194 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



this is so, and the best of material used in its construction, 

 there is danger of a breakage occurring with the gear, which 

 is a matter almost too awful to think of in the case of a very 

 large weapon fully loaded. 



A word should be added on the subject of the boot-jack 

 recoil. The arrangement may be easily enough understood by 

 reference to our sketch. The recoil board (elm) may be 

 varied in length according to the depth of the punt in which 

 this gear is to be employed, and the bend of the gun-stock. 

 The longer the board is, the less recoil will be felt. This 

 length, however, must be determined according to the depth 

 of punt, etc. About seventeen inches is the average height. The 

 padding of the cushion is best of horsehair, covered with 

 leather. Wool loses its elasticity to an appreciable extent 

 when wet, and canvas is not so lasting as waterproof leather. 

 Thus it is inadvisable to use either of these materials in 

 making the cushion. The board is slightly hollowed to take 

 half of the cushion. The boot-jack is attached to the gun- 

 stock by a through-pin with a nut. The double-eye of the 

 board when the nut is tightened holds the pin, this latter 

 turning in the single-eye of the gun-stock end, which is fitted 

 with a brass bush. Thus all wear takes place in the brass 

 bush. This can be easily renewed. If much used where sand 

 abounds, the gear wears slack in a few seasons if used a good 

 deal. If the gear is not well fitted up, and "play" exists in 

 the pin-hole of the gun-stock, a nasty jar will be felt when 

 the gun is fired. All in order, a gun carrying from seven to 

 twelve ounces of shot (never more) may be comfortably used 

 by means of this recoil gear. The double-eye of the board 

 is fenced with a copper band to strengthen it. The con- 

 necting-pin should be made of wrought mild steel. The 

 lower edge of the board is rounded so as to slide smoothly 

 along the floor of the punt. 



Although we come across punt -guns of bores i^ in. 



