Adventure Magazine Cover — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

190 Buying Old Army Rifles Y OU can get a good game gun cheap this way, if you buy well in the first place and have the arm slightly altered: Question:—“The N. R. A. has the following rifles and carbines, all presumably in serviceable condition; which one would you advise me to select for a ‘big-game’ rifle? Give me your first and second choice. Would you advise the selection of a carbine or rifle? What rifle would you select in preference to these I am about to name? I do not wish to purchase a poor or unreliable game nifle because it is cheap; keep this in mind always. I say ‘big game’ to give you a general idea of the type of rifle I desire, but just what big game or under what conditions I intend to use the arm I do not know as yet. The game not to be larger than found on the North American continent. Do you think all or any of these rifles could be depended upon or made dependable by a gun- smith? I would not consider any of them other- wise. I think it was Major Whelen, the Army authority upon firearms, that said he converted a Krag rifle into a very fine big-game gun. The rifles are: Springfield rifle, caliber .45. Said to be in fair shape. Springfield carbine, caliber .45. Ross rifle, caliber .303. Not in good con- dition. U. S. rifle, caliber .30, model of 1898 (Krag). U. S. carbine, caliber .30, model of 1898. (Krag). Some of these in particularly good shape. Russian rifle, caliber .762 m.m. New. If I remember correctly, in one of your articles you say the rifles are the “cream of the outfit.” How are these to select from? Name those not listed here that you think are the best.”—SAMUEL DONELSON, JR., Washington, D. C. Answer, by Mr. Wiggins:—Allow me to recom- mend the purchase of a carbine, .30 caliber Krag. I ordered and received ten of these guns for ten members of the N. E. A. last Fall, and every fellow was more than pleased with the rifle he secured. The worst of the ten shot better than I could hold, and I am trying to secure it now by a trade. Second choice would be the Krag rifle, caliber .30, to be remodeled. I worked one over in the following manner: Cut barrel to twenty-five inches, beveled the muzzle and set Springfield front-sight block on it, cut off forestock just ahead of lower bend, and plugged hole left by the operation with bit of dis- carded fore end. Fitted receiver sight, and dove- tailed pistol grip into the small of the stock, and topped same off with silver plate, made from Can- uck half-dollar. Flattened out the toe of butt and filled with walnut, after enlarging the cavity in the butt to accomodate pull-through and oiler, as well as two extra shells. The rifle shoots and handles beautifully. I would use the carbine as issued, but would have receiver sight and pistol grip dovetailed in. The Springfield also makes a fine game rifle, but ‘Remington 14A and the Savage. Adventure I like a lever or slide action, which brings in the All are good rifles; merely a matter of taste. Wouldn’t waste time or money on the old .45 rifles, the Ross, nor the Russian rifles. Krags or Springfields for me. Surf-Fishing D° IT this way and bring home the fish: Question: —‘‘Kindly inform me as to the follow- ing questions: What fishing-tackle is required for surf-fishing? How is surf-fishing done? What kind of bait is used in surf-fishing? How is bait-casting done? How is sinker fastened to the line when bait- casting? 2. What shall a camping outfit contain when going light (hiking)? Please do not put my name in print.",— —— ——, Ponlabo, Wash. Answer, by Mr. Thompson:—The tackle required for most kinds of surf-casting is a long rod with the reel above the handle. The reel is of large capacity, but nowadays there is coming a tendency to the short rod as in bait-casting. The line used is linen, as salt water will rot silk lines. A thumb- stall or drag is used on the reel to help drag the line as well as to prevent too free running of the spool while the bait is in flight. The angler generally is in bip boots and wades right out in the surf, casting with either artificial or live bait. From the kind of fish you are fishing for alone can be decided the kind of live bait to be used or parts of fish cut up. Then there are spoon ~ and block tin squids that are used as artificial. Bait-casting is done with a short bait-rod with the reel above the handle, and the rods run to 814 feet in length. The reel has a capacity of from 60 to 100 yards of braided silk line. All kinds of wooden minnows and spinners are used as well as live minnows and frogs. The cast is made with the bait reeled in within 8 inches of the tip and a springy forward motion made just as when a boy you threw a little mud ball with a switch. Always thumb the line while the bait is moving to prevent backlashing. When the bait is about two feet above where you want it to land, stop it by firm pressure of the thumb. Either tie sinker just above bait or.on the connecting link; if you use one snap it. 2. Pup tent, one blanket, towels, extra sock shoes and underwear, soap and toilet articles an pocket mess-kit, and needles and thread. What a Zambo Is OL HEY SS found in Nicaragua: Question: —‘The writer is interested in an expedi- tion that may soon go into Nicaragua, and if you can do so I will be glad to have any information you can give me as to the health conditions, espe- cially along the Rio Grande; the climate, the altitude, the nature of vegetation and other growth. t animals are found there, and what is the nature of the native inhabitants? Is the country DOO (©