POWDER FLASK. 109 



Mr. Egg and Mr. Sykes have each got patents for 

 powder flasks, in which, if a charge is blown up, all 

 communication is so effectually prevented, that no 

 farther damage can be done. I have seen the one 

 of Mr. Egg repeatedly tried by himself. To do this, 

 he dropped a red hot nail into the barrel, which, of 

 course, instantly fired the measure put into it. He 

 then unscrewed the top, and showed me the remainder 

 of the powder hi the horn, having only guarded his 

 right hand by a shield of pasteboard, to avoid being- 

 burnt by the charge from the barrel. 



The principle of it is so secure as to render it im- 

 possible for the powder in the flask to ignite, while in 

 the act of loading, by the passage being completely 

 cut off, from the lever being placed on the top of a 

 strong plate instead of underneath. It also prevents 

 the flash out of the barrel from injuring the hand, as 

 the charger is fixed in an octant position, with a vent 

 to let out the flame. 



The springs of these powder horns must be kept 

 very clean and free, or, like many other ingenious 

 patents, they will fall victims to the abuse of slovenly 

 sportsmen. Mr. Egg says, he " begs leave to caution 

 gentlemen of a trumpery Sheffield flask (sold in the 

 shops), with an upright charger, not being calculated 

 to answer the purpose intended, though it is an in- 

 fringement on his patent." 



Another caution relative to powder horns in the 

 field:- -If you should have fired one barrel, and, 

 "while in the act of reloading it, other game should 



