24 DAMASCUS BARRELS. 



as they commonly employ the tradesmen of the town, 

 instead of the master workmen, who actually do the 

 business, and consequently, they have to pay an extra 

 price, beyond prime cost, for the article with which 

 their country agent supplies them. Their reason, how- 

 ever, may be much to their credit : a wish to secure the 

 best barrels. Were I a gunmaker, however, I should 

 prefer keeping at Birmingham a first-rate foreman, or 

 agent of my own, who could pick and choose, and supply 

 me direct from the factories." 



Formerly the Birmingham proof-masters would prove 

 a barrel in the rough, when it might stand very well : 

 but, after being filed and finished, it became so reduced, 

 as frequently to fly all to pieces with the common charge. 

 Now, however, they refuse to prove a barrel till after 

 this reduction of the metal has been completed, and 

 consequently the Birmingham barrels are much more 

 to be depended on than they were. Formerly the rogues 

 got all the rubbish proved at Birmingham, and sent the 

 good barrels for the London proof-mark ; but now both 

 proofs are alike. This is a sad blow to the London 

 trade. In reply to a letter of inquiry that I lately sent 

 to Mr. Westley Richards, he says, " The barrels at our 

 proof-house are proved singly or together, as the parties 

 desire. I prove mine singly, as this is a greater trial 

 to a barrel." 



Westley Richards told me, in 1828, that, for a small 

 barrel, you should go to the Birmingham forgers ; but 

 that, for a large one, Fullerd could beat them. Joe 

 Manton also made the same observation. This was 

 just the reverse of what I then supposed. 



All shooting articles in Birmingham are usually sold, 

 or to use the term of trade " put in," by the dozen, at a 



