Hints on the use and handling of firearms generally, and the revolver in particularCurling, H. Onslow (Henry Onslow)
History
Hints on the use and handling of firearms generally, and the revolver in particular
Curling, H. Onslow (Henry Onslow)
Firearms; Revolvers
The cool old sportsman of days gone by would sally forth in quest of
game, having 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.
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.
In the Royal Navy the use and practice of 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:--
'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.'
DUDLEY WILSON, Esq., 2 Pall Mall, is the Honorary Secretary, and may
success attend him.
To the inexperienced, the revolver is, 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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