THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 129 



borne out in asserting that our iron is in- 

 finitely better than any other. 



The best material used for gun-barrels 

 is stub-iron, or old horse-shoe nails : 

 these form the best twist, are tougher, 

 and more yielding withal. We have some 

 j ustly-celebrated barrel-makers in London. 

 Mr. Fullard stands deservedly high, and 

 so does Squires, of Whitechapel. 



I once had a little cover gun, made by 

 the latter, which was a perfect prodigy 

 in its way ; it shot (to use an emphatic 

 Yankeeism) as sharp as " a flash o' light- 

 ning." The barrels were of wire-twist ; 

 and a better little gun I never put to my 

 shoulder. It is now in the possession of 

 a young friend of mine, who wheedled 

 me out of it, and is, I have no doubt, 

 dealing death and destruction amongst 

 the North American snipe and wood- 

 cocks, the present owner having crossed 

 g3 



