400 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



are put in, and how they are used, these are the sort 

 of guns most of our gunmakers and novices con- 

 sider perfection."* 



Now I have said what I can on both sides, let 

 each shooter to his fancy, and fowl for us all. Direc- 

 tions for loading breech-loaders I cannot give ; 

 they are of so many and fanciful designs that the 

 gunsmith each weapon is bought from should know 

 and show best. As to muzzle-loaders, I will 

 presently, as they are in such common use, deal 

 with them more fully. 



Recoil. Shooters trouble themselves most need- 

 lessly in the matter of the recoil of their punt-guns, 

 inventing all manner of strange plans, consisting of 

 springs, india-rubber straps, &c., that in actual prac- 

 tice are often soon discarded. Whatever gun or 

 punt is used, if the latter be properly built at the 

 stem, nothing can or will be cheaper, safer, or more 

 suitable than ordinary rope breeching fitted to trun- 

 nions (see sketch). I have fired guns with charges 

 varying from half a pound to three pounds with 



8 ft. 9 in. ; bore if; in weight of barrel, with breech and trunnions, 

 144 Ibs. ; circumference of barrel at breech, 13^ to 13! in. ; at muzzle, 

 7^ to 7^ in. ; total length, 10 ft. : Cost of barrel, ,25 to 30 ; ignition, 

 breech, and trunnions, ^10 ; stock and lock, $ total, 40 to ,45. 

 Cost of charge, is. to is. 3d. The cost of a breech-loader to shoot 

 the same charge, ,75 to ,90 ; weight, 180 to 190 Ibs. ; same length 

 and bore. Cost of cartridge, loaded, 2s. to 2s. 3d. 



* The height of absurdity in breech-loading swivel-guns was only 

 reached lately by a gunmaker who advertised a " self-cocking punt- 

 gun" \ Still, in my opinion, a hammer is very necessary in every swivel- 

 gun, whether breech or muzzle-loader, as it is a plain and unmistak- 

 able indicator, by night or day, of safety from explosion or of readiness 

 for a shot. It should have the thumb-piece turned backwards into a 

 ring to put the finger through. This obviates the chance of its slip- 

 ping from frost-bitten fingers. I will further add, " a rebounding lock 

 is the safest contrivance that can be put to a big gun." 



