i82 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



plank of a gunning-punt should run from stem to stern, the 

 chocks of the latter securing it at each end. This is important 

 in punts built to use heavy guns. Inside the oak box, fore and 

 aft, are two rubber pads, disc shape, 4 in. diameter and i in. 

 thick. The elm block is fitted into the box with no "play" 

 except on concussion longitudinally on the rubber buffers, 

 which are intended to reduce the shock of the recoil. Although 

 the block is free to travel against the rubber cushions in the 

 box, it is arranged not to come out of the box. Two strong 

 top strips of oak, which act as top friction slides, prevent the 

 block from jumping out. We do not figure the box, because 

 after describing it the arrangement should be simple enough. 

 The main point to be observed with regard to recoil gear for 

 large guns is to see and make sure all is strong and equal to 

 the work it has to stand. To complete the recoil gear for the 

 double punt-gun, a stout breeching rope is fitted. This rope 

 may be secured to the gun by trunnions, but a loop under the 

 barrels in the present case is neater, and answers as well. The 

 rope is passed through a hole in the stem chock of the punt, 

 and may lead under or over the fore-deck as may be preferred. 

 Leading over the fore-deck, and well exposed to the air, the rope 

 may more readily dry after being wet, and thus last longer and 

 be less liable to rot. The loop to take the rope on the gun is 

 fitted on to a lump formed on the bottom rib, which latter is 

 brazed to the barrels so far along from the breech. The recoil 

 rope should be arranged with a loose end so that it can be ad- 

 justed in length to allow for stretching or shrinking. In the case 

 of having the gun mounted on a spring, the length of the rope is 

 more important than when having only a plain crutch to lay 

 the gun in. In the latter case, unless the rope shrinks or 

 stretches to such an extent as to alter the balance of the gun, 

 it little matters. Instead of making a "seizing" (lashing) on 

 the ends of a recoil rope, we have found a |- in. by 2 in. copper 

 clip made to fit over the ropes and drawn up with a brass bolt 



