28 THE RAMROD. 



who know their trade by publishing it, because it may 

 be the means of proving first-rate from inferior work in 

 the most essential parts of gunmaking. 



THE SIGHT 



Is little used, except for beginners, and slow poking 

 shots, who dandle their guns after a bird for ten or 

 fifteen yards ; and, therefore, the less it is the better : 

 one scarcely bigger than a pin's head will be more out 

 of the way if not wanted ; and for those who require 

 it, the smaller it is the more readily it will help them 

 to the centre. But you may preach this doctrine till 

 you are hoarse, and the gunmakers will still persist in 

 putting sights three times as large as they ought to be ! 



THE RAMROD, 



Which has a worm, on the same principle as the solid 

 corkscrew, is the best to take hold of all kinds of wad- 

 ding, and admits of a brass cap as well as any. The 

 one made like a screw, after a little wear, is of scarcely 

 any more use than the end of a stick, and the common 

 worm is apt to flatten and become troublesome. 



Many young sportsmen have been puzzled by shot 

 falling into the barrel when the ramrod was there ; but 

 if, instead of trying to pull it out by force, they would 

 turn the gun upside down, and press the ramrod into 

 the barrel, the shot would immediately become 'disen- 

 gaged, and fall out. 



Some of the old school, who still keep to the use of 

 paper, have been obliged to leave the field from having 

 wedged in the ramrod, through a neglect to disengage 



