HOW GUN-BARRELS ARE MADE. 239 



ment upon the present established process of manu- 

 facturing them. 



The process to which I refer consists in taking, in 

 the first place, a piece of decarbonized steel, of very 

 fine quality, and large enough to make a barrel of the 

 required length, and puncturing a hole through it. 

 A mandril or piston, of the size of the bore required, 

 is then placed in the hole, when the steel, by some 

 powerful means, is drawn. over or around it. I am 

 not acquainted with all the particulars of this new 

 process, and can therefore give only the general prin- 

 ciples involved. I will add that I think the process a 

 practicable one. I know that barrels have been made 

 in the way described, and I see no reason why the 

 process should not be successful. Certain it is that 

 decarbonized steel can be easily manipulated, and the 

 working of it over a mandril or piston would seem 

 likely to insure a bore of greater uniformity than the 

 old process. Then, too, the material of the bar- 

 rels is superior to that now used even in the best guns. 

 It is much stronger than iron, and barrels made of it 

 are therefore better adapted to stand the strain put 

 upon all guns when discharged. 



