60 SPORTSMAN'S HAND HOUR. 



hauling guns that have been lest in ponds while duck 

 shooting. One that was over a year in the water and mud, 

 the other about six months before found; the inside of both 

 when cleaned was just as bright as the day they fell over- 

 board. The outside of one was ruined with rust, which is 

 certainly good .evidence that the residue of burnt powder 

 must be a powerful rust preventive; had the guns fallen 

 in the water when perfectly clean there would not have 

 been a single particle of bright surface left. Hence, 

 there can be no better rule than to clean and oil 

 the outside of your gun every time after using it, and the 

 inside just before using it; in this way a gun will retain a 

 bright clear surface inside, longer than in any other way. 

 To this there is just one exception, that is: in case a gun 

 has been fired very rapidly until the barrels are very hot; in 

 this case, the gun should be cleaned before the barrels cool, 

 if left to cool, the burnt powder will bake on the inside 

 and be very hard to remove; warm water is best to use 

 in this case, but look well to cleaning the gun until perfect- 

 ly dry; after using water and before putting away, fire a load 

 from each barrel. It may appear a very slovenly way to 

 put away a gun in a dirty condition inside, but the man 

 who practices it will never have occasion to regret doingso, 

 if he wishes to see bright clean barrels after they are 

 cleaned. 



Gunlocks should be taken off occasionally and cleaned; 

 if they are much gummed up with oil and dirt, the best way 

 to clean them is to have a kettle of hot rain water and soap, 

 make a strong, hot suds, tie a string to each lock and churn 

 it around in the hot suds until perfectly clean, it will sur- 

 prise you how quick it is done; then; with a linen cloth, 

 wipe well while yet hot; the heat will thoroughly dry all 

 the inside parts, then oil the working parts with any good 

 oil. Rust preventers are not oil; for the lock, use the best 



