398 LE^.VIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



or twice a year for examination. The liabit of taking tlicm off 

 more frequently is preposterous, as it only loosens and wears the 

 threading of the screws without being productive of any particular 

 good. 



We should say the same in reference to the extraction of the 

 nipples, if we did not know how utterly impossible it is to wipe 

 the chamber of a gun perfectly dry without removing them. If 

 any one of our readers doubts this fact, let him clean his fowling- 

 piece and wipe it out as thoroughly as possible with the softest rags ; 

 then remove the nipples, and he will find a drop of water, or at all 

 events some moisture, at the very bottom of the chamber. We 

 have tried it over and over again, and have always found such to 

 be the case ; we, therefore, have been accustomed of late to draw 

 out the nipples every time we cleaned our gun. 



Some of our friends are very much opposed to removing the 

 nipples, preferring rather to let them rust in the gun than to take 

 them out even occasionally, as they argue that the frequent re- 

 moval of them injures the threading of the screw, and makes them 

 liable to fly out, — an accident, by-the-by, which might be attended 

 with very serious consequences. 



Of this, however, we have but little fear, as we are satisfied 

 that, with good nipples made of hard metal, such an accident 

 would scarcely ever happen ; but at the same time we grant that 

 it might occur, and no doubt often does occur with nipples manu- 

 factured of soft metal, and of wdiich the threading is at best very 

 imperfect. Such nipples will not only fly out, but the tubes will 

 burn out directly. Before replacing the nipples, the screw should 

 be oiled, 



LEADING OF BARRELS. 



The leading of a gun is occasioned by the melting of the shot 

 and the adhering of particles of the fused metal to the inside of 

 the barrels. Perfect or smooth barrels are far less liable to lead 

 than those which are rough and uneven in their surface. If a gun 

 leads quickly and a great deal, it is certain evidence that it is im- 



