MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 383 



fraction of a space equal to three and a half drachms ; two ounces, 

 within a fraction equal to four drachms and three-quarters ; three 

 ounces, within a fraction equal to seven drachms ; and so on. 



NIPPLE OR PIVOT-WRENCH. 



This is a very useful and necessary implement : indeed, no 

 sportsman can consider himself properly equipped without one. 

 We have had several different kinds in the past few years, but 

 never had one till very lately that seemed to answer our purpose 

 in all respects. This wrench is made entirely of what is termed 

 wrought steel, and, having a transverse handle to it similar to a 

 metal gimlet, a powerful purchase can be had on the shoulder 

 of the nipple, insomuch that, when applied with the requisite force, 

 the nipple must come out or the shoulder must yield and break off. 

 On either end of the handle of the wrench is a small brass cap, 

 nicely fitted on and forming a continuation of the handle ; on screw- 

 ing this off, an extra nipple will be found in each ; and on the top of 

 the handle, running down into the body of the wrench, is a neat, 

 brass-headed gun-picker. These caps and picker not only give a 

 handsome finish to the wrench, but add very materially to its im- 

 portance. 



Wrenches made with wooden handles are not generally good for 

 much, as the nipples frequently get rusted in the gun, and it then 

 requires a very powerful force to start them, which cannot be ap- 

 plied except with a wrench having a transverse metal handle. We 

 have suffered from this inconvenience more than once, and have 

 seen others in the same predicament. The wooden handle is also 

 liable to be cracked or broken; it also takes up far more room 

 than the metal one, which, upon the whole, is smaller, stronger, 

 and neater. 



The wrenches having their handles so formed that they fold 

 up on the body of the instrument are certainly very convenient 

 for the pocket, but they are not so strong as the kind above 

 referred to. 



