490 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



By this means the most valuable of guns cannot 

 be damaged ; and a pet pair of Purdey's need not 

 be taken up to one's bedroom, on returning from a 

 day's shooting, and cleaned on the sly rather than 

 trusted out of hand. 



As to swivel-guns, it is a great trouble cleaning 

 them at sea, and painting them white no doubt 

 saves much labour, besides giving them a suit- 

 able appearance. Before painting, all grease must 

 be got rid of by washing with lime and water, 

 and when painted it will be necessary to fix a 

 movable duck cover, a foot in length, to lace over 

 the spot where the barrel comes in contact with 

 crutch or bench, as, when a gun is painted, every 

 little chip of the covering that flakes off becomes 

 a nest for rust, which finally works its way in and 

 eats a cavity at such a spot. However carefully 

 a big gun is painted, the rust caused by salt air 

 and water invariably works in between the paint 

 and the barrel, which latter should be scraped 

 bright and repainted every third year in conse- 

 quence, or serious damage may ensue. 



Browned punt-guns look quite black at a short 

 distance. A polished surface is much the best for 

 a large gun, both for its appearance with regard to 

 its use and for ease in keeping clean, as it may 

 then be rubbed and cleaned as required. Fifty 

 years' of " elbow-grease " and emery cloth would 

 not affect its strength, and, if knocked or scratched, 

 rust is not caused as if it were painted or even 

 browned. 



Mr. Holland, of Bond Street, showed me a gun 

 that he built for a customer many years ago. It 



