fisheries of the united states. [50] 



projected from guns. 

 Mason's harpoon. 



Designed for an improved swivel-gun. Consists of a point with 

 three cutting edges and cast-iron bomb, cast-iron shank with 

 four parallel grooves on the sides, and an eye at the butt for the 

 iron-strap. Two movable flukes are fastened with a set-screw 

 to the forward end of the shank in rear of the bomb. Length, 

 31f inches. Kew Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 56376. Man- 

 ufactured and presented by H. W. Mason. Eecent invention. 



Walrus harpoons. 



Common toggle-irons; shanks, wrought iron; toggles, malleable 

 cast iron, mortised; stamped "L. Cole" (Manufacturer). Total 

 length (56415), 22 inches; total length (56413), 22J inches; 

 length of toggles, 6 inches. Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 1883. 

 U. S. Fish Commission. Used by whalemen in the Arctic re- 

 gions in the capture of walrus. 



Iron Sheaths. 

 Sheath for harpoon. 



Made for the harpoons with fixed heads. Wood, covered with can- 

 vas, painted black. Length, 7 inches. 56402. U. S. Fish 

 Commission. 



Sheath for toggle-irons. 



A kind of sheath for the toggle-iron, usually made at sea, to pre- 

 vent the heads of the harpoons from rusting, and from inflict- 

 ing flesh-wounds upon the men when handling them. Common 

 to all whaling vessels. Length, 10 inches. New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, 1882. 56400 and 56401. Gift of I. H. Bartlett 

 & Sons. 



WHALING-GUNS. 



Ordnance. 

 Swiyel-guns. 



Barrel, stub-twist; stock, hard wood; guide for taking aim, brass, 

 extending along and screwed to barrel ; elevated at rear end. 

 Barrel fastened to stock by bolts and lugs. Breech-plug 

 chambered and screwed into the barrel. Two nipples. Flash- 

 pan, brass, hinged to rear of elevated sight. Barrel stamped 

 " W. Greener, maker, Birmingham, 1853." Length, 51 inches ; 

 weight, 56 pounds. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 56342; 

 ramrod, 56343; swivel, 56344 ; gun-strap, 56345; wrench, 56346. 

 U. S. Fish Commission. Mounted on a swivel which is in- 

 serted in a loggerhead made fast to the clumsy-cleat in the 

 bow of the boat, and used in discharging gun-harpoons and ex- 



