He had hoped that this warlike weapon, a true _chef-d'oeuvre_, in his opinion superior in precision and range to any other known, would be appreciated, according to its merits, by competent judges, and would one day be adopted for the equipment of the entire Austro-Hungarian infantry.

By means of unremitting perseverance, he had succeeded in obtaining the appointment of an official commission to examine it.
The commission decided that the Larinski musket possessed certain advantages, but that it had three defects: it was too heavy, the breech became choked too rapidly with oil from the lubricator, and the cost of manufacture was too high.

Count Abel did not lose courage.

He gave himself up to study, devoted nearly two years to perfecting his invention, and applied all his increased skill to rendering his gun lighter and less costly.

When put under test, the new firearm burst, and this vexatious incident ruined forever the reputation of the Larinski gun.