I cannot, like Mr. Jovin, judge Mr. Lefaucheux's gun from the standpoint of artistry, but as a hunter, I will add the statement of some advantages to those he has recognized in this weapon. The speed of loading is undeniable; the accuracy of the shot is made greater than in ordinary guns by the contraction the lead undergoes when driven through the barrel; the need to wash the gun after firing a certain number of shots does not exist; I have never washed mine: it has always sufficed for me to clean it by wiping it inside and passing pads through the barrels a few times. As for the solidity, about which people, who do not have, as I do, a long experience with Lefaucheux guns, might have concerns, it must remain unquestionably demonstrated by the fact I am about to cite: one day, in my haste to load the gun, I neglected to push back the remains of the cartridge I had just fired, so that these remains, obstructing the new cartridge, I could not fully insert the latter, and in closing the gun, the protruding end was cut off, and powder spread into the breech piece; a few moments later, when I fired, the gun experienced such a jolt that the screw of the key broke. However, no discharge occurred through the breech, the gun did not push back, it did not tip, and the undeniable proof that it did not deviate from the straight line is that the shot went off, and I killed the game I was aiming at. From this, it is demonstrated, for me, that since one can safely fire the Lefaucheux gun without the key being closed, and when powder has spilled into the breech several times, all the more reason one could fire it in this manner with an intact cartridge; and, since this is proven, all fears should cease when it is fired with the key closed and under ordinary conditions.
P. Laboissière, Deputy of Vaucluse.
