188 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
This will ensure safety in after use, besides setting all doubt at 
rest. Always keep the working parts well oiled or greased, 
not only for lubricating purposes, but also to assist in preserving 
the metal from the action of salt water. As it is practically 
impossible to keep this gear clean and free of rust, it is best to 
paint the springs and all non-working parts with some kind of 
metal paint. 
In spring recoil gears low centres of pivot action and high 
mounting of the gun must be guarded against. With a low 
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Recoil Gear for large Swivel-Gun mounted in the bow of rowing boat 
(Elevation) 
pivot centre the gun is apt to throw its muzzle dangerously, 
besides shooting high. Mounted high, a big gun is almost 
certain, sooner or later, to smash something, if only a man’s 
head. In such a position, also, a punt-gun is pretty certain to 
plunge its shot. Bear in mind that guns are dangerous articles, 
even the smallest of them. 
We figure a recoil gear specially designed for firing a large 
swivel-gun mounted in the bow of a rowing boat. 
The chief points in this spring recoil are,—strong and 
accurate shooting of the gun, ease in alignment, and reduction 
of longitudinal strain on the boat. These items permit of it 
being fitted to the largest of fowling-guns. We do not design 
