104 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



snapped either with or without the copper caps, except in 

 the act of shooting. When the gun is loaded, the flash of 

 the detonating powder never enters the inside of the bar- 

 rel ; but if snapped upon the caps, when the gun is un- 

 loaded, it drives the detonating gas into the barrels, which 

 creates rust;* and if done without the caps, the works 

 are liable to be injured, by reason of the cocks meeting no 

 resistance in their fall, as in flint locks. 



" The detonating pegs, cones, or nipples, will last a 

 season's hard shooting " I have known them to last half a 

 dozen " but should by no means be used after the holes 

 are worn large by repeated firing ; as it will weaken the 

 force of the gun, and damage the locks." 



Should it be found necessary to remove the locks 

 and this will be necessary whenever the gun shall have 

 been immersed in water, exposed to heavy rain, snow, mist 

 or salt air, and whenever any roughness or rigidity shall 

 be discovered in the working of the locks, and advisable 

 at least so often as at the beginning and end of every 

 season the mode of doing so is as follows : 



Take out the lock screw, which passes through from 

 the left to the right side immediately in front of the cock ; 

 and with a gentle shake, or a very slight tap on the inner 

 side of the strikers, the locks will be dislodged from their 

 places. On no account, in case of their adhesion, insert 

 any thing between the wood and the metal of the locks ; 

 to do so will invariably bruise the softer substance, injure 



* This gas is far more injurious to the metals than that evolved 

 from the combustion of gunpowder, or than that arising from the two 

 powders in combination. H. W. H. 



