DUCK GUNS. 273 



The recoil of a duck gun can only be checked by 

 weight of metal, and there are two ways to dispose 

 of it : the one, immense thickness, whereby the gun 

 may be short, portable, and easily managed ; and the 

 other, considerable length, by which you may kill 

 farther, and take a much more accurate aim. The 

 former is the plan of Mr. Joseph Manton, the latter 

 of Mr. D. Egg : and, in order to partake a little of 

 both advantages, I should steer between the two, and 

 have my barrels never less than three feet eight, nor 

 more than four fed four Inches*, unless I used a 

 rest; by which means a gun being top heavy is ren- 

 dered quite the reverse of objectionable. In this 

 case, I should adopt the plan of Mr. D. Egg, as the 

 best in every respect. A broad heel-plate contri- 

 butes greatly to lessen the recoil ; and, in some of 

 the largest sized shoulder guns, a sponge has some- 

 times been found necessary, to prevent the guard 

 from cutting the second finger. 



As to the best length for duck guns that are used 

 without a rest, and must therefore be made to mount 

 tolerably well ; I will lay down a simple rule for those 

 of every size : viz. measure the barrels of your best 

 double gun, and see how many times they are in 



* Since the first edition of this book was published, Mr. Joseph 

 Manton has generally adopted the proportions here recommended, 

 and made some of the best duck guns that can possibly be turned 

 out of hand. He declared to me, that he gained a more perfect 

 knowledge of his business by making duck guns, than by any 

 other branch of practice. 



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