BREECHING. 



35 



with the result of &few shots. But were they to take 

 their guns out for a whole day's work, they would find, 

 that, by thus attempting to improve on a ne plus ultra, 

 they had rendered their breechings liable to repeated 

 flashes in the pan, as well as more difficult to see 

 through (for ascertaining that all is clean and safe), 

 when held to the light. 



Let me now conclude my observations on the fore- 

 going gun breechings by recapitulating on each, in 

 reference to the following wood-cuts, 



Letters of Reference, which apply to all the following Sketches. 



A Calibres. 



B Male screws as they go into them. 



C Chambers which fill with powder. 



D Screws for getting at and countersinking touchholes. 



E Touchholes. 



F Solid iron, which, in Mr. M.'s breeching, admits of being 



cut away. 



N. B. My attempt to give a clear conception of each breeching, in 

 one sketch, makes it necessary to deviate, in some degree, from 

 perspective, which would not fully admit of showing every part. 



No. 1. 

 Common Plug. 



No. 2. 



Chamber Plug. 



