DUCK GUNS. 275. 



which I use on the coast, made with a pistol grip, and 

 whipped with waxed end, round the handle, similar 

 to a cricket bat, which rather lessens the jar ; and the 

 upper part of the but very much cut away, in order 

 to prevent it from hurting the shoulder bone. I also 

 paint and varnish the stock, by which means it does 

 not get cracked, after being wetted with salt water. 

 The gunmakers' stocks I found were always a great 

 plague on this account, as well as from the trouble of 

 keeping them in order, after being exposed to the 

 spray of the sea. Add to which, they recoil most un- 

 mercifully, and are therefore only fit for light charges. 

 I should always have these stocks rather short ; as 

 one that would mount well in a shooting jacket, 

 would be unmanageably long in a gunning dress. 



The following is the average of several shots, tried 

 at twelve sheets of thick brown paper, to ascertain 

 the difference between two common duck guns, and 

 a rery .superior double gun, made by Mr. Joseph 

 Manton. 



