72 DETONATING SYSTEM. 



from this circumstance, became mere lumber, if not 

 an obstruction, instead of being the greatest possible 

 assistance. 



THE BREECHING 



MAY be cupped similar to that for a flint, though of 

 course with a shorter chamber: and by all means 

 forged in one solid piece. 



I am inclined to think, however, that a cup and 

 centrehole made rather more like a funnel would 

 better insure the ignition of all the powder in a per- 

 cussion-gun, notwithstanding this mode of cupping 

 may have proved inferior to the other for & flint-gun. 



VENT-HOLE. 



A DETONATER without a vent-hole, though per- 

 haps it may shoot a little stronger, is very liable to 

 corrode, and recoils most cruelly. The best vent- 

 hole, to my fancy, is a fixed one of platina, similar 

 to a touch-hole ; as vent-screws, I find, are liable to 

 rust in ; and, unless lined with platina, are either 

 soon choked up with rust and dirt, or blown too 

 large by repeated shooting. 



THE NIPPLE, OR PIVOT, 



Is best plain or polished ; the caps, if made well, will 

 always keep on ; but when the pivot is made like a 

 screw it collects rust, always looks bad, and gives 



