192 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



The gun is prevented from turning, by the "flats" on each 

 side of the barrel, facing the flat ends of the trunnions. The 

 trunnions cannot get out of place ; the half-moon holding 

 pieces slot into them just outside the bracket sides and 

 prevent this. These slots, when holding pieces are removed, 

 enable the trunnions, which are really loose pins fitted in, 

 to be withdrawn when required. The bracket is held down 

 with a set-screw and washer. The screw fits into the bed- 

 plate. This screw stands in a radial slot cut in the bracket. 

 The slot permits the bracket to move sideways on its travel. 

 In the faced bottom of the bracket is cut a groove to assist 

 lubrication in the way of grease to stay on this part. A 

 small set-screw working in a small groove, holds the pivot 

 pin from jumping, should the boat lurch. To unship the 

 gun from its bed-plate, remove the set-screw holding down 

 the bracket, and slack back the small set-screw in the pivot 

 socket. The pivot pin, bracket, and all gear except the 

 bed-plate can be removed along with the gun. Our sketches 

 are to scale. For smaller guns a proportionate reduction 

 of material should be made. 



To mount this gear in the bow of a sailing-boat, a suitable 

 support must be fixed, and the bed-plate of the gear bolted to 

 same. Cross beams of oak, tied with an extra gunwale strip 

 forward, is best. If mounted in a punt, a chock of ascertained 

 height is needed to bring the gun to bear its correct distance 

 above water. Unless the punt is a very strong and heavy one, 

 the gun-mounting chock should be stayed with a f in. iron rod 

 fastened from the stem chock. 



This gear, like all other springs, should be kept well 

 greased when in use, and before placing it away for any 

 length of time. 



It should be needless to add that all the work in this 

 apparatus should be of the best. Every part should be a 

 good fit, yet perfectly free and smooth in its working. Unless 



