30 Transactions. 



Oun in another Burgh, but I am not in possession of any 

 particulars respecting it. 



The Kirkcudbright Gun is probably in much the same 

 state as when first presented. It is a tube or barrel of about 

 seven inches in length, with a ring and heraldic shield of 

 silver, and a ribbon attached by which it may be suspended. 



The barrel of the Dumfries Gun is of a similar length, 

 but it is said to have been mounted on a silver wheel car- 

 riage, which has long since disappeared* And it is now 

 set on a stock or butt of white metal, with cock, trigger, and 

 ramrod, all modern and immoveable. There is also no 

 touch-hole to be seen, which in the Kirkcudbright Gun is 

 on the side ; and if there are marks of the original wheel 

 carriage, these are likewise not to be seen. Such changes, 

 though cleverly done, and not without cost, must of necessity 

 alter the character and value of the Gun as a specimen of 

 the fire-arms then in use. 



On the Kirkcudbright Gun are engraved the letters 

 T M C, and the year 1587. The letters are understood to 

 be the initials of Sir Thomas M'Clellan of Bombie, the then 

 Provost, or Alderman, "f- of the Burgh ; and, historically, it 

 appears that the Gun, though meant for the use of the 

 Trades, was the property of the Burgh, and in the custody 

 :and keeping of the Magistrates, to whom accordingly they 

 made application for its use. 



The Dumfries Gun, on the other hand, was presented to 

 the Trades, and retained in their own possession and custody 

 till given over by them to the Town Council in the year 1852. 



The following is an excerpt from minutes of meeting of 

 the Council on the occasion of its delivery, 6th August, 

 1852 :— 



" Mr Blaind introduced a deputation from the Seven 

 Incorporated Trades, who produced a minute of the said 

 Trades, in which the Trades had agreed to give into the 

 custody of the Town Council, to be kept by them in a pro- 



* Guide to Dumfries, page 14. 

 t Nicolson's Galloway, vol. I., page 529, note. 



I 



