TOUCHHOLE. LOCK. 39 



hole to reach to the pan without filing away any of the 

 metal. I should prefer this to having any other sort of 

 breeching (provided the barrel was worth something 

 better than a chamber plug), as I have proved, that it 

 answers remarkably well. It then becomes like the 

 chamber plug, shoots about as well, and will be safer 

 and much more durable. 



IMPLEMENTS FOR FLINT-GUNS. 



*#* As I may be called " out of date" if I now show 

 forth my pages too conspicuously on what relates only 

 to the flint-gun, I shall present all on that subject in 

 the smallest possible compass. I had before done this to 

 the best of my abilities, and therefore I can only reduce 

 it more now by having recourse to smaller print. 



TOUCHHOLE. Nothing contributes more to Jilting the bag than 

 the disposal of this apparently trifling concern; insomuch, that an 

 old musket, with a touchhole put in by a clever mechanic, would 

 beat a gun, with all the new improvements, if this important part of 

 it were left to tliejob of a bungler. 



Touchholes of plalina are considered the best, as those of steel are 

 apt to collect rust, and one of gold is more liable to blow out, and, 

 therefore, will not admit of being made so thin ; consequently (from 

 requiring to be thick], does not shoot so sharp; for the thinner it is, 

 the quicker will be thejiring of the gun. 



The touchhole should be countersunk; and, to get at it for this 

 purpose, the solid breechings have a screw directly opposite, which 

 (although in those of Mr. Manton scarcely visible) is easily taken out 

 and put in again. Fide Sketches. 



LOCK. Any comment on the perfection to which this part of a 

 gun is now brought would be quite redundant. Notwithstanding, 

 however, that almost every country maker can turn out a tolerably 

 well-filed lock, yet few, even in town, have the knack of making the 

 springs to go so pleasant to the touch, and (if I may use the expres- 

 sion) feel so oily, as those made by the two Mr. Maiitous, Mr. D. 



