THE COMPLETE GUN-ROOM 45 



Rangoon oil is the best, though some sportsmen prefer turpen- 

 tine in the first instance. I do not advise the use of the brass 

 "jag" sold by all gun-makers with cleaning rods, and round 

 which the tow is to be wrapped. This nasty little attachment 

 is quite unnecessary, and is sure to scratch the barrels sooner 

 or later. A much better plan is to make a ball of tow of the 

 required size — fitting the tubes tightly, but not so tightly as to 

 possibly injure the choke when being forced through it — and 

 after dipping it in oil, to push it through with the rod. When 

 the barrels appear perfectly clean, wipe away the oil with clean 

 tow pushed through in the same way, and then finally oil them 

 again with Rangoon, but this time with a perfectly clean mop 

 which has never been allowed to come in contact with any 

 fouling. 



Leading may be removed by soaking well with turpentine, 

 and then using the bristle bush. I do not think that the wire 

 brush is necessary, except in very bad cases indeed. 



The joint of the breech-action, and also the bed and face, 

 ought to be slightly oiled before putting away the gun. A 

 little pad of wash-leather soaked in Rangoon is useful, but an 

 oily rag will do, though it should not be of any material that 

 has fine hairs or fluff" upon the surface. 



In addition to the Rangoon and the various cleaning cloths 

 (which should always be kept shut up in a box away from dust 

 and dirt) a few knitting-needles are handy upon the cleaning 

 table. These are far better for putting on any lubricant than 

 any other method, especially to reach parts of the mechanism 

 not reached by the rag. The use of feathers is a mistake. 



The stocks of guns should no more be neglected than any 

 other parts. Nothing looks worse than to see a fine piece of 

 wood all dull and dirty, with none of its natural markings 

 revealed. 



All other oils, save Linseed, should scrupulously be kept 

 away from the stock and fore-end, and this should be applied 



