DETONATING SYSTEM. 71 



screw it collects rust, always looks bad, and gives ad- 

 ditional trouble in cleaning. The hole in the nipple 

 must not be too small, and well increased in size down- 

 wards, or this deadly poison to all fire-arms (the oxygen 

 gas) will choke up the communication with rust, and 

 repeated missing fire will be the consequence. A very 

 strong main-spring will counteract all the bad effects 

 of a large hole, by firmly closing it with the cock, in 

 striking the very blow, as I before observed, that puts 

 the charge in motion. The nipple (the only article 

 that need be made to separate from the breeching) must, 

 of course, have a square base, so as to be removable at 

 pleasure, by means of a little wrench. 



There are various opinions as to placing the nipple 

 or pivot. The favourite plan appears to be that of 

 having it perpendicular, for the convenience of putting 

 on the copper caps. For my own part, however, I 

 prefer it sloping, because, in the event of the copper 

 flying, the eye is not then parallel with the circle of 

 splinters, should one of them, by accident, escape from 

 the concave head of the cock or striker. 



THE COCK, OR STRIKER, 



Should cover the nipple with a deep concave head, so 

 that scarcely any of the copper can escape, or a man 

 may lose his eye. Several accidents have happened 

 through the neglect of this. If, however, the concave 

 head of the cock is too small in diameter, or strikes 

 the least on one side, so as to cause any friction 

 against the side of the cap, the gun will most probably 

 miss fire. 



