PUNT-GUNS 



i8i 



The recoil of a large double punt-gun firing both barrels 

 together, or nearly so, gives a heavy shock to a punt. A 

 special punt must be constructed if the gun is above if in. 

 For a i|^ in. bore double gun of about 200 lb. weight a strong, 

 well-built punt of not less than 22 ft. 6 in. long, with a 4 ft. 3 in. 

 beam, is needed to safely carry and use such a weapon. As 

 double punt-guns are unwieldy to work if placed in a flat- 

 bottomed crutch and on a rest forward, and also as they are re- 

 quired to be mounted in such a way that a second-barrel shot may 

 be easily taken without any distraction from the first discharge, 



Plan of Breech End, Double Swivel-Gun 



mechanism of a most reliable kind is necessary to counteract 

 the "kicks" of the gun. In other words, the gear should be 

 such that the first discharge does not alter the shooting of the 

 second, no matter how quickly after it may follow. A second 

 shot when fowl are not thick has generally to be taken flying, 

 supposing that the smoke clears sufficiently soon for the gunner 

 to do so. This demands that the gun be pivoted so that it can 

 be readily and easily swung a reasonable travel in any direction. 

 The pivot socket of the spring gear is fitted into a solid elm 

 block, 12 in. wide, 16 in. long, and 6 in. deep. This block is 

 fitted into an oak box made of ij in. wood, and stayed and 

 fixed to the main floor plank of the punt. The main floor 



