62 SPORTSMAN'S HAND BOOK. 



RUST SPOTS IN GUN BARRELS. 



The following communications appeared in Forest 

 and Stream January J2, 1882. They sufficiently explain 

 themselves: 

 Editor Forest and Stream: COLUMBUS, O. 



I wish to take one more turn at the wheel which has 

 been at work of late trying to grind the rust spots out of 

 gun barrels, and give the crank a gentle turn, for I respect 

 the various experiences and opinions as presented in your 

 columns. I have noticed very plainly that, while one 

 sportsman could find nothing but coal oil that would keep 

 his gun in desired condition, another was positive it would 

 not do. Others have tried peculiar remedies and have met 

 with success, while there undoubtedly still remain a few 

 whose experience would be directly to the contrary. Often 

 have I gone to my tent after dark, tired and hungry, and, 

 before I would give any attention to satisfy my appetite, 

 would get out my wiping rod, tow, rags, sperm oil and vas- 

 eline, and go to work; would rub and scrub and clean my 

 gun and lay it away carefully, and then in the morning take 

 a peep through the barrels and find a spot here and there, 

 which I gave credit to not quite enough diligence the night 

 before. Now, my way is to wipe off the outside and oil 

 properly; break the gun and oil breech piece, plungers, and, 

 in fact, clean the outside, but do not touch the inside of the 

 barrels, and I am positive that my gun is in as good con- 

 dition to-day as it was when I first tried the experiment. 



The information that I obtained from an old Californian 

 (as per Forest and Stream, Oct. 20, 1881) was from Col. 

 Horace Park, a resident gunsmith of this city, with whom I 

 am well acquainted and know to be a man with great expe- 

 rience, and a superior mechanic. 



I send to you herewith a very interesting letter, which 



