"Bob" Hunter let me handle the booth in 96' since we were featuring the Pigeon Gun of my design
Sporting Life March 21, 1896 "Report of the 2nd Annual Sportsmen’s Exposition, Madison Square Garden" http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1896/VOL_26_NO_26/SL2626013.pdf Hunter Arms Company. These well-known gun manufacturers had a very handsome case of their celebrated firearms and a table on which was shown samples of barrels which they use in all stages of construction and finish. Some of these barrels were in the rough state as received from the importers, but the figure of the construction of iron and steel was plainly visible. Parts of the gun were shown in the first stages, and then the progress of the work on to the finished state. The frames were shown from the first rough chuck of steel as it comes form the forges until it reaches the machinist where the cutting and milling is done and then the rough to the finish state were exhibited, and the few parts used in the locks and the strength and simplicity of the mechanism was clearly demonstrated by a model gun which had parts of the outside lock-plate cut away to show the operation of the parts. The case of guns was a centre of attraction to all sportsmen who like to examine a fine gun, and the samples of high-grade ejectors which Hunter had at this exposition were certainly very handsome specimens of American gun-maker’s skill. All the different grades were shown, eight without ejectors and 10 with the ejector mechanism. The prices ranged from $35 to $500, and the company has an order now on their books for the finest gun that they can produce. This will have two sets of barrels inlaid figures of gold and the most elaborate engraving and checking that is possible to place on the finest of materials that can be obtained in this or any other county; the barrels will be the celebrated Whitworth fluid steel, and the gun when completed will be a treasure for any sportsman. Samples of the Smith pigeon gun were much admired by those who are interested in this sport, and the entire display of the Hunter Arms Co. was well worth visiting and examining. Mr. Harvey McMurchy, the popular representative of the company, was in charge, and from the number of fine guns which he sold during the exposition showed the popularity of these arms.