106 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



out of the breeches, and in this case it will be well to draw 

 through the tubes a needle well charged with floss silk, 

 which will collect and remove any oil which may have en- 

 tered, and which, if suffered to remain, when the gun 

 should be loaded, intervening between the powder and the 

 cap, would, almost certainly, cause a miss, or at least a 

 long fire. 



" Let down the cock. 



" Cramp the main spring sufficiently to remove it," 

 with the small lock-vice which accompanies every com- 

 plete gun-case ; but be careful not to otter-cramp, as one 

 may so break or injure the spring. 



" Take off the bridle. 



" Press scear against scear-spring with the forefinger 

 and thumb of the left or right hand, according as the lock 

 may be a left or a right one ; and having, with the fore- 

 finger of the other hand, pushed back the cock as far as it 

 will go, let the scear-spring go back gently, when the pivot 

 of the scear is easily lifted out of the hole, and the scear 

 taken out. 



" Turn out the scear-spring screw, and take out the 

 spring. 



" Unscrew and take out the cock." To do this, by no 

 means wrench it off by forcing a screw-driver between the 

 cock and the plate, but loosen it by gently tapping the in- 

 side of the cock with a bit of soft wood. 



" Take out the tumbler." 



This done, wipe all the parts thoroughly dry, remove 

 the dry rust, if any, by means of a little oil and a bur- 

 nisher, lightly oil the whole machinery, again wipe it dry 



