Shooting

Anyone can shoot, few can shoot well, and fewer still can shoot well while wearing a derby, a monocle, and a huge mustache. This little work was aimed at the popularization of shooting as a sport in France at the turn of the century, as the various authors were concerned that French troops lacked the time and ammunition to become expert marksmen through army training alone. There are interesting sections concerning the shady art of 'firing on command' with a particular kind of muzzle-loading percussion pistol that likely followed a slap across the face with a glove, and here the author gives you the lowdown on how to avoid pulling an Alexander Hamilton when faced with an Aaron Burr. There is also a good deal regarding the ins and outs of shooting clay pigeons, a high-tech pastime in 1905.