176 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
Something might be said about the practical construction 
of punt-guns; but, as I fear this may be bearing too near 
another subject, I suffice to add only a rough outline of the 
matter. The barrels of the first swivel-guns were invariably 
forged iron, and known generally as ‘‘skelp twist.” This 
material itself was not of high merit as a quality of iron, but 
for the purpose in question nothing seemed to answer better. 
This iron is very tough. It is used up to the present day, 
though the use of steel for making gun barrels has done much 
to put it out of favour. The iron is welded in a spiral manner 
into a tube or gun barrel. This means that the longitudinal 
grain of the iron runs circumferentially in the barrel and ensures 
great strength. In the forging, boring, and grinding of iron 
barrels great care has to be taken to prevent lifting the grain 
of the iron. This to the naked eye is not discernible in many 
cases, though, should the barrel be subjected to a heavy strain, 
the rent of the iron can soon be detected. Thus we may 
see why a lot of the cost is incurred in the manufacture of big 
gun barrels. Large and expensive tools and plant are needed 
for the production of punt-guns. When makers are trying to 
bring the weight of their guns down as low as possible (a 
matter much to be appreciated in fowling-guns), it is obvious 
that the work must be strong and good, to stand the severe 
tests they are submitted to by the proof-houses, besides being 
executed in a proper, methodical manner, or dangerous results 
may ensue. 
In the case of steel barrels, we might say, to explain our 
meaning as simply as possible, that there is no grain, or, if so, 
it is in molecule form, or runs in no definite direction or length. 
Thus it is that makers are able to bore steel guns from the 
solid, and in the various processes of machining, etc., they are 
not so likely to create flaws in the tube as is the case with 
tough iron. Perhaps these items, added to the fact that 
steel barrels will stand heavy pressures safely, go far to answer 
