A gun brought out by Adam, late Deane and Adam, merits particular notice. The lever, whose external action is downwards, and is moved from the trigger-guard, on which it fits closely, by a downward pressure by the finger and thumb, possesses a double-locking power of immense strength; and as no spring is employed, and the action perfectly simple, no disarrangement seems possible, the binding power is all that can be desired; and the process of loading is easily and expeditiously accomplished.

Harrison's and Cogswell's Patent and SelfCocking, Snap Lever Breech-Loading Gun, is as cleverly contrived a weapon of this particular description as any I have seen, but as the lever is to some extent regulated by a spring, and the internal machinery dependent on joints, there is, I apprehend, a liability to disorganisation; and on this consideration alone I am induced to give the preference to the Lafanchaux. For rapidity of loading this gun is not to be surpassed, as the closing of the barrels by a slight exertion of the left hand puts the locks at half-cock, and the sportsman is thereby assured that the barrels are securely locked; in fact, no discharge can take place till everything is in its right position, as the lifters which raise the hammers to half-cock, on the barrels being securely locked, prevent them from falling on the cartridge pins, if this operation

has not been properly performed. Needham's Snap Gun is simple in construction, most effective in use, and can be as expeditiously loaded as any gun of this class. A spring lever instantly releases and secures the barrels with a slight and easy exertion-the spring being the only objection, in my opinion, to this and all other snap guns.

Purdey has also brought out a snap gun, which answers its purpose admirably, and kills as well as any gun he ever made; it however contains the same objections which exist in all snap guns, in addition to a very high price. In the slight difference which exists between Purdey's and Needham's Snap Gun, I think the advantage is on the side of the latter. Daw's Central Fire Breech Loader is held in high estimation by some few enthusiastic sportsmen, and considered by them superior to all guns made on the Lafanchaux principle; the numerous patrons of the latter, however, entertain a very different opinion—they neither place implicit confidence in all the virtues which are attributed to Daw's Central Fire, nor admit the validity of the various objections which are urged against the Lafauchaux.

Of the merits of Daw's Central Fire, as to its practical working in the field, I will not express an opinion, as I have never used one. I have, however, closely examined its structure, and will endeavour to give a description of its component

parts, with a few passing remarks on their value, so that the reader who has not used this weapon may be in a position to exercise his own judgment as to the merits of its structure. The appearance of Daw's gun is decidedly in its favour; it is as handsome a looking weapon as can be made, the only outward indication of its internal machinery being a well-fitting lever over the trigger-guard, which, by being pressed downwards by the thumb, unlocks the breech bolt, by which action the barrels are liberated and rise conveniently for the reception of the cartridges, after which operation they can be as readily closed as in the Lafanchaux, by a slight exertion of the left hand. The heads. of the pistons are external and visible, but as these have the appearance of the nipples of a copper cap gun, with the caps on them, they convey no idea, to the person unacquainted with the principle of this gun, of its internal structure, but rather induce him to imagine it to be in reality an ordinary detonator. There are other peculiarities belonging to this gun which I will endeavour to explain. The cartridge differs from the one used in the Lafanchaux both in its external appearance and in its internal structure; there is no pin, and the copper cap is exactly in the centre, resting on an anvil in a cup, perforated at the extreme end. I add Mr. Daw's description of his gun in his own words. In the centre of the base is a me

tallic cup with a touch-hole drilled through the top. This cup is so attached that it forms part of the base itself, the part with the touch-hole projecting forward, inside, so as to be imbedded in the powder; then a small four-grooved anvil, with a point like a Jacob's rifle shell, fits loosely into the cap, and upon this "anvil" is placed the percussion cap. It will thus be seen when the hammer strikes the cap explodes within the breech, and the flame darting down the grooves of the anvil, having only a tenth of an inch to go to the centre of the charge, instantaneous ignition is always the result. There is no escape of gas, nor flash of the cap in the eye to glare upon it, or impair its accuracy for the next fire; no danger of a piece of copper flying against the face.'

The caps in these cartridges being below the surface, are little liable to explosion from an accidental blow or fall, and are in one respect economical, as Mr. Daw informs us they can be twice refilled, and sometimes oftener by good and careful management. One objection to this peculiar system is, and which must strike every sportsman, that these cartridges can only be purchased from Mr. Daw, he being the patentee, whereas the pin cartridge can be procured in any large town in England, Ireland, or Scotland. I must at the same time remark that the refilling of old cartridges is not confined to Mr. Daw's, as the

Lafanchaux can also be refilled two or three times, if the old cases be carefully preserved; many sportsmen take pleasure in performing this operation themselves; it requires little trouble, and with a little practice with the proper implements is easily and speedily accomplished. One advantage of the Daw over the Pin cartridge is, that it can be inserted in any way, owing to the cap being exactly in the centre-consequently the process of loading is as expeditious as in any gun now in use, especially as there is no difficulty in removing the exploded cartridges, owing to the simple but effective action of the extractor, or rather expeller, very similar in shape to a tuning-fork, partially fixed underneath the barrels, but so ingeniously contrived as to eject the cartridges sufficiently on the rising of the barrels to admit of their being easily and instantaneously withdrawn by the finger and thumb. This little instrument performs its functions so well that the adhesion of the cartridge inside the barrels is a rare occurrence, if not impossible, the action of the rising of the barrels bringing the ejector into immediate operation. Whether the tubes or pistons invariably work well, or occasionally get out of order, I am not competent to affirm, having only witnessed their working within doors. The entire machinery of this system seems rather complicated, being composed of bolts, springs, pistons, copper caps, cups,