GUNNING-PUNT ACCESSORIES 149 



as I have previously hinted, the workmanship needs to be of 

 the best. Oak or teak is very suitable wood to make the 

 magazine of. Our sketch is to scale. For convenience of 

 describing this article, we will make reference to a few sizes. 

 The bottom and top may be made of f in. wood, sides f in., 

 partitions ^ in. As will be seen by reference to the drawing, 

 the lid is hinged in two places. This materially assists open- 

 ing, and, moreover, prevents "high fly" of the lid if the 

 punter wishes to change a punt-gun cartridge on sight of 

 fowl. The hinges may be let in or fixed flat on the outside. 

 We advise letting them in. The hinged joints of the lid are 

 tongued and grooved, and covered outside with linen, which 

 is painted over along with the box. Around the top edge of 

 the sides, where the lid fits down, rubber is laid in a groove, 

 so that when the lid is pressed down and secured with the 

 hook fasteners, a water-tight joint is made. We do not advise 

 lining out the partitions with any kind of metal. Owing to 

 the dampness of the atmosphere, metal in an almost air-tight 

 box is liable to sweat, or act like a condenser, and thus create 

 moisture. Where the cartridges are kept, a lining of thin 

 rubber, not so much as a waterproofing but as a cushion 

 to eliminate jarring of the cartridges, is useful. Every punter 

 may prefer his own ideas being carried out regarding the 

 divisions in the magazine. On the sketch we have marked 

 divisions which have gradually evolved into personal custom, 

 though individually this is merely a matter of taste. The 

 punter, as he becomes a practitioner, slowly, perhaps, though 

 surely, finds a place for everything, and observantly learns 

 that in punting everything must of necessity be in its place, if 

 success is to attend his endeavours. The magazine here 

 referred to is for a large double punt. For a single-handed 

 punt and other smaller gunning craft the magazine may be 

 proportionately less, as may be found most suitable. A good 

 joiner or cabinet-maker should be employed in the making of 



