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 



