constant annoyance caused by its projecting and interfering with quickly drawing the weapon from the pocket or holster. The weapon described is for the use of the soldier, the police officer, or for those called upon to use this weapon of defence rapidly and effectively; hence a self-acting or self-cocking revolver is necessary, and by dispensing with the projecting outside hammer the rapidity of action in drawing the weapon is increased, and therefore a very desirable point is gained.

The illustration shows the mechanism of the new arm:—

A is the safety lever, B safety-latch, C hammer, D trigger, F main-spring, G safety-latch spring. The hammer C, which is acted upon and raised by the trigger D, as in their self-cocking arms, is kept constantly locked by the safety-latch B, which is held in position by the safety-latch spring G. The point is emphasized, that when not in use the arm cannot be discharged, as will be seen from the arrangement of the parts. When held in the hand for firing, the natural pressure exerted by the hand in the movement of pulling the trigger upon the safety-lever A causes it to act upon the safety-latch B, raising it and releasing the hammer.

SMITH & WESSON HAMMERLESS, SAFETY REVOLVER.

It will be observed that it is among the impossibilities to cock and discharge this revolver when held in an improper manner, as a child or novice would be likely to do.

The arrangement of the mechanism is such that the safety catch and trigger must act in unison, and it is necessary that an amount of grasp and strength, not possessed by a child, be applied in order to discharge the weapon.

By those familiar with revolvers the question will naturally arise, With all these advantages can you secure accuracy? We confess we were among the disbelievers that great accuracy could be secured with a self-cocking revolver, and even now if we were to confine our shooting to target and game shooting would give preference to the other revolvers made by this firm; but for a self-cocking revolver this weapon possesses, besides the elements of safety and rapidity of manipulation, the important feature of accuracy. We were full of doubts of our ability to secure accurate shooting, or to observe it in others; but a trial has fully convinced us that with practice one could nearly, if not quite, equal their performances with a single-action revolver.

One soon familiarizes himself with the operations of this weapon. Pressure is applied to the trigger, and the approach to the point where the last ounce of pressure discharges the weapon is easily detected; previous to the last ounce of pressure being given, a careful aim is taken, the final pressure applied, and the weapon discharged.

CHAPTER IV.

THE MERWIN, HULBERT, & CO.’S REVOLVERS.

The Merwin, Hulbert, & Co.’s Automatic revolver is manufactured at Norwich, Conn. The mechanism of this arm is entirely different from any other make of American revolvers. It is well constructed, the parts being made with great care and with a nicety of fitting which is highly creditable to the manufacturers. The material from which they are constructed is forged steel.

The mode of operating the arm is as follows:—

To Load.—Place the hammer at half-cock, press the loading gate downward, and insert the cartridges.

To Eject the Shells.—Take the revolver in the right hand, place the left hand on the barrel with the thumb on the button under the frame, push the button toward the guard, turn the barrel outward and draw forward, when the shells will fall out.

To Take the Arm Apart.—When the barrel and cylinder are drawn forward, as above described, press the barrel-catch down and draw forward. No screw-driver is needed to take the arm apart or interchange the barrels.

Opening the Merwin, Hulbert, & Co. Revolver.

There are a number of different models manufactured with and without the folding hammer. In .32, .38, and .44 calibre there are barrels from 3 inches to 5½ inches in length, with five and seven chambers, with the regular hammer, the .38 and .44 calibre. This firm also makes a solid frame revolver of cheap grade.

In inspecting the revolvers made by this firm, there will be found a number which are not adapted to fine shooting, but would be classed as short-range weapons of defence, or pocket-revolvers. Those with the 3½-inch barrels would never be selected by the person desiring accuracy at any distance beyond a few yards. But the .32 and .38 calibres, with a 5½-inch barrel, are considered by many as very fine shooting weapons. Cuts 3 and 4 .32 target revolvers, with extra barrel for converting into a pocket-revolver.

It is evident that Merwin, Hulbert, & Co.’s action possesses greater strength than most of the revolver-actions on the market. It also permits of being taken apart with ease and despatch, which enables the user to clean the barrel and cylinder in the most thorough manner, as it is known by all who have shot revolvers for fine results that this operation is absolutely necessary, with the present ammunition on the market, to secure fine work.

Revolver open, showing manner of ejecting shells.

After cleaning, the arm can be quickly assembled; more so, it is thought, than any American revolver. It can be loaded very quickly by pressing the button under the frame towards the guard, turning the barrel outward, and drawing forward, when the shell falls out, the action rapidly closed, the gate pushed downward, and fresh cartridges inserted. The rapidity of operation of this arm can hardly be credited until one witnesses the revolver manipulated by a person familiar with its operation.

A very noticeable point about this weapon is the ability to combine a target-revolver with a pocket-revolver, as with a number of the models two barrels are supplied: one 5½-in. and the other 3 or 3½-in. barrel.

The .32 and .38 calibre revolvers with 5½-in. barrels and folding hammer are nicely balanced arms, and when properly sighted are capable of doing fine work; but, unfortunately, they are double action, and while this feature may be a desirable point in revolvers for defence, for target-practice, or fine shooting, it is a detriment rather than an advantage; but this firm also makes a single action with a regular hammer in .38 calibre, in which the trigger-pull can be brought to a state of smoothness and firmness which, if the arm is handled by a good shot, will show excellent work.

The Army revolver is made in single and double action, with and without the folding hammer. Most of the army models are chambered to take the Winchester rifle cartridge, .44 calibre, holding 40 grains of powder and 200 grains of lead, although a special cartridge, specially