HOUSEBOAT-GUN-DOG 35 



master of gun building as they are written 

 by Hawker in his diary. "The late Joseph 

 iManton", says Hawker, "who knew more 

 about a gun than any man in Europe, 

 assured me, after innumerable experiments, 

 he has proved that two feet eight for a 

 twenty four guage barrel is the best pro- 

 portion for a sporting gun". There should 

 be plenty of metal near the breech end, 

 adds Hawker, not only for strong shooting 

 but for good elevation ; and the barrels 

 should be tapered like a bulrush, no 

 hollowing out as this injures their shooting. 

 One of the most skilfuU barrel borers of his 

 time was named Fullard, whose barrel- 

 manufactory was in Clarkenwell, and Man^ 

 ton did not hesitate to admit that Fullard 

 could bore the best barrel for duck shoot- 

 ing. When iManton lived, writes Hawker, 

 " in those days we had but one gunmaker — 

 now they are all — all gunmakers !!!" 



The sportman will be interested in a 

 mote detailed description of a Manton gun. 

 One is described as follows : " Stub twist 14 

 bore 29^ in. barrels, with flat top rib. The 

 stock is well bent, i^-^ in. at comb and 2}'3 

 in. at heel; the length l/\.}4 in. and the gun 



