424 



THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



future. Shortening a gun-crutch, or filling up the 

 socket on the floor into which it fits, are bad ways 

 of settling a gun's height above the gunbeam. 



ELEVATING-WHEEL FOR RAISING SWIVEL-GUN. 



Spindle and wheel, latter 5^in. diameter, i|in. thick, are fixed to- 

 gether. The former is hollow to near its base (see dotted lines), and 

 is wormed for thread of gun-crutch, the shank of which is iin. 

 diameter, and some Sin. long. 



The gun is lifted by hauling on rope. If the small cord is brought 

 taut to eyebolt in floor of punt, the gun can then be raised or lowered 

 by one hand, even as the fowler draws in shot. Material, gun-metal. 

 All working parts to be kept well oiled. Spindle to revolve freely at 

 head and foot. Frame to be bolted to gunbeam. A " stop " near the 

 end of the thread of the shank, and a corresponding screw at the top 

 of the spindle, will prevent the crutch being ever wheeled overboard. 



I also give sketches of plain and screw Gun- 



