,transcriber's ,note3 ,minor typographical errors have been corrected without note4 ,irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed4 ,words printed in italics are noted with underscores3 italics4 ,a4 ,b4 ,c4 of ,,snap ,,shooting ,by ,,horace ,,fletcher4 ,,sporting1 ,,exhibition1 ,,and ,,military4 ,,published ,,by ,,the ,,author4 ,,san ,,francisco1 #ahhj4 ,,preface4 ,my object in publishing this little book is to explain a method of teaching ,snap ,shooting1 by using the rifle in practice1 which1 by its economy1 ease1 quickness1 and fascination1 will recommend itself to any who are desirous of becoming skillful in the use of firearms4 ,it is true that by this method almost any one can make himself a good snap shot in a few weeks or months1 according to the amount of practice indulged in1 and that too at very small cost4 ,i make no claim for it1 except that having received the original idea from ,dr4 ,carver1 ,i have demonstrated for myself and seen several friends demonstrate its practicability beyond a doubt4 ,i submit it for what it may be worth4 ,,horace ,,fletcher4 ,,snap ,,shooting ,,defined4 ,snap shooting is the throwing of both the rear and front sights of a gun into line between the eye and the target and pulling the trigger1 all in one motion1 and is distinguished by that name from any shooting where the aim is leisurely taken1 by bringing the piece to the shoulder1 getting the sights in line1 hunting the target and pulling the trigger when the aim is most steady4 ,,another ,,definition4 ,in snap shooting1 the eye catches the target1 and the attention is riveted on it1 while the piece comes into line instinctively4 ,in other shooting1 the attention is turned from the target to the gun and sights1 and after getting them in line1 is returned to the target4 ,the practice of snap shooting does not interfere with aiming at leisure1 but aiming at leisure unfits one for snap shooting4 ,when the face is in danger1 the hand comes before it instinctively to protect it2 and in the same manner when a target appears the gun should as instinctively and quickly find its place in line between it and the eyes4 ,this is necessary to the perfect snap shot4 ,illustration3 ,first ,position4 ,,loading4 ,after inserting the cartridge1 close the breech and swing the piece up to the ,second ,position4 ,illustration3 ,second ,position4 ,,ready4 ,the piece should be cocked only in this position4 ,illustration3 ,third ,position4 ,,aiming4 ,after firing1 drop the piece immediately to the ,fourth ,position4 ,illustration3 ,fourth ,position4 ,,extracting4 ,extract and re-load as quickly as possible in order to be ready to fire again4 ,,rules ,,of ,,safety4 ,the following rules of safety should never be disregarded3 #a4 ,on taking a firearm in your hands1 see for yourself if it be loaded or not1 and never take any one's word for it4 #b4 ,keep the muzzle of a loaded gun above the level of the eye1 and hold a pistol at a corresponding angle4 #c4 ,handle all firearms as if loaded4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,note4--,the ,numbers scattered through ,the ,outfit1 and ,rules of ,practice1 refer to paragraphs further on1 correspondingly numbered1 which are explanatory of terms used1 and give the reasons for the suggestions offered4 ,this plan relieves the pith of the book from any confusing element4 ,,the ,,outfit4 ,three#a persons purchase a 4#bbc calibre rifle1#b having a shot-gun#d stock1 and buck-horn#e or clover-leaf rear sight1 a supply of short cartridges1#f and a ,fletcher bell-ball4#g ,the place for practice should be open#h ground1 or in front of a bulkhead1#i at least twenty-five feet in height1 and three soft pine boards in thickness4 ,,rules ,,for ,,practice4 #a4 ,each should take his turn in the positions of ,,firer1 ,,tosser1 and ,,scorer4#aj #b4 ,the ,,tosser should stand ten#aa feet distant from the ,,firer1 with his side#ab to him1 and toss the bell-ball about fifteen#ac feet high1 and so that it will fall on soft ground1#ae two or three#ad feet in front of where he 7the ,tosser7 is standing4 #c4 ,the ,,firer should disencumber his shoulders of anything that in any way interferes with their free action1 by removing his coat1 vest and suspenders1 and stand firmly#af on his feet1 holding the rifle with the stock below his right#ag elbow1 the muzzle above the level of the eye1#ah and his left hand clasping the barrel as far out#ai as it can reach with ease when the rifle is brought to the shoulder in aiming4 #d4 ,the instant#bj the ball is tossed1 the rifle should be brought to the shoulder with as quick a motion as possible1 regardless of the speed the bell seems to have4 #e4 ,when the bell has reached its greatest#ba elevation1 just see it full#bb over the line of both#bc sights and pull the trigger4#bd #f4 ,the rifle should not be allowed to get#be foul1 but cleaned before any burned powder has accumulated in the grooves4#bf #g4 ,practice at balls thrown straight#bg up to a uniform height should continue till tolerable proficiency1 say the average hitting of #hj per cent41 has been attained1 when the direction should be changed gradually to that of a curve1 which lengthened out sufficiently constitutes the ,,cross-,,shot4#bh #h4 ,the ,,drop-,,shot is the following of a bell1 from its summit down to within one or two#bi feet of the ground and hitting it there4 #i4 ,the ,,incoming-,,shot#cj is at a ball thrown at the firer from a distance of say #ej feet1 and is the easiest of all2 but unless thrown so as to go above his head1 and caught by him in passing over1 is not recommended1 owing to the danger to the tosser4 ,if a trap be used it is safe and good practice4 #aj4 ,the ,,trap-,,shot is the most difficult1 requires the quickest#ca action1 and is consequently the very best practice1 and is the hitting of balls thrown straight away from the firer by a spring-trap1 or by hand1 so that they fall not more than twenty-five feet distant4 #aa4 ,the above are the cardinal directions1 but any variety of shots can be made at will after these have been mastered4 #ab4 ,shooting at a bell-ball1 suspended by a wire or cord1 which can be done indoors1 is excellent practice4 ,the bell is made to swing1 and as each hit gives it a new motion a variety of shots can be tried4 #ac4 ,balls only#cb should be used as flying targets1 for the reason that a bullet may pass very near the center of an irregularly-shaped object1 and not hit it1 the miss conveying an erroneous impression of the aim4 #ad4 ,quickness#ca of action is most important in snap shooting1 not only in firing but in loading4 #ae4 ,reload your piece immediately after discharging it1 and be ready to fire again4 ,that you may accustom yourself to be quick in all your movements1 try how many#cc times you can fire1 reload1 and hit a bell-ball thrown up perpendicularly in a given time1 say one or two minutes4 ,,note4--#ajj consecutive misses at first will not indicate an inability to learn to hit4 ,perseverance and attention to the suggestions here given will make one a good snap shot in less time than may at first seem possible4 ,,explanation4 #a4 ,economy facilitates practice by removing the dread of expense which takes the keen edge off of any sport and discourages it4 ,the expense of an outfit1 consisting of a rifle1 one thousand cartridges1 and a bell-ball is less than twenty-five dollars1 which divided between three persons is very light4 ,three persons can work together to advantage by taking the positions of firer1 tosser and scorer1 and benefit by friendly competition4 #b4 ,the rifle should be the elementary arm used in practice1 and be handled with success on all the shots before the shot-gun is taken up4 ,true impressions only should be given the learner1 which the rifle does1 and the shot-gun does not1 give4 ,occasionally1 the scattering of shot may allow an object to drop without being hit1 when the gun has been held right on it1 and again1 a stray shot may hit1 when the aim has been high1 low1 or to one side1 in both of which cases the impressions given the firer are erroneous4 ,with the rifle this cannot occur1 and every time one makes a hit he has received a true impression of the position the sights should hold relative to the bell4 #c4 ,rifles of 4#bb calibre are the best to use in practice1 for several reasons3 #a4 ,the expense of shooting them is very light1 owing to the low cost of the cartridges4 #b4 ,because there is no perceptible recoil1 which is an important consideration1 inasmuch as the flinching which a beginner does involuntarily1 if he stand behind a kicking rifle at first1 is very hard to overcome2 but which he avoids when he has learned to hold his gun firm against his shoulder and to brace against it4 #c4 ,the rifle does not heat quickly1 and in cool weather can be fired one hundred times without becoming hot4 ,the reasons for this are the thickness of the barrel1 and the small quantity of powder burned in each cartridge4 #d4 ,it has a light report1 scarcely louder than the cracking of a whip1 and can be used anywhere without being a nuisance on that account4 ,in hunting birds or squirrels in a wood1 this advantage is considerable1 because the report does not frighten the game any more than the breaking of a twig1 and one can move about within a limited space1 shooting many times at the same game1 if not successful in hitting it at first1 whereas a noisy gun would clear the neighborhood after each discharge4 #e4 ,these rifles are a desirable weight1 being not lighter than about seven pounds1 and shoot accurately at ranges of two hundred and three hundred yards4 ,it is true that light bullets are more easily affected by the wind than heavy1 but the ranges are generally less than one hundred yards1 and in any case it is easy to make allowance4 #d4 ,it used to be the fashion to make rifle stocks with projecting points to fit around the shoulder1 which was all right for target practice1 but in snap shooting there should be nothing to catch the sleeve1 and consequently the shot-gun stock is recommended4 ,in case your rifle has the points1 have the upper one1 at least1 cut off4 ,the lower one is no objection1 if the stock has sufficient drop for your length of neck1 but if it has not1 the catching at the shoulder will necessitate your ducking your head1 which is awkward and detrimental to rapid work4 #e4 ,the ,,buckhorn and ,,clover ,,leaf rear sights are shaped as their names would indicate1 and the front sight can be brought down into them quicker and easier than into others1 and there is less danger of canting the rifle to one side4 ,the buckhorn is preferable to the clover leaf1 and both are infinitely better than the flat sight1 which has only a niche in it4 ,any gunsmith can change the sights to suit1 or you can put them in yourself if you have them4 ,in shooting point blank at a given distance1 with fine sights1 if the rifle shoot low1 file off the front sight1 which is equivalent to giving elevation to the bore4 #f4 ,,short ,,cartridges are preferable1 because they hold quite as much powder as will burn in the rifle1 cost less than the long1 are even more accurate1 make less report1 and principally because the ,,fletcher ,,bell ,,ball is not made to resist a heavier charge4 #g4 ,the ,,fletcher ,,bell ,,ball is a metal ball1 made up of two hemispherical gongs1 joined by a post of the same metal1 all cast in one piece1 and is about two inches in diameter4 ,a space between the gongs allows perfect vibration1 and being all one piece it rings distinctly1 no matter where hit1 so that it can be heard several hundred yards4 ,it is practically indestructible and can be hit thousands of times without being destroyed4 ,john ,ruth of ,oakland1 ,california1 in an exhibition at ,badger's park1 in the summer of #ahgi1 hit one nine hundred and ninety times out of one thousand shots fired1 leaving it in good condition for further use4 ,its advantages over glass balls are3 #a4 ,it is inexpensive4 #b4 ,it can be carried in the pocket4 #c4 ,it avoids broken glass in the fields4 #d4 ,it is a perfect indicator of hits1 telling by its sound if hit in the dead center1 or is only touched4 #e4 ,it is a new principle in bells1 and has greater resonance than others of the same metal1 because the sound passes through the post from the gong which has been hit to the other and is repeated there4 ,this bell-ball was patented ,august #f1 #ahgh2 and for snap shot rifle practice1 and as a swinging target in shooting galleries1 is very useful and economical4 #h4 ,inasmuch as the bullets are projected high in air in nearly all the shots recommended1 and are quite light1 when they are spent they are harmless1 so that long range is not necessary2 but it must be kept in mind1 however1 that they are projected with much force1 and at two hundred or three hundred yards even1 have considerable penetration1 and great care should be taken in giving them direction4 #i4 ,a ,,bulkhead to resist short cartridges should be1 at least1 three soft pine boards in thickness4 #aj4 ,the keeping of ,,scores during practice to show the progress made by each1 is beneficial4 ,at first an occasional hit will seem like good shooting1 while later an occasional miss will seem to make a bad average1 owing to the advanced ideas of the firer1 but the scores will determine the true progress4 ,there will be times when the learner will shoot easily and well1 and others when he may find it very hard1 but practice can develop a skill which will be able to overcome the influence of shaky nerves4 #aa4 ,the near distance of ten feet is the best range at first because the object is to hit as easily as possible1 but later1 as proficiency is acquired1 the tosser may retire till ten yards is reached1 which is far enough for all practical purposes4 #ab4 ,if the tosser stand with his face to the firer he is apt to divert his attention from the ball1 which is in part avoided by turning his side1 and is also the proper position for the delivery of the drop and other shots4 #ac4 ,fifteen feet of elevation is sufficient1 a higher ball being really easier to hit1 because the firer is more under it4 #ad4 ,the ball thrown perpendicularly is of course the easiest to hit1 but if it fall in front of the tosser two or three feet1 the firer is less liable to be disturbed4 #ae4 ,the metal of the bell being somewhat brittle1 if it happen to fall on a stone or very hard ground in a certain position it will break the post and disable it4 ,if it fall into mud and fill1 or partially fill with it1 the sound will be very much deadened4 #af4 ,the free use of the shoulders is necessary1 and a shooting suit1 consisting of loose shirt1 and pants which fit the hips closely1 made of dark blue flannel to avoid the powder stains showing too plainly1 is recommended4 ,twenty or thirty cartridges can be carried in the hollow of the left hand1 which holds the barrel1 and can be got at easily in reloading2 but if they interfere with the holding of the rifle1 it is better to use a pouch or open-mouthed bag suspended in front of the waist4 ,it may seem trivial to mention nice points of position1 such as standing1 which any one might know1 but in truth there are many little things which in the aggregate are essential4 ,intense earnestness1 quickness1 firmness1 the avoiding of diverting attractions1 all help to success though any one may seemingly be disregarded without prejudice4 #ag4 ,no shot is counted fair unless the stock of the rifle remain below the elbow till the ball has been thrown4 #ah4 ,after firing1 the stock of the rifle is brought down and held between the elbow and the hip by pressure of the elbow1 while the shell is extracted2 the muzzle is then depressed to an angle of forty-five degrees below the horizontal2 the new cartridge inserted and the breech-block forced into place1 when the muzzle is brought to its position above the level of the eye and the piece cocked4 ,it should be a matter of discipline with all to practice these motions with a view to making them a habit1 in which there is safety and quickness4 #ai4 ,the farther out on the barrel you can clasp your gun with your left hand1 easily1 the better control you will have over it4 ,it is this advantage that tall men have over short1 that makes them frequently better field shots4 #bj4 ,the importance of quickness of motion1 cannot be over-estimated4 ,there is always a tendency to follow the ball up with the rifle1 but the first care should be to get the rifle to the shoulder as quickly as possible1 when time to aim will be secured before the summit is reached1 whereas1 tardy action necessitates hurried firing4 #ba4 ,during the second of time when the ball is at the summit1 it does not seem to have any motion1 and is1 consequently1 the best time to hit it4 #bb4 ,seeing the ball full over the sights1 means in reality the allowing for a little drop before the bullet gets there4 #bc4 ,it is the fault of nearly all beginners to uncover too much of the front sight1 and consequently to overshoot4 ,be careful that the front sight is well down into the rear when you see the object finally1 and pull4 #bd4 ,the pulling of the trigger must be done without hesitation1 but quickly as soon as the judgment orders it4 #be4 ,the fouling of the rifle will depend on the ammunition used4 ,the author has fired as many as five hundred shots from a rifle without cleaning1 while using cartridges of ,american make1 but has not been able to shoot more than ten of those made by ,eley ,brothers1 of ,london1 before cleaning1 and as the ,english cartridges cost just twice as much as the ,american1 the result of the test is strongly in favor of the latter4 #bf4 ,as soon as burned powder begins to accumulate in the grooves1 it tears the bullet1 and accuracy is impossible2 the digression being sometimes several inches in a ten yards flight4 ,when bullets tear you can usually hear them hum when they leave the rifle4 #bg4 ,the practical value in field shooting1 gained by the mere hitting of balls thrown up perpendicularly1 is not great1 but as a preliminary practice it is essential1 and should be accomplished before other directions are given to the bell4 #bh4 ,with practice on the ,,cross ,,shot1 and similar ones1 comes the true benefit which is derived from this system1 and which will perfect one in field shooting1 not only with a shot-gun on birds1 but with a rifle on running game4 ,the instant the bell is thrown for the cross shot1 bring the rifle to the shoulder as quickly as possible1 take aim and follow it1 firing as you go1 never stopping the motion to pull the trigger4 #bi4 ,the ,,drop ,,shot is1 perhaps1 the prettiest as an exhibition1 because the bell is hit just when your spectators think it has gotten away from you1 and is excellent practice4 ,like the cross-shot1 it teaches an easy sweeping motion of the rifle1 which is the secret of successful snap shooting4 ,catch the bell just full over your sights and keep it there while you lead it down4 #cj4 ,the ,,base ,,ball or ,,incoming ,,shot at a bell thrown at the firer by an attendant is dangerous on account of the possible glancing of the bullets in his direction1 and as all chances of accident should be carefully avoided1 it is better not to try it4 #ca4 ,the ,,trap ,,shot4 ,the glass ball traps ordinarily used in shot-gun practice1 throw glass balls too far for the rifle1 at first1 but as the bell-ball is heavier are about the proper strength for that4 ,the bell should not be thrown so as to fall at a greater distance than twenty-five feet1 and the firer should stand right beside or just behind the trap4 ,quickness of motion in getting the rifle to the shoulder becomes a habit1 if persisted in1 and is absolutely necessary to success in this shooting4 ,if the learner1 in beginning his practice1 is sufficiently impressed with the importance of the quick first motion of getting his gun to his shoulder1 the instant a mark appears he will find the chief obstacle to hitting it removed4 ,buck fever means the forgetting that one has a gun in his hands1 in the absorbing interest he takes in the game in sight4 ,the trigger should not be pulled in a hurry1 and never till sure aim has been taken4 ,quick action allows deliberate aim1 while tardy action prevents it4 ,i have repeated the lines urging quickness of action1 because too much stress cannot be laid on it4 #cb4 ,,balls ,,only should be used as flying targets4 ,when the beginner has attained some skill in snap shooting with a rifle1 he takes justifiable pride in exhibiting it1 by hitting all kind of things1 such as cans1 bottles1 sticks1 coins1 pencils and stones1 but it is not well to do so4 ,the impression given every time the rifle is discharged1 ought to be a true one1 but when a ball passes near the center of an irregularly shaped object without hitting it1 the impression given is that the aim was defective1 when it was good4 #cc4 ,it is excellent practice1 when you have become proficient1 to see how little time it will take you to make a given number of hits1 say twenty1 not counting the misses as anything4 ,the less misses you make1 the less time you will require4 ,the ,tosser should observe the instant the breech block is replaced after the cartridge has been inserted1 and throw immediately without waiting for instructions4 ,in order to establish a standard of quickness it may be well to state that the writer has made twenty hits in one minute and sixteen seconds1 and one hundred hits in seven minutes and twenty-nine seconds4 ,in the first instance he made no misses1 but in the second there were seven misses1 making one hundred and seven shots in all2 an average of about four seconds to the shot4 ,,useful ,,hints4 ,without attempting to treat the subject exhaustively1 ,i will give some hints on aiming1 which being taken by a beginner1 will save him much time4 ,long practice teaches one to hold in certain positions1 under certain circumstances1 but the majority of gunners cannot give reasons for their doing so4 ,,point ,,blank means aiming directly at the object without making visible allowance for depression or windage4 ,when a rifle is sighted to shoot point blank a given distance1 the front sight is filed off1 which acts to depress the line of the sights1 or elevate the line of the bore1 which is the same thing1 sufficient to counteract the effect of gravity on the bullet4 ,when firing point blank at a given distance it is natural to suppose1 though all know to the contrary1 that the bullet travels in a straight line between the rifle and the target2 or in other words1 that the trajectory is flat1 and that the line of the sights and line of the bore of the rifle are parallel4 ,flat trajectory is impossible1 because the instant the bullet leaves the rifle it is under the influence of gravity1 and in traveling an inch even is depressed by it4 ,for convenience of description ,i will call this elevation of the line of the bore ,,the ,,line ,,of ,,elevation4 ,i shall also term that part of the circle between the horizontal and perpendicular above1 the ,,upper ,,quadrant2 and that part between the horizontal and perpendicular below1 the ,,lower ,,quadrant1 and use the figures on the dial of a clock to indicate the positions of hits on the target4 ,a gun is ,,canted when a perpendicular line drawn from the line of the sights will not intersect the line of elevation4 ,,shooting ,,straight 7an expression legalized by use7 means hitting a target at the point which is in line with the sights4 ,when a rifle is canted1 no matter how little1 it will not shoot straight4 ,unless the contrary is stated it is always supposed that you are firing point blank at the range for which the rifle is sighted4 ,a bullet projected from a rifle canted to one side1 say the left1 at right angles to the upright position1 will hit half-past seven o'clock1 because the line of elevation throws it to the left just as much as gravity pulls it down1 to counteract which influence the rifle must be aimed at half-past one o'clock4 ,if the rifle be held upside down it will shoot very low1 because the line of elevation and gravity both act to depress it4 ,held in any position between these1 the two regular causes of deflection1 gravity and elevation1 will influence the shot2 counteracting or aiding each other with mathematical precision1 as they approach or depart from each other2 in the upright position1 just counteracting2 in the inverted position aiding each other2 and in the side position pulling down at an angle of #de degrees4 ,in shooting at point blank range horizontally1 the line of elevation is just counteracted by gravity4 ,in shooting straight up or straight down there is no lateral attraction to affect the course of the bullet1 gravity acting only to aid or retard its speed1 consequently the line of elevation will throw it off the target the full distance4 ,in shooting at any point in either the upper or lower quadrants1 aim low2 the lower as you approach either perpendicular4 ,the speed of a bullet diminishes as it travels1 and as it requires much greater time to make the second than the first hundred yards1 gravity has more time to depress it in that distance4 ,in bending backwards to shoot1 remember that the rifle is inverted4 ,the flight of a bullet is not in a perfect curve2 at first it travels almost straight1 then curves gradually1 then abruptly1 till finally when it has lost its momentum1 it drops perpendicularly1 affected only by gravity4 ,if you are stationary and your target moves1 aim ahead4 ,if you are in motion and your target is stationary aim behind1 because your motion is given to the bullet4 ,if you and your target are both moving in the same direction at the same speed1 near each other1 aim at it1 but if the distance be great1 aim ahead1 because your target keeps up its speed1 while the momentum which you have given the bullet decreases as it travels4 ,the force of wind being irregular and capricious must be judged from personal observation and experience1 but remember1 that like gravity1 it has more time to deflect a bullet during its second than during its first hundred yards flight4 ,hold the gun firmly against your shoulder to prevent its kicking4 ,to counteract recoil1 hold yourself against it by making a slight movement forward as you fire4 ,the general fault in aiming1 in snap shooting1 is over-aiming4 ,the front sight should always be brought well down in the rear sight1 which is facilitated by having sufficient drop to the stock of the piece4 ,aim at an object going straight away from you1 as if it were rising4 ,,target ,,practice ,,compared ,,with ,,snap ,,shooting4 ,the shooting at still targets1 either off-hand or from a rest1 judging windage and the elevation required1 nice cleaning1 regular loading1 etc41 are very scientific and good practice for sharp shooting1 but unfit one for snap shooting4 ,to be able to judge distance1 windage1 the height above or depression below the level1 the speed and direction the object is moving1 while you count one1 two1 three1 is the skill which this system endeavors to teach1 and which is solidly practical4 ,to stand for one or two minutes1 with the elbow resting on the hip1 and the hand twisted in an awkward position underneath the trigger guard waiting for a season of partial paralysis to steady the aim1 for any purposes other than sharp shooting1 is unpractical4 ,to rest1 either standing or lying is more unpractical still4 ,to be able1 in spite of shaky nerves1 to throw the rifle1 bullet and all at the object in an instant1 is practical4 ,a good snap shot can shoot better off-hand than from a rest1 and does not close either eye1 when he aims4 ,keeping both eyes open comes unsought with practice1 and indicates that the gun has become the servile weapon1 which finds its way to its place between the eyes and the object1 without demanding attention1 and delivers its charge direct at the bidding of the master1 whose both eyes are intently watching the course of the target4 ,the brain and finger become so sympathetic that the firing is done almost without bidding4 ,,rules ,,to ,,govern ,,competition ,,in ,,shooting ,,at ,,bell ,,or ,,glass ,,balls ,,with ,a ,,rifle1 ,,when ,,the ,,balls ,,are ,,thrown ,,up ,,by ,,hand ,,perpendicularly4 #a4 ,the standard calibre of the rifle shall be 4#bb1 and the standard distance fifteen feet4 #b4 ,rifles of 4#bh calibre shall be handicapped two feet1 those of 4#cb calibre four feet1 those of 4#ch calibre eight feet1 those of 4#dj calibre ten feet1 and those of 4#dd calibre twelve feet4 #c4 ,,the ,,referee1 whose decision shall be final1 shall take position on a line at right angles to that between the firer and tosser1 opposite the tosser1 and see that no balls are thrown inside a perpendicular to that line4 ,in case a ball be hit inside the perpendicular1 it shall count neither for nor against the firer4 #d4 ,,the ,,firer shall shoot at twenty balls and then retire1 must keep the stock of his rifle below his right elbow till the ball is thrown1 must shoot at each ball he orders or lose it2 is responsible for the throwing of his tosser1 whom he is at liberty to choose or change at will1 and also for any failure to load or cock his rifle2 but is entitled to another ball1 if there be a misfire on account of a defective cartridge4 #e4 ,,ties shall be shot off on time2 the contestant hitting the greatest number of balls in five minutes1 shooting as he pleases1 at balls thrown according to the rules1 shall be declared winner of the tie1 provided1 of course1 that rifles of the same class be used by both parties4 ,,to ,,govern ,,competition ,,in ,,shooting ,,at ,,bell ,,or ,,glass ,,balls ,,thrown ,,from ,a ,,trap4 #a4 ,the same trap shall be used by all contestants1 and shall be made to throw the balls as nearly horizontal as possible1 and so that they shall fall about twenty-five feet distant1 all in the same direction4 #b4 ,rifles of 4#bb calibre are standard1 and entitle the firer to stand three feet in rear of the trap4 ,firers using 4#bh calibre rifles shall be handicapped to five feet back of the trap2 those using 4#cb calibre1 to seven feet back2 those using 4#ch calibre1 to eleven feet back2 those using 4#dj calibre1 to thirteen feet back2 and those using 4#dd calibre1 to fifteen feet back4 #c4 ,,the ,,referee',s decision shall be final1 and he shall judge1 among other points1 if the trap throw equally for all4 #d4 ,,the ,,firer shall shoot at twenty balls and then retire1 must keep the stock of his rifle below his right elbow till the trap is sprung2 must shoot at each ball he orders or lose it2 is responsible for the service of his trap-puller1 whom he is at liberty to choose or change at will1 and also for any failure to load or cock his rifle2 but is entitled to another ball in case there is a misfire on account of a defective cartridge1 or on account of the breaking of the trap4 #e4 ,,ties shall be shot off on time2 the contestant hitting the greatest number of balls in five minutes1 shooting as he pleases1 at balls thrown according to the rules1 shall be declared winner of the tie2 provided1 of course1 that rifles of the same class be used by both parties4 ,,exhibition ,,shots ,,at ,,still ,,objects1 ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,make ,,them4 ,shooting at a ,bell-,ball1 suspended by a wire about five feet in length1 at a range of from thirty to fifty feet4 #a4 ,,rifle ,,canted ,,sideways4 ,aim at half-past one o'clock1 two inches off4 #b4 ,,rifle ,,upside ,,down over the head4 ,aim at twelve o'clock1 three inches off4 #c4 ,,mirror ,,shot4 ,stand with back to the target1 rest the rifle on the shoulder1 hold a small hand mirror back of the sights1 and see the reflection of the target in a line with them4 ,aim at the target4 ,this shot is difficult1 because a change of position of the mirror has the same effect as moving the rifle1 and steadiness of both is requisite2 also1 movements are seemingly reversed in the glass4 #d4 ,,snuffing ,a ,,candle4 ,the wick must be cut by the bullet4 #e4 ,,exploding ,,cartridges4 ,shoot ten holes in a plank1 place a cartridge in each hole1 and explode them in ten shots4 ,this shot is very interesting1 but dangerous if the cartridges are pushed into the holes so that the shell is inserted1 because a resistance is made1 and the shells or parts of them are forced back towards the firer4 ,the end only of the bullet should be covered1 and then there is no danger4 #f4 ,,card ,,shot4 ,cut a hole1 the size of the barrel1 in an ordinary business card1 and slide it on as far as the forward sight4 ,in looking along the line of sights with one eye1 the target will be obscured2 but if both eyes are left open1 there will appear to be a hole in the card through which the target can be seen4 ,the reason of this is1 that while one eye looks at the sights and card1 the other looks past the card at the target1 and1 of the double impressions conveyed to the brain1 the more distinct ones of the target and sights unite in one and displace the card4 ,in this shot aim a little to the left1 the more1 the nearer the target is to you1 because the eyes are not focussed on the object1 but are looking in parallel directions1 consequently the discrepancy of aim is the distance between the eyes4 #g4 ,,the ,,bending ,,backward ,,or ,,athletic ,,shot is very difficult for any but gymnasts1 or those who have very limber backs4 ,stand with the back to the target1 put the rifle to the shoulder as if aiming horizontally2 bend backward till you are aiming at the target with inverted rifle4 ,aim high1 as in any shot where the rifle is turned barrel down4 #h4 ,,the ,,hip ,,shot is made by holding the stock of the rifle on the hip and judging the aim4 ,it is very difficult1 but not all chance1 for one can observe how his arms are held1 and soon learn to feel if the aim be accurate4 #i4 ,bending forward and ,,shooting ,,between ,,the ,,legs1 holding the rifle ,,back ,,of ,,the ,,neck1 and similar unusual shots1 are good practice1 and teach one to overcome adverse positions4 #aj4 ,,knocking ,,the ,,ashes ,,off ,a ,,cigar in an attendant's mouth1 or apples or potatoes from his head1 are fool-hardy shots1 which are not brilliant1 and only interest because they are dangerous4 ,no man is sure of himself1 his cartridges1 or his rifle4 ,nervousness1 a dirty rifle1 a bullet which does not fill the grooves1 the unsteadiness of the attendant1 or other causes of inaccuracy are within the range of possibility1 and any danger1 especially where another is liable to be the sufferer1 should be avoided and discouraged by audiences4 ,,at ,,moving ,,objects4 #a4 ,shooting at a ,swinging ,bell and hitting it in various positions4 #b4 ,shooting at ,bells thrown up perpendicularly4 #c4 ,,turning ,,shot4 ,stand with back to the target and turn and hit the bell after it is thrown4 #d4 ,hit ,bells1 holding the rifle in ,one ,hand4 #e4 ,toss the ,bell up yourself and hit it1 using one or both hands4 #f4 ,cross ,shot1 ,drop ,shot1 ,incoming ,shot1 and ,trap ,shooting1 explained in ,rules for ,practice4 #g4 ,shooting at coins thrown in the air is interesting1 but expensive4 ,,shots ,,which ,,can ,,only ,,be ,,made ,,with ,a ,,repeating ,,rifle4 #a4 ,,double ,,shot4 ,hitting two objects thrown in the air at the same time1 reloading the rifle once4 #b4 ,,triple ,,or ,,quadruple ,,shot4 ,firing into the air two or three times after an object has been thrown1 and hitting it with the third or fourth bullet before it reaches the ground4 #c4 ,,jump ,,shot4 ,place a light ball1 either glass or wood1 on the ground three feet in front of you4 ,shoot three inches under it1 which will project it into the air4 ,reload your rifle1 and hit it before it falls4 #d4 ,,shoot ,,as ,,many ,,holes ,,as ,,you ,,can ,,in ,a ,,board1 one foot square1 which has been thrown in the air1 before it reaches the ground4 #e4 ,,break ,a ,,brick with one bullet1 then reload1 and hit one of the pieces4 #f4 ,,oranges1 when hit hard with a bullet from a 4#dd calibre rifle1 disappear in a shower of juice2 or1 if struck only lightly with the first bullet1 can be hit again with a second before falling4 #g4 ,,in ,,time ,,shooting with a repeating rifle1 balls can be hit as fast as they can be thrown up1 one at a time1 by one person4 ,,note4--,the above repeating rifle shots1 and many of the others1 were invented by ,dr4 ,carver and successfully made in his various exhibitions in this country and at the ,crystal ,palace1 near ,london4 ,,feats ,,which ,,have ,,been ,,accomplished ,,with ,,the ,,rifle ,,on ,,moving ,,objects4 ,the records given below have not been made in matches but in exhibitions1 but are well authenticated1 and will serve as ,standards of ,excellence4 ,,dr4 ,,william ,f4 ,,carver1 the originator of ball shooting with a rifle1 to whom great credit is due on that account1 has performed many remarkable feats in his exhibitions1 and one of both skill and endurance which will stand for them all4 ,at ,brooklyn ,driving ,park1 on ,saturday ,july #ac1 #ahgh1 he attempted to break #eejj glass balls in #h hours1 with the following result1 copied from the account in ,forest and ,stream1 ,rod and ,gun3 ,,official ,,time ,,record4 ,time per ,schedule ,actual hundred4 ,time4 ,time4 ,ahead4 ,behind4 ,m4 ,s4 ,h4 ,m4 ,s4 ,h4 ,m4 ,s4 ,m4 ,s4 ,m4 ,s4 ,misses4 #ajj #e #je #i #je #e #je #d #jj #f #bjj #f #be #ah #aa #aa #cj #f #da #b #cjj #g #ej #bg #af #ai #bj #g #ef #e #djj #f #dj #cf #bb #bf #jj #aj #bb #b #ejj #f #bj #de #bg #cb #bj #ac #jg #d #fjj #g #aj #ed #cb #ci #cj #ae #jb #aj #gjj #e #ej #a #jc #ch #de #bj #ah #ah #c #hjj #f #jj #a #ab #dc #ea #bj #ba #bc #ab #ijj #g #jj #a #ba #dh #eh #bj #bd #bh #i #a1jjj #h #jj #a #cj #ed #a #jf #bj #bd #cd #aj #a1ajj #aj #aj #a #ci #ei #a #af #cj #bc #bi #i #a1bjj #e #ej #a #di #jd #a #bb #bj #bf #dd #f #a1cjj #h #jj #a #eh #ji #a #cj #bj #bg #di #aj #a1djj #aj #aj #b #jg #ae #a #dj #cj #bf #de #i #a1ejj #g #ej #b #af #ba #a #dh #bj #bh #ja #f #a1fjj #g #ej #b #be #bf #a #ef #aj #bi #af #ac #a1gjj #aa #aj #b #cd #cb #b #jf #bj #bh #ab #ah #a1hjj #h #jj #b #dc #cg #b #ad #bj #bi #ag #af #a1ijj #h #jj #b #eb #db #b #bb #bj #cj #bb #bc #b1jjj #g #jj #c #ja #dh #b #bi #bj #cb #bh #bj #b1ajj #i #jj #c #aj #ec #b #ch #bj #cb #cc #bj #b1bjj #h #aj #c #ai #ei #b #df #cj #cc #bi #ae #b1cjj #aj #aj #c #bi #jd #b #ef #dj #cb #bd #aa #b1djj #ae #jj #c #ch #ji #c #aa #dj #bf #bi #bh #b1ejj #h #cj #c #dg #ae #c #bj #aj #bg #je #ba #b1fjj #aj #bj #c #ef #bj #c #cj #cj #be #ej #aj #b1gjj #aj #aj #d #je #bf #c #dj #dj #bd #df #e #b1hjj #ab #cj #d #ad #ca #c #ec #aj #ba #ba #h #b1ijj #af #cj #d #bc #cg #d #ji #dj #ac #eg #ab #c1jjj #aj #jj #d #cb #dc #d #ai #dj #ac #jc #ba #c1ajj #ch #cja #d #da #dh #d #eh #aj #af #bb #af #c1bjj #f #cj #d #ej #ed #e #jd #dj #ac #df #af #c1cjj #g #cj #d #ei #ei #e #ab #aj #ab #aa #aj #c1djj #f #cj #e #ji #jd #e #ah #dj #i #cf #aj #c1ejj #h #cj #e #ah #aj #e #bg #aj #i #jj #aa #c1fjj #aa #cj #e #bg #ae #e #ch #dj #aa #be #bb #c1gjj #g #bj #e #cf #ba #e #df #jj #i #ci #aj #c1hjj #i #aj #e #de #bf #e #ed #aj #h #dd #bb #c1ijj #i #aj #e #ed #ca #f #jc #bj #h #di #af #d1jjj #i #bj #f #jb #cf #f #ab #dj #aj #jd #bd #d1ajj #i #jj #f #aa #da #f #ba #dj #i #ei #ag #d1bjj #g #cj #f #bj #dg #f #bi #aj #h #bc #aj #d1cjj #h #aj #f #bi #eb #f #cg #bj #g #ah #ad #d1djj #f #bj #f #ch #eh #f #dc #dj #d #db #f #d1ejj #g #bj #f #dh #jc #f #ea #jj #b #eg #ah #d1fjj #h #bj #f #eg #jh #g #jj #bj #c #ab #ai #d1gjj #g #jj #g #jf #ad #g #jg #bj #a #jf #i #d1hjj #g #jj #g #ae #bj #g #ad #bj #a #jj #ac #d1ijj #g #jj #g #bd #bf #g #ba #bj #c #jf #ae #e1jjj #g #ej #g #cd #ca #g #bi #aj #e #ba #af #e1ajj #h #aj #g #dc #cf #g #cg #bj #f #af #h #e1bjj #f #bj #g #ea #db #g #dc #dj #h #jb #ah #e1cjj #h #bj #h #jj #dh #g #eb #jj #h #dh #af #e1djj #h #jj #h #ji #ee #h #jj #jj #i #ee #ba #e1ejj #g #cj #h #bj #jj #h #jg #cj #ab #cj #aa --- ,total misses #gab #a ,rest of #cb minutes included4 ,actual breaking time1 #fm4 #cjs4 ,during this shoot1 he used five ,winchester ,repeating ,rifles1 weighing about ten pounds each1 the aggregated weight of which1 raised #fbab times1 was about thirty-one tons4 ,before the first thousand had been broken1 the balls of his eyes became sunburned1 and being further irritated by rubbing them with his powder-stained gloves1 the pain became excruciating1 but he hung to his self-imposed task and accomplished it1 and left the field in company with the writer1 physically unstrained4 ,it is true that the greater number of balls were broken within fifteen feet of the end of the rifle1 but it was nevertheless a wonderful exhibition of skill and endurance4 ,the working of the levers of the rifles1 which1 when heated1 are said to resist over thirty pounds pressure1 with the middle finger of the right hand1 #fbab times1 was a monstrous task in itself4 ,in exhibiting before the ,prince of ,wales at ,sandringham1 he broke #ajj balls consecutively1 and successfully made nearly all of the various shots described here4 ,,john ,,ruth1 of ,oakland1 ,california1 who was a companion of ,carver during his preliminary practice1 has become a successful exhibitor1 and has taught his wife to shoot nearly if not quite as well as himself4 ,at ,badger's ,park1 in an exhibition1 he hit the bell-ball #iij times out of #ajjj shots1 as referred to previously4 ,,john ,e4 ,,graham1 of ,erie1 ,pennsylvania1 is reported to have made #ihf hits in #ajjj shots1 or only #d less than ,ruth4 ,,george ,a4 ,,meares of ,salt ,lake ,city1 who is the champion rifleman of ,utah1 is enthusiastic in recommending this method1 and claims to have derived immense benefit from it4 ,the late ,,major ,,thornburg was very successful at this kind of shooting1 as well as perhaps hundreds of others1 who have so practiced as to be able to hit #ie per cent4 of balls thrown perpendicularly1 but who have yet to get the best benefit from the various shots which are here recommended4 ,the writer1 after having practiced an hour each day for about three weeks1 gave a private exhibition before numerous ,german army officers1 members of shooting clubs1 and others1 at ,frankfort-on-the-,main1 in which he made the following scores at balls thrown in the air1 besides successfully making the other shots spoken of3 ,ninety-nine out of #ajj balls thrown up perpendicularly2 #aj ,turning ,shots2 #aj ,one-handed ,shots2 #aj ,cross ,shots2 #aj ,drop ,shots2 #aj ,incoming ,shots2 #ag out of #bj from a ,bogardus trap2 #ai out of #bj ,english ,pennies4 ,an ,english gentleman1 who was spending his vacation in ,frankfort1 and who was a very indifferent shot-gun shot1 practiced under instruction at the same time1 and as a result1 before he left for home1 went out several times with parties of the best shots in the vicinity1 and bagged more birds than any4 ,,forming ,,clubs4 ,a range of #ajj feet and a bulkhead #be feet square is all that is required to make perfect facilities for shooting at reduced still1 or running targets1 or at balls thrown in any direction2 and for ball shooting only1 a range of #cj feet is sufficient4 ,a club of ten or twenty can build and run such a range anywhere1 even within city limits1 at a very light expense2 or it is exceedingly profitable to run one and charge for the shots or ammunition1 as a private enterprise4 ,in this manner unlimited practice can be had at a very light expense4 ,,the ,,military ,,and ,,snap ,,shooting4 ,it may be offered1 simply as a suggestion1 that the method of practice recommended in the preceding pages1 might be of service in teaching recruits to handle firearms4 ,practice in hitting moving objects inspires a confidence which can not be obtained in any other way1 and the repetition of the three motions of loading1 extracting1 and aiming and firing1 habituates the learner to a free use of the arms and a confidence in pulling the trigger4 ,in the ,german army they aim and snap an unloaded piece repeatedly as an exercise1 considering the pulling of the trigger a necessary finish to the motion of aiming4 ,aided by a minimum expense1 light report1 easily-acquired range facilities1 and a most-fascinating system1 might not the practice be carried to firing and hitting1 which is the desired result8 ,this need not at all interfere with the manual1 but can be practiced as an outside exercise2 and the result of adopting it would be felt immediately by a company1 not only in the ease and quickening of motion and the improved marksmanship1 but in the increased interest it would create among the members4 ,,price1 ,,ten ,,cents4 ,a4 ,b4 ,c4 ,,of ,,snap ,,shooting ,,by ,,horace ,,fletcher ,illustration ,,sporting1 ,,exhibition1 ,,and ,,military4 ,,published ,,by ,,the ,,author4 ,,san ,,francisco1 #ahhj4 ,copyright1 #ahhj1 by ,,horace ,,fletcher4 ,,california ,,parlor ,,rowing ,,boat ,,apparatus4 7,,patent ,,applied ,,for47 ,see ,cut and ,price-,list on ,following ,page4 ,,as ,a ,,rowing ,,machine #a4 ,it teaches both arms to pull alike4 #b4 ,it compels the feathering of the oar4 #c4 ,the stroke is even throughout4 #d4 ,there is no aid or resistance to the return4 #e4 ,it is perfectly clean1 as no oil should be used about it4 #f4 ,slots in the casting1 where the end of the oar is made fast to the out-rigger1 permit the lifting of the blades in returning4 #g4 ,all oarsmen unite in pronouncing it a perfect teacher of rowing4 #h4 ,men practicing in the double skull or four oared pattern ,,must all do the same work1 and their coach can stand over them and direct their actions4 ,,as ,a ,,health ,,pull #a4 ,it exercises ,,all the muscles of the body and strains none4 #b4 ,it can be regulated by the set screws to accommodate any strength and size of person1 and is as well adapted for the use of ladies and children as gentlemen4 #c4 ,its use for five minutes each morning1 immediately after getting out of bed1 will cure any case of dyspepsia1 because of the easy exercise of the muscles of the stomach1 the improved respiration and the accelerated circulation of the blood4 #d4 ,the sliding seat aids fleshy people in taking the stroke1 and for them is a most excellent exercise4 ,it takes but little room1 is clean1 and fascinates all1 both ladies and gentlemen1 because it is practical in teaching a useful and graceful accomplishment1 and at the same time inviting health4 ,,see ,,next ,,page4 ,,california ,,parlor ,,rowing ,,boat ,,apparatus4 ,,patent ,,applied ,,for4 ,a perfect ,rowing ,machine1 and the ,new ,health ,pull for ,ladies1 ,gentlemen and ,children4 7,see preceding page for description47 ,four ,oared ,pattern with ,sliding ,seat1 for ,clubs #dj #jj ,double ,scull ,pattern with ,sliding ,seat1 for ,clubs #bj #jj ,single ,scull ,pattern with ,sliding ,seat1 suitable for ,ladies and ,children1 as well as ,oarsmen #ab #jj ,juvenile1 without ,sliding ,seat1 for ,children only #e #jj ,packed in pieces for shipment1 readily put together4 ,address with cash1 ,,horace ,,fletcher1 ,shattuck ,fletcher1 #ebj ,commercial ,st41 ,san ,francisco1 ,cal4