SHOOTING IN THE DARK
There are occasions on which it is necessary to shoot at night, as for a
night-watchman; or in the case of a wild animal's jumping into camp and
carrying off someone; or in night attacks. For this work, an exceptionally
large _dead white_ front sight (either a fixed one or an adjustable one on
a hinge) is needful. This sort of sight, though, can only be seen if there
is moonlight, or at least some glimmer of light.
In pitch-darkness, a large front sight with both itself and the rib of the
barrel coated with luminous paint is useful, provided the pistol is, for
several hours previous to being used, exposed to strong sunlight. If it is
kept all day in a case or holster, the paint will not shine at night.
Also, in cleaning the pistol, the paint may be spoilt and may require
renewing. I would not advise painting any pistol you care about.
The most satisfactory way is to learn to shoot in the dark _by the sense
of direction_, by pointing your pistol in the direction in which you
conjecture the object to be, not attempting to see your sights or to "draw
a bead."
One can often see an animal on a very dark night by crouching down and
getting it against the sky-line; and yet, on looking through the sights,
you cannot discern anything.
One form of practice is to have a target made of tissue paper, with a
candle behind it to illuminate it. The sights are consequently seen in
silhouette against it. This was the principle of the "Owl" series of
prizes shot for in the early days of Wimbledon in the evenings. What I
think better, so as to teach shooting by _sense of direction_, is to have
one or more metal targets about a foot square hung by wires (these will
give out a ringing sound when struck, and the rest of the butt should be
of sand, or sods, or wood, so as to make a different sound). Have a small
sleigh-bell hung behind the middle of each target, operated by strings
held by an assistant standing behind you.
Now, let him ring the bells at random, you firing by sense of direction
towards where you hear each bell ring.
This practice can also be done in a shooting-gallery at night with all the
lights turned down, and it is perhaps safer there than out-of-doors.
You can even have targets behind you, and swing round and "snap" at them;
but this, and in fact all night shooting, is very dangerous, unless you
can be absolutely certain that the bullets will do no damage, however
wildly they may fly.
A man with a good ear can do surprisingly accurate work in this style of
shooting.
Such practice can be done in daylight by being blindfolded; and then your
assistant can notice where your misses go, and help you to improve your
shooting.
THE ART OF REVOLVER SHOOTING
By WALTER WINANS
Chevalier of the Imperial Order of St. Stanislas of Russia
Vice-President of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain
_With nearly 200 Illustrations from Original Drawings by the author, and
from Photographs specially taken for the book. Royal 8vo, handsomely
printed, and bound in cloth extra, gilt top, uncut edges. Price, $5.00
net._
MR. WALTER WINANS, the well-known champion revolver-shot, has been for
many years working out the theory and practice of revolver-shooting, and
this is the first occasion of his publishing the collected results of his
close study of the weapon.
Although several chapters of the book give minute instructions as to how
to shoot in order to win prizes at the Bisley meeting, the author has not
neglected the more general and practical side of the subject, and even
such matters (hitherto regarded in the light of professional secrets) as
trick- and stage-shooting, shooting in the dark, etc., are treated in
detail not previously attempted, while a chapter on how to use the
revolver (as distinct from target shooting) in warfare, has a present
interest that must appeal to many.
_By Walter Winans_
Hints on Revolver Shooting
_With 20 Illustrations specially prepared for the book. 12o. Cloth. $1.00
net. By mail, $1.15_
"A thoroughly practical and helpful book, apparently written with the idea
of imparting to those who aspire to excel with the revolver the knowledge
that the author has gained with long experience. A perusal of its pages
convinces one that he has succeeded in his endeavors and has produced a
book of standard value."--_Shooting and Fishing._
Practical Rifle Shooting
_With Frontispiece. 12o. Cloth. 50 cents net. By mail, 60 cents_
"Mr. Winans is one of the world's most expert marksmen, and he tells in
the most concise and lucid way how the veriest tyro may make himself
proficient as a rifle shot."--_Lloyd's Weekly News._
"It is short and well to the point; for the soundness of the advice
offered the author's name is ample warrant."--_Oxford Magazine._
Shooting for Ladies
_With 15 Illustrations. 12o. Cloth. 50 cents. By mail, 60 cents_
Mr. Winans, who is the world's champion double-rifle shot, believes that
with light modern rifles and revolvers ladies can make excellent scores in
target shooting without fatigue or danger of injury. This volume is
addressed to beginners as well as to expert shots.
The Art of Revolver Shooting
Together with all Information Concerning the Automatic and the Single-Shot
Pistol and How to Handle them to the Best Advantage
New Edition Revised and Enlarged
_Very fully Illustrated from Original Photographs by Rouch, Fry,
Purdey, Penfold and Others, and Head- and Tail-pieces from Drawings by
the author._
_Royal 8o, handsomely printed, and bound in cloth extra, gilt top,
uncut edges. $5.00 net. Carriage 40 cents._
"It is impossible to speak too highly of this admirably written and
beautifully illustrated work. The author explains everything that there is
to tell about revolvers and revolver shooting, and the artistic as well as
the instructional merits of the full-page and other illustrations are
quite exceptional. The volume has only to be seen in order to be desired
by all who are interested in the subject with which it deals."
_United Service Magazine._
The Sporting Rifle
The Shooting of Big and Little Game
Together with a Description of the Principal Classes of Sporting Weapons
_With about 125 Illustrations from Original Drawings by the Author,
and from Photographs specially taken for the book._
_Royal 8o, handsomely printed, and bound in cloth extra, gilt top,
uncut edges. $5.00 net. Carriage, 40 cents._
Mr. Winans has earned for himself an international reputation on the art
of rifle- and revolver-shooting, and his earlier works on the subject have
been accepted as standards. The present work is profusely illustrated,
both by the author, T. Blinks, and other well-known artists, and gives the
fullest details with diagrams as to how to handle the rifle for all sorts
of game shooting, and also for winning prizes in shooting competitions at
moving targets. Besides illustrating the various makes of rifles, there is
a unique set of working drawings showing in minute detail how to construct
"Running Deer" and disappearing targets. Maps and plans giving directions
how to post the guns for Deer Driving, and how to manoeuvre the beaters is
also featured in this important work. The natural history is illustrated
by a series of photographs taken from life by H. Penfold.
Animal Sculpture
Suggestions for Greater Realism in Modeling
By Walter Winans
Gold Medallist for Sculpture, Fifth Olympiad, Stockholm, 1912. Grand Prix
for Sculpture, Milan, 1912. Grand Prix for Sculpture, Barcelona, 1912.
Silver Medal for Sculpture, Paris, 1900.
_8o. 26 Illustrations. $1.75 net_
Although perhaps better known as a rifle and revolver shot and as the
author of many informing books on different kinds of shooting, Mr. Winans
is a sculptor of distinction, having been awarded gold and silver medals
for his statues of horses. In the present volume Mr. Winans reproduces
illustrations of many familiar masterpieces of animal sculpture, showing
that many of them, although superficially effective, are marred by serious
faults of conception and execution.
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York London
End of Project Gutenberg's Automatic Pistol Shooting, by Walter Winans