INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



they contain any fulminating mercury — a m(3st 

 dangerous ingredient, vv^hich causes them to ex- 

 plode with great violence — throw a few into the 

 fire. If they then explode with a loud report, 

 reject them as unfit for use. Excellent caps, 

 however, may he counted on by those who deal, 

 for theh shooting apparatus, with established 

 houses, and tradesmen of character. 



DIRECTIONS FOR PERSONS USING DETON ACTING 

 GUNS. 



Load with the cocks down. When ramming down 

 shot, observe the distance the end of the brass worm 

 is from the muzzle of the barrel, to prevent over- 

 charging. Always ram down hard. 



Prime the last thing ; otherwise, in ramming 

 down the wadding, the powder will be driven into 

 the caps, and become so firmly compressed as to 

 destroy their effect. 



Should the caps be put on by mistake prior to 

 loading, force them off with a turnscrew, and replace 

 them with new ones. 



