
 prominent stand. An Ingratn made the highest score in the 
 International Match of 1868. 
 
 1 
 
THE WIIITWORTH RIFLE. 
 
 Gl 
 
 In Canada, besides Mr. Marston, there are .«5cveral other 
 manufacturers of note, viz. : — Messrs. Booth Sc Son, of 
 Ottawa, and Gurd & Son, of London, O. 
 
 In ordering a rifle, it is advisable to mention tlie exact 
 length of stock desinnl, or send a pai)er pattern. It is ])et- 
 ter to have a stock rather long tlian too short. A pistol 
 stock is better than a straight one, but mucli more expen- 
 sive. The illustration accompanying the Rigby rifle is a 
 beautiful representation of what, in my opitiion, a first-class 
 small-bore match rifle should resemble. Special permission 
 must be obtained from the Customs authorities to import 
 fire-arms from either Britain or the United States, and a 
 duty of 15 per cent, nuist be paid on both rifles and powder. 
 Until the Government encourage Rifle Associations, by a«l 
 mitting superior British rifles free of duty, I'm afraid that 
 the assistance of friends in bringing them out with their 
 personal effects will continue to be taken advantage of. 
 
 CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 Ammunition, Bullets, Puwdeh, tfcc. 
 
 As we have now cartridges for the Snider Enfield, the 
 arm which, by the li]x;rality of the liritish GovernmtMit, has 
 been plentifully supplied to the Volunteer force, which are 
 just about as good as any that are or can be manuftictured, 
 I have no suggestions to offer as regards choice or improve- 
 ment thereon. The first issue were undou])tedly defective 
 from the occasional escape of gas at the breech, and the 
 difficulty of extraction, defects which have been effectually 
 remedied by the flat disc at the base of all subsequently 
 manufactured. To shew what a nice piece of workmanship 
 
G2 
 
 AMMUNITION, BULLETS, POWDER, &C. 
 
 the regulation -577 bore "Boxer" cartridge is, I have pre- 
 pared tlin accompanying woodcut, wliich is 
 the exact size and shape in every respect 
 of wliat it is intended to ri'present. Tlie 
 sliorter figure is a h^ngitudinal section, showing 
 tlie appearance of the Snider cartri<lge cut (h)wn 
 the middhi h^ngthways ; a, wooden phig ; h.h., 
 \vin\ huHet ; r, cavity at base of 
 bullet; (I, the composition clay 
 plug, which, being driven for- 
 ward by force of explosion, ex- 
 pands the posterior portion of 
 the bullet laterally, so as to take 
 the grooves ; e, a thin layer of 
 cotton wool ; /, the powder ; [/, 
 a small piece of metal against 
 which the head of the cap, con- 
 taining the fulminate, is driven 
 by the piston, the flame igniting 
 the powder through a very small 
 hole at the opposite end ; on 
 
 either side is compressed paper, to give solidity to the base 
 of the cartridge, and secure the cap in position. 
 
 The longer diagram illustrates the Boxer-Henry small-bore 
 cartridge as used extensively last year, and manufactured by 
 Eley Bros. The cartridge (Boxer-Henry) for the Martini- 
 Henry rifle has some slight modifications ; the bullet is solid 
 hardened lead, designed by Mr. Henry, and has one canne- 
 lure round it for securing the bullet to the cartridge. It is 
 •45 inch in diameter at the back end, and tapers slightly 
 throughout its entire length, which is about IJ inches 
 Over the body and back end of the bullet is placed a small 
 
 ho 
 
 pa 
 
 th 
 
 In 
 
 wa 
 
 Ic 
 
THE nOXEU CARTIIIDOE. 
 
 03 
 
 l>apor cap, tlio end of wliich is twisted, and prossod into a 
 liollow mado for the purpose in tlie ])ase of the huUct. The 
 paper cap is lightly liihricate(l with lu'eswax. The ohjcct of 
 tliis cap is to increase accuracy and prevent ''leading." The 
 lubrication, however, is mainly (U'e(!ted hy means of a felt 
 wad, which is placed inside tln' cartridge, between the bul- 
 let and powder, the same as used in the Kigby rifle, which, 
 it is stated, obviates the necessity of cleaning during the 
 firing of any number of rounds. The bullet is hardened ))y 
 tin and antimony, and u}) to 300 yards, will penetrate j^th 
 inch iron readily. At TJOO yards, several targets of great 
 uniformity, with a variation of only 2Jth feet, were obtained 
 at the ofllcial trial of the Martini Henry with this cartridge. 
 
 The principle of hollowing out the centre of the fore part 
 of the bullet, so as to throw the centre of gravity further 
 back, and place the weight at the rim of the bidlet, has been 
 repeatedly reconmiended by Mr. Metfcjrd for large bore bul- 
 lets, and some of his manufacture have, it is reported, been 
 successfully used up to 1000 yard>. With Mr. Metford's 
 bullets, and Curtis S: Harvey's powder, I have myself made 
 very satisfactory practice at 800 yards (the longest range I 
 could obtain) with the old f/di^-pijh'. muzzledoader. Placin 
 the weight on the outside steadies the bullet in its flight. 
 The balance-wheel of a watch, and the fly wheel in machi- 
 nery are made thus, as the weight in the rim sustains the 
 rotary momentum, and ensures a uniformity which would 
 not be attained were the weight congregated around the axle. 
 
 The three indentations at the base of the bullet serve the 
 double purpose of holding the wax lubrication, and keeping 
 the axis in the line of flight, the same as the feathers on an 
 arrow. These indentations, although useful for the al)ovo 
 purposes, greatly diminish the range by the increased fric- 
 tion of the atmosphere. I have heard of many complaint|B 
 
 
G4 AMMUNITION, RULLETS, POWDEIl, kc. 
 
 of ricochets at tlio long rangos, doubtless owing tliis to 
 alteration. Cartridges should bo kept in a dry place, and 
 ])acked carefully and securely, so that they may not injuri! 
 each oth(!r when carried about. Kven when carefully han- 
 dled, from their being packed points and bases alternately, 
 with the present inHufTieirnt paper partition, the iron bases 
 greatly injure the adjoining soft lead points. To save t\w 
 bullets from injury by contact aiul damp, I would recom- 
 mend having the pouch divided into as many separate divi- 
 sions as it will contain cartridges, each cartridge being placed 
 separately point downwards. The Snider anmiunition, 
 obtained through tin; Militia Department at Ottawa, costs 
 $12 per 500 rounds (the smallest quantity sold), or very 
 nearly 2^ cents each round. 
 
 Filey Bros., wholesale English manufacturers, chaige 
 $12.75 per 500 rounds (duty extra) for the Boxer ammuni- 
 tion, and the rate in retail stores is never less than 30 cents 
 for packages of 10. Mr. W. P. Marston, gunmaker in this 
 city, retails the Government ammunition at the following 
 rates, viz.: — 10 rounds, 30 cents ; 20, 55 cents ; 30, 80 
 cents; 40, $1.05; 50, $1.30; 100, $2.G0; 200, $5.10. 
 Those who arc not officers must have an order from their 
 commanding officer. 
 
 A i)ackage of ten of the Snider cartridges 
 
 (No. 4, 18G7), weighs, Troy 7210 grains. 
 
 Do. do. Enfield muzzle- 
 loading ammunition (-53 wax, 18G4 6420 grains. 
 
 Diflference 787 grains. 
 
 Tho American rim fire cartridges cannot bo relied upon 
 for accuracy. 
 
 Castin(j Ballets. 
 Great care should be obs(^ived in selecting the lead, which 
 Bliould be soft (pig lead is excellent) and of the purest qua" 
 
 lit 
 
 m 
 
 ih 
 
 anl 
 
 hal 
 
 gl 
 
1 
 
 cASTiNd nui.M'/rs. 
 
 05 
 
 lity, frco from .iiiy iulmixtun? of antimony, tin, oM typr 
 nu'tjil, i^c.f any of wliicli lianlrn the comjKJsition, and injnro 
 the groovin,!^' of all Canadian and Anicritan rillcs, as well a.s 
 any Kn^i^di.sh rifh's, which arc not madi; specially for shooting 
 hardrncd projoctilos. 
 
 As it is possible to have too great a cavity at the base of 
 a bullet, which would permit of too ready expansion and 
 enormous friction in the grooves, this jjoint nmst be borne 
 in mind in <lesigiiing bullet-moulds ; the hollow, however, 
 nmst not l>e too slight, or only the slight expansi<Mi due to 
 upsetting will take ])lace. 
 
 Of the various forms of bu^.let-nioulds in use, tlu^ one here 
 givi'U 1 consider tlu^ best for bullets with a hollow in the 
 base,* Flat base bullets are cast in solid moulds, the lead 
 being poureil iji at the bast; when; the cutter is placed. A 
 brass mould is woith about .1*^5 or more, according to finish. 
 
 It is composed of two distiiu't 
 parts, viz.: — tlu! mould pro})»'r (A) 
 and the stop[»er (15). l»y merely 
 altering the position of tht; collar, and 
 the form of the jxunt of tlu; stopjier, 
 the bullet can be mad(! short(!r or 
 longer, or the size of the opening at 
 the base of the ball changed in a few 
 mimites on a turning lathe. 
 
 Objection is made by some to pour 
 ing in the lead at the top of the bul- 
 let, on the plea that this part should 
 bo as perfect as possible. Careful 
 trimming will makt; such (piite as re- 
 gular as those cast in any other 
 mould, and as a set-off to such nicety, B A 
 
 I know several capital long-range shots who leave the little 
 
GO 
 
 AMMUNITION, liULLETS, POWDKR, &C. 
 
 flat protii])crancc on, alloging tlicy have noticed no variation 
 in tlic results in all their extended practice. The ladle, 
 which must he of iron, and provided with a long wooden 
 handle, should he large enough to contain about half a pint 
 of liquid — a larg(T one is unwieldy and dangerous to handle, 
 and in a small size changes in temperature are too rapid. 
 
 It shoul<l have a spout to guide in pouring the lead into 
 the mould, made as short as possible, as a long one will cool 
 the lead so much that a perfect bullet cannot be made. 
 Having melted the lea.l, skim off any impurities which arc 
 sure to rise to the surface — a little grease, it is said, facili- 
 tates this opfration. 
 
 The lead should })e kept constantly hot as well as the 
 mouhl, and fresh lead added as that in the ladle is^used 
 up. In conseijuence of the coldness of the mould, the first 
 few casthigs will le imperfect, and nuist be thrown back 
 into the pot; cai'e must be talien, liowever, not to melt the 
 same lead too often, as eveiy time it is melted it beconu'S 
 harder, owing to the oxygcai of the air combining with it, 
 and forming oxide c»f lead, which is harder than the pure 
 metal. Charcoal floating on the surfiice will obviate this. 
 
 Smoking or greasing the inside of the mould is practised 
 by some to prevent sticking, ^"^ever having found any diffi 
 culty myself, I would strongly oppose any such plan for 
 fouling the mould, which I always take care to wipe out as 
 clean as possible. There is quite a knack in holding the 
 mould at the proper angle to ensure a good casting. It is 
 the same in pouring water into a tumbler ; if the glass be 
 upright, and the water poured suddenly against the side, it 
 will splash over ; the same occurs in the mould ; the lead 
 splashes up the sidc^ and cools there liefore the mould is 
 full, and the consecjuence is a fatal flaw. Again, if th'e 
 ladle be not taken from the fire and used at once, or the 
 
SWEDCiES, DIES, &('. 
 
 G7 
 
 Hpout of tlio liuUc })e too long, or the mould bo cold, or the 
 lead poured in too slowly or un8t<'adily, the bullet will have 
 a succession of annular indentations on the surface, due to 
 the cooling of the successive layers of metal. The use of 
 water must l)e avoided, for a single drop getting into the 
 mould would cause an explosion hy the steam generated, 
 which might cost one their eyesight. 
 
 To those who care to go to the expense an«l trouble, I 
 would say get an improved ladle similar to that recently 
 patented by A. 
 N. Tupper, of 
 Totsdam, N.Y. 
 as here illustrated. Price $1.00 U.S. currency. The bene- 
 fit of this ladle is that by pressing the upper iron rod, which 
 is held in position by a s])ring, you oi>r!i a small hole at the 
 bottom of tin* bowl, from whence i.ssucs tlic eloar hot metal. 
 In using a double mould with this l;idl<', l)ullrts can be east 
 as fjist iia the mould will permit without a siiigU; miss, and 
 the flow of the lead being regulated by tlu' pressurt^ of the 
 thumb, none of it need be spilt. 
 
 To ensure the balls being of an even surfaci; antl uniform 
 diameter, th(^ Americans use a sinf/i/t', which consists of a 
 steel die, the proper size and shape into which tlu? ball is 
 placed, and auoJier close fitting steel piston being driven 
 down in it, compels tlie ball to assume the smooth even shape 
 and size of tlu; die. Others are content with men-ly passing 
 them through a disc, with holes perforated the exact reipiired 
 diameter of the ball. 
 
 As these appliances are costly and of l>ut little moment, 
 they are now .sehhnn manufactured. Ihillets for English 
 match rifles, such as the Kley, are invariably made by com- 
 pression from a homogeneous bar of lead, and are conse- 
 quently invariable in eitlier size, density, or excellence of 
 
 •\ ' 
 
II 
 
 GS 
 
 AMMUNITION, BULLETS, TOWDEll, &C. 
 
 fiiii.sli. Mctfoid, and with him, Righy and others, have a(h)p- 
 ted a coni]io.sit(! projectile harder than lead, which pta'mits 
 of the grooving being much shallower; it must not be im- 
 agined, howevta-, that these ])ullets will maki; proportionately 
 good shooting in any rifl(% for they are adapted to shallow 
 grooving only, and v 111 seriously injure most rifles. 
 
 It may not be generally known that a rifle ball cannot be 
 cast solid. There is invariably a hole about one eighth, 
 more or less, of an inch in length, and JK^irly as largo in 
 diameter as the head of a pin, usually exactly in line with 
 th(! longer axis, about (me third from the; head of the bullet. 
 In my opinion, this is not due to any air ent(;ring the 
 mould at the; time of tlu; casting, but to the following philo- 
 sophical cause. When a bullet is east and thrown out of 
 tl (! mould, the outsi<l(? surface is su<l(lenly cooled and har- 
 dens. Now w(^ all know mentals contract when cooling, and 
 as the inside cannot pull the outside towards it, in conse- 
 (pK^nce of tlie latter bidng already harden«Ml, its only other 
 resort is to contract towards the outside, and leave a vacuum 
 in tlie centre. This vacuum varies in size according to the 
 size of the ball, and the rapidity of cooling. To this causes, 
 I presume is due the excentricity of the centre of gravity of 
 cannon balls, which is clearly noticeable when they are 
 weighed in mercury, on which tluiy float, being lighter than 
 that li(piid. 
 
 Tlie Enfield bullets are made of lead, compressed in dies and 
 not cast, and arc consequently free from any defects. The 
 price of Eley's •tl2 solid cylindrical projectiles ; for lligby's 
 Henry's, Turner's, London Annory Co.'s Rifles, Whitwortli's, 
 iK:c., »fcc., done up neatly in boxes of 100 each, is $8.50 per 
 1000. Their lubricating wads are $1-25 per 1000. The 
 Metford hardened bulh-t is 81.13 (is. 8d. stg.) per 100. 
 The following are exact representations, in size and shape, 
 
 of 
 
 (.Hi 
 
T 
 
 POWDER AND ITS SUBSTITUTES. 
 
 G9 
 
 of 1, the Metf(»r(l ((lescribed under Mctford riHe); 2, the 
 Rigby, iiar(l*»ned ; 3, tlie Eley •442, used in most Englisli 
 small-Viores ; 4, a Marston (as used l)y Cai»*-ain Edwards and 
 others; 5, a Maynard, which may betaken as arepresenta 
 tive American l»ullet. The Snider is ilhistrated witli tlie 
 cartridge. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Powder and its Sur.sTrrrTEs. 
 
 " And thi>,t it wiw great pity, so it was, 
 'Vhw villainous saltitetre Bhoiild he tligj^M 
 Out (»f the bowels of the hannlt'a.s rarth, 
 Which many a good tall fellow had doatn»yM 
 So cowardly ; and but for those vile gun.s, 
 Ho woidd himself have been a soMier." — Shakspt'are. 
 
 It surprises me very nuich to .see so many, who wouhl 1>e 
 track sliots, hesitate a])out a f«nv cents extra in the cost of 
 a pound of powder> considering wliat a small ([uantity they 
 (expend, and the vital importance of using only what is first- 
 class. The best of ritles, fired with an inferior powder, 
 rapidly foul, and with a foul Iwrrel, we ail know good shoot- 
 ing is impo.ssible. Even with a clean barrel, the variabK? 
 nature of a poor material is suflieient to render nugatory tl o 
 most careful efforts, and destroy the rillenian's confi«lence in 
 both himself and his rifle. 
 
 "4 
 
70 AMMUNITION, BULLETS, POWDER, &C. 
 
 The surest plan is to purchase each spring a stock of the 
 best powder, or should you reside in tlie city, see tliat tlic 
 gunsmith witli whom you deal has an ample sujjply of the 
 kind you have selected, to furnish you as T-cquired through- 
 out tlie shooting season. 
 
 The latter is perhaps the more advi.sahh^ plan, as besid(\s 
 the danger to yoursolfand .others of having any considerahh' 
 quantity of this dangerous material in your possession, your 
 insurance (if insured) will be invalidated, nor can it be kept 
 as well or securely by yourself as those who deal in it, an<l 
 have suitable places for storage. Vendors (»f po'.vder are 
 not allowed to keep more than 20 lbs. in the store, and are 
 on no account permitted, under a severe penalty, to sell ahw 
 the lights are lit. Should it Ite ne<;essary for you to lay ir. 
 any (juantity, tlie following remarks may not prove amiss. 
 
 Place it in a safe jind dry [)laei>, if possil»le in an outljouse, 
 and tak(» i)aitieular can; that no loose powder or liroken 
 packages are phieed either with it (»r in the vicinity. When 
 stored in tin boxes tightly eorktsi, po\v;l,>r will last four 
 times as long unimp.iireil as in wooden oiies, wood being a 
 conductor of mois<>:re, which readily affects the saltjietre in 
 tlu^ powder. INtwdir that has once become danq) and caked 
 is utterly worthless for target shootiiej;, for altliough it may 
 be nicely dried in an open dish near a hot .^^tove, it will 
 never regain its original strength or uniformity. 
 
 The proportions in all English rille powders are nearly 
 
 i<lentical. For ev(!ry 100 Tos. of p<;w(ler, the njanufaeturers 
 
 take 
 
 Saltpetre - 77.1 lbs. 
 
 Charct>al lo" lbs. 
 
 Sulphur 10.[ lb.s. 
 
 • 104 lbs. 
 4 Ib.-i. being allowed for waste. 
 
COMBUSTION OF CJUXPOWDER, &0. 
 
 n 
 
 
 (J lazing gunpowder does not nitake it any stronger as some 
 i'^iagine ; it is for the purpose of giving equal density to the 
 grain and polish to the surface, rendering it less liable to 
 absorb moisture, and better able to withstand knocking 
 a])out. 
 
 The following is given as the theory and results of the 
 explosion of gunpowder : — The sulphur accelerates deHa- 
 gration and sui)plies heat ; the nitre furnishes both oxygen 
 and nitrogen ; and the car1)on, by its strong affinity for 
 oxygen, promotes the decomposition of the nitre, combining 
 with its oxygen, so as to produce carbonic acid gas. 
 
 The white smoke is caused by suphuret of potassium on 
 coming in contact with the air, being converted into sulphate 
 of potash, 
 
 (lunpuwder may be ignited l)y the percussion of iron with 
 iron, iron with copper, copper with copper, lead with lead, 
 l)ronz<' with coj)per, and bronze or li-ad with wood ; thesi! 
 two latter, however, reijuire an exceedingly strong blow. 
 
 Until n ceiitly, I had hardly cre<lited how univeisal is the 
 Ix'lief that the charge of powder in ii lilh; is iusttiiitaneously 
 ignited in every pailicle, and a sudden shock, as it were, 
 itnpaited to the bullet by the almost equally su«lden expan- 
 sion of the powder to its etpiivalent i!i gas. Even those of 
 a more than ordinary intelligent and en([uiring turn of mind 
 have stoutly adhered to this theory. 
 
 Any one possessed of even a superficial knowle<lge of 
 chiniistry nuist be aware that fmn' (althougli almost inap- 
 })recial>le) is necessary for the grain first ignited to connnu- 
 nicate its tlame to the adjoining ones, and so on throughout 
 th(j mass ; each grain has likewise a certain bulk, and nuist 
 take time to bum to its centre. This is strikingly appar- 
 <'nt when a train (conlined powder Inirns most rapidly) of 
 gunpowder is laid along the ground. The combustion ia 
 
72 
 
 AMMUNITION, BULLETS, POWDER, &C. 
 
 not instantaneous throughout the wliolo k'ugth, and even a 
 minute may ehipse before its complete combustion, if the 
 train be long eiiough. 
 
 Col. launcher, of Kngland, who goes extensively into 
 practical experiment as well as tluM^ry, has produced visible 
 proof of the (jnuhuil ignition of the powder by cutting off a 
 riHe barrel to within three inches of tiie breech, and firing a 
 charge close to and against a sheet of moist white paper, when 
 he succeeded in collecting more than one half of the charge un- 
 burnt. IJy treating dilferent barrels in this manner, each thne 
 diminishing tlu! mimber of inches cut off, he discovered the 
 exact mnnber of grains a barrel of a given bore and length 
 consumed. In a three feet ••15 in. bore, Mr. Leece, who 
 conducts th(! e.\i<eriment.s (jf the Whitwortli liilh; Co., states 
 that luit «S4 grains are consumed, jiiul that to make up for 
 any little inaccuracy, he uses 85. Mr. Metf(jrd holds a dif- 
 ferent opinion, which is referred to in the chapter on 
 " Loading." 
 
 By liring lU'ar to, and over a long damp sheet of whit»' 
 paper, it will ])e demonstrated that, when using more than 
 a certain (piantity, grains of unburnt powder will bi; dis- 
 charged, which can be collected, dried, and fired over again. 
 Uy firing in the dark, a showc/ of sparks (burning powder) 
 will be seen to fall from the muzzle of an overdoaded rifle. 
 
 If, as some maintain, the ball were at once started with 
 its highest velocity, a three-inch barrel would firo us 
 strong as a three-feet barrel, ])ut such is not the case. In 
 the experiment above alluded to, the l)all had barely sufH- 
 cient nuvmentum to enter a pine plank. How tremendous 
 would be the recoil (action and reaction being e(jual, the 
 powiler expanding (Mpudly in all directions) were the doc 
 trhie of the " initial blow" correct; in fact, both man ami 
 rifh^ would be /lowlun the instant the hammer fell. 
 
POWDEa 
 
 73 
 
 
 Just fancy an instantaneous pressure of over 5000 lbs. 
 (the estimated amount) on every superficial square inch ; 
 such an immediate expansion would burst a barrel without 
 starting the ball more than an inch or two. 
 
 Hans Busk claims to have proved this l)y loading an ex" 
 cessively strong rille liarrel with percussion powder (many 
 times more rapid in its combustion than gimpowder) and 
 ball. The result, on firing, was barrel split, the breech 
 ])lown out, and the ball scarcely moved. 
 
 The rapidity of the combustion of gunpowder depends on 
 its density, freedom from moisture, proportion and quality 
 o.** the ingredients, and the process of manufacture. For 
 artillery charges, large grained powder of great density is 
 used. Large Ijore rifles require coarse powder, and vice 
 versa. Some small pistols are charged with fine detonating 
 powder. In selecting powder for a rifle, never take sjjorting 
 or fine powder, or the fouling and recoil will be great j 
 choose rather that of a moderately large grain and low 
 density. Whatever rifle you may possess, there is some 
 particular powder which will yield better results than any 
 other, and depend on it, the best one to give you advice 
 will be the maker himself, who most likely has studied the 
 matter carefully, as upon the selection he makes will depend, 
 to a great extent, the accuracy of his rifles. 
 
 A curious experiment 1 have just read may prove inter- 
 esting to some, viz. : — A gentleman placed 4lbs. of powder, 
 uncovered, on a deal table, and fired it without any injury 
 to the table, but upon repeating the experiment, with merely 
 a sheet of brown paper over the powder, the table was blown 
 to atoms. What caused the great diff'erence ? 
 
 Of the many varieties of powder I have used, I can re- 
 commend, of Canadian make, the Hamilton powder, and of 
 American brands, the Uaz.ard. I have also heard the Ori- 
 
 At 
 
I 
 
 74 
 
 AMMUNITION, KULLETS, POWDPiR, &0. 
 
 entiil and .Orango powtlers highly spoken of by a few who 
 have tried them. Curtis i^ Harvey (English), Nos. 5 and G, 
 and their "Enfield," are undoubtedly excellent stuff, but in 
 my opinion rather strong for most rifles. Of the three 
 varieties, I prefer the "Enfield." As I have before re- 
 marked, how(!ver, every rifle has a particular powder hem, 
 suited to it, and after trying several reliable varieties, that 
 powder should be selected which yields the most uniform 
 rtssults. Having (»nce determhied on the best, stick to it if 
 you wish to excel. 
 
 With a rapid uniform twist, slow buniing powder must 
 be used, or the recoil will bo excessive, and the rifle bo 
 twisted in the left hand. This twisting is caused by the 
 bjill meeting the grooves at an angle in its sudden rush and 
 attempt to go straight, and is most noticeable when using 
 the long Eley projectile. In the gaining twist — almost uni- 
 versally adopted in the United States — this screwing ten- 
 dency is obviated by the gradual increiise in rotation. Mr. 
 Gale, a l)lind English philosopher, has discovered a very 
 simple and convenient method of rendering powder non-ex- 
 plosive, by mixing it with equal parts of ground glass. On 
 applying a lighted match or red-Lot poker, only the powder 
 immediately in contact ignites, without affecting the rest. 
 
 Gunpowder ignites spontaneously at 600S Farenheit. 
 
 The following are the latest quotations I have been able 
 to obtain of the undermentioncid brands, retail prices : — 
 " Curtis & Harvey's Enfield," per 11)., 75 cents — Nos. 4 and 
 C, $1.00; Hamilton, 40 cents; "Hazard Electric," $1.0G 
 (U.S.); "Spoiling," Gjlb. kegs, ,^75 (U.S.); Curtis & 
 Harvey's, wholesale at Kice Lewis «& Son in Toronto, is 2J 
 doz. case for. $22.50. 
 
 Numerous attempts have been made to produce an im- 
 proved substitute for pow<ler, but so far, with the exception 
 
 L 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
aUN COTTON. 
 
 75 
 
 V who 
 and C, 
 but in 
 three 
 jro 10- 
 )r bee*u 
 58, that 
 miforni 
 to it if 
 
 r muBt 
 rifle l)c 
 
 by the 
 ish and 
 1 ushig 
 ost uni- 
 ing ten- 
 1. Mr. 
 
 a very 
 
 non-ex- 
 tis. On 
 
 powder 
 
 rest. 
 
 eit. 
 n able 
 
 •ices : — 
 
 i. 4 and 
 $1.00 
 
 urtis & 
 
 to, is 2-i 
 
 an Im- 
 :ception 
 
 perhaps of gun cotton, tlio alU'ged l)eiierits, for rifle .shooting 
 purposes, have been outweiglu-d 1)y the many inlicrent disad 
 
 vantages. 
 
 As gUT. cotton is now used extensively as a beneficial sub- 
 stitute for gunpowder, a few remarks thereon may not prove 
 uninUsresting. It resembles common cotton wool, being 
 merely that substanc(! purified and steeped in a solution of 
 equal parts of nitric and sulphuric acid. Like nitro-glycerene, 
 its main defect has been too great rapidity of exidosion and 
 C()nsequ(;nt liability to burst the gun, a property, however, 
 which renders it all the more valuable for mining puq)o.ses, 
 being nearly six times stronger than the same weight of pow- 
 der. Unlike powder, the more you squeeze it, the more for. 
 miduble it beconu's. A bag of gunpowder, fired ]>y a slow 
 match, would blow down a gate, but gun cotton, fired in the 
 same manner, would be pro(luctive of no result whatever, Init 
 confiiu'd in an iron ])o\', one-fourth of the weiglitof gum;otton 
 would prove more destructive than tin; powder, it luung the 
 nature of this substance to exert itself in proportion to tin; 
 obstacles it encounters. One magnificent result of the use of 
 this substance would bi^ perfect imnuinity from fouling and 
 smoke, as all tin; substances formed from combustion are pure 
 gasses, the only residue being a gentle dew. There is like- 
 wise less recoil and less heating of the barrel, admitting of 
 greater rapidity of fire. The latest information fram Englaiul 
 alleges that unconfined guncotton, fire(l by nmrussion, has 
 provi'd as efiicacious as when conlined. 
 
 With telescopes and other assistants, owing to the absence 
 of smoke, sharp shooters may yet attain the genteel way 
 indicated by Vumk o^pnltintj an enemy without his ever being 
 aware whom he has to thank for the attention bestowed on 
 him. Mr. Metford and C(»l. llalfourd fired a match at 2000 
 yards, at which distance a human being apiKvirs to the un- 
 
70 
 
 AMMUNITION, liULLETS, POWDEIl, «feC'. 
 
 Ji.s.si.ste(l cyr, a more speck, ami moro recently Whitworth ha.s 
 turned out a cannon whicli throws a 250 lb. shot over six 
 7nik'.'<. 
 
 Air^un.s, wliieh «lerivo their power from tlie ehisticity of 
 atmosjiheric air, whieli is compressed in a stron<^ chamber, 
 havo been made to cany with con.sidera1)l(! force om; Iiundred 
 yards. 
 
 The only other a^^ent employed in modern times for tlie 
 propulsion oi' projectiles is «'lectricity. A. French gtiiitleman 
 lias in/ented a breechdoader on this plan, but the British 
 Small Arms Conmiitteo of the Paris Exposition refer to it 
 oidy as a novelty. I have seen, I forget where, a <le.scription 
 of W(!apon resembling a very small cannon, in which centrifu- 
 gal force was the only agent. Several practical men have 
 advocated the use of steam, which they maintain could Ijc 
 employed to advantage in forts or floating batteric^s. 
 
 Nitro-glycercne is much more powerful than any of the 
 foregoing agents for blasting purposes, but no means hnw, yet 
 been devised to adapt it to riiles. It is very dangerous to 
 handle or store away, and many lives have been lost from 
 carelessness, and a want of knowledge of the properties of 
 this hitherto untamcable compound. 
 
 Numbers of percussion caps corresponding with the Bir- 
 mingham numbers ; — ' 
 
 Eleys 
 
 ....Is 
 
 .... i.i 
 
 (5 
 4J 
 
 7 
 
 H 
 
 ■IS 
 
 
 1!) 
 
 24 
 
 ."iO 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 IS 
 
 12 
 
 r>7 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 liiriiiiu!,'hjvm 
 
 .^i&r.L' 
 
 -..{&. M 
 
 5;") & .% 
 
 58 
 
 
 . 
 
 Where two numbei's are expres.seil togethei-, the difference 
 is in length, the size being thc^ .same. 
 
 **f 
 
I.oAIUNCJ. 
 
 77 
 
 rtli lias 
 vvr six 
 
 /icity of 
 liiinlx!!', 
 mulri'd 
 
 for tlio 
 
 tltauan 
 
 Britisli 
 
 r to it 
 
 jiiption 
 
 (uitrifii- 
 
 311 havo 
 
 imld Ijc 
 
 r of the 
 lavo yet 
 eroiis to 
 ).st from 
 L'rtit's of 
 
 the Dir- 
 
 13 
 
 581 
 
 14 
 
 iffcTi'iico 
 
 CHAPTER VllJ, 
 
 L(>A1HN('. 
 
 To thos(5 usi!i«,' Siiidrr rilU's, little moro can Itr said than 
 to impress on their minds nut to load until about to tire, in 
 order to avoid accidents ; with small-bore match rifles, how- 
 ever, this is a most iniportant l»usinet;8, and several chai)ters 
 couhl 1m' written without exhausting the subject. 
 
 Beiiif^ possessed of a rifle iwanufaetur- 
 e<l by some cele]»ruted mak«'r, the first 
 thiiij< to be attended in is the l(»a(liii;.'. 
 To do this with (oniibrt and su'curaey, 
 it is necessary to provide oiiesell' with a 
 g()o<l powder flask, holding' say half a 
 pound. This cut represents the top of 
 a flash ; such as I would reconnnend — 
 (cost $'2). A more expensive kind, how- 
 ever, can ))(' purchased, rather moie 
 complicated than tlsis, which is peihai s 
 better for fine work. 
 
 Annexed is a diagram of a tin ammunition case which I 
 use, and have found very convenient. There are divisions 
 for 03 bullets, and compartments for V>oth caps and wads or 
 grease. To enable any one, 
 who may de.'iire to have 
 one manufactured for him- 
 self, I give a detailed de- 
 scription, from which any 
 intelligent tin-smith wifl be 
 able to produce a similar 
 article. The box to be of tin, plain or japanned, and of such 
 a size as to contain the number of divisions (circidar) required, 
 
 93 
 
 
 A c 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 I 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 JrfilM iiiiM 
 
 "Itt 12.2 
 
 m 
 
 12.0 
 
 U i 1.6 
 
 V] 
 
 <^ 
 
 /}. 
 
 /a 
 
 <^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■^3 
 
 ■c='l 
 
 
 O 
 
 / 
 
 /^ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4S03 
 
 iV 
 
 qv 
 
 <s^ 
 
 a? 
 
 N> 
 
 ^ 
 
 % 
 
 
 V 
 
 6^ 
 
.^ J. 
 
 I 
 
78 
 
 LOADING. 
 
 i c 
 
 \l 
 
 n 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
 in addition to two spaces 1 J in. square for caps and wads 
 in the front part of the box. These two compartments must 
 be level with the top of the box, and be provided with close 
 fitting flat lids, to keep out dust, -ain, &c. The box, with 
 cover, to be lined with flannel, and must be equal in depth 
 to the length of the bullets to prevent injury from motion. 
 The circular apertures for the bullets to be just large enough 
 to admit easily, not loosely, the papered ball, and not to be 
 higher than two-thirds of the length of the bullets, in order 
 that the fingers may extract them readily. This makes a 
 neat portable (can be carried in the pocket), useful and 
 cheap ($1.75) convenience for target practice, and is used 
 extensively by the members of the Toronto Rifle Club. 
 
 Having arrived at the firing point, select some place for 
 your ammunition where it is not likely to be disturbed. 
 Load your rifle with care, never alloAving any one to do this 
 for you, and while doing so, abstain as much as possible 
 from conversation, or the chances arc, you will cither forget 
 or overdo something. 
 
 As regards the proper charge for a small-bore rifle, con- 
 cerning which there is so much discussion and uncertainty, 
 I beg to refer to previous chapters. Mr. Leece, who so suc- 
 cessfully conducts all Whitworth's experiments, states that 
 the Whitworth barrel consumes but 84 grains (C. & H. No. 
 5), and to make up for any slight variation he uses 85. 
 
 Mr. Metford, however, whose rifle has eclipsed so far all 
 opponents at 1100 yards, uses 90 grains at the longer ranges, 
 and says there can be no objection to his rifle taking 100 
 grains, provided that the shooter can put up with the in- 
 creased recoil, and the weather be no#too dry. 
 
 Before loading, snap a cap or two to clear out any ob- 
 struction there may be in the nipple, and fire off a shot, 
 with bullet^ into a pit provided for that purpose, so as to 
 
LOADING. 
 
 79 
 
 nd wads 
 
 nts must 
 
 ith close 
 
 ox, with 
 
 n depth 
 
 motion. 
 
 enough 
 
 ot to be 
 
 in order 
 
 makes a 
 
 ful and 
 
 is used 
 
 ub. 
 
 lace for 
 sturbed. 
 I do this 
 possible 
 ir forget 
 
 fle, con- 
 ;rtainty, 
 ) so suc- 
 tes that 
 
 H. No. 
 85. 
 
 far all 
 • ranges, 
 ing 100 
 
 the in- 
 
 any ob- 
 a shot, 
 as to 
 
 bring the rifle to a uniformity as regards temperature and 
 foulness — a clean rifle shoots high. 
 
 It is better to load, almost immediately after firing, when 
 the fouling is still soft, as the barrel will be both lubri- 
 cated and cleaned, which would not be the case, were the 
 fouling allowed to become hard and gritty ; it, moreover, 
 prevents you from being hurried in loading just before your 
 turn. On a very hot day, it is a bad plan to load too soon after 
 firing, for the wad, especially if it be a soft one, will melt 
 and run into the powder, seriously affecting the charge. I 
 have no doubt many have been rewarded by a ricochet for 
 neglecting this point. 
 
 In loading with a flask, which should invariably be of 
 metal, to save the powder from moisture, covered with lea- 
 ther, and furnished with a patent top, care must be taken 
 to give it always the same number of shakes or taps, say 4, 
 or the charges will vary, and erratic shooting result, notice- 
 able more especially at long ranges. As no flask, under 
 the most skilful management, throws its charges so close 
 but that after a few trials, a variation of at least IJ grains 
 can be detected, it is evident great care is necessary, for a 
 difference of 5 grains converts a bull's eye, one shot into a 
 miss the following one at 1000 yards. Some persons have 
 so little confidence in their ability to throw even charges 
 that they weigh out each separate charge, a proceeding to bo 
 avoided if possible, as it entails great loss of time and 
 trouble. 
 
 A diffierence of a grain or two in the bullet, unlike the 
 powder, does not appreciably affect the elevation, a fact I 
 have frequently noticed in my own practice. Mr. Metford 
 considers a difference of 5 grains amply correct. 
 
 When pouring in the powder, hold the barrel perfectly 
 upright, so that the powder may not stick to the sides on 
 
80 
 
 LOADING. 
 
 li 
 
 i 
 
 i ^ 
 
 ; I 
 
 : 
 I I 
 
 It 
 
 
 the way down. If rifle be canted when loading, the 
 
 powder will not lie o\on at the breech. If you use wads — 
 I prefer them to grease only — take care that they are of 
 perfect shape, and placed " square " in the bore, so that 
 they may clean and lubricate the bore effectively. The wad 
 should be rammed down slowly by itself, and afterwards the 
 bullet with a slow and steady pressure, giving it two gentle 
 taps to assure yourself that it is resting on the wad, and the 
 wad on the powder. If the wadding and bullet be not 
 " home," the shot will fall short ; the same result will also 
 follow a tight bullet, which requires from 3 to 5 \hs. pres- 
 sure to push down. With a bushed nipple, the rifle should 
 be loaded at half-cock, to allow the air to escape. 
 
 All first-class small-bores are furnished with a wooden load- 
 ing rod, tipped with copper, rubber, or horn, so as not to in- 
 jure the grooves. This end is hollowed out, so as to coincide 
 with the point of the bullet, that the latter may not be altered 
 in form in ramming down. I have been frequently annoyed 
 on seeing riflemen send down the steel ramrod with such 
 force as to cause it to rebound half-way up the barrel of our 
 beautiful Enfield. Such treatment cakes the powder, injures 
 the ball, and wears out the grooves. I would advise mak- 
 ing a little scratch or nick on the rod, which will show when 
 the charge is in its proper position, and probably save some 
 uneasiness. It is not to be expected that ever/ charge will 
 come to the line, for some times a little more fouling will be left 
 in the breech, or the powder may vary in density. If you in- 
 sist on always bringing it to the same mark, you will occa- 
 sionally cake the powder, and get a low shot. Leaving a 
 space between the powder and the ball is about the worst 
 thing that could happen to a rifle, for the barrel is very 
 likely to swell, and may even burst; the one is about as bad 
 as the other. 
 
 r 
 
LOADING. 
 
 81 
 
 Having withdrawn tho rod, if it is not returned to the 
 pipe, place it down in some safe place, and do not carelessly 
 throw it on tho ground, as many do, for a few grains of 
 sand, &c., adhering to the greasy end, may be rammed down 
 with the next charge, and should they be in advance of the 
 bullet, don't blame the maker if the rifle does not shoot, for 
 the bore will assuredly be scratched ; good shooting depends 
 mainly on the finish of the inside of the barrel. With all 
 due deference to the excellence of English workmanship, I 
 can unhesitatingly state that the interior finish of most 
 American rifles is better than many of Wliitworth's and other 
 celebrated makers. 
 
 Never put a cap on the nipple until prepared to fire, for 
 accidents have happened and will happen, even with the 
 most careful ; you will never forgive yourself for a mishap 
 of this nature. Some, who ought to know better, keep the 
 hammer down on the capped rifle, alleging it is safer ; such 
 may be their opinion, but experience teaches us that half- 
 cock is the proper position for a capped rifle, and attendance 
 to this would have saved many a life in days gone by. At 
 Wimbledon, any one who fires off his rifle accidentally, or 
 pointed elsewhere than into the pit provided, forfeits all 
 prizes he may have won, and is debarred from further com- 
 petition — a severe but necessary rule, when so many valu- 
 able lives are congregated together. This rule was enforced 
 last year, and one gentleman, whoso rifle unaccountably 
 went off", had to submit to its rigor. 
 
 Should you unfortunately have loaded with two charges, 
 do not be so rash as to strain the rifle by firing them off". 
 It is altogether more than the rifle is adapted to, and ay 
 swell the barrel, for which there is no remedy. Always 
 have beside you the proper implements for unloading — viz. 
 
 a drill for making a hole in the ball, and a screw or worm 
 D* 
 
82 
 
 LOADING. 
 
 LH 
 
 hi 
 
 li 
 
 
 I'' 
 
 il 
 
 for extracting the ball and loose powder. As your rifle will 
 probably become much fouled by this mistake, it will be 
 advisable to clean it out, which can be done effectually and 
 expeditiously as follows : — Put in a charge of powder, then 
 two waddings, then a cloth disc wetted with the tongue, and 
 a few drops of water, then another wad, and on top of all 
 the bullet; this will render the rifle as clean, it is stated, as 
 it would be after a first shot. I, however, find I can, by 
 using Wishart's cleaning fluid, sponge out Avith a couple of 
 rags, and by firing a charge into the pit, make everything 
 work as clean and smooth as before, quite as quickly as by 
 the former process. 
 
 The cleaning fluid is useful also to clean out when firing 
 is delayed for an hour or two for any reason. By leaving 
 the rifle loaded the fouling hardens, and a low shot must be 
 expected, to say nothing of the danger. If the rifle be not 
 loaded while the fouling is soft, good shooting cannot be 
 made ; so that there are but two alternatives — loading (with- 
 out capping) with the danger of putting in a second charge, 
 or cleaning out — I prefer the latter. Some gentlemen 
 (Americans especially) have a contrivance for loading, so 
 that all the charge is deposited at the bottom of the bore, 
 without coming in contact with the barrel. This may be 
 accomplished in two ways — either having a hollow rod, or 
 by having a short tube, which contains the charge, screwed 
 on the end of the ramrod, and shoved up the rifle, which is 
 inverted for that purpose. When the ranx^od is home, the 
 rifle is returned to its proper position, and' the charge there- 
 by deposited in the chamber. I have not heard of this plan 
 bemg recommended by any first-class British marksmen. 
 
 T 
 
 
t 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &C. 
 
 CHAPTEll IX. 
 
 Sights, Aim, (fee. 
 
 83 
 
 " Thus straight upon the object aim you take, 
 And thus the proper elevation make. 
 Aligning carefully the sights between 
 Object and eye, the line of sight is seen." 
 
 As modern science has enabled us to produce rifles of far 
 greater range and accuracy than even dreamed of formerly, 
 when comparatively clumsy contrivances for aiming were 
 sufficient for the blunderbuss of the last century, sights are 
 now made with the most minute accuracy, in order to do 
 justice to the rifle, and avoid any small incorrectness which 
 would be a matter of special im})ortancc at long ranges. 
 
 The object of sights being to ascertain Avith rapidity and 
 precision the alignment and elevation necessary to hit an 
 object at any given distance, one of the first requirements 
 is that they should be distinct as well as the object at the 
 longer ranges. The greater the distance apart the sights 
 are, the surer the aim. Sights are divided into three classes, 
 VIZ.: — Fore-sights, middle or back sights, and aperture or 
 "peep "-sights. 
 
 What a museum of sights he would have, v/ere some one 
 to collect specimens of the numerous — their name is legion • 
 — varieties which inventive genious has produced in the last 
 ten years. I have in my possession a " Manual of Kifle 
 Sights," as well as numerous individual diagrams, wherein I 
 can distinguish as many as one hundred and five varieties 
 of the fore- sight, and twenty-seven of the middle sight. 
 
 The sight on the stock is in every instance a small aper- 
 ture, although it varies greatly as regards the method of 
 attachment, &c. Practical experience, however, by scicniti- 
 fic and skilled riflemen, has reduced the number of distinct 
 and useful sights to a very few indeed, which I shall pro- 
 
i 
 
 84 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &C. 
 
 ceed to describe, leaving the reader to determine which he 
 considers best suited to his particular eyesight, and calcu- 
 lated to produce the finest results. 
 
 The one I shall first notice is the Snider Enfield fore- 
 sight. Most of these fore-sights are too blunt, and can bo 
 improved by a little filing, but care must be taken that no 
 reduction is made in the height, or your elevation will be 
 altered, the rifle shooting higher. 
 
 The Enfield fore-sight, as it does not interfere with the 
 bayonet, and lb both solid and not easily damaged, is no 
 doubt well adapted for military purposes, but for target 
 practice is very poor indeed. It is to be hoped the British 
 Government will profit by the advice and experience of the 
 National Rifle Association and others, who have repeatedly 
 urged the adoption of a different system of sights, which 
 would do justice to our excellent weapon. The improve- 
 ments recommended are mainly as follows, viz.: — Instead of 
 the indistinct knife-edged fore-sight, to have a bead fore- 
 sight, covered so as not to interfere with the bayonet, and 
 in place of the blurred V shjiped back-sight, a plain horizon- 
 tal bar, with one distinct platina line down the centre, and 
 several minor ones on each side, to be used as a rough and 
 ready wind-guage, and obviate the necessity of aiming away 
 from the mark in a wind. It is also recommended to place 
 the back-sight a couple of inches nearer the muzzle,* which, 
 by bringing the sights nearer together, and consequently 
 more in focus, would greatly reduce the burr which is so 
 tormenting to riflemen. 
 
 Another plan for military sights, specially adapted for 
 sharp-shooters, is to have a plain horizontal bar fore-sight 
 having a platina line down the centre ; the back-sight to be 
 the usual aperture sight near the eye with an eye-piece, 
 
 * This change, I believe, is adopted. 
 
 'D 
 
APERTURE BACKSIGHT. 
 
 85 
 
 which could be shifted as easily as the slide on the present 
 back-sight. The graduation to ])c the same as in the pre- 
 sent sight, with the addition of a short line for each inter- 
 mediate fifty yards, which could be marked without dangt^r 
 or confusion, the spaces being greater. The fore-sight, being 
 only a bar, could not be easily damaged, and the back-sight, 
 being made to fold down snugly on a bed, could l)e made 
 equally secure. The originator claims that a line of men, 
 or even one man, could be much l)cttcr sighted over the bar 
 fore-sight than the indefinite knife-edge. It is also Avell 
 adapted, although immoveable, as a wind-guago, for the bar 
 being wide, the level can always be obtained without re- 
 moving the sight entirely away from the object aimed at. 
 The aperture back-sight needs no fuHher recommendation 
 than its almost universal adoption for sporting as well as 
 target rifles. 
 
 All celebrated small-bore shots have latterly adopted the 
 orthoptic aperture back-sight, with the bead, skeleton aper- 
 ture, horizontal bar, or narrow bar, (open in middle, fig. 8), 
 foresight, discarding altogether the intermediate back-sight. 
 Several years ago, it was the custom to use all three sights, 
 for which purpose both the aperture and fore-sight were 
 made moveable to admit of all three being in line when 
 making allowance for wind, &c. Careful riflemen have 
 generally three different sizes of small discs made to fit in 
 the aperture back-sight, to be used according to the inten- 
 sity of the light, the largest size hole being rather smaller 
 than the diameter of a moderate sized pin (04 in.) 
 
 The annexed illustrations are a full and side view and 
 bed for attaching what I consider to be the best pattern of 
 this sight. The drawings are made from a sight furnished 
 me by the London Armory Co. Cost £3 3s. stg. A sight 
 of this kind is indispensable to accurate long range shooting. 
 
8G 
 
 sianxs, AIM, &c. 
 
 
 k 
 
 S 
 
 £1 
 
 onmoKesff 
 
 APERTURE BACKSIGHT WITH VERNIER SCALE. 
 
 k 
 
BACKSIOUTS. 
 
 87 
 
 I 
 
 Jl 
 
 For open sights, this form of back-sight is as good as any 
 
 I have seen. 
 
 The sliding-bar can lie either with 
 
 a nick, as here ilhistrated, or level 
 
 with a silver or plated line down 
 
 the centre. This sight is much 
 
 more expensive than a plain sight 
 
 like the Enfield, but is much more 
 
 accurate Small variations can be 
 
 registered, and there is no danger 
 
 of the sights becoming accidentally 
 
 deranged. 
 
 Tlie bead fore-sight is very 
 
 justly a great favourite with the 
 
 majority of riflemen, and is alto- 
 gether perhaps the most service- 
 able sight made, as it can be used 
 
 equally well in any weather, and 
 
 with a protecting cover, stand a 
 
 great deal of rough usage. At 
 
 Wimbledon (which we would do well to adopt as our 
 
 standard), bead and skeleton fore-sights are most in vogue» 
 
 and, as will be seen by the 
 diagrams elsewhere, quite a 
 variety have been submit- 
 ted, and approved of by the 
 ^National Rifle Association. 
 These three figures repre- 
 sent the sights and target 
 when using the aperture 
 back-sight with a bead, 
 aperture, or horizontal bar 
 fore -sight : — 
 In addition to the fol- 
 
 
 ~ 
 
 1 
 
 
 ; t 
 
 
 
 E » 
 
 
 I i 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 : t 
 
 
 : J 
 
 
 - ?»f 
 
 
 
 
 
88 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &C. 
 
 \ 
 
 lowing, ficveral gentlemen and myself have tried the cross 
 hairs, as used in Theodolites, hut could nevcT get much satis- 
 faction in variable weather, from inahility to aim with precision 
 off the bullseyc. The solid aperture fore-sight in calm weatluT 
 
 has produced splendid results, and 
 for those who can bear the great 
 strain on the eye on a clear calm 
 day, I am convinced will give 
 iK'tter results than any other. As 
 it is unsuitabhi for dull or windy 
 weather, or a shaded target, and 
 has been excluded from Wimbledon 
 and Laprairie, and most local com- 
 petitions of importance, it would 
 be only time lost practising there- 
 with. It was excluded from Wim- 
 l)ledon, I believe, in consequence 
 of the danger to the markers in- 
 curred l)y its use, as everything 
 but tlic bull'seyc and a small 
 circle of white centre was shut off 
 from the fircr, he was consequently 
 unaware of any one approach- 
 ing the line of fire. The solid 
 aperture front-sight, as it has to 
 be used against a white surface, 
 and requires extreme steadiness 
 to fix on the object, is worth- 
 less as a sporting or military 
 sight, and for off-shoulder shoot- 
 Most small-bore sights are unadapted for this position, 
 and gentlemen using them at Laprairie last summer were not 
 a little put out at the unusual ruling of the Dominion 
 
 mg 
 
FORESIGHTS. 
 
 89 
 
 1 
 
 Rifle Association in the all-comers' match at 300 yards ; 
 at Wimbledon, it would have been " any position." 
 The small-bort! men, if the ruling were intended to favour 
 the Enfield, would much rather have been handicapped, and 
 allowed an opportunity of making a decent score. The an 
 nexed cuts are illustrations of the small-bore wiud-guago 
 fore-sight, as used on all first-class match rifles, and per- 
 mitted at AVimbledon and Laprairie. 
 
 12 3 4 5 
 
 Skeleton Sights.— Any pattern a,i -ved, provided that the metal 
 
 work does not exceed ^ _ of an inch. 
 
 1 uo 
 
 6 7 O r, 
 
 Allowed, provided that the width of the bar does not cxcocd _» of an 
 inch. These Sights may also be used vertically. 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 Allowed. 
 
 16 
 
 18 
 
 Goodwin Sights.— Allowed. 
 
 19 
 
90 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &;C, 
 
 IB! 
 
 24 
 
 Disallowed. 
 
 Any Sights other than those specified above miist be submitted for 
 the apiiroval of the Council. 
 
 Telescope sights with cross hairs arc much used by our 
 nciglibours across the line, but are suitable only for their 
 diminutive cannon, which weigh between eighteen and forty 
 pounds, and have very slight recoil. Shooting with such 
 weapons from a rest, at the usual distance (220 yards), is 
 mere mechanical artillery practice and not rifle shooting. 
 The telescope could not be adapted to the Snider or Eng- 
 lish small-bores, as the jar consequent on the recoil would 
 derange both sights and lenses, and send the eye piece, al- 
 though protected by rubber, with an unpleasant suddenness 
 and force against the face. 
 
 A few sharp-shooters armed with these would, no doubt 
 prove valuable against artillery, especially with an explosive 
 shell such as was last year, by mutual consent of the princi- 
 pal European civilized nations, declared as contraband of 
 war. The clearness and exactness of aim to be obtained is 
 very deceiving, many imagining from their being able to 
 sight to an inch at 500 yards, that the shooting must be 
 proportionately fine, which is not possible, for the best 
 barrel yet manufactured cannot do better than throw its 
 shots consecutively within a circle three inches in diameter, 
 
 • 
 
TELESCOPE SIGHTS. 
 
 91 
 
 edfor 
 
 by our 
 )r their 
 id forty 
 ih such 
 irds), is 
 looting, 
 or Eng- 
 1 would 
 icce, al- 
 denness 
 
 doubt 
 q)losive 
 
 princi- 
 )and of 
 sdned is 
 
 able to 
 nust bo 
 le best 
 irow its 
 ameter, 
 
 in a covered gallery. The effect is most apparent at the 
 long ranges, where the variation will be about two feet, 
 although aim can be taken at the same bullet mark each 
 time. Telescope sights are usually of a focal length, which 
 will not make objects appear distinct under one hundred 
 3'^ards — the shortest distance practiced. The price of a good 
 sight of this description is about $20. 
 
 As it is necessary that every small-bore rifleman should 
 understand (by no means common) how to use the vernier 
 scales on the sights of their rifles, I quote Lord Bury on this 
 important point : — 
 
 "As a difference of -01 of an inch in elevation or vertical 
 direction makes a considerable distance on the target at 
 long ranges, to ensure accuracy, and facilitate the registra- 
 tion of the actual position of the sights at every shot, scales 
 of various kinds are marked upon them. Some middle and 
 back-sights are divided in hundredths of an inch, some in 
 degrees and minutes of the arc, calculated from the true 
 axis of the barrel. To assist the eye in appreciating minute 
 divisions, most modern sights have a supplementary scale, 
 constructed on vernier's principle, affixed to them. 
 
 This scale is used to mark sub-divisions of the main 
 scale, smaller than could be conveniently marked on the 
 rifle sight, or read off" without a magnifying glass. Vernier's 
 are applied to the wind-guage fore-sight, to the middle or 
 ordinary back-sight, and to the stock or aperture sight. In 
 each case it is used for the same purpose, viz., to enable the 
 marksman to make minute changes in the position of either 
 sight with a precision otherwise unattainable. A vernier 
 scale may be applied to any main scale, and may divide the 
 spaces of the main scale into any given number of sub- 
 divisions, provided each division of the main scale is 
 divisible without remainder by the space which it is pro- 
 
 I 
 
92 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &C. 
 
 posed to mark by the vernier. Thus a scale divided into 
 lOths, 20ths, or 25ths of an inch, may be divided by the 
 vernier into lOOths, because each of these divisions contains 
 a certain number of lOOths without a remainder. Such a 
 scale could not, however, be divided into 64ths or 80ths, 
 because 64ths or 80ths are not contained without remainder 
 in its main divisions. A scale divided into 8ths could be 
 divided into SOths or 64ths, but not into lOOths. A scale 
 divided into 16ths could be divided into 64ths, but not into 
 SOths or lOOths. 
 
 The principle may be summarized in the following rule : — 
 
 A. Ascertain how many times the sub divisions to be in- 
 dicated by the vernier are contained without remainder in 
 each division of the main scale. Divide your vernier into 
 spaces containing either one more or one less of such sub- 
 divisions than is contained in a division of the main scale. 
 
 B. Ascertain any fraction which is common to the scale 
 divided as indicated in Rule A, and to the main scale. The 
 space indicated by such fraction may be the length of your 
 vernier scale. 
 
 Examples. — (Call the main scale a, and the vernier b, for 
 the sake of distinction.) Given a marked off in ^V*^^ of an 
 inch, it is required to construct a vernier b to read j^ths 
 of an inch thereOn. 
 
 The number of sub-divisions which b must indicate are 
 five, because t^=^ ; therefore you may divide b either 
 into spaces of jj^ each, Fig. 1 ; or into spaces of j^ each, 
 Fig. 2. (See Rule A.) 
 
 Fig. 1, dividing into intervals of yj^ (figures enlarged for 
 
 sake of distinctness )y because yj^ x 6 and 
 
 ^ X 6 both = 
 
 Txnr 
 
 A ; ^ths of an inch will be the length of your vernier, 
 Rule B. Fig. 2, dividing into intervals of j^, because y^ x 
 5 and Tmv x- 4 both = A ; ^ths of an inch will be the 
 
 Tinr 
 
 us y Tff* 
 
VERNIER SIGHTS. 
 
 93 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 
 a 
 
 
 X 
 
 % 
 s 
 
 III I I I 
 
 ff 
 
 at tC Z length of your vernier, Rule B. 
 
 j-jr^]f^ Number the lines on 5, 0, 1, 
 t 1 2, 3, 4, 5; but observe that, 
 if one division on b contains 
 nrn-e than the number of sub- 
 divisions contained in one divi- 
 sion on a, the lines on b must 
 J 2 t 4 ^® numbered from doivn- 
 
 / p] wards, or from left to right; if 
 
 less, upwards, or from right 
 to left. It will, however, be 
 sometimes convenient, when only minute divergences to the 
 fl 9 right or left are to be re 
 
 II I I I t" "~ gistered, to mark a zero 
 •ti in the centre and number 
 
 the lines to right and left. 
 (Figs. 3 and 4). This method is often adopted when ver- 
 nier's are fitted to fore- 9 4- 
 
 l>h l.|. t-rrrr 
 
 sights." i 
 
 Note. — This lateral motion of back-sights is unnecessary, 
 as the use of three sights is just the same as having three 
 points to indicate a straight line. All lateral motion is now 
 obtained by means of the fore-sight, — Ed. 
 
 " In Fig. 1, it will be seen that because each division on 
 ft=l division x y^ on a, if ft is moved up till line 1 coin- 
 cides with any line on a, zero on b will mark j^ of an inch 
 above the line next below it, and so on. 
 
 Fig. 2, because each division on 6=1 division— yj^ on «, 
 if b is moved up till line 1 coincides with any line on a, zero 
 on b will, as in Fig. 1, mark ^ of an inch above the line 
 next below it, and so on. 
 
 sights, or to the lateral h t h < i iTTTT 
 motion of aperture back. ' 
 
94 
 
 SIGHTS, AIM, &C. 
 
 AIMING. 
 
 This is to riflemen a matter of the utmost importance. 
 Good judgment and decision of character are here most re 
 quisite, for once the tumbler slips, reflection or wishing is 
 all in vain. 
 
 As it is impossible for the eye to be in focus for objects 
 five hundred or more yards off, and the sights at the same 
 time, the natural tendency of a beginner is to look first at 
 the target, then the sights, and again to the target, rapidly 
 changing the focus of his eye, till he finally becomes so un- 
 decided with their indistinctness and repetition that he fires 
 without any confidence in the result. 
 
 To those who may be incredulous as to the very great 
 blur, I would say take a long Enfield and try it, you will 
 find that if your attention be concentrated on the bull'scye, 
 only the object aimed at will be distinctly visible. To 
 overcome this indistinctness has been the great object of the 
 numerous sight inventors of the past ten years, flow it is 
 some people are so successful in shooting with both eyes 
 open. Captain W. H, Cotton,* of Ottawa, being a notable ex- 
 ample, I am not prepared to say, as I could not pretend to 
 shoot thus. By a little practice, and accustoming the left 
 eye to being shut, by tying a pocket handkerchief over it 
 while aiming, any difficulty in this respect will pass off" in a 
 few days. Try their best, however, it seems as if some 
 riflemen could not with ease keep the left eye shut, and the 
 right open at the same time, without making the most un- 
 becoming contortions. 
 
 Captain Heaton and many celebrated shots strongly re- 
 commend /?-5< sight ; I beg, however, to diff'er entirely from 
 these gentlemen. There are no doubt many arguments in 
 
 Note, — He h.-wj la,tely adopted aiming with one eye only, 
 
AIMING. 
 
 95 
 
 its favour, such as dimness consequent on prolonged aim, 
 and the nervousness incident to some through anxiety to 
 keep quite steady for more than a moment. 
 
 My practice is to get first of all into a comfortable posi- 
 tion for the body, then bring the rifle to bear on the spot I 
 have chosen to aim at (beginners must remember to look at 
 the target, not the sights, when aligning the rifle) ; think of 
 any slight variation in wind or light before I press the trig- 
 ger, then make sure of the sights being perpendicular, take 
 a full breath, and commence a steady pressure, and when 
 satisfied that I can hold quite steady for a secord or so lon- 
 ger, I apply the little extra pressure, the rifle going off", as it 
 were, quite unexpectedly. After firing, I continue the aim 
 for a moment, as I regard it a bad practice some have of 
 immediately jumping up to see the eff'ect of their shot. I 
 have several times seen the knowing father of rifle shooting 
 in Canada (Mr. Chas Shepherd) score a bull's-eye after a 
 hang fire, when almost any one else would have failed to hit 
 at all, or endangered the lives of incautious by-standers by a 
 sudden jerk of the rifle. Should you wish to test the ten- 
 dency of quick or snap shooting, just place an empty rifle 
 in the hands of one of those gentlemen, and you will ninety- 
 nine times in a hundred find that the instant the hammer 
 falls, his rifle will suddenly sway, and who will venture to 
 say this motion did not begin before the ball left the muzzle. 
 Place the same rifle, however, in other hands, and no per- 
 ceptible motion will folio v/ the fall of the hammer ; in cool 
 hands, the aim being steadily continued for a few seconds 
 longer. 
 
 There is no doubt many may succeed on the first sight 
 principle, and for sporting or at the "running man," or on 
 a very windy or dark day, the aim must be quick — eye, 
 brain, and finger acting in unison. Never fire without being 
 
mm 
 
 9G 
 
 AIMING. 
 
 satisfied with your aim, from a false delicacy about keeping 
 the rest of the squad waiting ; if necessary, take down the 
 rifle, and aim three or four times even before firing. 
 
 In practice with the open v shaped Snider sights, I have 
 been very successful in taking what is termed a fine sight, 
 as illustrated by the upper figure in the dia- 
 gram ; while reflecting, however, on the subject 
 in writing this chapter, and consulting with 
 others, I am inclined to favor the full-sight as 
 being most likely to give the most continuously 
 even results in elevation under all circumstan- 
 ces. Private Anthony Bell, the best shot last 
 year of the "Queen's Own," in this city, uses the 
 full-sight. There is no doubt, most riflemen 
 adopt the " half-sight," which, although good enough for 
 beginners, is not so good, in my opinion, as either of the 
 foregoing. 
 
 There is a great variety of opinion as to where the fore- 
 sight should be placed on the target. Many (Sergeant 
 Doudiet, amongst others), aim at the low left corner of the 
 buUseye; others at the left edge, which they argue will 
 make up for the drift of the ball ; others again, fair on, and 
 many just under the " buUseye." 
 
 I prefer the latter method, but as occasion may require, 
 sooner than alter the sight, occasionally have recourse to all 
 the foregoing. By aiming just under, you are more likely 
 to keep the proper alignment, and especially elevation, a 
 sim qui noil at the long ranges. With the aperture sight, 
 it is very difiicult to alter the aim, and those who adopt it 
 will have to become thoroughly acquainted with the varia- 
 tion each line of the vernier will make on the target at all 
 ranges for both the back and fore-sight. The great point 
 at the long ranges is to make sure that your rifle is perfectly 
 
keeping 
 [>wn the 
 
 , I have 
 le sight, 
 
 AIMING. 
 
 97 
 
 ough for 
 jr of the 
 
 the fore- 
 Sergeant 
 r of the 
 5ue will 
 on, and 
 
 require, 
 •se to all 
 re likely 
 ation, a 
 fo sight, 
 adopt it 
 He varia- 
 et at all 
 5at point 
 perfectly 
 
 perj^endicular, as the slightest deviation will mako a serious 
 variation in your shooting, both vertical and horizontal. 
 
 The annexed diagram illustrates the evil effect 
 of the sights being inclined. In place of striking 
 the bull's eye, the shot goes both low and left. 
 
 To ensure the sights being perpendicular 
 several devices, such as plumb bobs and spirit 
 levels, are used. The plummet, however, is use- 
 less in a wind, or when the sight itself is slightly 
 bent. Although even a neat little spirit level 
 placed just behind the fore-sight has an awkward appear- 
 ance, still it has only to become fashionable, and its 
 advantages will soon become apparent. Messrs. Murison and 
 Adam, of Hamilton, are the only ones I have seen using a 
 level, although I have often before heard their utility discus- 
 sed. The shooting at Laprairie last fall goes far towards prov- 
 ing its advantages. It is to be hoped that we will never re- 
 quire in Canada the numerous appliances which Punch 
 states to be essential for the success of a small bore man at 
 Wimbledon. 
 
 i 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Allowance for Wind. 
 
 I do not think that one in every hundred of those who 
 handle the Enfield rifle really know how much to allow, and 
 have sufficient confidence in their own judgment to aim 
 sufficiently off the target at the longer ranges in a heavy 
 wind. There appears to be a certain instinctive propensity 
 within us to aim directly at the object we wish to hit, and 
 practice alone will bestow the confidence necessary to do 
 
98 
 
 ALLOWANCE FOR WIND. 
 
 otherwise. Even when objects are in motion, and it is ap- 
 parent that aim must be taken in advance in proportion to 
 the distance off and the rapidity of the moving object, how 
 few shots ever pass in advance. Practice of this kind, and 
 *' running," " time," and " unknown distance," matches 
 ought to fonn a more important feature in our rifle contests 
 than they do at present, for upon our skill in these respects 
 will greatly depend our value in action. 
 
 To return, however, to the subject. As I have elsewhere 
 explained, every rifle has a certain " drift " due to rifling, 
 which must be taken into account in making allowance for 
 the wind. As the grooying of the Snider and most small- 
 bores is from left to right, the drift will be to the right. 
 
 The following table of allowances for drift is furnished 
 with the Whit worth rifle : — 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 5 
 
 300 
 9 
 
 400 
 14 
 
 500 
 20 
 
 COO 
 
 27 
 
 700 
 35 
 
 800 
 44 
 
 900 
 54 
 
 1000 
 
 Yards. 
 
 2 
 
 05 
 
 Inches. 
 
 • The drift and allowances for small-bore rifles are much 
 less than for the Snider, which is due to the small diameter, 
 heavier ball, and especially greater charge used in the lat- 
 ter. It is asserted that the grooves at the base of the Boxer 
 bullet reduce the drift to less than it was with the Enfield 
 ball, but I have seen no official statement confirming this. 
 
 The best manner of recording the wind is by means of 
 the dial of a watch ; by fixing the target at XIL, and your- 
 self at VI., you will have twelve points of variation, more, 
 if anything, than is required, accurately divided, and always 
 in the mind if not at hand. It is as great an improvement 
 as dollars and cents over the old fashioned £ a. d., for with 
 the old system, you had to get the bearing of the range, and 
 
ALLOWANCE FOR WIND, DRIFT, &C. 
 
 99 
 
 note the variations of wind according to tlie compass. Re- 
 cently, some have adopted t!ie use of " left front," " right 
 rear," and so on, but this is m'dtiplying wo^'ds, and not near 
 so conspicuous as X., III., V., etc. 
 
 A rear wind does not aifect the elevation near so much 
 as one from the front, so that, when the wind changes from 
 blowing directly across to an angular direction, particular 
 attention must be paid to the proper allowance necessary. 
 A rear wind raises the ball, and when gusty or variable, 
 now right rear, and then from the left, it is a very difficult 
 matter to make good shooting, especially with a light pro- 
 jectile. Under usual circumstances^ we all know that a side 
 wind necessitates increased elevation, according to the angle 
 of inclination and velocity ; and that a rear wind raises, and 
 a head wind, more than all others, retards the flight of the 
 projectile, and requires more elevation. These natural ten- 
 dencies, however, may be modified or intensified by the 
 nature of the ground. A rear wind, for instance, blowing 
 doivn on the ball, will not raise but depress it. This has 
 been often exemplified at the Don range in Toronto. At 
 800, although firing from a considerable elevation, and 
 rather short measurement, when the wind is from the left 
 rear, it is necessary sometimes to give 50 yards more eleva- 
 tion to reach the target, for the wind courses over the brow 
 of the adjoining hill and down the slope, along side of which 
 is the path of the bullet. The eyes and ears should be con- 
 stantly on the alert to detect any variations in the wind. 
 The smoke of chimneys, flags, tree tops, near the target, 
 will shew what is taking place there, and the smoke of the 
 competitor's rifle who precedes you, and your own oars, will 
 give warning when any change occurs at the firing point. 
 
 At the range of the Victoria Rifle Club at Hamilton, 
 slight streamers, about 2 feet long, are placed on short poles 
 
100 ALLOWANCE FOR WIND. 
 
 3 feet fVom the ground every 50 yards down the range, but 
 the use of this adjunct shoukl be discarded, for the object 
 of practice is to make expert shots in the field where no 
 such conveniences are to be found. Moreover, these flags, 
 not being at the height of the path of the projectile from 
 the firer to the target, cannot be infallibly relied on. In 
 calculating for the wind, it must be borne in mind that the 
 ground surface resistance to the wind is very great, so that 
 a wind of 1 2 miles per hour, at the height of six feet, will 
 not probably have a velocity of more than half (G miles) at 
 about six inches from the surface of the ground. 
 
 It is extraordinary how completely one will sometimes be 
 deceived as regards tlie wind, as instanced by my own prac- 
 tice on our Club range last summer. While firing at 600 
 yards, with a strong wind, at the firing point, from the left, 
 I was quite mystified to find my shots all on the left, al- 
 though I had made but a trifling allowance for wind. On 
 going down to the 200 yard range I discovered the cause ; 
 owing to the formation of the adjoining hills (crescent 
 shaped), the wind was turned almost at right angles to its 
 former course, a fact which those firing farther back had no 
 opportunity of discovering. 
 
 One very frequent cause of missing in windy weather 
 
 occurs from not making the proper extra allowance when 
 
 retiring from a short to a longer range. This, of course, is 
 
 more apt to occur with rifles having no wind-gauge. In 
 
 making notes for wind, I use the plan recommended by 
 
 Captain Heaton, which is sufficiently minute without being 
 
 complex. He sets down: 
 
 JVelocity in miles. 
 Per hour. 
 
 1. For a gentle wind 4 
 
 2. Do. Moderate wind ; 10 
 
 3. Do. Fresh wind 20 
 
 4. Do. Strong wind 35 
 
 5. Do. Very nigh wind 50 
 
 6. Do. Gale 80 
 
TABLES OF ALLOWANCE FOR WIND. 
 
 101 
 
 The greatest recorded velocity of the wind is 95 miles an hour. 
 
 The following scale of allowances are given by Ileaton 
 for the Whitworth, fired with 85 grains of powder. With 
 a Snider, about half as much more is required up to GOO 
 yards, which gradu.illy increases to more than double be- 
 yond that distance. As these tables are made irrespective 
 of drift, it must be added for a left wind and vice versa. 
 The table is for a wind blowing directly across the range. 
 
 Allowances for Wind when using a Small-Bore 
 
 Rifle. 
 
 Right Wind. 
 
 Force. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 G 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 200 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 1 1- 
 
 1 4 
 
 300 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 1 2 
 
 1 9 
 
 2 6 
 
 400 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 1 6 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 500 
 
 10 
 
 1 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 3 G 
 
 5 
 
 7 6 
 
 600 
 
 1 4 
 
 2 
 
 3 6 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 ■ 700 
 
 1 8 
 
 3 
 
 4 9 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 13 
 
 800 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 6 6 
 
 9 
 
 12 
 
 17 
 
 900 
 
 2 8 
 
 5 G 
 
 8 6 
 
 12 
 
 16 
 
 23 
 
 1000 
 
 3 6 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 16 
 
 21 
 
 30 
 
 Left Wind. 
 
 Force. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 200 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 1 3 
 
 1 6 
 
 300 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 1 4 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 400 
 
 8 
 
 1 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 G 
 
 3 3 
 
 4 G 
 
 500 
 
 1 
 
 1 8 
 
 2 8 
 
 4 
 
 5 6 
 
 8 
 
 600 
 
 1 6 
 
 2 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 G 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 700 
 
 1 10 
 
 3 6 
 
 5 6 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 14 G 
 
 800 
 
 2 6 
 
 4 6 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 18 6 
 
 900 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 9 G 
 
 13 
 
 17 
 
 25 
 
 1000 
 
 4 
 
 7 6 
 
 12 
 
 17 G 
 
 22 
 
 34 
 
102 
 
 ALLOWANCE FOll WIND. 
 
 Mr. Metft>r(l, wlio apjjorrs to lay unnecessary stress on 
 minute accuracy, recommends the use of a wind-guago and 
 the " miles per hour," considered fi'orn calm to 25 miles per 
 hour. It would spoil a great deal of tlie ei^}mt of rifle prac- 
 tice were it reduced to such a mechanical and tedious pro- 
 cess. To have all the necessary calculations handy, a small 
 book of taljles and logarithms will be the next improvement. 
 As wind actu in a similar way to gravitation, accelerating 
 the lateral motion while the velocity of flight diminishes, 
 the lateral curvature may be very well represented by a 
 curve similar to the trajectory, drawn horizontally instead 
 of vertically. 
 
 An instrument for measuring the force of the wind is 
 Called an Anemometer. The following diagram and de- 
 scription is from IValkcr, ISGl : — 
 
 The apparatus consists (see diagram above) of a brass tube 
 A, 9 inches long, and three-eights of an inch diameter, with 
 a slot B on the upper side, 4 inches long, and one-eighth of 
 an inch wide. To one side of this slot is fixed an ivory 
 scale C, divided to half-inches and one-fifths, each half-inch 
 figured 5, 10, 15, and so on to 40. To the under part of 
 this tube A is screwed a steel centre D, which, working in a 
 piece of brass E, and acting on an axle, is afilxed by a coarse 
 
ATMOSniERE, LiailT, SHADE. 
 
 103 
 
 screw to a piece of tapered wood or cork F, {d)oiit two indu's 
 long, to fit the muzzle of a rifle. G is a ro«l 9 inches long, 
 and one-eighth of an inch in diameter, fitting in the interior 
 of the tube A ; to this rod an indicator H is screwed, whicli, 
 passing througli the slot in the tube A, indicates on the 
 scale C tlic degree of pressure. To the end of the rod G is 
 attached, by a small F^rew, the brass arms or stretcher II, 
 over which, by means of small loops at the corners, is 
 stretched a silk vane or sail 5| inches square, upon whicli 
 the wind acts. 
 
 When using the apparatus, it may be placed on the muzzle 
 of the rifle, and this " ordered " at about arms length, or it 
 may bo held in the hand by the centre, care being taken 
 that the main tube stands horizontally, and it will bo found 
 that a current of wind or air, pressing on the silk vane at 
 C, immediately forces it forward, the amount of such force 
 or pressure being indicated by the pointer on the ivory 
 divided scale attached to the tube. The vane readily pre- 
 sents its surface to the current, from the fact of the centre 
 on which the whole apparatus turns being placed at one 
 third the length of the outer tube, the longer lengths being 
 towards the vane, and thus the end B points to the quarter 
 from where the wind blows. 
 
 Atmosphere, Light, Shade. 
 
 No work on rifle shooting that I have seen treats conclu- 
 sively on this very important branch of the art, and I'm 
 afraid that it will be exceedingly difficult for any one to do 
 so, the main reason, in my opinion, being that variations, 
 light, and shade affect different persons in various ways, ago 
 and colour of the eye being the primary causes. There are, 
 of course, certain general principles which I will endeavour 
 to elucidate according to my experience and ability. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
104 
 
 ATMOSPHERE, LIGHT, SHADE. 
 
 Taking atmosphere only into account, the denser that 
 fluid, the more resistance will it offer to the ball, and conse- 
 quently the ball would strike lower on the target than when 
 the air is rare. I must confess that in my shooting I have 
 not, nor have I come across those who have paid particular 
 attention to it. At Wimbledon, the height of the barometer 
 is daily recorded and referred to, as well as the hydrometer, 
 which records the relative moisture in the atmosphere, A 
 consultation of both conjointly is necessary in correcting for 
 elevation. 
 
 The more moisture in the air the less the elevation 
 required. This seems contrary to theory, as heavy rain 
 being denser than air offers more resistance to the ball, and 
 the powder must likewise ho affected by the moisture ; still 
 both in my own practice, and that of many other enquiring 
 minds, it has been noticed that should a heavy shower sud- 
 denly take place, it would be necessary to depress the sight 
 as much as 40 yards if firing at 400, and proportionately so 
 at the other ranges. The cause of this is attributed to the 
 fouling in the barrel keeping moist, and not becoming hard 
 and obstructive to the bullet. The best light for running 
 up large scores is a grey light, rather dull than otherwise ; 
 a physically steady man may then beat a more skilful and 
 experienced rifleman, as for the time being ho is a mere 
 machine. 
 
 To guard against many of the deceptive effects of shade and 
 sun with the Enfield at target practice, I sometimes sliji part 
 of a slit cartridge case over the fore-sight, which secures an 
 unchanging light, and causes the sight to appear more black 
 and defined than when left exposed. I also blacken both 
 back and fore-sight by smoking with a sulphur match, or 
 when I can get it, I prefer the india-rubber lined paper in 
 which the cartridges of 1864 issue, or the Westley Richards 
 
mam 
 
 HINTS TO COMPETITORS. 
 
 105 
 
 are packed, which produces a beautiful intense dull black. 
 A patent fluid sight-black is sold extensively in England, 
 which has the additional great advantage of not being easily 
 rubbed off as is a smoke deposit. A piece or small bottle 
 of India ink is not a bad substitute when not otherwise pro- 
 vided. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. , 
 
 Hints to be Eemembered at Rifle Competitions. 
 
 The principal point to be observed by a rifleman, to whom 
 a single point is a serious consideration, and it should be so 
 with all true riflemen, is to devote himself (during a match) 
 entirely to the object in view, and not be led away by irre- 
 levant conversation, and to abstain from argument, especi- 
 ally while loading. Should any one dispute your score, 
 position, etc., refer him to the proper authority, and never 
 give way to anger or disappointment, or envy of some sup- 
 posed advantage others may have as regards better ground, 
 targets, etc. Refrain also from anxiety as regards the score 
 of others, for should they be doing better, it may make you 
 over-anxious, and hearing that you are ahead may produce 
 over-confidence, and possibly sad disappointment. Neither 
 your score nor theirs can be altered by wishing, so do not 
 be continually reckoning up your own score, as it is a waste 
 of time, and distracts the attention. Do not take the advice 
 of any one, even of your best friends, and rely on your own 
 judgment ; by this, I do not mean to say that nothing can 
 be gained from observing the conduct of good shots who 
 may precede you, for I have stolen many a hint in this 
 manner ; but even this should be done away with as soon 
 
106 HINTS TO BE REMEMBERED AT COMPETITIONS. 
 
 as possible, as it will render you more confident in your own 
 judgment. Never on any account permit even a friend to 
 touch your sights, rifle, flask, etc., or load for you, and be 
 sure that your ammunition is where it is not likely to be 
 disturbed, or lying close to any one similarly furnished. It 
 more than once happened last year at Laprairie that A used 
 B's flask from its similarity to his own, which it was placed 
 near to. As B used powder of diff'erent quality and quan. 
 tity, a most inexplicable miss was the result. 
 
 It is well to enter your name for a match caily, and be 
 on hand at the proper time to avoid hurry, and when late 
 take it coolly, for by hurrying up you will destroy your 
 steadiness, and mistakes and omissions are almost sure to 
 occur, whereas you may be in time, and win by Avalking, 
 which is next to impossible if you run. 
 
 Be as careful as possible in all that yon do, and take as 
 much pains about your first and any other shot as your last, 
 never throwing away a shot, even when you are convinced 
 all chance for distmction has passed. Ikfw often do we hear 
 competitors remark, "I never thought such a small score 
 would come in," " If I had only taken more pains in my 
 first few shots," and so on ; remarks that have more than 
 once come home to myself. 
 
 Finally, when beaten, never say that you don't care, for 
 what is worth competing for is worth winning, l)e it only a 
 wreath of perishable leaves, which was the highest leward 
 in olden time at the world-renowned Olympic games in 
 Greece. 
 
JUDGING DISTANCE. 
 
 107 
 
 \ 
 
 m 
 
 ■ 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Judging Distance. 
 
 As a rifleman is valuable in action in proportion to his 
 proficiency in judging distance, too much application and 
 practice cannot be bestowed on it. 
 
 The great object of all rifle makers is to produce a rifle 
 with a low trajectory, for the lower the trajectory — by that 
 I mean the more nearly level a rifle shoots — the more accu- 
 rate and formidable in proportion does it become, for judg- 
 ing distance would then l^e unnecessary, and all that would 
 be required would be simply to point our rifles at the enemy, 
 pull the trigger, and destruction would result. Rapidity of 
 fire would then be the main point. This horizontal shoot- 
 ing is the cause of the great celebrity of the Whitworth, 
 Rigby, Metford, Henry, and in fact all small-bores, and we 
 may confidently expect will be one of the characteristic fea- 
 tures of the new rifle approved by the Small Arms' Com- 
 mittee for the British army. The small surface presented 
 to the air by a '442 bullet, and the increased momentum 
 and compact form, are the cause of its superiority over the 
 large blunt light "577 projectiles. So long as the Snider 
 rifle, with its high trajectory, remains the arm of the Cana- 
 dian Militia, all who wish to make themselves valual)le as 
 soldiers, an,d to acquire renown as marksmen, must by no 
 means neglect this most important portion of Musketry In- 
 struction. 
 
 Those who are " crack shots " at a target placed at known 
 distances, arc by no means consequently the most useful 
 men in action. Of what use is the finest weapon, the clear- 
 est eye, and the steadiest nerves, when a wrong estimation 
 
108 
 
 JUDGING DISTANCE. 
 
 of 75 yards over or under of an enemy 300 yards off, is sure 
 to result in missing your man. As the distance increases, 
 the more helpless becomes the non-expert, for besides the 
 increased difficulty of estimating correctly long distances, the 
 trajectory is more curved — the bullet sometimes reaching an 
 attitude of 20 feet — and consequently descending more ver- 
 tically, so that, if you make a wrong estimation of only 35 
 yards at 600 yards, you might as well be using a pop-gun 
 as a murderously accurate Enfield. 
 
 A mistake of fifty or one hundred yards, in firing at an 
 advancing column within aiiy reasonable distance, yfOxiV 3t 
 cause a shot to be thrown away, for although passing, far 
 over the heads of the leading men, it would still take effect 
 in the rear of the column. 
 
 The " dangerous space " for an Enfield rifle, aimed about 
 the height of a man's waist-belt at 100 yards, is 195 yards 
 — the distance the ball would travel before striking the 
 ground. Were your enemy to advance to the muzzle of the 
 rifle, or retire to 195 yards (30 yards may be added for pro- 
 bable effect of ricochets), he would still be hit on either the 
 body or feet. 
 
 As at the shorter ranges, the angles of incidence and re- 
 flection on level ground are nearly alike, the ricochet is 
 dangerous — that is, the ball does not rise the height of a 
 man for a considerable distance beyond the first graze, esti- 
 mated at between 20 and 30 yards at 200 yards, according 
 to the nature of the ground. At long ranges, however, of 
 800 yards and upwards, no dependence whatever can be 
 placed on ricochet fire. Cavalry being so much higher than 
 infantry (average height 8 ft. 6 in.), an elevation for 300 
 yards is sufficient to ensure effective fire from 400 yards 
 down to where you are standing, for the first graze is at 370 
 yards, and 30 yards for ricochet may be added, the culmi- 
 
 \ 
 
 nal 
 
 m 
 
 Dil 
 
TRAJECTORY OF ENFIELD RIFLE. 
 
 109 
 
 \ 
 
 nating height of the bullet being 7 feet. The following is 
 given as the trajectorj' of the Enfield rifle : — 
 
 Distances. 
 
 .a «•»» f* 3 
 
 §2lr 
 
 100 yards 
 
 200 
 
 
 300 
 
 
 400 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 600 
 
 
 700 
 
 
 800 
 
 
 900 
 ntu\ 
 
 
 First 
 Catch. 
 
 foet. 
 
 4i 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 14 
 19 
 25 
 34 
 44 
 57 
 
 ! 
 
 I 
 
 Margin 
 for 
 
 I 
 
 % 
 
 I 
 
 Thro' 
 275 
 425 
 550 
 660 
 770 
 875 
 980 
 
 riiroug 
 
 lOUt. 
 
 
 Throug 
 
 lOUt. 
 
 
 215 
 
 Thro' 
 
 135 
 
 350 
 
 165 
 
 90 
 
 465 
 
 105 
 
 65 
 
 570 
 
 75 
 
 55 
 
 680 
 
 60 
 
 40 
 
 785 
 
 45 
 
 30 
 
 885 
 
 35 
 
 25 
 
 990 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 i 
 
 Fm 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 180 
 265 
 350 
 440 
 5.30 
 625 
 720 
 815 
 910 
 1010 
 
 The calculated 
 height for caval- 
 ry is 8^ feet, that' 
 for infantry 6 
 feet. The rifle 
 4i feet above the 
 ground, at dis- 
 tances to .300 
 yards ; — beyond 
 that distance 3 
 feet above thd 
 ground. The 
 object hit 3 feet 
 abovetheground 
 at each distance. 
 The culminat- 
 ing point is be- 
 tween h and § 
 ^of the distance. 
 
 N.B. — The first catch and first graze are given in divisions of 5 yards 
 to assist the memory ; hence are only approximations. 
 
 Trajectory at inteimediate distances, firing at 100, 200, 
 and 300 yards. 
 
 One Hundred Yards. 
 
 Distance from the muzzle 50 75 100 yards. 
 
 Height of the bullet 9 6^ inches. 
 
 Two Hundred Yards. 
 
 Distance from muzzle 60 75 100 125 150 175 200 yards. 
 
 Height of buUet llM^i 19 21 20^ 10^ inches. 
 
 Three Hundred Yards. 
 
 Distance 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 .300 yards. 
 
 Height 17i 26i 33 40^ 42i 43 39 32 24 14 inches. 
 
 Note. — The penetration power is 8aid to he greatest at point of greatest 
 elevation. 
 
110 JUDGING DISTANCE. 
 
 In the regular service, the "judging distance" like the 
 " target practice " is divided into three periods, each con- 
 sisting of two practices or twelve answers. The value of 
 the men's answers, by points, is as follows: — 
 
 3rfl Class. ") Within .5 yards, 3 points. 
 
 Or when judging distance between 100 and > " 10 " 2 " 
 300 yards j " 15 " 1 " 
 
 2nd Class. ) Within 20 yards, 2 points. 
 
 Between 300 and 600 yards f " 30 " 1 " 
 
 Ist Class. ) Within 30 yards, 2 points. 
 
 Between GOO and 900 yards f *' 40 " 1 " 
 
 In addition to the above course, it is ordered that the 
 companies are to be taken out into the countiy at least once 
 a month by their respective captains for exercise in judging 
 distance. In this drill, men are stationed at different dis- 
 tances from one hundred to 900 yards (known only to the 
 instructor), and the answers, which are given in a low tone 
 of voice, so that the rest of the squad may not hear, are 
 taken down by the officer, who then reads out each man's 
 answer, after which he tells them the correct distances. He 
 then directs them to notice the nature of the back-ground, 
 position of the sun, and state of the atmosphere, explaining 
 the effect that alterations in these respects would have on 
 the apparent distance. "When the sun shines on the face or 
 front of an object, it appears distinct, and apparently closet 
 than it really is. 
 
 In foggy or cloudy weather, objects appear less distinct, 
 and much more distant than they really are. Men, soon 
 through the open bush from the effect of perspective, ap- 
 pear more distant than they really are. Intervening hollow 
 ground or water makes the distances appear less. A man 
 on a hill, with a clear sky beyond, appears both nearer and 
 larger than usual. A man beside a high building or tree 
 will appear smaller and more distant, also nearer the object 
 than he rccilly is. The effects produced by back-ground are 
 
 
 du 
 wl 
 otl 
 
EFFECT OF DISTANCE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 duo almost entirely to the contrast of colours. Colours 
 
 which contrast the best, when placed alongside of each 
 
 other, are called complimentary. 
 
 Tlius Red is complimentary to green, and vice versa. 
 Orange " blue, do. 
 
 Greenisli yellow " violet, do. 
 
 Indigo " orange yellow do. 
 
 Black and white are more distinct when placed together than 
 when viewed separately. 
 
 In teaching how to judge distances, the recruit is in- 
 structed first to take note of the size and appearance of men 
 placed opposite him at known distances. Thus his attention 
 is called to the fact that at 50 yards, he can name any one 
 of his comrades readily, as the age, complexion, height, and 
 figure can be determined. 
 
 At 100 yards, he is made to notice those parts which are 
 clearly visible, and his attention drawn to the indistinctness 
 of other portions. The lineaments of the face are no longer 
 visible, the buttons down the front of the coat appears one 
 continuous line. The movements of the men individually, 
 and the form and colour of the uniform are, however, per- 
 fectly evident. At 225 yards, the colours of the uniform., 
 pouches, etc., are still visible, but the face now resembles a 
 light coloured ball under the cap. At about 250 yards, we 
 can distinguish only the different parts of the body and the 
 rifle. At about 450 yards, the direction of the line of march, 
 and the movement of the rifles can be detected, and in 
 cavalry, the helmet, cuirass, bright colours of the uniform, 
 etc. At 600 yards, the head looks like a small round ball, 
 and the shoulders sloped off". At 700 or 800 yards, the 
 body has a dwindled appearance, but the legs of men in 
 motion or extended arms are still distinguishable. At 900 
 and 1000 yards, the separate files and direction of march 
 are still apparent. At 1200 yards, infantry can be distin- 
 
mMi 
 
 112 
 
 JUDGING DISTANCE. 
 
 guished from cavalry. Ai 2000 yards, a man or even a 
 horso looks like a mere speck or dot. 
 
 The following is a plan for firing at known distances, 
 without elevating the back-sight. First aim at the bull's-eye 
 with the sight up, then, still holding the rifle perfectly 
 steady, put down the flap, and notice where the eye, looking 
 through the back- sight as it now is, intersects the barrel, 
 and make a small mark there. When firing at this distance, 
 very good practice can be made by this method, all that is 
 necessary being to align the rifle, and depress the butt until 
 the eye intersects the given mark, and then pull the trigger. 
 
 A good plan for a rifleman in action, before the smoke 
 obscures his view, is to plant two small sticks, or even one 
 (the ramrod wUl do), in the ground just before him, the tips 
 being in line with the enemy ; he may thus, knowing the 
 distance, keep up a most destructive fire on an unseen enemy 
 hundreds of yards distant, by aligning his rifle on these two 
 points. An enterprising captain of a Volunteer Company 
 is said to have worked many of his men out of the awkward 
 squad at target practice by similar appliances. 
 
 To assist the soldier in estimating unknown distances in 
 the field, various instruments termed stadia have been con- 
 trived. Although only an approximation can be made, still 
 these handy little devices would be of material assistance in 
 the field, and would be a much more useful appendage to an 
 officer than the present chain and whistle, and make volley 
 firing more effective, as it would enable the officer to state 
 at how many yards "ready." 
 
 The following Table shows the Number of Drills or Prac- 
 tices, in the Instruction of Musketry, which eveiy non- 
 commissioned officer and soldier of the battalion must 
 
NUMBER OF DRILLS OR PRACTICES. 
 
 113 
 
 go through annually, as woU as every recruit, before ho 
 joins the practice of the battalion : — 
 
 
 N.-C. officers, 
 and soldiers. 
 
 Recruits, 
 
 
 Preliminary 
 
 
 
 
 
 Drills. 
 
 No. of 
 
 
 No. of 
 
 
 Remarks, 
 
 
 drills or 
 
 No. of 
 
 drills or 
 
 No. of 
 
 
 
 jiractices. 
 
 round-s 
 
 practices. 
 
 roiuulH 
 
 
 Th 
 CI 
 
 icoretical principles 
 eaning arms 
 
 G 
 G 
 
 ... 
 
 According 
 to the 
 
 discretion 
 of the 
 officer 
 
 instructor. 
 
 [••{ 
 ...{ 
 
 By the officer 
 
 instructor. 
 By the N.-C. 
 
 
 office instructor 
 
 Target f^^"^^^^''^!"^^ 
 '^""' IPositiondriU 
 
 G 
 G 
 
 • •.. 
 
 [•■{ 
 
 By the officer 
 
 instructor. 
 Ditto. 
 
 
 No. of 
 
 Blank 
 
 
 
 
 
 percus- 
 
 cart- 
 
 
 Snapping cai^a, and 
 
 
 
 sion caps. 
 
 ridges 
 
 
 blank cartridges. . . . 
 
 ... 
 
 f 
 
 20 
 
 According 
 
 to the 
 
 20 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Judging distance drill 
 
 12 
 
 ..." 
 
 discretion 
 of the 
 officer 
 
 instructor. 
 
 ... 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Practices. 
 
 
 
 
 Ball 
 car- 
 tridge 
 
 By the officer 
 instructor. 
 
 Preliminary firing,"^ 
 one round to be 
 
 
 
 
 
 (N.B, These 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 rounds are to 
 
 fired from a rest }- 
 at the several dis- 
 
 ... 
 
 ... 
 
 5 
 
 20 
 
 be recorded in a 
 register, but not 
 
 tances to 300 yds. J 
 
 
 
 
 h 
 
 in the com- 
 pany's practice 
 return.) 
 
 In the company 
 under the cap- 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 tain of com- 
 
 
 1st period 
 
 5 
 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 20- 
 
 panies, and re- 
 cruits by the 
 
 d" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 «3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 officer instruc- 
 
 •-s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tor. 
 
 
 ■ 2nd ( 2nd class 
 period ( 3rd class 
 
 n 
 
 20 1 
 
 S 1 
 
 20 { 
 
 By the officer 
 instructor. 
 
 o-j ( 1st class 
 period^ 2nd class 
 P^""'^! 3rd class 
 
 ':} 
 
 20< 
 
 :} 
 
 20 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Cat 
 
 'i'ied fonvard 
 
 
 GO 
 
 
 80 
 
 
114 
 
 JUDGING DISTANCE. 
 
 Practices. 
 
 Brought fonoard. 
 
 File firing and volleys 
 
 Skinniahing practice. 
 Judging j 1st period 
 
 ^r^^Z) 2nd period 
 practice (g^j {^^^^^ 
 
 Total 
 
 N.-C. officers 
 
 Recruits. 
 
 and soldiers. 
 
 
 No. of 
 
 
 No of drills 
 
 
 drills or 
 
 No. of 
 
 or 
 
 No. of 
 
 practices. 
 
 roun(}H 
 
 practices. 
 
 rounds. 
 
 1 
 
 CO 
 10 
 
 
 80 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 20 
 
 4 
 
 ... 
 
 
 ...{ 
 
 4 
 
 • • . 
 
 • ■• 
 
 
 4 
 
 ... 
 
 ... 
 
 ... 
 
 • • ■ 
 
 1)0 
 
 • . ■ 
 
 110 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 In the com- 
 panies by their 
 captains, re- 
 cruits by the 
 officer instruc- 
 tor. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 By the officer 
 instructor. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 '^ 
 
 O/WBFT INF6FT 
 YAROS YAMS 
 
 This woodcut represents a very 
 simple stadium, on a slightly re- 
 duced scale, such as is used at 
 Hythe. It can be made roughly of 
 wood, tin, &c. To use this instru- 
 ment, hold it vertically the length 
 of the string from the eye (the sur- 
 est way is to hold the knot at the 
 end of the string between the teeth), 
 and move the slide, by means of the 
 little button, with the thumb, until 
 a man fits in exactly between the 
 upper bar and the sliding bar, when 
 the graduation just above the slide 
 will indicate the distance in so many 
 hundred yards. One slide is gra- 
 duated for infantry, and the other for cavalry. In graduat- 
 ing one of your own manufacture, it is well to test the accu- 
 
 rac 
 Po 
 me 
 rat 
 Yn 
 ap 
 
 i>y 
 
 spl 
 
STADIA. 
 
 115 
 
 racy hy sighting on a target at fixed distances. Mr. Clias. 
 Potter, optician of this city, manufactures very neat littlo 
 metal stadia, similar to the above, for $2.00. A more accu- 
 rate but less convenient article has been invented by a 
 Frenchman named Malphet, which lesembles a telescope in 
 appearance, and graduated like a micrometer, is described 
 by ''JFolkcr" in "The Rifle, its Theory and Practice"— a 
 splendid work of the kind. 
 
 As the apparent distance and distinctness of an object 
 depends to a great extent on the colour, which, by the by, 
 is not by any means in favour of " the thin red line," I have 
 given in the Appendix some curious data with reference 
 tliereto, also several convenient methods of calculating un 
 known heights and distances. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 i 
 
 Explanation of the Principal Terms used in Con- 
 nection WITH THE Science of Musketry. — 
 Interesting and Useful Data, 
 Calculations, &c. 
 
 Adhere. — To stick to. 
 
 Ampli' 'JDE signifies the range of a projectile. 
 Adjustment. — The act of regulating; thus, when a sight 
 is set to a correct height, it is said to be adjusted. 
 
 Angle. — The space contained between two lines that 
 meet in a point. Sometimes the point itself is called the 
 angle. A carpenter's wooden foot rule, opened out "square," 
 forms a right angle, when opened less an acute angle, and 
 when opened more than square an obtuse angle. The length 
 of the sides of an angle has nothing to do with its size ; it 
 
116 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 is measured by tlio number of degrees contained ])otween 
 the two legs — a right angle contains 90° (degrees). 
 
 Angle of Elevation. — The angle which the axis of a 
 rifle makes with the level ground. 
 
 Aperture. — An opening or hole. 
 
 ATMOsniERE. — The air. 
 
 ArrRACTlON. — The natural property every particle of 
 matter has of being drawn towards other particles. 
 
 Axis. — An imaginary line passing through the centre of 
 the bore of a gun from end to end. 
 
 Body. — A definite mass of matter. 
 
 Calibre. — The diameter of the bore of a gun. The 
 calibre of the Snider is -577, or rather less than half an inch; 
 that of the Whitworth and most small bores, "450 of an inch. 
 
 Circle. — The well known property of the circle is that 
 it contains a greater area than any other plane figure, bounded 
 by an equal outline or boundary. The circumference of a 
 circle is the curved line which bounds it. The circumference 
 is supposed to be divided into 3G0 degrees. The radius of 
 a circle is a right line drawn from the centre to the circum- 
 ference, and is equal to half the diameter. The diameter of 
 a circle is a right line drawn through the centre, and termi- 
 nated by the circumference. A tangent is a line which 
 touches a circle or curve without cutting it. The areas of 
 circles are to each otiier as the squares of their diameters ; 
 thus any circle tiricc the diameter of another contains four 
 times the area. To find the area of a circle, multiply half 
 the circumference by half the diameter. To find the cir- 
 cumference, multiply the diameter by 3*1416. 
 
 Colours. — As deer-stalkers study the prevailing colour 
 of a forest before setting out on a hunting expedition, so 
 ought our uniforms to be of such a colour as will render us 
 as indistinct as possible to the marksmen of an enemy. 
 
TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 117 
 
 In the following tables, the figiuo 1 denotes the most 
 visible, 7 the least visible, invisible. 
 
 ColourH. 
 
 Scarlet 
 
 Green (riflej 
 
 Bhio (royal) 
 
 White 
 
 Grey 
 
 Brown (cleatl leaf) 
 
 At throe hundred 
 yards. 
 
 
 03 
 
 c« 
 
 . ID 
 
 I 
 
 At Hix hundred 
 yardrt. 
 
 a , 
 
 73 
 
 a 
 I 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 (3 
 
 o 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 G 
 
 7 
 
 Colours. 
 
 At three hundred yards distant. 
 
 Scarlet 
 
 Green (rifle) 
 
 Blue (royal) 
 
 White 
 
 Grey 
 
 Brown (dead leaf). 
 
 On 
 
 a clear day. 
 
 One 
 
 \, cloudy day 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 • 
 
 
 tA 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 >, 
 
 
 
 
 .a 
 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 •c 
 
 4 
 
 n3 
 
 CO 
 
 PJ 
 
 • 
 
 .s 
 
 
 ! 
 
 ft 
 
 OJ 
 
 ^ 
 
 :^ 
 
 ft 
 
 e^ 
 
 •^^4 
 
 S 
 
 ^ 
 
 s 
 
 2 
 
 ^ 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 .5 
 
 
 
 C 
 
 6 
 
 G 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 ■4J 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 4 
 4 
 1 
 
 G 
 
 7 
 
 Concave. — Hollow, sunken — a saucer is concave. 
 
 Condemned Marks. — The marks used to designate con- 
 demned ordnance are — a cross, with D, denotes faulty di- 
 mensions; a cross, with S, faulty by searcher; a cross, with 
 W, faulty by water-proof. Condemned ordnance must al- 
 ways have a cross ( + ) cut just below the broad arrow, so 
 that unserviceable guns, which may be issued for drill, may 
 
118 
 
 TERMS,- DATA, CALCULATIONS, fcc. 
 
 I 
 
 not be mistaken for serviceable guns. Hans Busk states 
 
 this mark — V§-J — is the sign of a lifle condemned by 
 
 Government. 
 
 Convex. — Raised like a ball- the opposite of concave. 
 
 Cylindrical. — Long and round like a roller. A round 
 bullet is termed spherical; the long Eley projectile cylindrical. 
 
 Density. — The closeness of the particles of which a body 
 is composed. When two bodies are of an equal size, the 
 one which weighs the most is said to have the greater den- 
 sity. Lead, for instance, is more dense than wood. 
 
 Direction. — Alignment. When a bullet strikes in line 
 with the bull's-eye, but not at the proper height, the direc- 
 tion is said to be good. When it strikes the proper height, 
 but right or left of the mark, the elevation is correct, but the 
 direction faulty. 
 
 Distance. — Space, length. There are various simple ways 
 of ascertaining the distance of an object, when there are no 
 such excellent instruments as the army stadioineter handy. 
 
 \st. By means of two rods. — Take two rods of unequal 
 lengths, drive the shortest into the ground, say close to the 
 edge of a river ; measure some paces back from it, and drive 
 in the other till you find, by looking over the tops of both 
 rods, your sight intersects the opposite bank. Pull up the 
 first rod, measure the same distance from the second in any 
 direction the most horizontal, and drive it as deep in the 
 ground as before. Then if you look over them again, and 
 observe where the line of sight terminates, you will have the 
 distance required, which will be equal to the distance be- 
 tween where the sight terminates rmd the shorter stick. 
 This method is applicable to short distances only. 
 
 2iul. By means of the peak of a cap. — Place yourself at the 
 edge of one bank of a river, and lower the brim of your hat, 
 or peak of your cap, till you find the edge of it cuts the 
 
TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 119 
 
 other bank ; then steady your head by placing your hand 
 under your chin, and turn round carefully towards some 
 level ground on your side of the river, anO observe where 
 your eyes and the edge of your peak again cut the ground ; 
 measure this distajice, which will be very nearly the breadth 
 of the river. 
 
 Srd. By means of the tangent scale of a cannon. — To do this, 
 it is necessary to know the height of an object at the re- 
 quired distance. Lay the gun by the line of metal for the 
 top of the object, then raise the tangent scale till the top of 
 it, and the notch on the muzzle, are in line with the foot of 
 the object. Then by similar triangles ; as the length of the 
 raised part of the tangent scale is to tho length of the gun, 
 so is the height of the distant object to the distance re- 
 quired. Thus, supposing the heigiit of the object to be nine 
 feet, the length of the tangent scale, which is raised three 
 inches, and of the gun six feet, the proportion will be : — 
 As 3 : 72 : : 108 : 2592 inches, or 21C feet. 
 
 Uh. By erecting a j^eiyendicular. 
 
 To find the distance of the object 
 
 A from B, place a picket at B, and 
 another at C at a few yards dis- 
 tance, mak'ug . ^i a right angle. 
 Divide B ^^ into 4, 5, or any num- 
 ber of eqiial parts; make another 
 similar an^de at C in a direction 
 from the object, and walk along 
 the line C D, until you bring 
 yourself in a lino v/ith the oi>joct 
 A, and any of tlie d^visioi^s (siy 0) 
 of the lino B C. TWa (IwviDg 
 measured C D) 
 
120 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 I 
 
 ' i 
 
 As C 0:C D::B 0:B A or 
 As 10 : 53 :: 30 : 159 yards. 
 
 5th. By the repmi of fire-arms, — See Sound. 
 
 Elastic. — Elasticity is that property of bodies by which, 
 when their form is altered by the action of an external 
 force, they regain their original form as soon as the external 
 force is withdrawn. Gasses are termed perfectly elastic, as 
 their is no fixed limit to their expansion. 
 
 Expansion. — It is the nature of all bodies (two excep- 
 tions I believe) to increase in bulk on application of heat. 
 Liquids, and especially gasses, are very susceptible to 
 heat or cold. All gasses expand and contract 'iniformly, 
 0-0020825 their volume per degree of IV rt^ ^it. The 
 lateral expansion of a gun barrel, by the lieafc of tho explo- 
 sion, is too minute to affect the shooting thereof. 
 
 Elevation. — The angle between the line of sight and t' .j 
 line of fire. 
 
 Fire of Musketry or Artillery. — May b-^ .ither 
 direct or oblique, enfilading, flanking, grazing, plunging, 
 recochet, or reverse ; the two former terms convey their own 
 meaning ; enfilade fire is that which sweeps a line from one 
 end to the other, whether it be part of a work, or a line c 1 
 cavalry or infantry ; flanking fire is that which is direr' * d 
 along the front of a position or work, and nearly paraLivjl t: 
 it; a grazing fire sweeps close to the surface itt'ifends; 
 plunging fire infringes on the surface, but does not rebound ; 
 recochet fire is used against forts to harrass troop j forming 
 behind hills ; reverse fire is when an enemy is fired upon in 
 their rear. 
 
 Flight. — The time of flight is the time which the bnllet 
 takes to reach its destination after leaving the muzzle : tMvi 
 time, which varies according to the weppon, wc?ght and 
 form of projectile, atmosphere, etc., etc., i.s usually expressed 
 in seconds and decimals. 
 
itlic) 
 
 Irmirg 
 )on in 
 
 IVillet 
 
 It and 
 
 re»scd 
 
 I 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 121 
 
 Friction is a retarding force, arising from the uneveness 
 of the surfaces which move upon each other. The resistance 
 occasioned by friction is independent of the velocity. It id 
 not possible to make a surface which has no irregularities. 
 The finest edge or surface of a highly polished razor, viewed 
 by the microscope, appears very rough. In proportion as the 
 surfaces which are to be moved on one another are rough, a 
 greater force is required to produce and continue motion. 
 Pressure of course increases friction ; double pressure doub- 
 ling the friction ; treble the pressure trebles it, and so on in 
 nearly the same proportion. We may diminish the friction 
 of a projectile through a rifle barrel by lubricating the sur- 
 faces, and thereby rendering them more polished or even. 
 Once it leaves the barrel, friction depends on the smooth regu- 
 lar surface of the projectile itself. The following is an illus- 
 tration of the overcoming of friction by mechanical means. 
 The experiment was with a square block of stone weighing 
 
 1080 lbs.:— 
 
 lbs. 
 
 1. In order to drag it over the floor of a quarry roughly 
 
 chisselled, it required a force equal to 758 • 
 
 2. Over a floor of planks , 652 
 
 3. Placed on a platform of wood, and dragged ever 
 
 plank floor 606 
 
 4. After soaping the platform and planks 182 
 
 5. Placed on rollers three inches in diameter, moved 
 
 over stone quarry floor 34 
 
 6. Over a wooden floor 28 
 
 7. Over a smooth plank floor 22 
 
 Force is a power exerted on a body, which produces or 
 tends to produce a change in the state of rest or motion of a 
 body. If the force act constantly, it is a permanent force^ 
 like pressure or the force of gravity; but if it act instantane- 
 ously, or for an imperceptibly short time, it is called percus- 
 sionf like the smart blow of a hammer. Forces may be acceU 
 traiive or retardivef according as they increase or diminish 
 the velocity. A motive force is that which produces motion. 
 
 Forces may be measured by comparison with weights. Thu» 
 
 P 
 
122 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, «&0. 
 
 1 ;| 
 
 Ml 
 
 > H 
 
 li 
 
 I! 
 
 any forces which will bend a spring in the same positions as 
 weights of 1 lb., 2 lb., 3 lb., are called respectively forces of 
 1 lb., 2 lb., 3 lb., etc. 
 
 Gravity is that property by which all bodies tend towards 
 the centre of the earth. When a body is supported, this 
 tendency produces pressure or iveight. For further explana- 
 tion, see chapter on theoretical principles. 
 
 Groove. — Furrow, indentation. 
 
 Gunshot. — Within gunshot means not beyond the reach 
 or range of any projectile discharged from a gun. 
 
 Height.— (Measurement of). 
 
 j . To ascertain the height of an object hj its shadow. — Sot up 
 vei .J a rod of known length, and measure the length of 
 its shi'.iA- vT upon a horizontal plane; measure the length of 
 the shadow of the object of which the altitude is required. 
 Then by the properties of similar triangles. As the length 
 of the shadow of the rod is to its altitude, so is the length 
 of the shadow of the object to the altitude of the object itself. 
 
 2. To ascertain the height when there is no shadow. — Place 
 a rod (equal in length to the height of the eye) vertically at 
 such a distance from the foot of the object to be measured 
 that the observer, when lying upon his back with his feet 
 against the bottom of the stick, may see the top of the rod 
 and of the object in the same line. Then, by similar tri- 
 angles, the height is easily ascertained. 
 
 3. To ascertain the height of an object (the distance of ivhich is 
 known) by means of the tangent scale ofagwn. — Lay the gun for 
 the top of the object, the height of which is required ; then 
 raise the tangent scale until the top of it, and the notch on 
 the muzzle, are in line with the bottom of the object ; then 
 by similar triangles, as tlic length of the gun is to the length 
 of the raised part of the tangent scale, so is the distance of 
 the object from the gun to the height required. 
 
TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 123 
 
 Honeycombed. — A gun is said to be honeycombed when 
 the surface of the bore is full of small holes or cavities caused 
 by rust. 
 
 Horizontal. — Level; the surface of smooth water is 
 horizontal. 
 
 Impenetrability. — By this is meant that two substances, 
 cannot occupy the same space at the same time. For in- 
 stance, if a penny be placed in a tumbler brimful of water, 
 the water will overflow, and the same would be the result 
 were you to invert a small uncorked empty bottle, and place 
 it in the tumbler ; according as the bottle was lowered, 
 the water would run over, showing that the air in the bottle 
 and the water could not both occupy the same place at the 
 same time. 
 
 Impetus or Momentum. — The amount of force acquired, 
 which is dependent on the weight and velocity. 
 
 Inclination — Wlien two lines or surfaces converge, they 
 
 are said to have an inclination towards each other ; thus the 
 
 A 
 
 lines A and B have an inclination towards ^""^-^ each 
 
 B 
 other. 
 
 Inertia. — The property of a body not to change its state, 
 but to continue either in rest or motion. 
 
 Initial. — Primary, first. The initial velocity of a pro- 
 jectile is expressed in the number of feet passed over in the 
 first second. 
 
 Lateral. — On the side. Wind from the right or loft exerts 
 a lateral pressure on a bullet during its flight. 
 
 Light travels at the rate of 190,000 miles in one second 
 
 Measures. 
 Length. 
 
 12 lines equal 1 inch. 
 
 12 inches " 1 foot. 
 
 3 feet *' 1 yard. 
 
124. 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CATCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 i 
 
 '11 
 
 li 
 
 5^ yards " 1 rod. 
 
 22 " " 1 chain. 
 
 1760 " ". Imile. 
 
 Weight. 
 
 Powder and shot are weighed by Avoirdupois weight. 
 
 ^¥k grains equal 1 drachm. 
 
 dra 
 
 16 
 16 
 
 rachms 1 oz. 
 
 ounces 1 lb. 
 
 
 Troy. 
 
 Apothecaries. 
 
 Avoirdupois. 
 
 
 (xrains. ....,...,. 
 
 24 
 
 480 
 5760 
 
 ''26 
 
 60 
 
 480 
 
 5760 
 
 7000 
 
 1 dwt. 
 
 Do 
 
 1 scruple. 
 1 drachm. 
 
 Do 
 
 Do. 
 
 1 ounce. 
 
 Do 
 
 1 lb. 
 
 Weight of a cubic foot of pure water in lbs. 
 avoirdupois, the barometer being 30 de« 
 grees, and the thermometer 62 degrees, 
 equal to 62*320 
 
 M' .? diameter of the earth equal to 7,912 miles. 
 
 Mtia^ eirctmiference of the earth equal to.... 2^^56 miles. 
 
 Momentum. — The degree of energy or impetus in a mov- 
 ing body being the weight multiplied by the velocity. 
 
 Penetration is usually tested by firing at half-inch planks 
 placed a few inches apart. Of these, the Enfield will pene- 
 trate 15, the Whitworth 33. The Whitworth -45 bore will 
 penetrate a wrought-iron plate 6-lOths of an inch thick. At 
 Inkerman, an Enfield bullet passed through three Russians. 
 
 Point Blank is the point where the line of sight inter- 
 sects the trajectory. There are two points blank to the 
 Enfield — one a few inches from the muzzle, and the other 
 100 yards off. 
 
 Powder Proof. — The quality of powder is usually deter- 
 mined by firing a given quantity from a diminutive cannon, 
 and noting the distance it will send a ball, which will be 
 proportionate to the strength of the powder. It may also 
 be determined by the measured force of the recoil. 
 
TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 125 
 
 Recoil. — As powder expands equally in all directions, 
 the force of explosion is as strong against the breech as the 
 bullet, causing a reaction against the shoulder called recoil. 
 
 Reflection. — A rubber ball, thrown in an angular direc- 
 tion against a smooth surface, rebounds at very nearly the 
 same angle it strikes. It is best illustrated by a mirror — 
 the angles of incidence and reflection formed by the eye and 
 the object with the mirror are equal. 
 
 E yO 
 
 ^^^^ E, the eye; 0, object; M R, mirror. 
 MIR 
 
 Refraction. — When we plunge a stick into water, the 
 stick appears bent ; this is owing to refraction, the rays of 
 light from the submerged part of the stick being bent by the 
 water. The same effect is produced by the atmosphere, and 
 causes us to see the whole sun before any part is really 
 above the horizon. 
 
 Rotate, Rotary. — Spinning. A top while spinning has 
 a rotary motion. 
 
 Spherical. — Round like a ball. 
 
 Sound travels, in calm weather, under ordinary circum- 
 stances, 1,100 feet, or 370 yards, per second, or a mile in 
 4J seconds. Wind blowing in the direction of the sound or 
 against it, proportionately increases or diminishes the velo- 
 city. Sound is louder in proportion to the density of the 
 air, and will travel over the surface of water which is a 
 good conductor, nearly twice as far as on land. 
 
 To ascertain the distance of an object by the report of fire- 
 arms. — Multiply the number of seconds between seeing the 
 flash and hearing the report by 1,100, which will give the 
 distance in feet. 
 
 Trajectory, is the curved path of a projectile through 
 the air. 
 
126 
 
 ll 
 
 TERMS, DATA, CALCULATIONS, &C. 
 
 Upsetting. — This is a term much used in the United 
 States, and signifies the compression, lengthwise, of a bullet 
 by the explosion of the powder in rear, and the condensed 
 air in front of the ball. Every conical ball is shorter after 
 being fired. 
 
 Velocity. — Eate of motion, si.>eed. 
 
 Vertical. — Upright, the opposite of horizontal. 
 
 Volume. — Quantity, capacity. 
 
 Windage. — This has no connection with the allowance 
 for wind, but means only the space or difference in size be- 
 tween the bullet and the bore of the rifle. 
 
 Cannelures. — (Not often used). Means circular indentation 
 at base of bullets to hold the lubrication. 
 
 \ [ 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 WIMBLEDON REGULATIONS, 18G7, 
 
 Adapted to the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Meeting 
 
 of 1869. 
 
 I.— There shall be nine distances, viz.:-- 
 
 200 yards. 500 yards. 800 yards. 
 
 300 " GOO " 900 " 
 
 400 " 700 " 1000 •' 
 
 II. — The size of the targets shall be the same as in 186G, 
 viz : — 
 
 SIZE OF THE TARGETS. 
 
 • At 200 and 300 yards— 6 feet by 4 wide ; Bull's Eye, 
 8 inches ; Centre, 2 feet. 
 Ai 400, 500 and 600 yards— 6 feet square ; Bull's Eye, 
 
 2 feet ; Centre, 4 feet. 
 At 700, 800, 900, and 1000 yards— 6 feet by 12 wide ; 
 Bull's Eye, 3 feet ; Centre, 6 feet. 
 III. — There shall be square bull's eyes and centres at all 
 distances, bull's eyes counting 4, centres 3, outers 2. 
 IV. — In matches only open to Enfield or Snider-Enfield 
 Rifles, th^. shooting at 200 and 300 yards, unless other- 
 wise specified, shall be off the shoulder. At distances 
 above 300 yards it shall be m any position. * 
 
APPEKDIX. 
 
 5 
 
 Mi 
 
 I f 
 
 11 
 
 V. — In matches open to all comers and any rifles, tiro shoot- 
 ing shall be in any position. — By "any position" is 
 meant any position that a person would be a ble to take 
 on level ground. 
 
 VI. — No fixed artificial rests shall be allowed. 
 
 RIFLES. 
 
 VII. — Unless otherwise specified, the prizes opon to All 
 Comers may be shot for with any description of rifle, 
 not exceeding 10 lbs. in weight, exclusive of ramrods. 
 
 VIII. — No magnifying sights shall be allowed. 
 
 IX. — No hair-triggers shall be allowed, nor any with a less 
 pull than 3 lbs. 
 
 X. — No front aperture sights, such as solid discs or bushes 
 pierced in the centre, shall be allowed. 
 
 XL — In all shooting for Volunteers' Prizes, and in all com- 
 petitions restricted to rifles of bond fide Government 
 pattern, the minimum pull of trigger shall be 61bs. 
 
 TIES. 
 
 XII. — When the firing takes place at more than one distance 
 ties shall be decided as follows : 
 
 1. By fewest misses. ^ 
 
 2. " outers. 
 
 3. By highest score at longest range. 
 
 4. If still a tie, by firing 3 shots at the longest dis- 
 tance in the competition. 
 
 When the firing takes place at one distance only : 
 
 1. By fewest misses. 
 
 2. " outers. 
 
 3. If still a tie, by firing a single shot. 
 
 4. In the "Time Match" by "division." 
 
 The hours of firing off ties will be duly announced on 
 the notice board, but competitors not present will 
 lose their places. 
 
WIMBLEDON REGULATIONS. 
 
 C5 slioct- 
 tion" is 
 to take 
 
 to All 
 of rifle, 
 imrods. 
 
 h a less 
 
 bushes 
 
 ill com- 
 rnmeiit 
 bs. 
 
 istance 
 
 est dis- 
 
 ced on 
 It will 
 
 XIII. — Ties in Second Stage of any prize will bo decided 
 by the aggregate scores made in First Stage ; if still a 
 tie, by firing 3 shots at longest range. 
 
 AMMUNITION. 
 
 XIV. — In Volunteer Militia and Military Matches, none but 
 Government ammunition (as suuplied by the Council 
 on the ground) at 25 cents per package of 10 rounds, 
 shall be used. Any competitor infringing this rule 
 shall be disqualified from competing for any prizes dur- 
 ing the remainder of the Meeting. 
 
 SIGHTING. 
 
 XV. — Two sighting shots shall be allowed to each com- 
 petitor at each distance in every competition, on 
 payment of 10 cents per shot. These shots shall 
 be fired in order, when the squad is formed, and 
 at the target about to be used in the competition. No 
 sighting shot shall be allowed after the squad has com- 
 menced the competition ; nor shall any competitor be 
 allowed to fire two sighting shots consecutively. Any 
 competitor joining the squad when all the sighting 
 shots have been fired will thus be restricted to one 
 sighting shot. Ties shall be allowed two sighting 
 shots, at Is. per sliot, and at the target at which the tie 
 is about to be shot off. 
 
 XVI. — Sighting shots may be fired in any position. 
 
 XVII. — Competitors shall, if required, submit their rifles 
 • for inspection before, during, or after a match. 
 
 XVIII. — Unless otherwise specified, i> • competitor shall 
 enter more than once for any Prize, No two competi- 
 tors shall use the same riile in the same match. 
 
 XIX. — No post entries shall be made for any competition 
 after the firing for such comi)etition has commenced. 
 
 * 
 
 F 
 
4 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I 
 
 XX. — All competitors for open Volunteers or .Ul-Comers* 
 Prizes, who enter their names and pay the entrance 
 fees to the Secretary, by or before six o'clock of the 
 evening previous to the commencement of the match 
 for which he wishes to enter, shall be squadded, and 
 notice shall be given, as long as possible before the 
 competition, of the hour when their squad will shoot. 
 Post entries shall be squadded on the ground, and for 
 all such double entrance fees will be c j J. 
 
 XXI. — Squadding shall be in the order in which the entries 
 are made. 
 
 XXII. — Winners of money prizes, who have the option of 
 taking their prizes either in money or in kind, shall 
 make known their decision to the Secretary on or be- 
 fore the close of the meeting. 
 
 XXIII. — ^AU prizes, pool, and sweepstakes moneys, not 
 claimed before the 1st October, shall be forfeited to the 
 Association. 
 
 XXIV. — All winners of prizes shall apply t e Chief of 
 the Statistical Department for a certificate, *vhich shall 
 be countersigned by the Secretary before any prize 
 shall be delivered, 
 
 XXV. — "Winners of money prizes shall, on receiving the 
 amount of such prizes from the Cashier at the Finance 
 Department, give up their certificates to him. 
 
 XXVI. — All members of Volunteer Corps competing for 
 prizes restricted to Volunteers shall be required to ap- 
 pear in the authorized dress, or undress uniform of 
 their Corps. 
 
 XXVII. — ^Any person firing when the danger flag or disc is 
 shewn at the target or firing point, or discharging his 
 rifle except at the target to which he is told off', or into 
 the place provided for the purpose, shall be debarred 
 
WIMBLEDON REGULATIONS. 5 
 
 from all further competitions during the meeting, and 
 shall forfeit all his entrance foes. Before firing a rifle 
 into the place provided for the purpose, pennission 
 must be obtained from the officer in charge. 
 
 XXVIII. — Any person snapping off a cap, without point- 
 ing his rifle into the place provided for the purpose, 
 shall bo fined two dollars. 
 
 XXIX.— All disputed points shall be decided by the umpire 
 appointed by the Council, subject to appeal to the 
 Executive of the Council, whose decision shall be final. 
 
 C. STUART, Captain, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 not 
 
6 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 APPENDIX B. 
 
 
 RULES 
 
 AND 
 
 FIELD REGULATIONS 
 
 FOR A 
 
 §lifh €lnii ax %B$atxuixan. 
 
 (Given as a guide in the formation oj Similar Associations 
 
 in Canada). 
 
 1. This Association shall be called "The 
 
 Rifle 
 
 >» 
 
 2. The object of the Club shall be the encouragement of 
 Rifle Shooting with any Rifle. 
 
 3. The number of members shall be unlimited, unless 
 two-thirds of the members present at a special meeting, 
 called for the purpose, determine otherwise. 
 
 4. The Annual Meeting of the Club shall take place, each 
 year, on the second Tuesday in March. 
 
 5. In the event of no Annual Meeting taking place at 
 the time fixed, such meeting shall be held as soon after as 
 convenient, and the officers and members of the Managing 
 Committee appointed at the last Annual Meeting shall hold 
 office until their successors are elected. 
 
 6. The Officers of the Club shall consist of a President, 
 two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary. They shall 
 bo elected annually by the members present at the Annual 
 Meeting, by ballot, a clear majority of the votes cast being 
 
 , 
 
 ) 
 
RIFLE CLUB RULES. 
 
 
 required to elect a candidate ; and in case of more than two 
 candidates being proposed, the one receiving the least num- 
 ber of votes shall be withdrawn, and a fresh vote taken, till 
 one of the candidates receives a clear majority of the votes. 
 
 7. The management of the Club shall be entrusted to a 
 Committee composed of the President, two Vice-Presidents, 
 Treasurer and Secretary, and two members, who shall also 
 be elected at the Annual Meeting in the same manner as 
 the Officers of the Club— four to form a quorum for the 
 transaction of business. 
 
 8. Gentlemen desirous of becoming members of the Club 
 must leave their names with the Secretn,fy, and if approved 
 of by the Committee, will be notified to that effect. 
 
 9. The entrance fee shall be two dollars, and an annual 
 subscription of two dollars, payable on second Tuesday in 
 March in each year, and no applicant shall be entitled to 
 the rights of membership until such entrance fee be paid. 
 Members not having paid their annual subscription on July 
 1st shall cease to belong to the Club. 
 
 10. In the event of the funds of the Club not being found 
 adequate to the payment of its liabilities, the Committee of 
 Management shall have the power to levy such an assess- 
 ment as will provide for the deficiency, and any member not 
 paying such assessment within a month after being duly 
 notified by the Secretary, will forfeit his membership, unless 
 prevented from paying such assessment by reason of ab ionce 
 from the city. 
 
 11. No member of tho Club shall be allowed to transfer 
 his right of membership. 
 
 12. It shall be the duty of the President, or, in his ab- 
 sence, of one of the Vice-Presidents, to call a meeting on 
 receiving a requisition signed by seven members ; and that, 
 in the notices calling any special meeting, the subjects in- 
 
8 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 > 'I 
 
 tended to be considered shall be specified, and at all special 
 meetings, no other business shall be transacted but that 
 which is specified in the notice. 
 
 13. Ten members present at a general or special meeting 
 shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. 
 
 14. The Secretary shall be empowered to get such notices 
 printed as may be considered necessary for the purpose of 
 calling together special or general meetings of the vJlub, and 
 the members are requested to pay their entrance fee and 
 subscriptions to the Secretary at his place of business. 
 
 15. The target practice of the members shall be arranged 
 in accordance with whatever regulat' i the Committee of 
 Management deem necessary. 
 
 16. The result of each day's practice shall be recorded in 
 the Club Score-book, kept for that purpose by the Secretary 
 and the result of each three latest consecutive practices of 
 each member shall be averaged; and in case of challenge 
 given to, or received from other marksmen, the representa- 
 tives from the Club shall be selected by the Committee in 
 the order of merit according to latest averages. 
 
 17. Only gentlemen from a distance, when introduced by 
 a member, can have the privilege of firing on the Club range, 
 except during a match. 
 
 18. Payment of the entrance fee and annual subscription 
 are necessary to entitle a member to the use of the range — 
 non-members 20 cent£ each day of practice. Each shooting 
 party must pay for the marker's services except on Club 
 days. 
 
 19. Any member may be expelled from the Club by a 
 motion made to that eflfect, and supported by a two-tliird 
 vote, by ballot, of the members present at a general meet- 
 ing, notice of such motion to be given by the mover at the 
 general meeting previous to that on which he intends to 
 
RIFLE CLUB BEGULATIONS. 
 
 
 
 move it, and the Secretary shall immediately notify the 
 member, whom it is proposed to expel, that such notice of 
 motion has been given. 
 
 29. No alterations shall be made in these rules, except at 
 a special meeting, and no alterations shall be legal except 
 they receive the approval of two-thirds of the members pre- 
 sent at such meeting. Any member violating these rules 
 shall forfeit his fee and right to membership. 
 
 21. The Secretary may give the use of the range (Club 
 days excepted) to companies or individuals at the rate of 
 $2.00 per day, or $1.00 for a half day or less. 
 
 K 
 
 1. The Captain of the firing party must see that the 
 danger flag is hoisted at the entrance to the range before 
 beginning to fire at any of the Targets, and it must not be 
 hauled down until they have concluded their firing ; and 
 any member, or party of members, neglecting to take this 
 precaution, will be individually subject to a fine of one dol- 
 lar. Members last at the Range will see that the danger 
 flag is hauled down, and left in charge of the care-taker. 
 
 2. There will be two Club days in each week, viz., Wed- 
 nesday and Saturday, on which days, from the hours of 2 
 to 6 P.M., members can rely on finding a marker at the 
 Butts. All members or others, who may use the Range on 
 other days, must make their own arrangements for markers, 
 who, in every case, must be paid by those who engage them. 
 The marker or markers to be under the control of the Com- 
 mittee. 
 
10 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 3. Those who arrive first at the Range will have the right 
 to fire at whatever distance they wish, and all parties firing 
 must select one of their number to act as Captain, who will 
 be responsible for, and have the power to enforce, the due 
 observance of order, and the correct keeping of the score on 
 Club days, which he will certify and hand to the Secretary 
 for registration. All members arriving after firing has com- 
 menced will be subject to his orders. 
 
 4. To prevent accidents. Captains of Squads may insist 
 upon all members loading by word of command. 
 
 5. Whenever the second-class Target (400 and 600 yards) 
 and first-class Target (700 and 1000 yards) are both used at 
 the same time, tiie firing shall cease at both Targets when 
 the danger flag is hoisted at either Butt l^y the markers. 
 
 6. The firing to be in accordance with the Wimbledon 
 Regulations. 
 
 7. No hair triggers to be allowed on the range. 
 
 8. All, except the one firing, to be at least three yards in 
 rear of the distance mark, and no member, using a muzzle- 
 loader to cap, or breech-loader to load, until he steps to the 
 front to shoot. 
 
 9. Every member to fire in turn, and every shot fired 
 from the rear of the line, whether accidentally or otherwise, 
 unless fired into the pit provided, shall be entered as a miss. 
 
 10. All questions not covered by the by-laws to be decided 
 by the officer of the day. Any appeal against such decision 
 to be made in "writing, and submitted to the Committee. 
 
 N.B. — Thb above are nearly verbatim the Rules of the Ham- 
 illon and Toronto Rific Clubs. 
 
RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 11 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 DOMINION OF CANADA RIFLE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 PATRON : 
 
 His Excellency the Sight Honorable Sir JOHN YOUNO, Governor General 
 of Canada, Bart. J K.C.B., d:e.,<S:c. 
 
 VICP -PATRONS : 
 
 His Excellency the Lieut, i overnor, Province of Ontario. 
 His Excellency the Lieut. G overnor, Province of Quebec. 
 His Excellency the Lieut. Governor, Province of New Brunswick 
 His Excellency the Lieut. Governor, Province of Nova Scotia. 
 The Lieut. General Commanding H. M. Forces in B. N. A. 
 The Vice Admiral Commanding H. M. Navy in B. N. A. 
 The Premier of the Dominion. The Minister of Militia. 
 The Premiers of the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Bruns- 
 wick, AND Nova Scotia. 
 The Adjutant General of the Militia of the Dominion. 
 
 PRESIDENT : 
 Lieut. Colonel Honorable A. E. Botsford, (Senator,) N. B. 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS : 
 Province of Ontario. Prwince of Quelbec. 
 
 C. S. CzowsKi, Esq., Lt.-Col. C. J. Brydoes, 
 
 Toronto. 
 
 Province of New Bruntvnck. 
 Lieut -Colonel Robebtson. 
 
 Grand Tnink Railway Reg't. 
 
 Province of Nova Scotia, 
 
 Lt.-Col. J. W. Laubib, 
 
 Inspecting Field Officer. 
 
 The Pretidenta of the Provincial RifU AttociatioM, (ex-officio.) 
 
 The Militia Staff Officers in Command of Militia Dietridt, (ex-officio,) 
 
12 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 AUDITORS: 
 
 John Lawoton, Esq., Robert Berry, Esq., 
 
 Auditor General, Ottawa. Militia Department, Ottawa 
 
 TREASURER : 
 Lieut. Colonel W. Powell, D. A. G., Ottawa. 
 
 SECRETARY : 
 
 Captain Stuart, Militia Department, Ottawa. 
 
 COUNCIL. 
 
 LI 
 
 lI 
 lI 
 
 L| 
 L| 
 
 rI 
 l| 
 lI 
 l| 
 
 i i 
 
 : ! 
 1 i 
 
 ; i 
 
 OHTARIO : 
 
 Lieut. Col. Forrest Ottawa. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Higginson, 18th Battalion V.M Hawkesbury. 
 
 W. J. Morris, Esq Perth. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Jackson, Brigade Major Brockville. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Williams Port Hope. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Paton, 14th Batt Kingston. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Boulton Cobourg. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Cubitt, 45th Batt Bowmanville 
 
 Lieut. Col. Gillmor Toronto. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Brunei, 10th (Royals) Batt Toronto. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fairbanks, 34th Batt Oshawa. 
 
 J. J. Mason, Esq Hamilton. 
 
 Judge McDonald Guelph, 
 
 Captain Stephenson, M. P. , 24th Batt Chatham. 
 
 Captain McCleneghan, 22nd Batt Woodstock. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Moffatt, Brigade Major LoncLon. 
 
 QUEBEC : 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. J. G. Blanchet, M.P. 17th Batt.. Levis. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. A. B. Foster Quebec. 
 
 Lieut. Col. R. Masson, MP Terrebonne. 
 
 Lieut. Col. C. J. Coursol Montreal. 
 
 Lieut. Col. F. Marchand, 21st Batt St. John's. 
 
 Lieut. CoL A. McEachren, 50th Batt Ormstown. 
 
 Thomas Morland, Esq Montreal. 
 
 Major T. H. Grant Quebec. 
 
 Licnt CoL C. E. Fanet, 9th Batt Quebec. 
 
 
t, Ottawa 
 
 RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Barwis, 55th Batt Halifax, E.T. 
 
 Lieut. Col. J. Grant, 5th (Royals) Batt Montreal. 
 
 Lieut. Col. King, Brigade Major Sherbrooke. 
 
 NEW BRUNSWICK : 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. A. E. Botaford, (Senator) Westmoreland. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. J. H. Gray, M.P St. John. 
 
 Richard Hutchison, Esq St. John, 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. J. Ferguson, (Senator) Bathurst. 
 
 Lieut. Col. E. B. Beer Sussex. 
 
 Lieut. Col. W. M. Jarvis ...St. John. 
 
 John Boyd, Esq St. John, 
 
 NOVA SCOKA : 
 
 Lieut. Col. Creighton Halifax. 
 
 Major A. K . MacKinlay, Halifax Vol. Batt 
 
 Lieut. Col. J. Hudson 
 
 Lieut. Col. L. D. Chipman Comwallis. 
 
 Hon. John Locke, (Senator) Shelboume. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. J. Bourinot, (Senator) Sydney. 
 
 Major Wylde HaUfax. 
 
 13 
 
 ONTARIO RIFLE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 PATRONS : 
 
 His ExeeUency WILLIAM P. ROWLAND, C.B., Lieutenant Governor 
 
 of the Province of Ontario. 
 Major General H. W. STISTED, C. B. 
 
 PRESIDENT : 
 C. S. CzowsKi. Esq. 
 
 TREASURER : 
 Major W. NoTCUTT Alger, District Paymaster, Toronto. 
 
 SECRETARY : 
 Lieut. Col. J. S. Dennis, Brigade Major 4th Division, Toronto. 
 
14 APPENDIX. 
 
 ONTARIO LOCAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Name. 
 
 President. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Addbbbs. 
 
 *tBrockville 
 
 do Club... 
 
 *tDurhamE.,(3rd 
 Brigade div) ... 
 
 Elora 
 
 Esqueaing Club... 
 +Guelph 
 
 Lt. Col.Buell 
 
 Lt. Col. Jackson, 
 B.M 
 
 Capt. G. Redmond 
 
 Capt. McLean and 
 Asst. Lieut. Wil- 
 kinson 
 
 Brockville. 
 
 Lt.Col.D.E.Boul- 
 ton 
 
 do 
 
 Major C. A. Boul- 
 ton 
 
 
 Major Clarke 
 
 Major Murray ... 
 Judge Macdonald 
 
 Lt. Col. A. P.Far- 
 rell 
 
 Port Hope. 
 
 W. P. Newman... 
 Jos. Craig 
 
 Elora. 
 Georgetown. 
 
 E. Newton 
 
 Guelph. 
 
 *tHaldimand37th 
 Batt 
 
 Capt. J. R. Martin 
 Adjt. Kaitting ... 
 
 Lt. J. J. Mason... 
 
 
 Halton 
 
 Cayuga. 
 
 Lt. CoL Chisholm 
 
 Cap. A.Mackelcan 
 Lt. Col. Skinner... 
 
 Trafalcrar. 
 
 +Hamilton ("Vic- 
 toria" Club) 
 
 + do 13th Batt. 
 Huron Co 
 
 Hamilton, 
 do 
 
 Lt. Col. Ross 
 
 Lt. Col. Paton... 
 Lt. Col, Davis... 
 W.J. Morris, MD. 
 Lt. Col. Moffatt, 
 B.M 
 
 Adjt. H. Cook... 
 
 Capt. H. Reid 
 
 Capt. Seager 
 
 Lt. Gould 
 
 Goderich. 
 
 Kingston (Princess 
 ; of Wales Own).. 
 
 ' Lambton Co 
 
 j Lanark Co 
 
 Kingston. 
 Samia. 
 
 '('London 
 
 Chas. Murray 
 
 Capt. Butler 
 
 Capt. C. D. Jones 
 
 Capt. C. E. Perry, 
 
 J. A. Gemmill.. 
 
 Capt.W.H.Cotton 
 
 Geo. Price 
 
 
 i 
 
 Middlesex (26th 
 Batt) 
 
 Lon'' n. 
 
 Lt. Col. Graham.. 
 Lt. CoL Fairbanks 
 
 Lt.Col.W.F.Pow- 
 ell 
 
 Delaware. 
 
 t Ontario Co 
 
 fOttawa (Metro- 
 politan) 
 
 Whitby. 
 
 + do (" Civil 
 Service") 
 
 
 JohnLangton 
 
 Hg. McPherson... 
 
 Ottawa, 
 do 
 
 Owen Sound (First 
 
 Canada Club)... 
 
 tOxford Co 
 
 Owen Sound. 
 
 W. Totten 
 
 Woodstock. 
 
 tPerthCo 
 
 1 *+Peterboro Co... 
 
 ! tPrescott (18th 
 ' Batt) 
 
 Lt. CoL Service... 
 Rev. V. Clementi. 
 
 Lt. CoL Higginson 
 B. Rosamond 
 
 Lt.CoLHon.J.G. 
 Currie 
 
 Major C. James... 
 
 Adjt. W. N. Ken- 
 
 nedv 
 
 Stratford. 
 Peterboro. 
 
 "•*"^ J 
 
 Dr. Harkin 
 
 VankleekHill. 
 
 Ramsay 
 
 Peter McAxthur.. 
 
 W. A. Mittleber- 
 eer 
 
 Almonte. 
 
 ! 'St. Catharines 
 Club 
 
 
 i 
 
 •fTorontoClub... 
 
 + do 10th Royals 
 tWardsviile 
 
 
 Capt. J. B. Bous- 
 
 tead 
 
 Lt. Col. BruneL... 
 
 St. Catharines. 
 
 o** 
 
 Lt. A. L. Russell. 
 
 Toronto, 
 do 
 
 CapC.A.O'Malley 
 
 N'McEachren,E8q 
 
 Wards ville. 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 15 
 
 QUEBEC LOCAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 Name. 
 
 PURSIDENT. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Address. 
 
 tBedfordDist 
 
 tFrontier (Hun- 
 tingdon 
 
 Hon. A. B. Foster 
 Lt. Col. Fletcher. 
 
 Lt. Col. Brydges . 
 
 Lt. CoL Ducnes- 
 
 nav. B.M 
 
 Capt. G. L. Kemp 
 
 Lt. Col. A. Mc- 
 Eachren 
 
 Waterloo. 
 
 
 
 tGrandTninkBri- 
 irade 
 
 Lt. Col. Gallway, 
 B.M 
 
 
 "tLeviBC* 
 
 Montreal. 
 
 
 Capt. Leon C. Ha- 
 mel 
 
 
 
 Lt. CoL Barwis ... 
 Lt. Col. J. Grant. 
 
 Lt. Col. Ferrier... 
 
 Levis. 
 
 "fMefirantic 
 
 Adjt. 0. Hunter... 
 Capt. Jas. Esdaile 
 
 Inverness. 
 
 "fMontreal 
 
 Montreal. 
 
 fMontreal Brigade 
 Gar. Arty 
 
 do 
 
 fMontreal Hoche- 
 laga L. I 
 
 
 Capt. R. Gardiner 
 
 Capt. W. Robinson 
 J, L. Pierce 
 
 do 
 
 fMontreal, Prince 
 of Wales 
 
 
 do 
 
 Quebec Club 
 
 A. M. Smith 
 
 Lt.Col. E. LaMon- 
 tagne, B.M 
 
 Lt. Col. Fletcher . 
 Lt. Col. Lord Ayl- 
 
 mer 
 
 Lt. Col. C. King, 
 
 B.M „. 
 
 Quebec. 
 
 f Quebec, Stadaco- 
 na 
 
 Capt. W. H. For- 
 rest 
 
 
 do 
 
 fRichelieu 
 
 
 St. Johns. 
 
 f Riclunond 
 
 Capt. J. Mairs ... 
 
 Lt. A. Witcher ... 
 Capt. F. M. Pope 
 
 
 fSherbrooke 
 
 Melbourne. 
 Sherbrooke. 
 
 fWellington 
 
 Lemuel Pope 
 
 Robinson. 
 
 t Affiliated with Dominion R. A * Affiliated with Provincial R. A. 
 
 N.B.— There is no Provincial Rifle Association for the Province of 
 Quebec. 
 
 Note. — Any Rifle Association subscribing not less than $40 to the 
 Dominion, or $20 to the Ontario Rifle Association, shall be considered as 
 being in connection with it, and shall be entitled to a number of mem* 
 berships in the proportion of one to every dollar or half-dollar respec* 
 tively. 
 
 .. 
 
16 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
 NEW BRUNSWICK. 
 
 VICE PATRONS : 
 
 Ilia Excellency Major General Sir C. HASTINGS DOYLE, Kt., Com- 
 
 mander-in-Chief. 
 
 Hia Excellency Sir WM. FENWICK WILLIAMS, Bart. 
 
 Hia Excellency the Hon. ARTHUR HAMILTON GORDON, St.Micliael 
 and St. George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Trinidad. 
 
 PRESIDENT : 
 
 Colonel John V. Thuroab, St. John City Rifles. 
 
 SECRETARY: 
 T. Bahclay Robinson, Capt. and Adjt., 3rd Batt., St. John. 
 
 NEW BRUNSWICK LOCAL RIFLE ASSOCIA- 
 TIONS. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Carleton Co 
 
 Charlotte Co 
 
 King's Co 
 
 Northumberland Co . 
 
 St. John Co 
 
 York Co 
 
 President. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Address of 
 Secretary. 
 
 
 N.B. — All the above are affiliated with the Provincial Association. 
 
RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 17 
 
 NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 PATRON : 
 Hia Royal Hiuhncss the PRINCE OF WALES. 
 
 VICE PATRONS: 
 
 General Sir WM. FENWICK WILLIAMS, Dart. 
 
 His nonor Major General Sir HASTINGS DOYLF, Kt. 
 
 Ilia Excellency Sir RICHARD GRAFES MACDONELL,Kt., K.C.B., 
 
 Governor Hong Kong. 
 
 PRESIDENT : 
 Lieut. Col. Hon. W. J. Stairs, 9th Halifax Regiment. 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS (EX OFFICIO). 
 
 The Senior Officers (not unattachid) of Counties. 
 
 SECRETARY: 
 Capt. George Thomson, 1st Brigade Halifax Ai-tillcry. 
 
 NOVA SCOTIA LOCAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS, 
 
 »} 
 
 Name. 
 
 Colchester Co .. 
 C'umberland Co. 
 
 l}^7^% 
 
 Halifax Co 
 
 Hants Co 
 
 Kings Co 
 
 Picton Co 
 
 President. 
 
 Lt. Col. L. DeV. 
 Chipman 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 E. W. HamUton... 
 Capt. J. A. Black. 
 Capt. E. A. Vieta . 
 Capt. E. Morrison. 
 J, B. Flowers 
 
 Maj. R.W.Starr... 
 Geo. C. Carritt ... 
 
 Address op 
 Secretary. 
 
 Halifax. 
 
 The New Bnin.swick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward's Island Riflo 
 Associations are affiliated with the N. R, A. 
 
18 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 RIFLE RANGES. 
 
 The primary consideration in selecting a site for a riflo 
 range is >:afety, the absence of which should at once con- 
 demn the ground, notwithstanding its suitability in every 
 other respect. In the regular service, no ball practice is 
 permitted where the range does not extend to 300 yards. 
 Before approving of a range, the Inspecting Officer must 
 satisfy himself that the following conditions are fulfilled : — 
 1st. When the targets are on a plain, that there is a space 
 reserved for 1,500* yards in rear of the targets; a less dis- 
 tance will suffice if a steep (at an angle of 45° at least, to 
 prevent ricochets) hill rises in rear of the targets. On a 
 plain where a distance of 1,500 yards behind the targets 
 cannot be had, there should be a butt of from 45 to 50 feet 
 high — never less than 20 feet. When firing into water, a 
 butt of 12 feet in height will suffice. The length of the 
 butt for a pair of ranges should not be less than 45 feet, 
 measured along the the top. 
 
 With the flag system of marking the ranges, when there 
 are more than one, should be at least 10 yards apart, and 
 have a margin on each side of 40 yards, which would make 
 the minimum width of a pair of ranges 90 yards. The 
 breadth of ground in rear of the targets should gradually 
 widen on each side from 40 to 80 yards, except when the 
 lines of fire converge at the targets, when th's ex.i.. width 
 may not be required. The usual ear*^' uarker's ^ntt or 
 iron mantlet should be 15 yards in 1 it of and n^ar the 
 line of fire ; ricochet butts to be 95 yard^ fr m the target. 
 Where the targets are on moist ground, or over water, they 
 should be elevated so as to be above the splash caused by a 
 
 8 
 
 a 
 
RIFLE RANGES. 
 
 19 
 
 r a rifle 
 ICO con- 
 n every 
 ictice is 
 ) yards, 
 er must 
 illed :— 
 a space 
 less dis- 
 least, to 
 On a 
 targets 
 ► 50 feet 
 
 
 ater, a 
 of the 
 feet, 
 
 45 
 
 there 
 rt, and 
 d make 
 The 
 adually 
 ten the 
 width 
 ntt or 
 ar the 
 target, 
 r, they 
 d by a 
 
 low shot. The range should be accurately measured by a 
 surveyor, or some other competent person, with a chain, and 
 a stout post clearly marked, firmly planted at each distance 
 of 100 yards. These posts should be about four inches 
 square, and project at least nine inches above the ground. 
 Where there are several ranges closely adjoining, these posts 
 are useful in guiding the aim to the proper target at the 
 long ranges. The finest ranges in Canada are undoubtedly 
 those at Bedford, near Halifax, in the Province of Nova 
 Scotia. From the detailed description given elsewhere, we 
 find that there are no less than 12 distinct ranges, and each 
 set of targets provided with Capt. Hill's celebrated disc 
 marking apparatus. Should the Dominion match be held 
 there this year, instead of a tedious 13 days, by means of 
 this system and better management, the tournament might 
 be got through in the short space of three days. From the 
 Secretary's report, I gather that this system of marking 
 gives infinite satisfaction in every respect. A similar system 
 was adopted at Ottawa two years ago, but owing to a slight 
 accident, not due to any fault of the system, it was con- 
 demned by the authorities. In Canada the targets should 
 face south-west if possible, so that the light may be 
 on the targets during the greater part of the day, 
 especially the afternoon, when practice is most indulged 
 in. — (See General Orders, October 2, 1863, re damage to 
 butts, dtc.) 
 
 When the range is on an incline, the distances must be 
 measured direct from the target to the firing point in an air 
 line. 
 
 To shew the effect of this angular shooting, the foUawing 
 from Walker wiU be interesting : — 
 
 Q 
 
20 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 TABLE FOR ANGULAR SHOOTING. 
 
 AKOLE OF OBJECT WITH 
 HORIZON. 
 
 DiBBCT DidTAKCE TO OBJECT IM YaBDS. 
 
 Up. 
 
 45«' 
 
 30*' 
 
 IS** 
 
 Level. 
 
 0^ 
 
 DOWK. 
 
 15' 
 
 30« 
 
 45*" 
 
 100 
 
 77 
 92 
 99 
 
 100 
 
 94 
 81 
 65 
 
 200 
 
 300 
 
 400 
 
 500 
 
 161 
 190 
 201 
 
 256 
 286 
 305 
 
 354 
 397 
 411 
 
 454 
 503 
 517 
 
 200 
 
 300 
 
 400 
 
 COO 
 
 187 
 163 
 127 
 
 277 
 245 
 203 
 
 371 
 327 
 269 
 
 477 
 407 
 334 
 
 600 
 
 596 
 612 
 623 
 
 600 
 
 552 
 473 
 401 
 
 CAP!', hill's SPECIFICATION OF DISC MARKING BUTTS. 
 
 This invention has for its object the better protection of 
 the Markers when engaged at Rifle Butts or Targets, to- 
 gether with improved means of indicating the score and 
 position of the shot upon the Target, whilst the Marker is 
 in the act of obliterating the shot marks. There aro many 
 advantages in this method of marking, it being impossible 
 for the Marker to make a mistake, in consequence of there 
 being only one shot mark on the Target at one time, and 
 no time lost in washing out. 
 
 This system was used at Wimbledon, in 18C5, in its en- 
 tirety, with great success, at all iron targets where prizes 
 were shot for, giving the utmost satisfaction to the Council, 
 competitors and markers.* 
 
 *NoTX.— Extract from "The Report of the National Rifle Associa- 
 tion, 1866:" 
 
 "Accidents unfortunately happen where the Old Flag System, neciDssi- 
 tating frequent washing out and examination of the targets, is used ; it 
 is, therefore, much to be desired that a system so perfect and so saie as 
 Capt. Hill's should be imiversally adopted. All the targets at W imble< 
 dca were on this sym^em, and the longer it is tried the better it is iiked." 
 
marker's butt. 
 
 21 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 54 
 03 
 17 
 
 30 
 
 J77 
 107 
 
 600 
 
 596 
 C12 
 623 
 
 600 
 
 552 
 473 
 401 
 
 lUTTS. 
 ection of 
 rgets, to- 
 core and 
 larker is 
 aro many 
 npossiblo 
 of there 
 ime> and 
 
 n its en- 
 re prizes 
 Council, 
 
 ~ke Associa- 
 
 |m, necussi- 
 lis uBod; it 
 1 BO safe M 
 It Wimble- 
 It U iike<;" 
 
 
 T!IE marker's butt. 
 
 B is a bank, of turf, or iron mantlet, placed on one side 
 of the target for the protection of the marker. If made 
 
1 J 
 
 1 IVUSW" 
 
 22 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 with turfs, they must be crossed at angles, so as the joints 
 are broken and the whole bonded together like brickwork. 
 The size of the butt is 9 ft. long at the base, and 4 ft. wide, 
 and 8 ft. high, the back diminishing to 3 ft. in length at the 
 top. The butts at Bedford are made by pieces of timber 
 crossed at ends, forming a bo¥, which is filled in with 
 earth or sod, same width top and bottom. 
 
 THE SHIELD. 
 
 From the side of the butt nearest the target extends a 
 shield, C, made of 2 in. boards, to be vertical, and securely 
 nailed to cross pieces, or slips of deal nailed over joints to 
 prevent openings from shrinkage, 6 ft. G in. high, and 5 ft. 
 3 in. wide. Where iron mantlets are now in use, they can 
 be removed to the required position near the target, and 
 tliis shield attached to them. 
 
 THE WINDOW. 
 
 D is a window of plate glass, not less than ^ in. thick, in 
 two squares, 11 in. wide by 12 in. high, fixed on the inside 
 of shield, as slicwn on the plan, so that the marker can look 
 through, wliilst seated, at the face of the target, and whilst 
 in the act of obliterating the shot mark, and indicating its 
 position thereon. The opening for the two squares of glass 
 should be cut half an inch smaller all round than the glass, 
 so as not to leave any vacancy, and the bottom of the glass 
 should be level with the bottom of the slot through which 
 the handles of the disc work. (At Bedford, the windows are 
 of one piece of glass 15 in. squai'o, and said to be as good 
 as two pieces.) 
 
 SLOT. 
 
 E is a narrow slot or space, 2 in. wide and 3 ft. G in. in 
 
 depth from top of shield C as shown, through which the 
 
 marker can pass the handle of the disc to obliterate the shot 
 
 mark, and indicate its position while looking through the 
 
marker's butt. 
 
 S3 
 
 window D. On the outside of this opening E, nearest the 
 target, is nailed a piece oi stout leather, three inches wide, 
 the length of the opening ; and on the inside, nearest the 
 window, a piece of stout leather is also nailed, three inches 
 wide, which efifectually prevents the splash of lead from 
 coming through. [This leather is not used at Bedford.] 
 
 A shield is required where there are two or more butts 
 close together, to prevent the splash from one target striking 
 the marker at the other. It can be made with boards, and 
 not be less than seven feet in height. 
 
 DISCS. 
 
 F is the disc as shown on the elevation, now marking an 
 outer high and to the right. The colours of the discs, 
 which are three in number, are white for a bull's eye ; red 
 for a centre ; and black for an outer. The size of the discs 
 for the 2nd class is, bull's eye and centre, 18 in.; outer, 16 
 in. in diameter ; the handles for the same are 1 J in. in dia- 
 meter ; the length of handles for 2nd class are, for outer, 
 12 ft. 6 in.; centre, 10 ft. 6 in.; bull's eye, 8 ft. 6 in. The 
 3rd class discs are 9 in. in diameter, and the handles are 1 
 in. in diameter ; and for an juter, 8 ft. 6 in. long ; for a 
 centre, 7 ft. 6 in.; and a bull's eye, 6 ft. The best material 
 for discs and danger signals is No. 24 gauge sheet-iron, 
 painted the colour required ; they are easily fastened to the 
 handle by running a cut down the same with a saw, the 
 width of the disc, and fastened at each end with a screw at 
 
 'the back of the disc, and in the centre of the same bore a 
 hole and fix the brusli. The brush to be a common paint 
 brush. No. 9, and to project from the back of the disc eight 
 
 'inches, so tliat the marker, whilst signalling the value of a 
 shot, can at the same time, the disc being the length of the 
 brush from the target, see to obliterate the shot mark, the 
 brush being charged with target-paint for that purpose. 
 
24 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 I 
 
 RICOCHET. 
 
 A ricochet is marked by waving the red disc up and down 
 three times in front of the target, and then obliterating the 
 shot mark. 
 
 DANGER SIGNAL. 
 
 A red flag is quite sufficient, but the following are the 
 directions by book : — A horizontal signal slides out from 
 the back of the marker's butt, as marked by the letter H, 
 and level with the centre of the bull's eye, the pole of which 
 to be IJ inch square, and sliding easily in and out of a 
 sqi'are box, fixed at the marker's back for that purpose, the 
 signal to be a piece of No. 24 gauge sheet-iron, and for a 
 second class target it should be 30 inches square, and for a 
 third class target it should be 1 2 inches square, and fixed 
 to the pole with screws, and a saw cut down the centre, as 
 shown by letter T, and painted a bright red, so that when- 
 ever the marker, for any purpose, wishes to stop the firing, 
 he has only to slide the danger signal out, which from its 
 colour and size is immediately seen, and any person aiming 
 at the target, the danger signal being out, would be the first 
 to observe it, and thereby prevent any accident occuring. 
 
 Where the targets are 12 feet wide, Capt. Hill recom- 
 mends his Pit system, as now used at the London Scottish 
 Kange, and has been in use two years at the long ranges at 
 the Wimbledon meeting. \ 
 
 In the diagram the butt is on the left of the target. 
 
 Sometimes it is an advantage to have it on the right, owing 
 
 to the shade it would cast when the sun is shining on the 
 
 target during the afternoon, at which time the greatest 
 
 amount of shooting takes place. The shade is a very great 
 
 objection. 
 
 TARGET PAINT. 
 
 One pound weight of patent size dissolved by heat ; rub 
 through the hands, to take out the lumps, a sufficient quan~ 
 
TARGET PAINT. 
 
 25 
 
 rub 
 
 tity of whiting to make two quarts, into a vessel; add to the 
 whiting a little water, sufficient to make it all moist ; then 
 add the size in a fluid state, stirring it round and thinning 
 it with water, so that when cold it will be the substance of 
 paperhanger's paste. This paint is suitaole for the brushes, 
 and if the targets are done over with this whilst warm, it 
 will not blister or fly off when struck by shot, and on a wet 
 day the target will remain much whiter, as the size being 
 added to whiting it will not wash off the target. 
 
 CARD-BOARD TARGETS, RUNNING MAN, ETC. 
 
 The card targets used at Wimbledon (1865) were six in 
 number. Of these, three were volley targets of the usual 
 size, with a two-feet blackened belt as a centre. When the 
 volley firing of three squads had finished, the outers and 
 centres were counted, and the holes patched for a new set 
 of squads. Two of the other targets were on the circular 
 system. Each had a round black bull's eye, and concentric 
 rings, which last were not visible at the firing points. The 
 breadth of each ring was determined by a formula calculated 
 by Mr. Hemming, so as to give the nearest approximate 
 value to each shot for its distance from the centre of the 
 bull's eye. 
 
 The circular target at 200 yards was 48 inches in dia- 
 meter, with five rings, of which the diameters were [omit- 
 ting fractions], 1st ring, 48 2nd ring, 39; 3rd ring, 29; 
 4th ring, 19; 5th ring or bull's eye, 9 inches. A hit in a 
 ring was scored 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 [bull's eye]. 
 
 The target at 500 yards was 96 inches [or eight feet] in 
 diameter, with four rings of the diameters eight feet, six 
 feet, four feet, and two feet [bull's eye] ; and hits scored 1 , 
 2, 3, or 4 [bull's eye]. 
 
 The hits were marked by a black calico disc at the end of 
 a slender pole in the marker's hands. Near the end of the 
 
S6 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 pole were two brushes, one with a patch of white paper, 
 the other with one of black paper dipped in paste. t 
 
 The marker had a mirror above his mantelet in which he 
 could see the smoke of a shot fired at his target, and theii he 
 marked the hit by placing his disc over it, at the same time 
 putting on the patch to cover up the hole. He then indi- 
 cated the position of the hit ; and to show its value he put 
 his disc to one of the four comers of the target, according 
 to a prescribed rule. A bull's eye was marked by inverting 
 the disc so that its white side was shown ou the black 
 bull's eye; and at the same time a black patch from the 
 second brush was placed on the hole. 
 
 Behind the eight feet target bull's eye a ringing iron 
 plate sounded, and there was also one on the smaller tar- 
 gets, but being too little it was soon destroyed. The lai^er 
 target was not renewed during the meeting, but the small 
 one at 200 yards was changed once. 
 
 The signals to the marker were made by a white disc at 
 the firing point, visible in the marker's mirror ; and the 
 marker answered these, and also signalled each miss by a 
 wliite disc on a rod swung by his foot. 
 
 The last target to be described was called " The Coming 
 Man." This was a slab of cardboard, six feet by two feet, 
 nailed on two wooden bars which turned on hinges fixed on 
 a stout post (out of fire); and on the front there was 
 painted the figure of a man. The breast (about one foot 
 square) counted 1, and the heart, six inches in diameter, 
 scored 2. The marker, seated, could always see a signal in 
 his mirror, and by moving a light handle brought out the 
 " Man," and kept him exposed to fire for ten seconds, at the 
 end of which, by another move of the handle, he was folded 
 into the mantelet and vanished. If a hit was made, the 
 marker indicated its value by a white disc or cross disc, and 
 
CARD BOARD TARGETS, &;C. 
 
 27 
 
 e paper, 
 
 rhicli he 
 theii he 
 ime time 
 en indi- 
 I he put 
 ccording 
 nverting 
 le black 
 rom the 
 
 ing iron 
 iller tar- 
 lie lai^er 
 he small 
 
 disc at 
 and the 
 iss by a 
 
 Coming 
 wo feet, 
 fixed on 
 ere was 
 3ne foot 
 iameter, 
 »gnal in 
 out the 
 s, at the 
 s folded 
 ade, the 
 iisc^and 
 
 put a patch on the hole with his hand, and was ready again 
 for work, going on for hours at the rate of four shots in a 
 minute. At other times the "Man" was kept out for two 
 minutes, and vanished at a signal from the firing point, after 
 which the marker counted and signalled the number and 
 value of the hits made, patched the holes, and waited until 
 another signal called the "Man" out again. The cardboard 
 of the "Man" was renewed twice. In all these targets the 
 absence of the sound of a hit was a serious objection, not 
 compensated by the accuracy of the divisions, the brightness 
 of the colours, and the rapidity of the marking. Since the 
 meeting it has been found that iron targets behind those of 
 card supply the defect without impairing the other features. 
 
 The cost of a cast-iron target is about $26.50. The new 
 issue of targets will be wrought iron, which are much su- 
 perior to the cast-iron ones, which are easily broken. 
 
 The price of Richards & Co.'s Hcn.atile iron regulation 
 targets (6 ft. x 2 ft.), weight 5 cwt., is £3 stg., delivered at 
 railway station or steamer. 
 
 Volunteers and Rifle Clubs may purchase targets on ap- 
 plication to the Militia Department. The weight of an iron 
 target is about 350 &>s., and it requires a strong man to lift 
 one up to a perpendicular position. Targets should never 
 be left lying flat on the ground, or they will rapidly de- 
 teriorate with rust. 
 
 I regret that want of space [having already gone beyond 
 the limits prescribed] has obliged me to forego the publica- 
 tion of the descriptions of the numerous ranges in Canada, 
 kindly furnished me by those gentlemen to whom I am 
 indebted for many favors. The two Dominion ranges being 
 the centres of attraction during the past and present year, 
 my book would be incomplete without a brief notice 
 thereof. 
 
 G* 
 
28 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 LAPRAIRIE, 
 Where the first grand tournament of the Dominion of Can- 
 ada Rifle Association was held, is situated on the south 
 shore of the St. Lawrence, about nine miles from Montreal, 
 and immediately adjoining the Village of Laprairie. The 
 spot is well known to many Canadian youths from its being 
 the first Camp of Instruction of the Military School Cadets. 
 The range is very exposed, and as the shooting is towards 
 the river, which here has very low banks, mirage is not 
 unusual. The targets, as will be seen by the diagram, face 
 south-east, so that the light is good only during the fore 
 part of the day. The ranges, ten in numbei*, have the flag 
 system of marking. The range is level, dry, and easy of 
 access. The figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 indicate the position of 
 the volunteer camps, and 1 7 the old barracks, wherein were 
 the various offices of the D. R. A., and accommodation for 
 a limited number of competitors. Fig. 5, refreshment 
 booths. All those who had the privilege of attending here 
 in 1868, will remember with pleasure their comrades of the 
 Maritime Provinces, whom they here had an opportunity of 
 meeting for the first time in friendly encoimter. 
 
 BEDFORD— NOVA SCOTIA. 
 This range is admirably situated both as regards the pecu 
 liar formation of the land and the location, being- only nine 
 miles by rail from Halifax and within ten minutes walk, by 
 a good road, from Bedford railway station, near to which is 
 a wharf where the steamers plying up the harbor and basin 
 land passengers. The range is entered near the south-east 
 corner, from the highway by which it is bounded on the 
 east ; it comprises a level piece of land about 1,500 ya^ds 
 in length by 260 in breadth ; on three sides are ridges of 
 high land, covered with forest trees ; one of these ridges, in 
 rear of the targets, forms a natural butt. Near to the 
 
of Can- 
 B south 
 ontreal, 
 5. The 
 :;s being 
 Cadets, 
 towards 
 ) is not 
 im, face 
 ihe fore 
 the flag 
 easy of 
 ition of 
 3in were 
 tion for 
 pshment 
 ing here 
 3 of the 
 anity of 
 
 ie pecu 
 
 ly nine 
 
 ralk, by 
 
 vhich is 
 
 d basin 
 
 ith-east 
 
 on the 
 ) yards 
 
 idges of 
 dges, in 
 to the 
 
DOMINION RANGES. 
 
 29 
 
 north-western angle of the range the Sackville Kiver crosses 
 and runs to the base of the western hill, where the targets 
 are erected at about 100 yards north of the river; when 
 near the base of the hill the river turns southward, and after 
 describing a circuitous course flows out at the southern ex- 
 tremity of the range and shortly after discharges itself into 
 Bedford basin. On a spur of the eastern hill near to the 
 entrance, and which commands a fine view of the whole 
 range ; the Council and other principal tents are pitched, 
 the rest of the camp being laid out in regular lines at the 
 foot of this hill. The range has been much improved by 
 the Imperial troops who occupy it for their annual prac- 
 tice. The targets, which face about south, stand out 
 in bold relief from the dark foliage of the forest trees in 
 rear, and present a good mark tor the rifleman. There are 
 no less thau twelve second class targets here, all of which 
 are fitted up with Captain Hill's celebrated disc marking 
 screens (described elsewhere) besides two pool targets. I am 
 indebted to Captain Geo. Thomson, Secretary of the Nova 
 Scotia Provincial Rifle Association, an officer of much expe- 
 rience and ability, for a beautiful large photograph of this 
 range, as well as for much other useful matter. 
 
 There are two other ranges within two miles of Halifax, 
 viz : at Willow Park, 600 yards in length, and at Dartmouth 
 900 yards, at each of which two targets are erected. 
 
 Note. — Six butts on Hill's system are now being built at 
 Toronto. 
 
30 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ENFIELD-MUZZLB- 
 
 
 NamcR. 
 
 Dr. Jn8. KichardHon.... 
 
 EiiH. Holiwell 
 
 Lt. J. P. Bixby 
 
 Pte. Ant. Bell 
 
 Do 
 
 Jno. Stalker 
 
 Pte. Geo. Smith 
 
 Dr. Oronhyatekha .... 
 
 •Ens. Holiw«ll 
 
 Capt. Johnson 
 
 N. Buckar 
 
 Pte. Jerry Bate 
 
 Pte. T. Copping 
 
 Pte. T. B. Cleveland. . 
 Capt. H.B. McKenzie. 
 
 Qr.M. L. Thomas 
 
 • Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Capt. F. M.Pope 
 
 ♦Sergt. E. F. Doudiet. 
 
 Do 
 Pte. W. T. Jennings... 
 
 Corps. 
 
 Queen'rt Own llifles 
 8th Battalion 
 
 Queen's Own Rifles 
 Do 
 
 Rifle Club 
 
 Haldimand Rifles . . . 
 
 8th Battalion. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Dec. —,1864. 
 Dec. — , 1867. 
 Dec. -, 1867. 
 May 4,1868. 
 May 27, 1868. 
 June — , 1868. 
 June 9, 1868 
 1868. 
 
 '"Victoria" Cadets (boys). 
 
 Sherbrooke Artillery 
 
 54th Battalion 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 .58th Battalion 
 
 Prince of Wales 
 
 Do 
 
 Queen's Own 
 
 Aug. 22, 1868. 
 Sept. — , 1868. 
 
 do 
 Oct. -, 1868.... 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Aug. 14, 1868.... 
 
 do 
 March — , 1869. 
 Aug. 23, 1864. 
 Aug. 23, 1866. 
 May — , 1869. 
 
 SMALL 
 
 Names. 
 
 John Cawker. 
 
 Pte. T. McLean 
 
 Pte. Chas. Sheppard. 
 Do 
 
 Lt. C. McNab 
 
 Sergt. Doudiet 
 
 Wm. Charlton 
 
 Pte. J. Garrett 
 
 Geo. Discher 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Wm. Stanley. 
 
 C. R. Murray 
 
 Corps. 
 
 Rifle Club 
 
 (Queen's Own Rifles . . . . 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 Ottawa Field Battery. 
 Print!c of Wales 
 
 Date. 
 
 1868. 
 
 Ritto Club, 
 do 
 
 Oct. — , 
 
 AUUU 
 
 1863 
 
 
 1864 
 
 do 
 
 Aug. -, 
 
 1865 
 
 May—, 
 do 
 do 
 
 1865 
 
 
 Aug. 19, 
 
 1867 
 
 Sept. 27, 
 
 1867 
 
 Aug. 8, 
 
 1866 
 
 June — , 
 
 1869 
 
 do 
 
 ...'... 
 
 Note. -I'hose marked thus (*) were at eight 
 
TARGET PRACTICE. 
 
 81 
 
 JZZLE> 
 
 t«. 
 
 1864 
 
 1867 
 
 1867 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868 
 
 1868!!;!!; 
 
 1868!".'.'.!! 
 
 -, 186'9.'.". 
 
 J, 1864... 
 
 t, 1866... 
 
 , 1869... 
 
 LOADER AND SNIDER. 
 
 LocAlity. 
 
 Toronto 
 
 Quebec 
 
 Sussex valo, N.B 
 Toronto 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Danville 
 
 Frankford 
 
 Quebec 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 do 
 
 Ottawa 
 
 Danville 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Robinson 
 
 Montreal 
 
 do 
 
 Toronto 
 
 Distance and Rounds. 
 
 fr-200, 300, & 400 
 
 2-200, .300, 4-400, 5-600 
 
 5-600&600 
 
 5-2, 3,4 & 500 
 
 5-.% 4, 5 & 600 
 
 5-4 & 500 
 
 5-200 & 300 
 
 5-2,3,4, .5, 6, 7& 800... 
 
 5-2, .3,4 & 500 
 
 5-200 ft.'iOO 
 
 5-400&700 
 
 4-luO, 3-2& :300 
 
 5-400 & 600 
 
 &-200&400 
 
 3-400 & 500 
 
 3-400&500 
 
 3-2,4,500 4 4-600 
 
 5-400&500 
 
 5-3, 4,5 & 600 
 
 5-300 
 
 5-400 
 
 5-2 & 300 
 
 I 
 
 •3 
 
 o ' 
 
 15 
 15 
 10 
 20 
 20 
 10 
 10 
 Xi 
 15 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 G 
 6 
 13 
 10 
 20 
 5 
 5 
 10 
 
 d 
 o 
 
 53 
 51 
 .32 
 74 
 71 
 .'W 
 37 
 117 
 51 
 .35 
 3.3 
 33 
 .34 
 35 
 2.3 
 23 
 46 
 ,37 
 66 
 20 
 20 
 
 :« 
 
 Rifle Used. 
 
 Enfield. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Snider. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Enfield. 
 
 do 
 ('arl)inp. 
 Snider. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Enfield. 
 
 do 
 Snider. 
 
 SMALL 
 
 le. 
 
 L868 
 
 1863 
 
 1864 
 
 1865.'.!'.!*. 
 L865 
 
 .S67'!!!!! 
 
 867 
 
 866 
 
 ,869 
 
 at eight 
 
 BORES. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 St. Catharines... 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 Toronto 
 
 do 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 Montreal 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 do 
 
 St. Catharines. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Toronto 
 
 Hamilton 
 
 Distance and Rounds. 
 
 15-500 
 
 3-4, 6, & 800. 
 &-500 & 5-800. 
 5-500 & 5-700. 
 .'>-500 & 5-800. 
 r>-2, 3, & 400 . 
 5-600 & 5-900. 
 5-600 & 5-(K)0. 
 
 7-.500 
 
 10-900 
 
 7-1000 
 
 7-500 
 
 5-3&500 
 
 
 -3 
 
 
 15 
 
 9 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 7 
 10 
 
 7 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 .3 
 
 o 
 
 58 
 
 30 
 34 
 36 
 37 
 
 31 
 31 
 
 28 
 
 a5 
 
 25 
 39 
 28 
 
 Rifle Used. 
 
 Marston-Whit- 
 
 worth. 
 Marston. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Turner. 
 Whitworth. 
 ReiUy. 
 Tuner. 
 Whitworth. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Turner. 
 Whitworth. 
 
 inch Bull's Eye *, also, all small bore score). 
 
32 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 WINNERS OP NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION SILVER 
 
 AND BRONZE MEDALS. 
 
 SILVER MEDALH. 
 
 1863.. 
 
 1863.. 
 1864.. 
 18G4.. 
 
 1866.. 
 1866.. 
 1867.. 
 1867.. 
 1867.. 
 
 Prince Edward Isl'd 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 Prince Edward Isl'd 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 Prince Edward Isl'd 
 
 New Brunswick 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 Prince Edward Iiil'd, 
 
 Bomb. Josiah Laird. 
 
 Thos. McKay 
 
 Pte. Allan Stei«art... 
 
 Pto. Archibald 
 
 QM.Serg. C.F.Eaton 
 Maj. J. B. Pollard... 
 Capt. W. Langstroth 
 Scrgt. Major Hickey 
 Lt. J. Tantot 
 
 Charlottetown Art 
 
 Artillery. 
 
 Queen's City Rcgt. 
 
 Normal School Kefii. 
 
 Ist Kings. 
 
 Ist Queens Co. 
 
 Cavalry. 
 
 2nd Brigade H.M.A. 
 
 Prince Co. 
 
 I 
 
 BBOVZB MEDALS. 
 
 1864... 
 
 Kingston, Ont 
 
 Hamilton, Ont 
 
 Pte. McLean 
 
 Brockville Kifleti 
 
 1864... 
 
 Sergt. Edw. Hilton.. 
 
 Lt. Mittleberger 
 
 Ser'n't. Jas. Hilton ... 
 
 Ser^t. Toste 
 
 Cai)t. WiUcins 
 
 13th Batt. Hamilton. 
 
 1865.. 
 
 H<«inllton, Ont 
 
 St. Catharines Art. 
 
 1866... 
 
 Hamilton, Ont 
 
 13th Batt. Hamilton. 
 
 1867... 
 1868... 
 
 liaroilton, Onfi 
 
 Hamilton, Ont 
 
 Stewartown. 
 
 19th Batt. St. Catha- 
 
 
 
 
 rines. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM RULES OF NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIA- 
 TION. 
 
 VI. — Any County Rifle Association whose members contribute annu- 
 ally to the National Rif Association a sum of not Iuhh than £!i in 108. 
 memberships shall also be considered in connection with it. 
 
 VII. -County Rifle Associations in connection with the .Vational Hiflo 
 Association shall be annually entitled to the Bronze Medal of the Na- 
 tional Rifle Association, to be competed for by the volunteors of the 
 county at'the annual prize meeting of such County Rifle A88od-.Ation. 
 The winners of the Bronze Medal at County Riflu AsHociation meetings 
 shall be entitled to comi>eto fur His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales 
 Cup at the next 'dnsuing prize meeting of the National Rifle Association. 
 
 VIII.— States that every winner of the Silver Medal given to 
 affiliated Colonial Associations (£20) may compete for the above cup a^ 
 the first Wimbledon m(i'«ting he may be able to attend. 
 
 I 
 
 iA% NCb 
 
loiii. 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 BATTALION MATCHES. 
 
 BATTALION MATCH. 
 
 ^ 
 
 TEN OF 30TH REGIMENT, vewits. TEN OF 8TH BATTALION 
 VOLUNTEER MILITIA RIFLES. -^e6e<-, 2nd May, 1868. 
 
 8th Battaliok. 
 
 Names. 
 
 Lieut. BuErett .. 
 Pte. Holloway .., 
 
 Ens. O'Neil 
 
 Ens. E.Scott 
 
 Sergt. Frew 
 
 Dr. Parke 
 
 Q. M. Morgan ... 
 Sergt. McMullen 
 
 Pte. Pamell 
 
 Sergt. Norris 
 
 Totals 
 
 200 
 Yards. 
 
 33 
 33 
 
 'i 4 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 2 
 4 
 4 
 2 
 
 300 
 Yards. 
 
 159 
 
 400 
 Yards. 
 
 132 
 
 600 
 Yards. 
 
 150 
 
 140 
 
 I 
 
 63 
 63 
 63 
 62 
 62 
 68 
 57 
 55 
 62 
 46 
 
 581 
 
 I; 
 
 30th Rkoiment. 
 
 J 
 
 Namej. 
 
 Lieut I'^'orwood 
 
 Li T ';. Ward 
 
 Sergt. Mitchell 
 
 M. 1. Bergt. Sullivan 
 
 Pte. Yates 
 
 Pte. Collins 
 
 Pte. Jackson 
 
 Sergt. White 
 
 Captain Williamson. . 
 Pte. Flinn 
 
 Totals 
 
 200 
 Yards. 
 
 300 
 Yards. 
 
 3 3 
 2 2 
 
 2 
 4 
 4 
 
 0{3 
 
 413 
 42 
 414 
 33 
 
 15-1 
 
 144 
 
 400 
 Yards. 
 
 500 
 Yards. 
 
 148 
 
 4 
 4 
 
 3 
 2 
 3 3 
 3 3 
 2 3 
 4 
 2 3 
 04 
 
 134 
 
 I 
 
 65 
 65 
 61 
 59 
 59 
 69 
 67 
 56 
 60 
 49 
 
 580 
 
 Majciity for 8th Battalion 1. 
 

 34 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 BATTALION MATCH.— Quebec, august 22, 1868. 
 
 Ranges 2, 3, 4, and 500 yards ; Long or Short Snider Rifle. 
 Open to all Battalions, Regular or Volunteer, in Canada 
 and Quebec Rifle Club. 
 
 Rank And Names. 
 
 ROTALS.—MONTREAL. 
 
 Capt. Esdaile 
 
 Lieut. McDougall 
 
 Col. Sergt. Winne 
 
 Col. Serr^. Stenhouse 
 
 Col. Sergt. Barrie 
 
 Fto. Mundio 
 
 54th P.att.— Danville 
 
 Capt. Mackenzie 
 
 Kna. S. Lees 
 
 Corp. Shaw 
 
 Corp. McLeod 
 
 Pte. Leet 
 
 Pte. L. Thomas 
 
 200 
 Yards. 
 
 3.33— 9 
 .334—10 
 4i^l— 11 
 244—10 
 222— 6 
 444-12 
 
 334—10 
 444—12 
 43;i— 10 
 :i34— 10 
 422— 8 
 
 300 
 Yards. 
 
 444—12 
 
 223— 7 
 
 233— 
 
 333— 
 
 242— 
 
 240- 
 
 222- 
 .334- 
 222- 
 
 - 6 
 10 
 
 - 6 
 
 400 
 Yards. 
 
 4423-13 
 2.344—13 
 3323-11 
 .•M23— 12 
 3444—15 
 3334—13 
 
 2434—13 
 232:J— 10 
 4222—10 
 
 322- 7 2343— 12 
 234— 9 2344— 13 
 244-10 243- 9 3324-12 
 
 500 
 YardH. 
 
 02.322- 9 
 42.343-lf. 
 40(23-12 
 .33432-15 
 .32302-10 
 43242—15 
 
 02242-10 
 3.3334-16 
 3;i432— 15 
 43400—11 
 42323- ;i 
 24343- '3 
 
 
 43 
 
 46 
 42 
 46 
 39 
 46 
 
 262 
 
 39 
 48 
 41 
 40 
 44 
 17 
 
 259 
 
 !»' 
 
 BATTALION MATCH.— august 26, 1865. 
 
 7'fie Royals, Montreal, vs. //. M. 25th Regiment. — Third match 
 to decide a tic. — Strong wind. 
 
 Hank and NamiM. 
 
 200 
 i^ards 
 
 .300 
 Yards. 
 
 400 
 Yards. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Royals. 
 Pte. McDonald 
 
 18 
 13 
 13 
 15 
 14 
 14 
 
 18 
 16 
 15 
 14 
 12 
 11 
 
 16 
 16 
 15 
 12 
 13 
 12 
 
 52 
 
 Pte. Duncan 
 
 45 
 
 Pte. Gibson 
 
 43 
 
 Ens. KHdailo 
 
 41 
 
 Pte. Varin 
 
 39 
 
 Senrt. Barrv 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 Averag* 
 
 267 
 42*83 
 
BATTALION MATCH. 
 
 35 
 
 ) 
 
 1 
 
 dH. 
 
 ^ 
 
 - 9 
 
 43 
 
 -10 
 
 46 
 
 -12 
 
 42 
 
 -15 
 
 46 
 
 -10 
 
 39 
 
 -15 
 
 46 
 
 262 
 
 
 44 
 
 17 
 
 259 
 
 52 
 45 
 43 
 41 
 39 
 37 
 
 267 
 42*83 
 
 THE ROYALS vs. 25th REGIMENT.- 
 
 -Continued. 
 
 Bank and Names. 
 
 200 
 Yaras. 
 
 300 
 Yards. 
 
 400 
 Yarda. 
 
 Totals. 
 
 l^TH Hboiment. 
 ticrgt. Jones 
 
 18 
 18 
 17 
 13 
 12 
 17 
 
 11 
 12 
 11 
 11 
 9 
 5 
 
 17 
 13 
 13 
 14 
 14 
 12 
 
 46 
 
 Qr. Mr. (rasRon 
 
 43 
 
 Ser^. Maj. Cronde 
 
 41 
 
 Serct. TeCTrard 
 
 38 
 
 Swrgt. Hoare 
 
 35 
 
 tJergt. Noild 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 Average 
 
 287 
 39-60 
 
 COMPANY MATCH.-^NovEMBER 20, 1865. 
 
 Six Members of No. 1 Company (Victoria RifUs) Sth Battaliony 
 Quebec, vs. any Six Volunteers in Quebec. 
 
 Rank and Names. 
 
 200 
 Yards 
 
 300 
 Yards 
 
 400 
 Yards 
 
 600 
 Yards 
 
 TotaU 
 
 1. Sergt. Barrett 
 
 442 
 343 
 ;M4 
 334 
 334 
 420 
 
 
 
 302 
 23;^ 
 343 
 303 
 232 
 232 
 
 4324 
 2043 
 3340 
 2334 
 342.3 
 0032 
 
 42434 
 33332 
 30240 
 44003 
 43402 
 02422 
 
 45 
 
 2. Pte. Scott 
 
 41 
 
 3. Sergt. McDonell 
 
 40 
 
 4. Pte.Holwell 
 
 39 
 
 6. Corp. Frcwr 
 
 38 
 
 6. Pte. Wurtle 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 231 
 176 
 
 COMPANY MATCH —Ottawa, Sept., 1867. 
 
 No. 1 Battery B. Garrison Artillery vs. No. 1 Company, 
 Battalion Rifles. Long Enfield; llythe position and targets. 
 
 Rank and Names. 
 
 200 
 Yards 
 
 300 
 
 Yards 
 
 Totals 
 
 Artillery. 
 Capt. Parsons 
 
 24334 
 42433 
 44344 
 43222 
 23442 
 
 34344 
 43344 
 23233 
 43442 
 03333 
 
 34 
 
 Senrt. Harris 
 
 34 
 
 Bomb. McDonald 
 
 32 
 
 Gunner Morrison 
 
 30 
 
 Senrt. Haveock 
 
 77 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 157 
 
 No. 1 Rifles 
 
 
 
 139 
 
I 
 
 id 
 
 36 APPENDIX. 
 
 VICTORIA RIFLE CLUB OF HAMILTON 
 
 Don Bange, Toronto^ Augtist 22, 1868. Any Rifle — 
 
 NAME. 
 
 Hamilton. 
 
 T. Cowie 
 
 G. Murison 
 
 T. Freeborn 
 
 C. R. Murray , 
 
 J. Duncan 
 
 J.Brass 
 
 F. Mackelcan 
 
 J. J. Mason , 
 
 Jos. Mason , 
 
 Jos. Adani 
 
 Toronto. 
 
 A.Bell 
 
 D. Gibson 
 
 J. Edwards 
 
 C. Sheppard 
 
 "^/.Bailey 
 
 C. Giles 
 
 W. Stanley 
 
 B. Boustead 
 
 J. Morrison 
 
 Win. Hamilton 
 
 RIFLE 
 
 Whitwcrth .... 
 
 Risfby 
 
 Whitworth .... 
 
 Henry 
 
 Kerr 
 
 IHimer 
 
 do 
 
 S. Whitworth. 
 
 Henry 
 
 Turner 
 
 Marston 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 Grainger 
 Turner .. 
 
 do ... 
 
 do .. 
 Grainger 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 HAMILTON RIFLE CLUB VERSUS 
 June 8, 1869.— /rimWe//on 
 
 V. R. C. 
 
 RIFLE. 
 
 G. Murison 
 
 Grainfrer-Ricrbv 
 
 J. J. Mason 
 
 do 
 
 D. Nicholson 
 
 Ingram 
 
 Henry 
 
 Whitworth 
 
 Jos Mason 
 
 C. R. Murray 
 
 Jas. Adani 
 
 Turner 
 
 Montreal Club scored 
 
 
 Recapitulation — Bulls eyes. 
 Centres .... 
 
 Outers 
 
 Misses 
 
 Total. 
 
 Average per man 82-666, 
 
MILTON 
 ly Rifie 
 
 ERSUS 
 irribledon 
 
 RIFLE CLUB MATCH. 87 
 
 VERSUS TORONTO RIFLE CLUB. 
 
 JVimbkdon Target and Rules. — JVeather Fine. 
 
 300 Yards. 
 
 500 Yards. 
 
 GOO Yards. 
 
 700 Yards. 
 
 Grand Total. 
 
 33334-16 
 
 3344.3—17 
 
 44433-18 
 
 4.3434-18 
 
 69 
 
 34334-17 
 
 33,3:}2-14 
 
 23.343-15 
 
 344,3.3-17 
 
 63 
 
 33243—15 
 
 44434-19 
 
 :«433— 16 
 
 4303,3-13 
 
 63 
 
 23433—15 
 
 33344—17 
 
 4;M22-15 
 
 04444-16 
 
 63 
 
 33224-14 
 
 24444-18 
 
 444.33-18 
 
 34003-10 
 
 63 
 
 3333a-15 
 
 3.3.33:i— 15 
 
 34334—17 
 
 34432-16 
 
 62 
 
 34.343-17 
 
 :i4334— 17 
 
 23:^3-14 
 
 03430-10 
 
 58 
 
 3333,3—15 
 
 32023—10 
 
 33;a3-15 
 
 30443-14 
 
 54 
 
 33443-17 
 
 03:«3— 12 
 
 342.32-14 
 
 30034—10 
 
 53 
 
 33224-14 
 
 04333—13 
 152 
 
 03332-11 
 153 
 
 04323-12 
 139 
 
 .W 
 
 155 
 
 598 
 
 33.323-14 
 
 2.3424-15 
 
 .34.^34~17 
 
 41444—20 
 
 66 
 
 32;«3-14 
 
 :i4444-in 
 
 33323-14 
 
 443-13 18 
 
 65 
 
 33332-14 
 
 .3334.-}- 1(» 
 
 332;«— 14 
 
 4.343:J-17 
 
 61 
 
 34.33,V-10 
 
 334.3^1-17 
 
 423.32-14 
 
 0-1.3,34 14 
 
 61 
 
 234:«-15 
 
 34343—17 
 
 4;a33— 16 
 
 3,3,304-13 
 
 61 
 
 .333.32-14 
 
 4;i43.3— 17 
 
 32224—13 
 
 04.%'«-13 
 
 57 
 
 33302-11 
 
 3.3334—16 
 
 30a33— 12 
 
 :i4432— 16 
 
 65 
 
 32333—14 
 
 30304—10 
 
 3.3043-13 
 
 ,344.34-18 
 
 55 
 
 33,3.^3-15 
 
 43303—13 
 
 3.322.3—13 
 
 0.30,33 - 9 
 
 50 
 
 33303-12 
 
 230;M-12 
 152 
 
 34340-14 
 140 
 
 00320 - 5 
 143 
 
 43 
 
 139 
 
 574 
 
 MONTREAL RIFLE CLUB. 
 Targets and Scoring. 
 
 1 82-666, 
 
 500 Yards. 
 
 600 Yards. 
 
 800 Yards. 
 
 1000 Yards. 
 
 Total. 
 
 334434^-24 
 4333444—25 
 4424424-24 
 3,344444^-26 
 4443224—23 
 0433244-20 
 
 .33:3444,3-24 
 224443,3-22 
 4433;»3-23 
 3423222-18 
 33.3.3443—23 
 2233244-21 
 
 131 
 
 
 
 44444.34-27 
 . 4:3.34.342-2.3 
 44:3:3340 -21 
 0.343443-21 
 3024.343 -19 
 2333234-20 
 
 131 
 
 .322.-3440-18 
 22:3:3244 20 
 0.'3.i:30:30 -13 
 :30O4440-15 
 .3244000-13 
 0033304 -13 
 
 92 
 
 93 
 90 
 81 
 80 
 78 
 74 
 
 142 
 
 496 
 486 
 
 
 
 .... 66—204 
 
 
 
 
 
 .... 62—186 
 
 
 
 
 .... 2:3— 46 
 
 
 
 
 ... 17 
 
 
 
 
 .... 168 496 
 
 
 Average per nhot 2-962. 
 
 I 
 
■ il 
 
 38 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. 1, DANVILLE CO., 54tii BATTALION, QUEBEC. 
 Company Practice — Short Enfield Rifle, Sept., 1868. 
 
 Capt. H. B. McKenzie 
 
 Corp. A. McL«od 
 
 Private H. Leet 
 
 400 
 24443 
 34432 
 44343 
 
 500 
 34344 
 24:)34 
 34342 
 
 600 
 22334 
 32342 
 32334 
 
 700 
 22323 
 22232 
 32434 
 
 800 
 32343 
 .33233 
 33322 
 
 900 
 33334 
 33333 
 43243 
 
 92 
 
 80 
 04 
 
 H. B. McKENZIE, Captain. 
 
 SEASON'S PRACTICE BY CAPT. JNO. EDWARDS, 
 TORONTO RIFLE CLUB, 1868. 
 
 Marston Target Rifle.— Powder, 75 grs. C. & H. Enfield, — 
 Bullets cast (not swedged) 2.25 diameter. — Wimbledon Tar- 
 gets and scoring ; aperture back — sight and bead foresight. 
 
 300 
 
 Yards. 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 16 
 15 
 16 
 15 
 
 400 
 Yards. 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 18 
 19 
 19 
 18 
 19 
 
 500 
 Yards. 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 17 
 19 
 18 
 17 
 20 
 
 600 
 Yards. 
 
 ^ 
 
 700 
 Yards. 
 
 H 
 
 20 
 19 
 20 
 19 
 18 
 20 
 
 Grand 
 ToUl. 
 
 23242 
 33343 
 34224 
 23434 
 23433 
 
 34434 
 43434 
 34444 
 43444 
 34344 
 44*443 
 
 34334 
 33344 
 4 3 4 4 4 
 34434 
 33443 
 44444 
 
 34444 
 43334 
 23234 
 34344 
 33343 
 33334 
 
 19 
 17 
 14 
 18 
 16 
 17 
 
 44444 
 34444 
 44444 
 44344 
 34434 
 44444 
 
 87 
 87 
 87 
 90 
 84 
 70 
 
 
 
 
 
 611 
 
 Bull's Eyes 85 
 
 Centres 51 
 
 Outers 9 
 
 145 shots, 611 points. Avei-ago 3.76. 
 
 The above includes all the shots fired by J. E., except one trial shot at 
 each distance on first prauticu, and one at the shortest ranges on 5th and 
 6th practices. 
 
 Goo 
 
 444 
 
QUEBEC. 
 1868. 
 
 BOO 
 2343 
 3233 
 3322 
 
 900 
 33334 
 333.33 
 43243 
 
 92 
 
 80 
 94 
 
 Captain. 
 
 )WAIIDS, 
 
 Enfield. — 
 dedon Tar- 
 'oresight. 
 
 « 
 
 Grand 
 
 1 
 
 ToUl. 
 
 20 
 
 
 87 
 
 19 
 
 87 
 
 20 
 
 87 
 
 19 
 
 90 
 
 18 
 20 
 
 84 
 70 
 
 611 
 
 •rial shot at 
 on 6th and 
 
 TARGET PRACTICE. 
 
 39 
 
 Good score by Mr. C. R Murray, of HamilUmy — "Cfrainger^* 
 Rifle, Rigby cut, rapid twist. — Bullet, Eley^s, 442. — Hamilton 
 powder. — No sighting shots. — August, 1867. 
 
 600 
 Yank. 
 
 20 
 
 GOO 
 Yards. 
 
 19 
 
 700 
 Yards. 
 
 20 
 
 800 
 Yards. 
 
 18 
 
 900 
 Yards. 
 
 19 
 
 1000 
 Yards. 
 
 
 44444 
 
 43444 
 
 44444 
 
 43344 
 
 43444 
 
 44443 
 
 19 
 
 Total, 116 iK)int8 out of a possible 120. 
 
 Chas. Sheppard. — Marston Rifle. — One lighting shot. — Any 
 portion. — June, 1868. — Don-Toronto Rifle Club Range. 
 
 300 Yards. 
 
 400 Yards. 
 
 500 Yards. 
 
 600 Yards. 
 
 700 Yards. 
 
 4434 
 
 44344 
 
 44444 
 
 34444 
 
 34440 
 
 Rifle Tournament. — Toronto. — Don. — November, 1867. — L. 
 Snider. — Gale from left. — Any position. — Jrimbledon Tar- 
 gets. — Pte. J no. Clarke, lOih Royals. 
 
 300 Yards. 
 
 600 Yards. 
 
 700 Yards. 
 
 
 33332 
 
 44434 
 
 42444 
 
 61 
 
40 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ,1) 
 
 : I 
 
 : : -i| 
 
 The International ^^Enficld'^ Trophy, value £1,000, and the 
 Giinmakers* Company of Loiulun Challenge Cup, value £50, 
 tvith a imrse o/ £10 added by the National Rifle Association. 
 — Distances, 200, 600 and GOO yards. — No. of shots, seven 
 at each distance. — Position, Regulation. — Rifles, Government 
 pattern. — II. p. a. s., 1G80. — First Prize, T/ie Trophy, won 
 by England. — Secoml Prize, The Cludlenge Cup, and £10, 
 won by Capt. Armstrong, 1st Lanark. — 18G8. 
 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 200 
 Yd-.. 
 
 Total. 
 
 19 
 22 
 23 
 20 
 22 
 23 
 23 
 20 
 20 
 22 
 21 
 21 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 20 
 19 
 23 
 21 
 23 
 
 500 
 Yds. 
 
 Total. 
 
 GOO 
 Yds. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Grand 
 Total. 
 
 Corp. Hepplostono 
 Mer^'t. liin),'hain ... 
 
 rt«. Snilus 
 
 Sorfft. liarnos 
 
 (/orp. Peake 
 
 Marks. 
 
 3233422 
 3.332443 
 4344233 
 3242234 
 3433;i33 
 2334344 
 3424;«4 
 23.333;i3 
 3424223 
 3333244 
 4333233 
 3324423 
 33.33342 
 4;«2433 
 4343342 
 33233;« 
 4322323 
 33-13244 
 ;«32433 
 344423:^ 
 
 Marks. 
 
 4233434 
 2333343 
 2422424 
 4424034 
 4(M3432 
 42233;J2 
 4422:J32 
 2432043 
 340343;^ 
 223033:^ 
 332333:J 
 3233202 
 3003430 
 0204342 
 4433233 
 2422233 
 2433440 
 0244022 
 320;W34 
 2234334 
 
 23 
 21 
 20 
 21 
 20 
 19 
 20 
 18 
 20 
 1«5 
 20 
 15 
 13 
 15 
 22 
 18 
 20 
 14 
 18 
 21 
 
 Marks. 
 
 2333333 
 0232344 
 3:J32223 
 3223342 
 0.332340 
 003333:i 
 0433202 
 3232233 
 3242220 
 22432;iO 
 2;i40002 
 2423202 
 3202243 
 0422023 
 0020002 
 4042000 
 0203400 
 2002240 
 0003023 
 00002(K) 
 
 20 
 18 
 18 
 19 
 15 
 15 
 14 
 18 
 15 
 U5 
 11 
 15 
 1(3 
 13 
 
 4 
 10 
 
 9 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 02 
 CI 
 CI 
 CO 
 67 
 
 ('apt. IJurt 
 
 57 
 
 (y'or^). (.Joulfion 
 
 Ensign Winn 
 
 l*t«. Doighton 
 
 Ser^rt. Lano 
 
 Scr(,'t. EiKlison 
 
 I'te. Doe 
 
 57 
 
 m 
 
 56 
 64 
 52 
 51 
 
 I'to. Baker 
 
 Corp. li«3«to 
 
 60 
 50 
 
 Capt. Kunibali ... 
 
 Sorgt. Allen 
 
 Serj-ft. Palmer 
 
 Sergt. Kirk 
 
 49 
 48 
 48 
 47 
 
 Sorgt. Wiskar 
 
 Color-Sorgt. Cortis 
 
 47 
 46 
 
 
 428 
 
 374 
 
 266 
 
 1,068 
 
 Average 
 
 21.40 
 
 18.70 
 
 13.30 
 
 53.40 
 
 
 
 
 
 1.- 
 
 2.-I 
 
 3.- 
 
 4. 
 
 ' |! 
 
, and the 
 line £50, 
 ssociation. 
 hots, seven 
 overnment 
 ophi/f won 
 mil XIO, 
 
 ,al. 
 
 Graiul 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 
 02 
 
 8 
 
 CI 
 
 8 
 
 CI 
 
 
 CO 
 
 
 67 
 
 
 57 
 
 
 57 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 55 
 
 
 54 
 
 
 52 
 
 5 51 
 
 i 50 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 49 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 48 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 1,068 
 
 30 
 
 53.40 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1.— THE QUEEN'S PRIZE.— 1868. 
 
 41 
 
 First Stage. — Five shots at 200, 600, and COO yards 
 
 1.- To the best $hot :— 
 
 !a.) The Silver Medal of the National Rifle Association. 
 6.) The National Rifle Association Silver Badge. 
 e.) £60 in monty. 
 2. — To each of the next 29 best $hot$ in order of merit : — 
 la.) The National Rifle Association Badge. 
 (6.) £15 in money. 
 3. — To each of the next 30 winner$ in order oj merit : 
 la.) £10 in money. 
 
 (6.) The National Rifle Association Batlgc. 
 4. — To each of the next IK) icinnera in order of merit : 
 £3 in money. 
 
 N.B.— These 90 aiUlitional winners shall not bo entitled to shoot 
 in the Second Stage of the Cjueen's Prize. 
 
 Prize. 
 
 £60, Medal and Bodge. 
 £15andN.R.A. Batlge 
 £15 and do 
 
 £15 and do 
 
 £15 and do 
 
 Names. 
 Drum Major Hutchinson 
 
 Pte. Woodford 
 
 Capt. Burt 
 
 ('ol. Sergt, (Jlcws 
 
 Pte, Hinde 
 
 200 
 
 500 
 
 COO' 
 
 18 
 
 17 
 
 IC 
 
 10 
 
 17 
 
 17 
 
 15 
 
 19 
 
 IC 
 
 17 
 
 17 
 
 IC 
 
 15 
 
 17 
 
 17 
 
 Total. 
 51 
 50 
 50 
 50 
 49 
 
 In this match 42 points was the lowest score which took a prize. 
 
 SECOND STAGE OF HER MAJESTY'S PRIZE 
 
 OF £250, THE GOLD MEDAL, AND THE GOLD BADGE OF THE 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Competed far by the sixty first toinners in the First Staye. Dis- 
 tancts, 800, 900, and 1000 yards. No. of Shots, Seven at 
 each distance. Rifles, Government Whitworths. H.P.A.S., 
 84 marks. — fFon by Carslake, Lt. 6th Somerset, 65 nuirks. 
 
 Names. 
 
 Lt. Carslake 
 Corp. Bell.. 
 
 Corps. 
 
 5th Somerset.... 
 8th Lancashire. 
 
 800 yds 
 
 90a yds 
 
 lO'.O yds 
 
 Mks. 
 
 Mks. 
 
 Mkfl. 
 
 22 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 18 
 
 23 
 
 (irand 
 Total. 
 C5 
 CO 
 
ft 1 
 
 1 
 
 4t ATPSNOIX. 
 
 
 1 
 
 PISTOL PRACTICE. 
 
 
 
 35 YdSf I06feetf 11 consecutive shotSy Smith & Wesson^ 6 inch 
 Revolvery arms length, — Lieutenant Volunteer Oarrison 
 Artillery.— Ottawa, July, 1867. 
 
 
 41 
 
 l! 
 
 •ft 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 f 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 •1 
 
 •8 
 
 ■ 
 
 B' 
 
 it 
 
 •3 10- .c 
 
 - • ■ 
 
 
 ^ii 
 
 9 
 
 • 
 
 1. 
 
 ' ^^ 
 
 •2 
 
 
 
 •7 
 4 
 
 t 
 
 
 1 i 
 
 ACTUAL POSITION OF SHOTS. 
 
 
 1 
 
 * 
 
 
APPE5(DIX. 
 
 if 6 inch 
 Garrison 
 
 O 
 
 Description 
 
 of rifle used 
 
 by winner. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 umu and 
 
 
 'ojoon 
 a^qiHRod 
 
 •)Hi>l{8lJI 
 
 
 •ojoaa 
 wouujAV 
 
 
 'iuoii^ad 
 •moa' j(i 
 
 
 •«q)uuoa 
 JO -o^i 
 
 
 •bdSuwjj 
 
 
 Terms 
 
 of 
 
 Competition. 
 
 
 
 
 WINNER. 
 
 i 
 
 
 • 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Ph 
 
 >• 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 •9 
 
 V 
 
 •5 
 
 8 
 
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 I 
 
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IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 V 
 
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 f/. 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 Itf 1 28 |l«"?.5 
 
 fii IIIM III 2.2 
 
 i4D 
 
 12.0 
 
 U 111.6 
 
 Hiotographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 873-4503 
 
 ,\ 
 
 iV 
 
 ^ 
 
 :\ 
 
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 <^ 
 
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 4A 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 APPENDIX. G. 
 TARGET PRACTICE •i the 
 
 Militia at this day of- 
 
 -of Volunteer 
 186 . 
 
 • 
 
 RANK 
 
 AKD 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 o 
 
 Points per 
 shot. ' 
 
 5 
 
 •s 
 1 
 
 Points per 
 shot. 
 
 09 
 
 .s 
 
 o 
 Ph 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Points per 
 shot. 
 
 I 
 
 a 
 
 1 
 
 ra 
 d 
 
 2 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 ' - 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 -a 
 
 •+3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 To 
 A^ 
 
 tal points at each 
 rerage per man 
 
 
 
 I certify that the above practice was carefully conducted under the su- 
 perintendence of an officer, and, as far as jiracticable, in accordance with 
 Musketry Regulations, and that the points recorded were obtained by 
 the men of my Company opposite whose names they appear ; further, 
 that no ball ammunition issued to me for the use of the Comijany has 
 been expended otherwise than as above recorded ; and no ammunition 
 other than that supplie J by government has been used. 
 
 Signature, Commanding. 
 
 N.B. — A bulla eye counts 4 points, a centre 3, and an outer 2. 
 
 *Total points in each range to be added up and divided by the number 
 of men so as to give the average per man for each range. 
 
 N.B. — One of these forms to be filled up by the Officer Commanding 
 and forwarded to the Brigade Major every time a part of a Company 
 goes out for "Target Practice," be the nimiber few or many. Battalion 
 Returns will, of course, be forwarded to the Brigade Major through the 
 Lt. Col. of the Battalion. The Brigade Major will examine these re- 
 turns carefully, and see that the totals and averages for each range are 
 complete before forwarding them to Hoadtiuarters. 
 
 Fonna will be furnished on application to the Jhigade Majors. 
 
 ^ 
 
Volunteer 
 -186 . 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 n 
 
 ,8 per 
 
 ^ 
 
 3t. 
 
 O 
 
 
 PM 
 
 o 
 
 er the su- 
 ince with 
 ained by- 
 further, 
 jany has 
 munition 
 
 ^landing. 
 
 3 number 
 
 manding 
 .^^mpany 
 t3attaliun 
 ough the 
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 ange are 
 
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 p^ 
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 p^ 
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 P 
 
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 FORM OF REGISTER. 
 
 45 
 
 
 N a, 
 
 ft a 
 
 ^i 
 
 
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 « 
 
 
 
 
 Total 
 
 each 
 
 Range. 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •ijoqs 
 
 (N 
 
 ■^ 
 
 CO 
 
 ■* 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •8!»ons 
 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 S 
 
 §^ 
 
 CO 
 
 
 J^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 s^ 
 
 §5 
 
 s 
 
 g 
 
 1 
 
 700 
 
 Total 
 
 each 
 
 Range. 
 
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 •!^01{S 
 
 ^% 8:^ulo J 
 
 CO 
 
 iM 
 
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 -i* 
 
 CO 
 
 ■* 
 
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46 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
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EXTRACTS FROM MILITIA ACT 
 
 47 
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 EXTRACTS fROM MILITIA ACT OF 1808, AND "GENERAL 
 ORDERS " KELATING TO ARMS, AMMUNITION, &c. 
 
 M.LiTiA Act. 
 
 Clothing and Akms and Accoutuemrkts. 
 
 Pai'. 37. "The arms and accoutrements of all officwa on the Militia 
 Staff, and of the officers and men of the Active Militia, and the horsen 
 used by them as such, shall be exempt from seisiure in execution, and 
 from distress and assessment." 
 
 39. The value of all such articles of public property, as may have 
 become deficient or damaged, while in possession of any Corps, otherwise 
 than through fair wear and tear, or unavoidable accident, may bo 
 recovered by the Minister of Militia and Defence, or by any person 
 authorized by him, from the officer in command of such Corps ; and the 
 officer commanding any Corps shall have power to r .over the value of 
 such articles of public i)roperty as have become defi ;ient or damaged 
 while in possession of his Corps, otherwise than through fair wear and 
 tear, or through unavoidable accident, from the man or men who may 
 be responsible for the same. 
 
 41. The several Corps of Militia shall be furnished with anns and 
 accoutrements, and the same shall be kept in public armories wherever 
 there are such ; and where there are no such public armories, and until 
 the same are provided, the oflScer commanding each Corps shall himself 
 actually keep the arms and accoutrements in a good and sufficient build- 
 ing, provided with suitable arm racks and provision for the care thereof, 
 and shall be personally responsible for such arms and accoutrements ; 
 and the officer commanding any such Corps may, in the discretion of the 
 Governor in Council, be allowed annually such sum for the care of such 
 arms and accoutrements as may appear proper for the same ; and no 
 arms or accoutrements shall be taken or removed from any such public 
 armouiy, or from the care of such commanding officer, except under such 
 regulations as may be made in respect to the same by Her Majesty. 
 
 42. Any man serving in the Active Militia, who may require to leave 
 Canada, shall first return to the Captain of his Company all articles of 
 public clothing, or public property which he may have had in his posses- 
 sion,^ and shall obtain a "written discharge from the commanding officer 
 of his Corps ; and any Militiaman, who may leave Canada with any 
 articles of public clothing, or other public property in his possession, 
 shall be guilty of embezzlement, and may be tried for the same at any 
 subsequent time ; and a record in the books of his Corps of his having so 
 received, and not having returned any articles of public clothing, or 
 other public property, shall be evidence of possession ; and he shall be 
 entitled to quittance by certificate, and to see it recorded in the books of 
 his Corps on returning such articles. 
 
 43. No Corps of the Active Militia, and no non-commissioned officer 
 or private, shall at any time appear in uniform, or armed or accoutred, 
 except when on duty, or honajide a^ p-rade or drill, or target practice, 
 or at reviews, or on field-days or inspecuions, or by order of the command- 
 ing oflScer. 
 
48 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 RiPLB Ranges. 
 
 63. At, or as near oh may be to the hoadqnartora of every Regimental 
 Division, there may be provided a Rifle Range with suitable butts, tar- 
 gets, and other necessfvry a]»pliance8 ; and Hor Majesty may order the 
 appropriation of such land necessary for the same at a proper valuation, 
 ana may stop, at such time as may be necessary during the target prac- 
 tice of the Active Militia, the traftic on any roads, not being mail roads, 
 that may cross the line of fire, and may make such otli^-r regulations for 
 conducting target practice, and registering the results thereof, and for 
 the safety of the punlic, as may be necessary, and may impose penalties 
 for wilful damage to any such butts, targets, and ajipliunccs ; and all 
 such ranges shall be stiliject to inspection and apiiroval before being 
 used, and the owners of private jiroperty shall be compensated for any 
 damage that may accrue to their respective properties from the use of 
 any such Rifle Range. 
 
 Rifle and Drill Associations. 
 
 58. Her Majesty may sanction the organization of Rifle Associations, 
 and of associations for purposes of drill, and of independent companies 
 of infantry, composed of professors, masters or pupils of universities, 
 schools or other public instituticms, or of persons engaged in or alxiut the 
 same, or of Militia Officers, or of men on the Militia Rolls, under such 
 regulations as may, from time to time, be approved by Her Majesty; 
 but such associations or companies shall not be provided with any clotn- 
 ing or allowance therefor. 
 
 Military In.struction in Schools and Colleges. 
 
 59. There shall be furnished to every Normal School, University, 
 College, or School in Canada, in which there shall be instituted classes 
 of instruction in military drill and exercises, under regulations prescribed 
 by Her Majesty, arms and accoutrements necessary for the instruction 
 of the pupils thereof, over the age of twelve years. 
 
 Offbnces and Penalties. 
 
 82. Any non-commissioned officer or private, who fails to keep in pro- 
 per order any arms or accoutrements delivered or entrusted to him, or 
 who appears at drill, i^arade, or on any other occasion, with his arms or 
 accoutrements out of proper order, or unserviceable, or deficient in any 
 respect, shall incur a penalty of four dollars for each such offence ; and 
 any person who unlawfully disposes of, or removes any arms, accoutre- 
 ments, or other articles belonging to the Crown, or who refuses to deliver 
 up the same when lawfully required, or has the same in his possession, 
 except for lawful cause (the proof of which lie upon him), shall incur a 
 penalty of twenty dollars for each offence ; but this shall not prevent 
 such offender from being indicted, and punished for any greater offence, 
 if the facts amount to such, instead of being subjected to the penalty 
 aforesaid ; and any person charged with any act subjecting him to the 
 penalty imposed by this section may be arrested by order of the Magis- 
 trate, before whom the complaint is made, upon affidavit, shewing that 
 there is reason to believe that such person is about to leave Canada, 
 carrying with him any such arms, accoutrements, or articles. 
 
 Notices, Orders, &c. 
 
 92. It shall not be necessary that any order or notice under this Act 
 be in Meriting, unless herein required to be so, provided it be communi- 
 cated to tf^e person who is to ob«yj or be bound by it, either directly by 
 the officer or person making or givmg it, or by some other person by his 
 order. 
 
MILITIA GENERAL OllDEUS. 
 
 49 
 
 gimental 
 uttH, tar- 
 rdcr the 
 aluntiun, 
 get prac- 
 lil roadH, 
 itions for 
 
 and for 
 
 penalties 
 
 , and all 
 
 re being 
 
 for any 
 le use of 
 
 •ciations, 
 )mpanie8 
 versities, 
 .lx)ut the 
 der such 
 Majesty; 
 ly cloth- 
 
 iversity, 
 d classes 
 •escribed 
 Jtruction 
 
 :y in pro- 
 him, or 
 arms or 
 ; in any 
 ce; and 
 ccoutre- 
 ) deliver 
 ssession, 
 incur a 
 prevent 
 offence, 
 penalty 
 I to the 
 Magis- 
 ng that 
 Canada, 
 
 bis Act 
 minuni- 
 sctly by 
 I by his 
 
 
 Militia Gkxeral Ordhhs. 
 
 M (r () No 1 ) Direct the attention of Officers Commanding Vol- 
 Seot*^'! is')!'' ' r^'"^*'^'!' Coi'P** to the bad effectn produced by allowing 
 ^ * ' ' *' j ruHt to form in the grooves of the riflet'. muskets, and 
 the noce.s.sitv <>f invariably keeping the muzzle stoppers in the barrels, 
 and the cocks down on the nipi)les when the muskets are not in use. 
 
 M. CI 
 
 Oct, 
 
 . O No - ) Orders, that when Volunteer Corps are called ou 
 t' 15' 185() ' >for exercise with blank ammunition, or to fire .salutes 
 ■ ' ' ' ) within the limits of the garrison towns of (Juebec, 
 
 Montreal, Kingston and Toronto, the officer commanding H. M. troops 
 in those gannsons is to be previously notified thereof. Also forbids 
 sounding the Assembly by volunteer buglers, without a distinguishing call 
 peculiar to the corps to which they belong. 
 
 M C O No 5 ) Calls attention to improper alterations and tamper- 
 M'lv r)*'l85') Y^^n ^^'ith the rifled muskets, forbidssuch practices and 
 ' ^ * ' ' ' j directs that when alterations or rejjairs are required 
 these must be effected by competent tradesmen. 
 
 Circular Memo ) Enjoins upon volunteers the necessity of becoming 
 
 S^t S IS"') > acquainted with the proper method of cleaning arms 
 
 ^^* ■ ' ' ' * j after firing, and directs the detailing of four men 
 
 from each corps to assist the care-taker after every occasion of firing— 
 
 the same four men not to be selected on two sticcessive occasions. 
 
 M. Ct. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 ■»^ ., 1 Holds store-keepers and care-takers of public ar- 
 ir ISc'o' * ^"^'^"^'^ personally responsible for all Government 
 
 O 
 
 M. G. O., No. 2, 
 April 23, 1861. 
 
 \. 
 
 ) stores under their charge, and warns captains having 
 private armories of their responsibility by law. 
 
 n- r. i» A,r «,^ TM 'i^ Informs commanding officers and others con- 
 ^ I 9-f^«rn >cemed, that the foregoing General Order is not 
 xviarcn ^.j, louu. j ^.^ ^^ construed as relieving officerg or men of the 
 
 ■"Volunteers of any lifibility in respect to anns or other public stores 
 while in their possession at drill or on duty. 
 
 Forbids the handing over or loaning, without spe- 
 ►cial permission, guns, arms, stores, or ammunition, 
 the property of the Government and in charge of the 
 Militia, to any person whatever. 
 
 M r n V 1 ) Directs that all Volunteer Rifle Corps, although 
 n 1- 90 iftA >armed with the Long Enfield Rifle, are to be instruc- 
 ucc. ZJ, 100^. j ^^ jjj ^j^g Manual and Platoon prescribed for the 
 Short Enfield Rifle in the "Field Exercise and Evolutions of Infantry, 
 1862," with the exception of fixing and unfixing bayonets. 
 
 M C O No *? ) Cancels a previous G. O. respecting service am- 
 A 9r* 'i«r^ Vmunition, and directs in future officers commanding 
 Aug. ^o, iooM. j Gov\Mi to retain, out of the GO rounds of ammunition 
 allowed each effective Volunteer, a small quantity for special services in 
 aid of the Civil Power, or for any other emergency. 
 
 •Kir r^ r^ ) HiS EXOELLENCT THE CoMMANDBR-IN-ChIBF has 
 
 n V 9 isV'^ >beon pleased to direct that under no circumstances 
 
 uct. z, i»OJ. j g^g^n practice with ball cartridge be engaged in by 
 Volunteers without the men being in uniform, and imd«r the command 
 of an officer or non-commissioned officer, who shall be held responsible 
 for the proper conduct of the party- 
 
 The Brigade Major of the District will have the whole arrangement 
 and supervision of the targets, &e., &c., and he will detail the days upon 
 which each Corps can practice at the target, and will keep a dock of 
 
 "4,^ 
 
50 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 
 record fr>r tliis wpecial imrponc. Tho ])u1)lic are notified to keep out of 
 the line of fin? wlifuuviT tlie l)AN(;nii Fi,Ac; (Red) is hoisted near the 
 target. TresnaHseiH on the ran;,'e will be riioHKCt^TKD under the 4Gth 
 clauHc of the VolunteeriMilitia Act, herewith piibliHhed for general in- 
 formation:— 
 
 ** If any person wilfully commits any damage to any Imtt or target 
 belonging to, or lawfully uHcd by any Volunteer ('orpH <»r ]}attalion, or 
 without the leave of the commanding officer of the CorpH <^r liattalion, 
 BcarchcH for bullets in, or otherwise disturbs the soil forming such butt 
 or target, he shall, for every such olfence, bo liable, on the imtsecution 
 of the commanding officer, to a penalty not exceeding twenty dollars, 
 with or without imi)risonment for any term not exceeding six months." 
 
 ') Directs that all requisitions for the regulation 
 Dec. 31, isa. "' 
 
 . l ., o. J, ^.allowance of ammunition, or for the purchase of extra 
 
 j ammunition, be forwarded direct to the Militia De- 
 partment. 
 Memo. 
 
 1. The annual allowance (due 1st April) for all C!orps anned with 
 I'nfield liifles is 00 rounds ball, and 40 rounds blank for each man actu- 
 t'.iidly effective. 
 
 2. The requisition, when filled uj) by the ( 'ajjiain, will be sent by him 
 to the IJrigade Major of the Divisi<in ft)r certificate, who will then for- 
 war<l it f/«/Tr< to the Militia Department at headcpiarters for approval. 
 All ammunition must be issued in ke(j$ or barrels, and the issuing officers 
 are on no account to issue ammunition in (piantities less than a quarter- 
 liarrcl. 
 
 Extra Ammunition. 
 
 ^ 3. Officers in command of Corjis, who may require extra ball ammimi- 
 tion, are informed that the ((uarter-barrel contains seven hundred (700) 
 rounds of ball cartridges with the proportion of caps, and such ammuni- 
 tion will in future be issued in quarter-barrels only. Officers making 
 a] (plication for cxtrn ammunitiim will therefore, in future, calculate the 
 quantity asked for in cpiarter-barrels, taking care that the quantity 
 (leni.'uided corresponds with the entire contents of one or more quarter- 
 baiTols. 
 
 4. Extra ammunition is issued on application direct to the Militia De- 
 l)artinent at headtjuarters by the officer requiring it, and payment there- 
 for ia to be made by the officer making the ap])lication for such extra 
 ammunition, depositing the money in the Bank of Montreal, to the 
 credit of the Receiver-General, and transmitting the certificate of deposit 
 for the same to the Militia Department. The price of a quarter-barrel 
 of ball ammunition, with caps comi)lete, is eleven dollars sixteen cents. 
 
 M fr O No 9 ) Each non-commissioned officer and man who per- 
 Au''' 31 ' 1864 ' f ^orms the course of target practice hereinafter ap- 
 "* ' ' ) pointed, shall be allowed to count such target prac- 
 tice as four drills of IJ hour each. 
 
 15. In cases where ranges are provided all battalions and companies 
 of Volunteer Militia shall, in accordance with the General Order of Oc- 
 tober 2nd, 1863, have expended thirty rounds per man of ball ammuni- 
 tion, .ind the Officers commanding sunh battalions or companies shall 
 keei) careful and accurate returns of kU target practice, in accordance 
 with forms (see appendix) which will be provided from the office of the 
 Adjutant General of Militia. 
 
 pirriilnr MpTnn 1 Publishcs for the information of Officers Com- 
 March 20fl8G6' iT^'^i^S Volunteer Corps and MiUtanr Schools. &c 
 ' J &c., the following list of pnces of Government 
 
 
 
MILITIA CJENERAL ORDERS. 
 
 51 
 
 I 
 
 StorcH, Ac, BO that in case of Iobh or damage the same may bo recovered 
 under the proviHinnH of the Militia Act : 
 
 Arms. $ ctH. 
 
 Short Enfiehl Rifle complete 21 H» 
 
 Sword Hayonet for do 182 
 
 liong Enfield llifle conn)lete 15 20 
 
 Bayonet for do , 150 
 
 Sinnfl Stores. 
 
 Nipple wrench with Cramp fiO 
 
 do without 25 
 
 Rail Drawer 3 
 
 liroHfl ja;,' 3 
 
 Spare Nipple 3 
 
 Snap Cap and Chain 'A 
 
 Muzzle stopper 3 
 
 M C O N - ) ^' ^^^^^^ reports by Inspecting,' Queen's Officers 
 Anti 4* l8rH~' z"*^*'^ *^** ^^ many instances the arms in use by vol- 
 ^' ' ' ) unteer companies are beirjj rapidly ruine<l by nej;lect. 
 
 * * * * The Commander-in-Chief therefore orders that m future 
 neither arms, accoutrements or great coats shall be allowed to remain in 
 possession of the men on any pretence, bu"^ *'iat shall be invariably kept 
 either in public armories or in the custodj < f commanding officers of 
 corps, who will, under the Brigade Majors, ho held responsible for the 
 literal observance of this order. 
 
 7. If the Volunteers have not yet he ' instnicted in tue proper method 
 of cleanii.^ their arms, the drill instructor wiU dt.vote the first meetings 
 ' 7 drill after the receipt of this order, to toa< . the men thoroughly this 
 most important part of the duty of a sofdfn-, t>it' neylect of which wouM 
 render him useless in battle, und the Briga 1e Majors will report to the 
 Adjutant General, so soon as the volunteers in their respective di'itricts 
 or a large proportion of them, are competent to perform it. 
 
 9. After firing, at target practice, commanding officers >vlll require 
 every man to clean his own nfle before returnir.g it to the company'barra 
 racks, and any failure in this respect to be reported. 
 
 10. The foregoing orders, with respect to the care and cleaning of anns 
 are not issued for the mere purpose of ensuring ma^rtness on parade ; 
 but they are indispensable to the real efficiency and continuance of the 
 Volunteer Force. The arms are costly weapons, which, with care, will 
 last for many years, but unless the rifles are kept thoroughly clean, both 
 inside and out, they rapidly deteriorate and become useless. The Com- 
 mander-in-Chief will, tnerefore, in future, only keep up those corps which 
 by taking proper care of the public property entrusted to their charge, 
 will save the Province a useless waste, which must result from a contrary 
 proceeding. 
 
 M C O No 1 ) Directs attention to General Order of August 4, 
 Tulv 6 *18^ >1865, respecting importance of rifles being clean. No 
 duiy o, iooo. j Volunteer to return rifle to rack without having first 
 
 thoroughly cleaned it. 
 
 Duties op Quarter-Master. 
 
 Regulations. \ 16- Any commanding officer detache<l, with any pro- 
 
 Sen 6 1866 r babihty of meetmg an enemy, should mvanably carry 
 
 oep. o, xooo. J ^|.^ Yn^ .j^ ,yaggons a reserve supply of ammunition, 
 
 over and above the 60 rounds per man in the pouches, of at least 50 
 
 rounds per man. 17. A company of 65 men would ret^uire a reserve of 
 
 2,750 rounds packed in 6 boxes, each weighing 55Iba., or lu 4 quarter bar- 
 
52 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 rein each weighing 74tb3.; and each waggon should, therefore, in the 
 average, carry the reserve ammunitioa for 5 companies. 30. Command- 
 ing officers, and under them the cajitaiua of companies, are responsible 
 that the arms of their men ara kept at all times in a clean and service- 
 able condition. It is not to be permitted on any pretext whatever, that 
 a single rifle ahall be returned to the company's arm-racks after firing, 
 until it has .^een properly cleaned. 
 
 G. O., No. 1, 
 June 14, 18G7. 
 
 G. O., No. 1, 
 
 Aug. 23, 1867. 
 
 1 Arranges for exchange of Enfield Rifles for Raider 
 j Enfield breech-loaders. 
 
 } Refers to issue of' Snider rifles and changes iix 
 pouches, &c. 
 
 The 50 round pouches in possession of regiments can bo altered to con- 
 tain 50 rounds of the new " central fire cartridges." by removing the tin 
 partitions, with the exception of that between the 20 and 30 rounds. If 
 the pouches are of the old altered 40 rounds pattern, it vnll be necessary 
 to remove the whole of the partitions. 
 
 Officers commanding regiments will be pleased to order that the men 
 are always to parade without their muzzle stoppers, whenever ammunition, 
 either ball or blank, is to be used. 
 
 The new muzzle stoppers will be provided with a " sight protector," to 
 fit with or without the bayonet. Snaj) caps in possession can be made 
 to fit over the piston by removing the small piece of brass, inserted in 
 the latest pattern, or by scooping out a little more of the leather. 
 
 G. O., No. 1, 
 Nov. 8, 1867. 
 
 G. O., No. 1, 
 
 Nov. 15, 1807. 
 
 ^ Officers of Volunteers may procure practice ammu- 
 |-nition from Militia Department. l*rice p»r 1000 
 J rounds $17.70 — not less than box of 500 sold. 
 
 I Cancels foregoing order as rcgartls price, which is 
 I to be $12.00 per 500 rounds. 
 
 } Corps armed with Snider or Spencer to expend 30 
 ball and 20 blank cartridges in practice i)er man in 
 current year. Proper number of ball cartridge to bo 
 h«ld in reserve, however. 
 
 G. O., No. 1, 
 July 10, 1860. 
 
 G. 0.,No.n, 
 
 Aug. 21, 1868. 
 
 I Contains regulations respecting Dominion Rifle As- 
 1 sociation Camj) at Laprairie. 
 
 No. 3. —1. In consequence of the favorable results of experiments by 
 departmental chemists, and trial by the Superintendent of small arm fac- 
 tories of the Imperial Government, Rangoon Oil has been introduced 
 into the service for the preservation of small arms and articles matle of 
 metal from oxidation ; and in order that the valuable ai-ms n«)w in the 
 hands of the volunteers may not deteriorate, a supply of this oil has been 
 obtained for issue by Provincial Store-keepers to officers ol the force on 
 paynient, at the several District Head Ciuartors, price 82 25 jier gallon 
 or 60 cents per quart. 
 
 2. Officers claiming the annual allowance for care of arms will here- 
 after be required to certify that Rangoon Oil is used in oiling the anna 
 for the care of which such allowance is claimed. 
 
 G. 0., No. 2. ) Directs that the manual exercise for the Short Rifle 
 Oct. 2, 1868. ) be used by all uorpg armed with the Snider. 
 
 '^ 
 
SMALL BORE FORESIGHTS. 
 
 SMALL BORE FORESIGHTS. 
 
 (Omitted at page 87.^ 
 
 53 
 
 Front View. 
 
 Side View. 
 
 Shewing method of attachment. To be i)ut on with soft soldtr, and 
 
 not brazed. 
 
 BREACH LOADING ARMS IN CANADA. 
 
 Converted Snider Rifles, .^51,000 
 
 Spencer Rifles, 2,000 
 
 Spencer Carbines, 1,000 
 
 Starr do 200 
 
 .f. 4,200 
 In Store, as reserve, (Snider), 31,000 
 
 Total,.... 85,200 
 
 Reserve ammunition, 20,000,000 rounds. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 WM. READ & SONS, 
 13, Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, Mass., 
 
 DEALERS IN 
 
 iriNE G-XJisrs 
 
 AND 
 
 SHOOTING TAGELE, 
 
 Keep constantly on hand a large stock of double and single guns, and all 
 artides pertaining to them. 
 
 All the Best Breech-loading as well as Muzzle-loading Guns 
 
 "Westley Richards," "Greener's," "Scott's" "Lancaster" and other Eng- 
 lish makes ; the "Roper" 4-shot and other American makes. 
 
 As all our guns are made for us expressly to order, and as we warrant 
 every gun, sportsmen will do well to examine our stock or read our price 
 lists, before purchasing elsewhere. Parties ordering from a distance, by 
 stating in letter description as to size, bore, weight, &c , can depend upon 
 being served as well as if present. 
 
 A1(K>> the "Spencer," the "Winchester," and evcri/ variety of American 
 patent Rifles and Pistols, wholesale or retail, at manufacturer's prices. 
 
 On hand, at present time, 200 of the celebrated 
 
 Calibre 44, metallic cartridge, price Fifteen (815) Dollars each— regular 
 price is Thirty Dollars. Also, 
 
 Fishing Tackle of evety kind. 
 
 The celebrated "TOUT'' ROD, all qualities and prices. Fine Salmon 
 and Trout Rods of SPLICED BAMBOO constantly on hand, together 
 with Flies, Lines, &c., &c. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 MAYMRD, HAREIS & GRICE, 
 
 • M.ILITARY Outfitters, 
 126 LEADENHALL STREET, 
 
 M. H. & G. in tendering their thanks to their friends in Canada for 
 the very valuable patronage which has been extended to them in past 
 years, beg to solicit a continuance of their favours and kind recommen- 
 dations, assuring them that all orders entrusted to their care will be 
 executed in the best possible manner. 
 
 Military Uniforms and Accoutrements prepared in first style and 
 of best quality, at the lowest prices. 
 
 Contracts undertaken for the complete or partial equipment of Volun- 
 teer Bifle Corps and Batteries of Artillery. 
 
 Designs for neio Military Appointments prepared with taste and exe- 
 cuted with accuracy. Drawings and Estimates submitted free of chaise. 
 
 Orders for Personal Supplies and Clothing executed in the best 
 possible manner, and on the most economical terms. 
 
 Uniform for Officers of Her Majesty's Service, of first quality, 
 and strictly to regulation pattern. 
 
 Military Saddlery and Horse Furniture for mounted Officers. 
 
 Newspapers and Periodicals regularly forwarded. 
 
 New and Second Hand Books. 
 
 Music at half price, on receipt of remittance. 
 
 Full particulars. Patterns and Estimates, upon application. 
 
 126 LEADENHALL STREET, LONDON, E.G. 
 
 Note.— The admirable Uniforms, both full and undress, MountingSt 
 Crests, tkc, of the late Civil Service Rifle Corps, were designed and furnished 
 by the above firm, and gave infinite satisfaction. — Ed. 
 
 IFLE STADi 
 
 3 
 
 A Simple Initrument for ascertaining distances in 
 the Field. Price, $3.00. 
 
 Also, a large assortment of Telescopes and Field Glasses, &c., at 
 
 CHAS. POTTER'S, Optician, 
 
 21 King St Eait, Toronto. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 HALF'S P^TEU 
 
 IMPROVED BREECH-LOADING METALLIC CARTRIDGE 
 
 Rifle, Carbine & Shot Gun, 
 
 MANUFACTURED ONLY BY TUB 
 
 SHARP'S RIFLE MANUFACTURING CO., 
 
 AT 
 
 Hartford, Connecticut, U. S. A. 
 
 The barrel is of decarbonized steel ; length of i-iflc-barrel usually thirty 
 inches ; carbine, twenty-four inches, calibre of each fifty one-hundredths 
 of an inch ; diameter of the muzzle, seven-tenths of an inch ; diameter of 
 the breech, an inch and one-eighth. 
 
 A substantial flat thread screw of eight turns to the inch is cut upon 
 the breech, and the barrel is thereby securely attached to a very strong 
 breech-piece or receiver, made of the best quality of Norway iron. 
 
 The rear end of the barrel is counter-bored to the precise size and shape 
 required for the bearings of the ball and the shell of the cartridge. 
 
 The breech-piece or receiver has an aperture directly contiguous to the 
 rear end of the barrel, in which a breecn-pin is moved by a lever down- 
 ward or upward to open or olose the breech at pleasure either in loading 
 or cleaning. ' 
 
 The shell extractor is operated by moving the breech-pin, a fjpur on the 
 extractor working in a slot in the face of the breech-pin. 
 
 The detonizing bolt explodes the cartridge by the stroke of the ham- 
 mer, and is so adjusted that the hammer cannot possibly come in contact 
 with it until the breech is perfectly closed, and the operator protected 
 from injury by any accidental discharge. By depressing the lever the 
 detonizing bolt is automatically moved rearward by a spur or tooth on 
 its forwanl end, which moves from a niche in the inner plane of the re- 
 ceiver, so far as to clear the bolt point from the shell of the cartridge, 
 and the rear end of the barrel, thereby dispensing with the usual small 
 spring, and not liable to become inoperative by the accumulation of dirt 
 or rust. 
 
 The tang forms a part of the receiver — and the lock, which is of the 
 most approved back-action model, and the stock butt, are most securely 
 attached to the receiver. 
 
 The material, workmanship, symmetry and strength of the arm are 
 unsuipassed by any other product of the kind. 
 
 Since the Sharp Co. have so successfully adapted their gun to the use 
 of the metallic cturtridge, the War Department has ordered some forty 
 thousand stand to be converted to tnis system, and several thousand 
 stand sold for shipment to China, Japan, Chili and California. 
 
 ] 
 
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 Hi 
 
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 Sh 
 
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 Of al 
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 order, 
 
 UD330 R961 
 
 V5»</ 77 ' 
 
 ILLUS'.J:{AT/rj IIADD BOOK uF Hli'^LE 
 
 f> 
 
 I 
 
 This Book may be kept 
 
 .-L. „- 
 
 FOURTEEN DAYS 
 
 U.-M. CO. — 09702S 
 
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