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Onslow Curling. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 30%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; text-align: center;} + + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .chaptertitle {text-align: center; font-size: 110%; font-weight: bold;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 70%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 6em; margin-right: 6em;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Hints on the Use and Handling of Firearms +Generally, and the Revolver in Particular, by Lieut. H. Onslow Curling + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Hints on the Use and Handling of Firearms Generally, and the Revolver in Particular + +Author: Lieut. H. Onslow Curling + +Release Date: July 29, 2010 [EBook #33287] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HINTS OF THE USE AND HANDLING OF FIREARMS *** + + + + +Produced by Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from +images generously made available by The Internet +Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 304px;"> +<a href="images/i002-big.png"><img src="images/i002.png" width="304" height="500" alt="Targets" title="" /></a> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h1>HINTS ON THE USE<br /> +<small>AND</small><br /> +HANDLING OF FIREARMS<br /> +<small>GENERALLY, AND</small><br /> +THE REVOLVER<br /> +<small>IN PARTICULAR.</small></h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>LIEUT. H. ONSLOW CURLING,<br /> +<small>C. L. A. B.</small></h2> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>'Nunquam non paratus.'</i><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /> +LONDON:<br /> +DULAU & CO., 37 SOHO SQUARE.<br /> +<i><small>All Rights Reserved.</small></i><br /> +————<br /> +1885.<br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + + + +<div class='copyright'> +LONDON:<br /> +PRINTED BY STRANGEWAYS AND SONS,<br /> +Tower Street, Upper St. Martin's Lane.<br /> +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<h2><small>HINTS ON THE USE AND</small><br /> +HANDLING OF FIREARMS,<br /> +<i>&c.</i> <i>&c.</i></h2> + +<div class='poem'> +'He, that rides at high speed, and with<br /> +His pistol kills a sparrow flying.'<br /> +<div class='sig'> +<span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>: <i>Henry IV.</i><br /><br /><br /> +</div></div> + + +<div class='cap'>THE National Rifle Association may +fairly claim the honour of introducing, +at their meeting in July 1885, the subject of +Military Revolver practice in this country. +For years past the want of such a movement +has been felt, but the many obstacles to be +overcome have been so vast that no one +seems to have cared to venture upon the +matter, and so it has slept.</div> + +<p>The great drawback has been, and is +now, to find suitable ranges anywhere near +London. Such ranges, the use of which is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +enjoyed by our Citizen Army, are insufficient, +and the expense of keeping them up is considerable, +falling heavily upon the corps to +whom they belong.</p> + +<p>The National Rifle Association, although +they offered some 40<i>l.</i> in prizes, and provided +not only revolvers but ammunition, for a +small consideration, or entrance fee, met with +but poor support; but it should be borne in +mind that this was the first year of such a +competition, and it was in consequence not +generally known of. Very little was known +of the movement till it actually took place, +and then only when noticed by the press the +day after its introduction.</p> + +<p>Again, it should be remembered that the +entries were restricted to officers, warrant +officers, and petty officers, of her Majesty's +land and sea forces, and doubtless this restriction +accounted for the spare attendance. +Every Englishman belonging to the auxiliary +forces should hail with pleasure the opportunity +offered of making himself master of +this useful weapon; one that in skilled hands +is most deadly at long or short ranges, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +a thorough knowledge of the use of which +might at any moment be the means of saving +another's life from an opposing force when no +other weapon was at hand.</p> + +<p>The difficulty in using even an ordinary +pistol with accuracy is, and always has been, +an acknowledged fact, as it requires great +practice to enable a man to make his mark as +a crack shot. Some men would perhaps miss +a haystack at twenty yards, while others, with +little practice, soon become excellent shots at +very small objects. It is marvellous the +accuracy with which the professional burglar +has of late years used his revolver against +the police and others; but it may be accounted +for by the fact that these men use +a small, light weapon, easily carried and +much easier wielded than the military regulation +revolver, which weighs 2 lbs. 8 oz.; +that they invariably take what may be termed +flying shots—and it should be remembered +that a full-sized man at comparatively close +quarters presents a very large target. I venture +to affirm that if these burglarious minions +of the moon, who make night hideous, were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +compelled to stand before a Martini-Smith +target (a foot square) at twenty yards, with a +military regulation revolver, they would make +but sorry marksmen.</p> + +<p>The use of the military revolver is acknowledged +to be a question of great importance, +as one not only affecting those who embrace +the profession of arms, but those who travel; +and as no one knows when he may be called +upon, or where he may be, it is imperative +that he should gain a thorough knowledge of +every minor detail, most useful in the hour of +need, and which will enable him not only to +protect himself with confidence, but to come +to the assistance of the weak should occasion +require.</p> + +<p>It is to be deplored that what once formed +part of the education of a gentleman—<i>i.e.</i> the +use of the small sword and broadsword—should +have been so thoroughly neglected +of late years in this country. That part of +the education of youth seems to have become +quite a secondary consideration.</p> + +<p>General Sir Charles Napier has truly said, +'Young men have all the temptations in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +world to pleasure, none to study; consequently, +they some day find themselves conspicuous +for want of knowledge, not of talent.'</p> + +<p>The introduction of the Breech-loader has +revolutionised firearms. When we look back +upon the extraordinary achievements of arms +during the present century, with the comparatively +crude weapons then in use as +compared with the marvellous inventions of +the present moment, it is simply astounding +what results were obtained.</p> + +<p>The terrible work done by the old Brown +Bess, with its unique flint-and-steel lock of +its day, at Waterloo and elsewhere, is now +matter of history. In those days artillery +and cavalry had a chance of existence in the +field, they have scarcely any now. The old +flint lock, although it has had its day, has +done its work well, and is entitled to veneration. +Many a noble fellow has bit the dust +from its spark, and England's first and +greatest battles were fought and won by its +aid. The Nipple and Percussion Cap came +next into use, and subsequently the Breech-loader; +but since Rifles have superseded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +military smooth-bore weapons, the old +spherical ball has been condemned.</p> + +<p>The breech-loading rifled arm of the +present day may be looked upon as a marvel +of modern ingenuity; as combining exquisite +manufacture, extraordinary precision, and unequalled +range. The latter may be accounted +for by the conical shape of the bullet, and the +rotary motion given thereto by the grooving +of the barrel; and lastly, from the full force +of the evolution of gas consequent upon the +powder being enclosed in a copper tube +which is inserted in the breech when loading +the piece.</p> + +<p>The barrel of the Breech-loading Rifle is +by its own action of firing kept comparatively +clean, as compared with the old Muzzle-loader; +for with the breech-loader any fouling +of the barrel is driven out by the discharge, +and the powder in the cartridge is kept perfectly +free from any contamination with the +moisture adhering to the barrel by its copper +case and being inserted in the breech; whereas +in the old muzzle-loading weapon the barrel, +after the first discharge, becomes lubricated,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +and consequently a portion of the powder +poured down the barrel adhered to its moist +sides, thereby becoming deteriorated and decreasing +the explosive force. As a weapon +of precision the Snider is perhaps preferable +to the Martini-Henry; but, of course, this is +matter of opinion.</p> + +<p>The sportsman of the good old school +would be somewhat astonished, and would +perhaps feel uncomfortable, upon finding +himself armed with a breech-loading fowling-piece +of the present day, particularly as +prejudices are strong and obstinacy very +prevalent among some people, and the keen +eye of the old sportsman would view the +modern innovation upon his rights—as he +would probably call them—with dread, suspicion, +and distrust.</p> + +<p>It is a fact, even at the present time, that +there are many old farmers in England who +use their ancient flint-and-steel fowling-pieces +from choice in preference to modern +weapons.</p> + +<p>The cool old sportsman of days gone by +would sally forth in quest of game, having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +previously overhauled his lock, and, if necessary, +adjusted a new flint, with as much care +as an angler would examine his tackle previous +to a day's sport, as he well knew that +success depended upon vigilance and care. +There was no blustering and banging away +in those days, as soon as a bird rose, as is +unhappily too often the case now-a-days, +resulting in either blowing the bird all to +pieces or probably missing it altogether. +No, the keen eye of the old school would +coolly watch his bird rise, take a pinch of +snuff, cock his piece, cover his bird, and +then bring it down, allowing it to get well +away before drawing the trigger.</p> + +<p>Many a young gentleman calling himself a +sportsman knows little of the capabilities of +the weapon he wields, and cares less; his +whole aim is to see how many head of +game he can bag, and to blaze away is +the order of the day, to the astonishment +of poor Ponto, who, if he chance to run +within range, sometimes gets a charge of +shot in his tail.</p> + +<p>In the Royal Navy the use and practice of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +the pistol, and latterly of the revolver, has +always been kept up. Consequently the +Jack Tar knows more about the pistol and +the military revolver than most men give +him credit for. In boarding vessels, for instance, +the pistol was one of the arms used. +The importance of the revolver movement as +inaugurated by the National Rifle Association +has resulted in the formation of a club called +'The Metropolitan Revolver Club.' This +Club, which is in its infancy, has many +obstacles to surmount, but it is to be hoped +that the Provisional Committee will be able +to carry out the object in view, which is, +according to the programme, as follows:—</p> + +<div class="hang1">'That this Club be formed, having for its +object the provision of facilities for acquiring +a thorough knowledge of and +proficiency in the use of the Military +Revolver.'</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dudley Wilson</span>, Esq., 2 Pall Mall, is the +Honorary Secretary, and may success attend +him.</p> + +<p>To the inexperienced, the revolver is,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +perhaps, as deadly a weapon as can well be +handled; and to no class is this fact so well +known as to naval and military men. The +many deplorable accidents resulting from the +incautious handling of firearms is terrible to +contemplate; and sportsmen and military +men have frequently fallen victims to carelessness, +to say nothing of novices. The unfortunate +part is, that foolish and inexperienced +people often inflict misery upon innocent +persons; unintentionally, it is true: but +they are none the less guilty. Firearms +should be looked upon as a kind of machinery, +which no one in his senses would +attempt to handle unless he knew the use +of them.</p> + +<p>The abominable practice of those to whom +firearms belong, or those in the charge or +care thereof, of keeping or leaving such +weapons loaded, so that they may at any +moment fall into the hands of children, or +perhaps, what is worse still, inexperienced +adults, is most seriously to be condemned, and +may be designated really as a criminal act, +which ought to be summarily punished.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is an act which has no real motive, no +real <i>bonâ fide</i> object, and is lawless and idle +in the extreme,—an act which has resulted in +the death of its thousands, and the maiming +of even more.</p> + +<p>A weapon should never be brought within +the portals of a man's house loaded; the +breech-loading cartridge can be easily withdrawn. +If the piece is a muzzle-loader it +should be discharged after the day's sport is +over; ammunition is really not so very costly +as to require to be husbanded at the probable +cost of a serious accident, or perhaps a fellow-creature's +life. This rule cannot be too strictly +adhered to. Some years ago it was my lot +to be staying with a gentleman of eccentric +habits, a man of violent temper, and when in +one of these fits really not answerable for his +actions. I was aware that he kept a full-sized +revolver loaded with ball, and capped, +in his dressing-room. I confess I was coward +enough to let this matter trouble me. I felt +I could stand up and face death with any one +in the field, fighting in a good cause and +armed as others; but to be taken advantage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +of at any moment, and perhaps shot down +like a dog, was rather too much. I therefore +resolved in my own mind, not only to disarm +my friend but to render his weapon useless; +but how to accomplish this was the question, +as to raise any suspicion would perhaps bring +down wrath upon my own head. I therefore +resolved to leave everything precisely intact +till an opportunity should present itself. The +very next day the time arrived, and during +this Grand Turk's absence I hastily removed +the caps from off the nipples of the revolver, +and having exploded them upon the nipples +of his double-barrelled gun, I pinched them +back into their original shape and replaced +them on the revolver. I then put the box of +caps into my pocket and felt perfectly secure, +and could have sat and been fired at without +the slightest fear. This gentleman shortly +afterwards was seized with paralysis of the +brain, and ended his days in a madhouse. +No one, I believe, ever suffered any inconvenience +from the revolver, and what became +of it I know not.</p> + +<p>If leaving weapons about is necessary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +(which I do not for a moment admit), then +most assuredly they should be rendered +harmless by being left unloaded, and thus +the means of rendering them destructive +would be kept out of the way of meddlers. +All ammunition should, as a rule, be kept in +some secret and safe place, and always under +lock and key. Every man knows that edged +tools are dangerous, consequently that the +leaving loaded firearms within the reach of +anybody who may chance to come across +them is simply leaving means of destruction +unprotected, and he should bear in mind +that this mischief of his own neglect might +accidentally at any moment be wielded +against himself.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds,<br /> +Makes deeds ill done.<br /> +<div class='sig'> +<span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>: <i>King John.</i><br /> +</div></div> + +<p>The responsibility of those possessing firearms +is great, and proper precautions and +proper care cannot be too strictly enforced. +Care costs nothing, and may be the means of +preventing loss of life and many a deplorable +accident. The precautions necessary to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +borne in mind in the safe use of firearms for +one's own protection, as well as the protection +of others, are voluminous, and so varied are +they that it is with difficulty they can be all +dealt with in this little treatise; it is only +therefore proposed to mention some of them, +and detail a few important hints for the +guidance of the unwary. Generally speaking, +if a man will not exercise a little gumption, +care, and discretion, when in the society of a +shooting-party similarly armed as he is himself, +he must put up with the consequences. +Accidents in properly regulated families +should never happen. Since the introduction +of the breech-loader there is no excuse for +any man carrying a loaded weapon and +swinging the muzzle of it about when carrying +it on his shoulder (which is often done), +bringing every one in his rear in the line of +fire of the piece. A man can load his piece +now when he arrives upon the ground in a +moment; and should a bird rise, with the +present facilities given by the breech-loader, +there is ample time to load and bring the +bird down without the slightest difficulty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +For any man therefore, when not in the field, +to strut about with a loaded weapon in his +possession now-a-days is simply bombastic +tomfoolery.</p> + +<p>To carry a gun gracefully and properly is +an art. It should never be so carried or +wielded as to be a risk to the possessor, +or any one. The following are a few +ways how a gun should be carried:—For +safety, when commencing sport, the right +hand grasping the piece at the small of the +butt, the butt resting on the right hip or +thigh, muzzle up. The weapon can then, on +the rising of game, be at once safely presented.</p> + +<p>When carried on the shoulder it should +be always with <i>lock down</i>: this mode will so +elevate the barrels that the muzzles are far +above the heads of any one; even when at +close quarters, on the march, or when approaching +or returning from cover, this way +will be found easiest and with the least +possible fatigue, as the weight of the weapon +is centered in the stock held in the right +hand. To relieve the shoulder pass the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +hand up to the small, or neck of the butt; +at the same time seize the butt with the left +hand, then raise your gun to a perpendicular +position, carry it across the body, and place +it on the left shoulder. The left shoulder +can be relieved in a similar manner, <i>i.e.</i>, +pass the left hand to the small or neck of +the butt, at the same time seize the butt +with the right hand, raise the gun to a +perpendicular position, and carry it across +the body and place it on the right shoulder. +Never present, much less fire, when any +person, whether keeper or beater, intervenes +or is near the bird. Never fire over any +one, even if he what is called 'ducks,' or +stoops to allow of your doing so. A keeper +or beater should never be encouraged in, or +allowed to 'duck' or stoop; the practice is +a bad one, and should be for ever discountenanced. +If no one fired over a ducked +body the habit would soon fall into disuse. +Sportsmen and others would do well to bear +in mind that an accident deprives the injured +man from earning his livelihood, and the poor +wife and children suffer: better to forego taking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +a shot for safety sake and let the bird escape +for another day than run any risk. This +should be made a hard-and-fast rule among +sportsmen, and a law of sport.</p> + +<p>The left hand should never be placed upon +the gun till the bird has risen and <i>all is clear</i> +ahead. Coolness in the field is everything; +there should be no blundering, no hurry; a +man who knows the capabilities of his gun +can afford to be cool. He knows but too +well there is no occasion for haste; the cool +hand would pause after the bird rose, and +give it time to get fairly away before presenting.</p> + +<p>A gun should never be so wielded as to +bring its barrels in line with any one, or +the barrels athwart any one. When quite a +youth I remember being in the field, when +one of the party becoming fatigued from +the effects of a tight boot handed me his +gun; the friend, who evidently did not +appreciate the confidence placed in the +youngster, kept aloof—well to the right; +presently a bird rose, I hesitated; looking +at the bird. 'Fire! Fire! why don't you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +fire, sir?' exclaimed the old gentleman with +some warmth. 'How can I,' cried I, 'with +those peasants at work right in front?' The +effect was marvellous. The old gentleman, +thoroughly appreciating the caution, at once +joined me, and I had the benefit of my full +share of the sport.</p> + +<p>Firing when in thick cover and from behind +hedges should be conducted with caution, and +with a knowledge that all is clear on the +other side.</p> + +<p>Little observation will show whether your +companion has been accustomed to the use +of firearms. A man of reckless temperament, +one who would blaze away blindly, a devil-may-care +sort of fellow, should be avoided; +give him a very wide berth, and keep the +gentleman well on your extreme left. If +you can shunt him altogether so much the +better. A gun should never be carried in +the field at the trail; should never be carried +under the arm, hugging the lock; should +never be carried muzzle down, so that by +an accidental slip, or stumble, or fall, the +barrels may become choked with earth (which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +would burst the muzzle if not removed before +firing); should never be carried transversely +across the body with barrels pointing left. +When shooting, a man should be as much +upon his etiquette as he would be in my +lady's drawing-room; should mind his P's and +Q's, and remember that when in a china-shop +he should refrain from carrying his +umbrella under his arm.</p> + +<p>As a fact, the closing of one eye in taking +aim is unnecessary. The complete angle +of sight upon a given object can only be +obtained by the use of both eyes. Consequently +two objects cannot be seen distinctly +or clearly at the same instant, one +is clear while the others are blurred or misty; +hence it stands to reason, that in laying a gun +the top of the notch of the hindsight, the +apex of the foresight, and the object, can +be brought into line as accurately with both +eyes open as with one closed.</p> + +<p>An artilleryman can lay a gun perfectly +without closing one eye. The eyes should +not be less than 12 inches from the hindsight, +if from 2 to 3 feet so much the better,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +and a more accurate aim will be the +result.</p> + +<p>Upon the principle that the hand follows +the eye, a sportsman fixing both eyes upon +his bird can take as perfect an aim as he +could with one eye closed.</p> + +<p>This rule applies equally to all arms.</p> + +<p>A man when in the field or at practice +should keep his eyes about him; he should +remember whom he is with; that he may +be covered by a friend's gun or rifle at +any moment, and that as the abominable +and unnecessary proceeding of carrying +weapons loaded, when not actually in the +field, is the rule rather than the exception, +he may perhaps find himself accidentally +pinked at any moment, and when he little +expects it.</p> + +<p>I remember some years ago the magnificent +solemnity of a military funeral was brought +to a somewhat ludicrous termination by one +of the firing party shooting his comrade in +the stern. How the accident really occurred +I never could learn; but it was a fact that +the rear-rank man managed somehow to discharge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +his rifle, and pretty nearly blow off +the tail of his comrade's tunic.</p> + +<p>The wounded man, who was more frightened +than hurt, seemed not at all to relish +the joke. An old lady came to the rescue.</p> + +<p>This good old soul seems to have been in +the habit of carrying a flask, and, graciously +offering the 'pocket pistol,' suggested a drop +of the creature. The offer was most readily +accepted, but, I regret to say, the terror +of the injured man was so great that he +emptied the flask. He had evidently had +enough of soldiering and 'villainous saltpetre,' +for the very next day he sent in his +resignation.</p> + +<p>At ball practice men should refrain from +talking, joking, and that ungentlemanly pastime +known as <i>horse-play</i>. Their attention +should be directed to what they are about +to do and what others are doing, and +they should leave frivolities for some other +time.</p> + +<p>Many accidents in the field have occurred +when getting over stiles, gates, hurdles, stone +walls, and even through hedges.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Within the beautiful glades of Kensington +Gardens stands a lasting memorial.</p> + +<div class='bbox'> +IN MEMORY OF<br /> +<big>SPEKE.</big><br /> +VICTORIA, NYANZA,<br /> +<small>AND THE NILE.</small><br /> +1864.<br /> +</div> + +<p>Here is a terrible record of an awful death +through carelessness. A noble life lost, sacrificed +in a moment. Poor Speke, who had +faced death often in many forms, met it at +last by his own hand.</p> + +<p>While out shooting, in getting through a +hedge he dragged his fowling-piece after him, +the muzzle towards his own body, when, the +lock becoming entangled in the brambles, his +immediate death was the result. Such a piece +of foolhardiness on the part of a man accustomed +to the use of firearms is astounding.</p> + +<p>Use dulls the edge of caution, and some +men, unhappily, who are accustomed to deal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +constantly with weapons and ingredients of +destruction, become not only careless but +indifferent and callous.</p> + +<p>There is a class of men who, if not kept +under surveillance, would probably be found +smoking their pipes in a powder-magazine, or +while sitting upon a barrel of gunpowder.</p> + +<p>Men are too prone to carry their weapons +at full-cock. This should never be done. If +alone, when getting through a hedge or over +any <i>impedimenta</i> the weapon should be laid +on the ground, parallel with the hedge, if +possible. After getting upon the other side, +the weapon should be drawn through with +the butt end towards the person.</p> + +<p>If you have a comrade or keeper with you, +hand him the weapon, muzzle up; get through +yourself, and then take the weapons from him, +<i>muzzle up</i>, and he can follow you with safety. +Always place your weapon upon half-cock (it +should never be at full-cock) before attempting +to go through a hedge or over a stile.</p> + +<p>When two or more gentlemen take the +field together, it is advantageous to work the +ground in the formation of échelon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>The whole field will by this means be +thoroughly searched for game, and each man +can fire clear of the other, commanding his +own ground and the whole field within the +range of the respective guns.</p> + +<p>When about to commence practice with +the rifle or revolver the firing party should +be placed well to the front, and should never +load, or be allowed to load, until all preliminaries +are arranged, and the words, +'Ready! go on!' are given.</p> + +<p>This command or caution will, of necessity, +place every one upon his guard.</p> + +<p>When the piece is loaded, the finger with +which the trigger is drawn should on no +account be placed within the trigger-guard till +the weapon is raised and the aim about to be +taken; and with the rifle until the weapon is +presented, after being put upon full-cock.</p> + +<p>In firing with a pistol, or revolver, the +proper finger with which to draw the trigger +is the second finger, not the index finger, as +generally used. The index finger should be +placed horizontally along the barrel, on the +side of the weapon, which is most important—which,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +as a means of securing steadiness +and leverage, tends not only to reduce the +difficulty of the pull, but also tends to prevent +depression of the muzzle, which is sure +to take place if the forefinger is used, particularly +when the trigger has the minimum +five-pounds' pull.</p> + +<p>When a gun, rifle, pistol, or revolver, is at +full-cock, and it is desired to place it upon +half-cock, as is often done, it should be +so altered, with great care, as follows:—</p> + +<p>The hammer should be lowered gently to +the full extent of the spring, and should then +be carefully drawn back till the distinct <i>click</i> +of the half-cock is heard; then the weapon is +as safe as an arm can be when loaded, and +cannot be accidentally discharged.</p> + +<p>To place a weapon from full to half-cock, +by not lowering the hammer to the full extent +of the spring, and then drawing it back +to half-cock as before described, is a most +dangerous practice, as the hammer may not +be properly inserted in the clip, and an accident +might be the result. A man once having +taken up his position at the firing-point, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +having loaded his piece, should never return +into the company of his comrades till his +piece (particularly if a pistol or revolver) is +discharged, or till all its chambers have been +expended. If it is necessary for him to +rejoin his comrades after his piece is loaded, +or after any of the chambers have been expended, +he should leave the weapon behind +him at the firing-point, and should place it, +<i>muzzle down</i>, in a hole or slot purposely made +in the table before him to receive it, which +hole in the table should have the word +'<span class="smcap">Loaded</span>' written legibly near it.</p> + +<p>If there is no table, then the weapon should, +if at full-cock, be placed upon half-cock, as +before described, and then laid carefully upon +the ground, muzzle pointing towards the target, +and slightly inclined to the left thereof, +so as to be clear of it, which will allow of +the target being examined, if necessary, without +the examiner coming within the direct +line of fire of the weapon; but the table with +a hole in it is the safest method, and is +recommended.</p> + +<p>A couple of stakes with a rope from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +firing-point to the target should be used, as a +precaution to keep back idle curiosity-seekers +from placing themselves within danger on the +firing party's left.</p> + +<p>No one should, upon any pretence whatever, +place himself, or be allowed to place +himself, on, or even near, the firing party's +left side. The reason is obvious, as it will be +found invariably in practice that a man, when +loading with a breech-loader, will naturally +incline the muzzle of his piece, and so innocently +place those immediately upon his left +within its range.</p> + +<p>If it is necessary to address a man when at +the firing-point all interlocution should be +addressed to him on his right; so the +Instructor should place himself on the right +and rather behind the practitioner, and as +close to him as convenient, so as not to incommode +his freedom.</p> + +<p>Some men are naturally nervous, particularly +when at ball practice, and for this reason +all but novices should be left alone, as they +will perhaps make better scoring if not interfered +with.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>All spectators should take ground well in +rear of the alignment of the firing-point, and +on its right flank. The practice of taking up +weapons and going through the pantomime +of pointing them at the target, or pointing a +weapon at anything when not at actual +practice, is idle, and is to be condemned.</p> + +<p>Weapons set aside for practice should never +be meddled with.</p> + +<p>The party who takes his turn (if firing with +revolvers) should receive his weapon unloaded, +<i>muzzle up</i>, with the necessary amount of ammunition, +from the Instructor or Superintendent +in charge; he should then step to the front +or firing-point, load his piece himself, and get +rid of his cartridges as quickly as a due +regard to careful aim, &c., will admit; then +return his piece, <i>muzzle up</i>, to the Instructor, +who will carefully examine it and satisfy +himself that all the chambers have been +expended.</p> + +<p>Should a revolver miss fire, it is most +important that great caution should be used, +as it will sometimes '<i>hang fire</i>,' which the +cartridges of all weapons are liable to do at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +times.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> When a cartridge does not explode +the revolver should be held in the same +position as much as possible, muzzle to the +front, or downwards, for a few seconds; +should it not then explode it may be examined, +the non-exploded cartridge removed +and condemned, and a new cartridge put in +its place. On no account should the condemned +cartridge be placed with or near live +cartridges.</p> + +<p>Firearms should never, under any pretence, +be pointed at anybody; even if +unloaded, such a practice is foolish and +unpardonable. No soldier except in action +would ever think of doing so, and no gentleman +could.</p> + +<p>The thoughtless practice of relinquishing +one's weapon into the hands of a friend, or, +even worse, a stranger, is against all military +rules, and in any case is strongly to be condemned, +and no excuse will palliate such an +offence; not even the assurance that the piece<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +is unloaded. A brother-comrade in the same +regiment is, perhaps, the only exception; but +even this is objectionable, except in extreme +cases. As a rule, a soldier should never +<i>relinquish</i> his piece, even to a General or +a Field Officer.</p> + +<p>Firearms generally, and particularly revolvers, +when loaded or unloaded, should +never be laid upon a table so that the muzzle +can accidentally cover any one. If they must +be relinquished by the owner they should be +placed in a corner of the room farthest from +the door, leaning against the wall, muzzle +down, so that they cannot fall. If loaded +they may, when practicable, be laid upon a +side-table, muzzle towards the wall. Guns or +rifles should be stood muzzle up in their +place in the rack, or, if there is no rack, then +in a corner of the room farthest from the +door, to prevent surprise. No weapon of any +kind should be carried or put down, or left at +full-cock, and no loaded weapon should be +left unprotected. They should, if loaded, be +in the charge of some trustworthy and responsible +person; but in the time of war no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +man would be so foolish as to relinquish his +piece, either by night or by day.</p> + +<p>To sportsmen and others, with the great +facilities for loading and unloading afforded +by the breech-loading system, there can be +no excuse for leaving a weapon charged +when it can so easily be rendered harmless.</p> + +<p>There are many theories as to the proper +way to present a pistol or revolver.</p> + +<p>Every man has some idea upon the subject, +and perhaps it would be well to leave every +one to his own devices; but at the same time +a suggestion here, as we are upon the subject, +may not be out of place.</p> + +<p>The French carry the weapon muzzle up, +the lock of the piece in line with the ear. +Upon taking aim, the muzzle is gradually +depressed till the object it is desired to hit is +covered. This is no doubt a very good way; +but when firing at any distance beyond a +point-blank range it necessitates, firstly, the +depression of the muzzle to cover the object, +and secondly, the necessary elevation must be +taken so that the ball may be carried the +required distance, and so <i>hit</i> the object.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>This position of holding the weapon when +at practice commends itself on the ground of +safety.</p> + +<p>The preferable way, perhaps, is the old +duelling style; that is, to hold the weapon +muzzle down at the full extent of the right +arm, standing sideways or three-quarters left, +showing as small a front as possible, the eye +to be fixed steadily upon the bull's eye or +centre of the target or object, then gradually +raising the arm to the required elevation. +Should the distance be beyond the point-blank +range, after covering the bull's eye +continue to elevate till the required elevation +is reached: by then steadily and firmly increasing +the pressure of the second finger on +the trigger the desired result will be obtained. +Suddenly drawing or jerking the trigger +should be avoided.</p> + +<p>By the latter means the object is covered +at the same time as the foot of the target is +covered, so that in the event of the trigger +being drawn before the bull's eye is reached +the target will be hit, and assuming the +target to be a man he would be disabled and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +the object gained. Another important reason +for advocating the use of the second finger +in drawing the trigger is the fact that the +weight of the military revolver (2 lbs. 8 oz.), +together with the power required to draw +the trigger (5 lbs. pull), by the long tension +of the muscles of the arm, in aiming, +causes a vibration, so that the farther the +bullet has to travel the farther it is thrown +off the centre of the objective. The first +finger, therefore, placed along the barrel or +side of the pistol, acting as a lever, tends to +reduce almost to a minimum the spasmodic +muscular vibration; again, in drawing the +trigger with the forefinger the hardness of +the pull tends to depress the muzzle, while +with using the second finger as before described +this depression is almost impossible.</p> + +<p>In rifle-shooting, as also in that of the +pistol and revolver, the ordinary method +should be reversed; that is, instead of commencing +at 100 yards from the target, the +practice should commence at the longest +range, and the target should be gradually +approached as if it were an actual enemy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>In revolver practice I would recommend +all who desire to become thoroughly efficient +to commence at say 100 yards from the +target, and to gradually reduce the range +to not less than 20 yards. This would +accustom the practitioner to get a thorough +knowledge of the capabilities of the weapon, +and to learn the required amount of elevation +necessary. It must be remembered that the +Military Regulation Revolver will kill at +300 yards.</p> + +<p>I have myself shot with a 320-bore revolver, +eight grains of powder, bullet eighty grains, +at a regulation target at 200 yards, and have +made very fair practice: in fact, the long +range is far preferable for practice, as being +not only beneficial, but a more exciting pastime +than the ordinary range.</p> + +<p>To those who do not possess a regulation +iron target, I would recommend one similar +to that which I have sometimes used. (<i>Vide</i> +diagram.) This target is made of a simple +framework of wood, covered with canvas and +layers of paper pasted thereon. It has the +double advantage of having the Martini-Smith<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +target in the centre, and the remaining +portion, having the exact size of +a man traced thereon, has one other advantage +in at once showing the result of the +practice. This target can be used over and +over again, as, after use, the perforations can +be pasted over with small pieces of paper, +and when well riddled, it can be re-covered; +and the thicker it becomes the better.</p> + +<p>No one should attempt to fire ball-cartridge +anywhere but at a proper range. Firing +in small back-gardens, against brick or stone +walls and trunks of trees, should never be +allowed. Bullets will rebound or go off at a +tangent, and do serious mischief.</p> + +<p>When a bullet once leaves the muzzle of a +rifle, pistol, or revolver, by the evolution of +gunpowder-gas, there is no dependence upon +it as to where it may stop, or what damage +it may do, and bullets upon hitting hard +ground will ricochet; therefore, to those who +wish to enjoy security at practice, I would +advise the selection of ground free from habitation, +or where no people are at work—some +secluded spot where there is ample range, and,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +if possible, a natural hill or mound to receive +the bullets.</p> + +<p>The military revolver will kill at 300 yards, +the Snider artillery carbine at 1800 yards, +and the Martini-Henry rifle at 3000 yards.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> +Too much dependence upon the use of the +slide of the back-sight for elevation in rifle +practice should be deprecated for more than +one reason: <i>e.g.</i>, assuming that a man has +been firing at 300 yards with his back-sight +adjusted to that range, and he is suddenly +ordered to advance at the double; if, at the +spur of the moment, he neglects to reduce his +sight, the result will follow that every shot +will go over the enemy. It is simply idle to +suppose for one moment that in the heat of +action a soldier could afford to fritter away +valuable time, or even be allowed to do so, in +adjusting back-sights. He would, if he were +properly instructed, when within 300 yards +place his back-sight level, and rely upon +his own skill in judging what elevation he +should use.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> +<p>It is better to fire low than high. A low shot +will usually ricochet, particularly upon +striking hard ground, greensward, or a wet +clay soil, and, consequently, will do damage. +Very nearly two thirds of the bullets in +action are lost by going over the heads of +the enemy.</p> + +<p>In the instruction of men in the use of the +rifle valuable time is wasted, and too much +importance is attached to useless detail. Let +a man be placed before the ordinary regimental +target, at an unknown distance, with +the figure of a man traced thereon, assuming +the target to be an enemy similarly armed +with himself; let him understand that he +must take his chance of hitting his man or +being hit himself; and let him fire at this +target with the back-sight level, judging his +own distance and the necessary elevation required: +this calculation (not a very difficult +one, after a little practice) could easily be +come to while in the act of loading. The +result of the first shot would determine the +required elevation, and by taking pains, bull's +eyes and centres would soon be obtained.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is submitted that this mode of procedure +would create an interest in the practice of the +soldier, tending to cause a healthy reaction; +men would take more pains, and try to beat +their comrades, as there would be a greater +stimulus to do so than by the present system. +Men, as it is, go to their practice without +the slightest interest therein, and get rid of +the ammunition as soon as possible, in order +to get off duty. The real reason why we +have such excellent shots in the Volunteers +is accounted for by the fact that they not +only take an interest in the work, but take +pains in everything they do, the result being +success.</p> + +<p>Much significance is attached to the bull's-eye +mania. It should be borne in mind that +a man is a large object at which to aim; that +so long as he can be crippled there is no necessity +to kill. To disable a man so that he +can do no more mischief is sufficient.</p> + +<p>Any man can make a scale of elevation in +his own mind, and, with practice, fire at any +range without putting up the sight, and can +fire standing. My theory is as follows:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>Up to 100 yards the range is point-blank, +that is, aim direct on the bull's eye; for 200 +yards, raise the muzzle, say one foot above +the bull's eye; for 300 yards, two feet above +the bull's eye, and so on. A few trial-shots +will soon settle the question, and practice +makes perfect. A man will thus be independent +of the back-sight of his rifle. This +refers to shooting in the open. Of course, +under cover, when time and circumstances +admit, the back-sight can be used with great +advantage.</p> + +<p>A man in shooting with a pistol or revolver +has to judge his own distance and the necessary +elevation. Why should not the same +rule apply directly to the rifle? I have seen +excellent practice at 400 yards with a Snider +carbine, back-sight level, the man judging his +own elevation, and have been very successful +myself, and have found the above rule apply, +with slight variations.</p> + +<p>In rifle contests all artificial nonsense, such +as coloured glasses, eye-shades, kneeling upon +eider-down quilts, firing from shaded tents, +blackening sights, &c., should be discouraged.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +Let a man leave all such effeminacy and tomfoolery +at home, and shoot like a man, taking +circumstances as he would find them in the +open field <i>with an enemy</i> before him, using +such cover only as nature and circumstances +provide.</p> + +<p>There is infinite satisfaction attached to the +winning of an honour, when that honour has +to be obtained under difficulties which must +be surmounted. The more difficult the task +is, the more merit in overcoming it.</p> + +<p>Lastly. All firearms require constant attention, +and should be kept clean. After use they +should be immediately attended to, and never +put away dirty; should be kept in some dry +corner where rust cannot destroy, and they +should be occasionally overhauled and oiled +when necessary. Really valuable weapons +are sometimes ruined by neglect. The man +who takes no pride in his gun is no sportsman.<br /><br /><br /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> I have known instances of pistols and fowling-pieces +hanging fire for two or three seconds after the +hammer has fallen, and then suddenly go off.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Vide <i>Minor Tactics</i>, by Lieut.-Colonel Clery, 1883.</p></div> +</div> + + +<div class='copyright'><br /><br /><br />——————<br /> +LONDON:<br /> +Printed by <span class="smcap">Strangeways and Sons</span>, Tower Street, Upper St. Martin's Lane<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class='tnote'> +<h4>Transcriber's Notes:</h4> +<p>Clicking on the image at the front will provide the reader with a larger +version.</p> +<p><a href="#Page_38">Page 38</a>, "The" changed to "the" (the Snider artillery carbine)</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hints on the Use and Handling of +Firearms Generally, and the Revolver in Particular, by Lieut. 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